Members Strange Posted March 19, 2009 Members Share Posted March 19, 2009 Well. I have come down with a touch of GAS. I am thinking about buying a 2 channel pre for overheads. This is for a hobby studio so I am not looking to spend more than $400. I use the "Recordeman" technique and track with a pair of Samson C02s into a Firepod. I am actually happy with the C02s. For the cash they are great. I guess I am looking for something that would be an upgrade over the Firepod pres. Obviously, FMR RNP is an option but I would appreciate some suggestions and opinions. If you would recomend the FMR lets hear why. Thanks in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members UstadKhanAli Posted March 19, 2009 Members Share Posted March 19, 2009 I'd recommend the RNP because it sounds beautiful and clear and open, not pinched. I don't know how it compares to the Firepod since I've never heard the Firepod. I have the FMR RNP, and it sits comfortably alongside a Peavey VMP-2 and a Neve Portico, neither of which is a shabby mic pre. I'm happy to use it right alongside those two. I own two, and I think they're great. Really great when you consider the cheap price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jchas Posted March 19, 2009 Members Share Posted March 19, 2009 Another option would be the Sytek. I see them used every so often for $600. I know its $200 more than your budget, but it works great for OH's, it's 4 channels, and most of them have 2 channels with different op-amps for slightly different tone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Strange Posted March 19, 2009 Author Members Share Posted March 19, 2009 I have tried to find a VMP-2 for sometime now. They do not surface very often. Thanks for the 2 cents Ustad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Lee Knight Posted March 19, 2009 Moderators Share Posted March 19, 2009 I use my RNP for overs all the time and it works well. Compared to the API it has its slight shortcomings... but for the price it is a steal. If you're interested in what the diff is I'd be glad to fill you in but, who cares really. The price gap is huge. On your budget you can't go wrong. I'm not saying anything that hasn't been been 1000+ times on the internets but... for the coin the unit works great. I'm still a big fan of the Rane too though. A couple of those come in cheaper and they sound great. As good to my ears. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members UstadKhanAli Posted March 19, 2009 Members Share Posted March 19, 2009 I have tried to find a VMP-2 for sometime now. They do not surface very often. Thanks for the 2 cents Ustad. I bought mine something like 11 years ago used, and am constantly asked if I want to sell it. It's a good preamp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Strange Posted March 19, 2009 Author Members Share Posted March 19, 2009 Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I guess I knew the RNP would handily win the day but its always nice to see one's options and hear about other's experiences. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members MrJoshua Posted March 20, 2009 Members Share Posted March 20, 2009 Well, honestly, to get a "better" dual-channel preamp than the RNP, you're going to be spending a lot of money. I have preamps from Focusrite, API, Great River, etc... and the two RNPs in my home studio still see a LOT of use. Bang for the buck, they rank off the chart. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members witesol Posted March 20, 2009 Members Share Posted March 20, 2009 I'd almost be more inclined to spend that money on better mics. you could find a used pair of sm81s maybe. GT33s, AT4041s, Rode. while the preamp might help, it'll only show that those Co2s are a bit harsh and smeary sounding...and the preamps you have arent awful by any means. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Strange Posted March 20, 2009 Author Members Share Posted March 20, 2009 Maybe getting a decent pre will make me invest in some new OHs. I would be OK with that too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members UstadKhanAli Posted March 20, 2009 Members Share Posted March 20, 2009 Witesol does have a good suggestion there. 4041s are good little mics (I have 4051s). I've been using Heil PR30s for overheads lately. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Strange Posted March 22, 2009 Author Members Share Posted March 22, 2009 I will definitely upgrade sometime. I think I would have more fun and more use for a new per though. You have to love the GAS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Majoria Posted March 22, 2009 Members Share Posted March 22, 2009 I use 4041's as overheads and love them, even with stock 003R pres. May have to rent a few pres and see what improvement I can justify. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members UstadKhanAli Posted March 22, 2009 Members Share Posted March 22, 2009 The thing is that the whole signal chain has to be solid, from the actual source (obviously) to the converters and everything in between. Any improvement anywhere along the chain - especially at the source - will yield big improvements in the quality of the sound. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Strange Posted March 22, 2009 Author Members Share Posted March 22, 2009 Understood. I am actually thinking (as per my new thread) that perhaps it is time to retire the old FirePod. Maybe what i should do is upgrade the converters and get som new pres later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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