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A different Rackmount Preamp?

Matthew_84

Matthew_84

Nov 7, 2010
6,497
5,101
Greater Toronto Area, Canada
#1
I have a Tech 21 RPM, which is a near perfect rackmount preamp to power my Crown XLS 1000 power amp. It's only short-coming, to me, is that it has only one active parametric mid control. I love it, but I do need to have separate controls for low and high mids, with parametric control for each.

I mainly play at home, by myself, from metal to classic rock to jazz. Eventually I will just plug it directly into my Tascam US-122 to record on my PC.

The most crucial features of the RPM, for me, are the gain control, for a great tubey over-drive simulation, the blend knob to blend the gain with an unaffected signal, the active EQ control (I prefer knob, and parametric style, not a graphic EQ), and then a master volume out. I don't really need all of the other features it has.

I have three options:
1) Get a different rackmount preamp altogether that has the same crucial features of the RPM, but with additional mid parametric control.

2) Keep the RPM, and just buy a separate parametric EQ pedal, something like Nathan East's Q pedal, if I remember correctly.

3) Get a different rackmount pre, that covers all of my EQ needs, and then buy an additional pedal for over-drive/grit.

My budget isn't huge, so I'd like to keep the cost down. The Warwick Hellborg preamp would be perfect for option 3, but it costs 2k at least, which is too high for me right now.

If anyone can give me their opinions - anything from good rackmount preamps, and EQ or over-drive pedals to bad ones, that would be appreciated. Thanks is advance,

Matt
 
#2
If you mainly play at home and if the RPM is enough for what you don't play at home I would go with option 4 and go for software effects.
What you pay for a new rack preamp you would get several heads and preamps in the amplitube store for instance.
 
#3
maybe try a channel strip rack thing?
I have a Presonus Studio Channel that I use for a lot of stuff when recording, and occasionally as a just a bass preamp into a QSC power amp.
It sounds really good, and if you upgrade the stock tube in there with a NOS something or another from way back when, you can dial in some great sounds. It has 3 bands of parametric eq, with the mid having an adjustable Q as well.

it has a separate knob to dial in tube drive, and if you hit it hard with a bass, it sounds pretty cool, almost like an old bassman with hot tubes.

$300 and totally worth it.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/StudioChan/
 
#4
I'm a big fan of the RPM and it was my go-to until I started designing and building my own - agree, dual mids are great to have. I'd recommend picking up an Aguilar DB680 which is one of my favorites bar none.
 
#7
None of the above
Use your preamp and buy a Behringer (or other low cost 19" parametric) rack mount
Lower noise and better fidelity than a pedal; will also have an adjustable Q
The Behringers are something like $100 new and $50-75 used
I have 2 that have been working fine for many years
 

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