Review of the FMR Really Nice Preamp

[admin]

Review of the FMR Really Nice Preamp



Price and Where to buy

Can be found here:

http://audio-pro-central.com/reviews/re ... mr_rnp.htm

Excerpt:

Who should get an RNP? Its almost harder to point out who should not get an RNP. Those who are using mixer and audio interface preamps, or the common preamps built in to a multi-track recorder stand to benefit the most from getting an RNP. The RNP also makes a nice second preamp for rigs that already may have a premium one channel preamp. Because the RNP is two channel, it it well suited for recording in stereo with matched pairs of mics. For a professional, whether to get an RNP or not may depend on if you intend to get something better to fit this need. But even so, the RNP is like to still get some use. The more "colors" the better.

[Jordzen]

i love my RNP!

i only wish the volume knobs werent restricted to 12 preset steps. Simply coz it makes it hard to adjust volume subtly during recording! but i love the sound i get from it.

[nanashiwanderer]

I've been waiting for this review since may, Tweak I noticed the tone of your review style is a bit different, it seems to be geared towards a wider audience, Is that intentional? Can we expect this of audio-pro central reviews as opposed too tweakheadz reviews?

[Tweak]

Thanks for the feedback. Ah, I generally write out of whatever mood I am in. sometimes a little wild and crazy, sometimes not. I am kind of trying to reach people that have experience, not so newbie oriented as i am in the guide.

[Nosound]

So according to most folks that record either at home or pro studio this is the best 2 channel micpre for the price is there any other micpre's in this price range? I heard good things about Rane MB1 and Groove Tubes Brick micpre's I know Rane makes a dual version of their MB1 pre and I do know GT Brick only has one pre but heard great things about both pre's. I read reviews by some recording guys named Fletcher and Harvey Gerst both guys recommended the FMR RNP and Fletcher also recommend the Groove Tubes Brick and Harvey recommended the Rane MB1 and also th FMR RNP. So based of these guys recommendation I just purchased a FMR RNP today on line but. What about the other pre's these guys mentioned? How would they compare with the FMR RNP the GT Brick cost right around 400$ (street) the daul version of the Rane MB1 still waiting on info. of the exact model of the daul version of MB1. Main reason I want more pre's I need to record drums I figured kick and snare on FMR with 57 and beta 52 OH's on the Rane daul w sm81's and another LCD S.P.B1 as a room mic on the GTbrick what do you guys think I'm usually just a lurker but still new to the recording end BTW if it matters all the mic pre's will feed into a Alesis HD24XR then mixed ITB with CEP2.1. I'm treating my room with DIY 703 for broadband absorption recommended by another guy named Etan Wiener. He said gotta do room panel first also I'll be using a pair of Alesis monitor one highly recommended by Harvey Gerst for budget monitors. So what's your opinion on the Rane MB1 and Groove Tubes Brick good as the infamous FMR RNP how well will they stack up together with my 24 alesis hdxr thanks for any input and opinions good or bad.

[thrice_removed]

Scroll down the page a little - I just had a thread on a topic very similar to this.

[doybins]

peace!the reviews are crazy!!!(in a good way)whoa!this is a great preamp...how i wish i get one...too much GASsssssss(gear acquistion syndrome) going on, with too way little Cash to shell out!huhuhu

[Steven mc.]

I Just bought a groove tubes Brick. I like Tube on vocals and guitar amps. I am curious to hear what someone educated with Both preamps has to say though.

[Weasel9992]

I don't own a Brick but I have easy access to one...I do own the RNP.

I really like them both, but I generally use the Brick for DI applications. I'm not in love with the sound on vocals, but I'm not using the mics you're using in the room you're using them in. I like the RNP much better for vocals, but not as much for bass or guitar DI. That'd be a tough choice between the two. They're very different...kind of an apples/oranges comparison.

Weez

[Steven mc.]

the research I've done says they both are Good, But they are different. Tube vs SS...simple. I wanted tube, for a few reasons. I record with POD XT live a lot. I leave the cheap gain way down on the XT, and run it through the brick at max for "real" tube response and good amplification. (POD users, do some research on this) I always liked the sound of my art tube MP over Mackie SS sound, so...I figure I like tube. also with my bright rodeNT2 tube compliments it nicely. again, I'm going to wait a little while before I make my mind up with the brick.

[thehobbster]

I read that the RNP has coarse gain steps of 6db per step. Is this also the case with the threshold and ratio knobs as well, or do they have more fine movements and can tune into more other ratios that are not printed on the box?

[e-ray]

The RNP has no ratio or threshold controls, only gain. And yes, they are 6dB per step.

[thehobbster]

The RNP has no ratio or threshold controls, only gain. And yes, they are 6dB per step.

HAHAHA! Sorry guys. I was actually thinking of the RNC. Are they course steps as well?

[Snowbound]

The RNC has smoothly operating pots like your typical hardware compressor.

[fry8]

Hi, I am brand new to the whole recording thing. I want to record guitars and I am thinking about getting the shure sm57 as well as this pre amp. I am going to probably be recording it on my laptop using sony acid pro. Would this be a fairly good setup? O and also, how would I connect everything to the pre amp and such? What is the difference between channel A and Channel B? Thanks.

[motulover]

Channel A and Channel B are two independent mono channels...perfect for stereo miking and such. Each have their own discrete outputs and gain/trim controls.

[thursday]

you can't go wrong or get more bang for your buck than the RNP-
Shure sm57 combo. Good on guitar amps and vocals, with the caveat
that it won't give you that airy top end sound . Its more of a muscular
sound. And the RNP has herds of gain.

[bilco]

you can't go wrong or get more bang for your buck than the RNP-
Shure sm57 combo. Good on guitar amps and vocals, with the caveat
that it won't give you that airy top end sound . Its more of a muscular
sound. And the RNP has herds of gain.

+1

The SM57 through the RNP on my voice is the best combination I have heard so far, other than my voice into a Lawson LDC into a Great River. Given that this IS basically a passionate hobby, I think I will stick with the SM57 and the RNP.

bilco

[thursday]

Since i got my Fathead ribbon mike I've been digging that on guitar
amps

[PSlim2112]

I have a couple and can't say I can complain. Good sound, good buy, no worries.

[telecasterguru]

Picked up my RNP today and had to try it out straight away and used it to record my Guild D25 through a Rode NT1000.

I was blown away by the clarity and the amount of gain available.

I think it is outstanding value for the money.

[SteveV]

How would one go about setting up a monitoring configuration when using this pre? Presently, I am using the pre's on my board and recording via the direct outs on each channel. When it comes time for the overdubs, I send a monitor mix into the board then track from there. I can add comfort effects if needed. Without an monitor send within the RNP how can I get a latency free sound? A lot of other preamps I looked at have this option.
FYI...I am using a Motu 2408 as the interface.

[Tweak]

You would monitor in Cue mix on the 2408. The reverb would have to be connected to a hardware send on the 2408 and return on some other inputs.

[SteveV]

You're right on cue with the cue mix...trouble is, I can't seem to get anything going through it, there is obviously something I am not doing, maybe someone here can walk me through the configuration.
I don't have a hardware send on the 2408 mk2, at least I don't believe so...if the cue mix is working then sending a mix back into the board from the analogue outs of the 2408 I think would do it...correct?

[Tweak]

It should. I use the 828mk2 cue mix. Yours may vary. I can have as many mixes as there are outputs. Naturally, if you also use these outputs in your sequencer you'll be doing it wrong. So turn OFF your sequencer's monitoring switches and only use cue mix.