good vocal preamp?

[a kremer]

hey! im currently running an 002r and am considering getting a separate preamp for vocals. id like to have more clarity and control than what the 002r offers. does anyone have any suggestions...or advise against this? im shooting for $500-$700. thanks

[bassbuddy]

http://mercenaryaudio.com/fmrrnmp.html

best,

Kenny

[vicwind]

i keep seeing this one come up, but can anyone give me a clue as to their experience with this RNP vs. the quality and GENERAL sound of the 002 pres. i am also looking for this but am leaning toward the SP828 because of its mix bus out. again, any real experience-based comments would be welcome. and not the same old rhetoric i keep hearing about gear that costs less than a grand. ears are the proof. (now someone's going to tell me to go to a store to check it out. i will, but if someone already has a good story about how this RNP compares directly with the 002 pres, i;m all ears.)
thanks people!

BTW, at UBC where i record all recitals and orchestra, i am used to the Millennia HV3D with passive summing. it's a damn nice pre, just out of reach finnancially.

[jonnyc]

Hey VicWind I'm a member of a forum called TweakHeadz.com thats nothing but recording and is full of pro's telling people what they should and shouldn't buy. One of the longest running members is Blue Bear. His studio rivals the big LA and NY studios and he swears by the FMR RNP also called the "real nice pre". This guy usually won't touch anything under a couple grand but thinks these things are the greatest thing since sliced bread. Also a butt load of people on the site use the RNP and love it. Its tough to find online to buy but as soon as I get $500 I'm buying it. And to let you know I asked Blue Bear the diff between the 002r pres and the RNP he laughed and said its not even close.

[IntelDoc]

The RNP are great as are the RNC (Compressors). If I were you, I would save up a few more bucks and look into the Vintech 1272 (Neve 1072) clone. I have one and use it all the time on vocals. I recently bought a pair of the X73i's and they too are great. Saved me a lot rather than dumping 3K on one, but to me they are fantastic. I use the 1272 on everything from guitars to kick, snare, and vocals. Just a great sound all around.

Good luck,

- Doc

PREAMPS

[Chris Shaeffer]

I own one- I wish I owned 8. Don't get me wrong, the 002 pres are pretty darn good, but the RNP sounds great to my ears. Clear, open, with TONS of headroom. So, yeah, it sounds really good- especially to help a vocal stand out a bit in the mix when everything else is going through the 002's pres.

Take care,
Chris

[vicwind]

Alright, that's what i wanted to hear! thanks guys. i found a bunch online for 475 US. looks like the best 2 channels i could afford and it sounds like i'll be happy. i looked at mercenaryaudio and they have racked versions with both the RNP and RNC in the same 1u rack. pretty cool! (i have nothing to do with that company, just saying...)