M-Audio Tampa

Quality preamp with integrated compressor. A single channel. I use it for voice, coupled with a Sputnik. Good record, not so colorful as you might think, and better.

SOUND QUALITY

The best thing I can say for this preamp is to buy quality cables. You will rediscover it completely. I was blown away by the difference. With kind stagg cables, the sound was distorted, unpleasant. After buying Vovox cables (a Swiss brand that makes good quality at relatively affordable prices) it was day and night.

NOTICE GLOBAL

It seems to have paid 250 euros nine on Ebay (WITHOUT FDP), once the conversion euro / dollar made. It was withdrawn from sale by M-audio as production costs were too high for the selling price !!!!

see above (or below!)

UTILIZATION

use fairly simple when you captured the spirit of the machine. A transistor preamp and compressor output level (+20 db to help much, because without it, the sound is a bit feeble and not the grain of the preamp.)

SOUND QUALITY

Very good sound, relatively transparent for voice, it's not really highlight the flaws of a micro way, it is not enough to end it. So it is effective, and compared with average sound card preamp, the day and night.
Not bad for synths, it makes them very present, without exaggeration in acute mediums.
Special mention for small ... bass. This is not for, as apparently this machine is dedicated to voice, but with the compressor set properly (slow release and fast!), It blew me away more than once. (We approach the low 60's dive a little fast enough!)

Regarding the compressor is not a marvel of precision, but it is his "job" and avoids differences in dynamic decision unmanageable.
However, be careful not to push too much, because if the plug is too compressed, you can not turn back. I often made without taking voice indeed, and I will return to manage in compression according to my mix. it works pretty!
Regarding technology imitation lamp, blah! it twists very quickly, it is very ugly and quite hard to solve ... then either it is not good or I do not know how to use it. Probably a bit of both!

OVERALL OPINION

Very good piece. Not the greatest amp in the world, but extremely practical and goes everywhere. I think this is the kind of thing that keeps itself, as it is easy to forget and rediscover. And each time, it's a good surprise.

PREAMP WITH A VARIABLE IMPEDANCE GENERATOR even harmonic. COMPRESSOR DRIVE OPTICAL DIGITAL CONVERTER 24 BIT 96 KHZ
CONNECTIONS AND JACK IN XLR input and output DIGITAL OUTPUT WITH AES EBU and SPDIF COAXIAL

UTILIZATION

PREAMP A SIMPLE APPROACH WITH A SELECTION OF IMPEDANCE OF COLOR THAT ALLOWS THE SIGNAL ON CONVENTIONAL AND MICRO LEVEL VARIES EFF
A phase inversion AND CUT DOWN

COMPRESSOR / control commands is classic and very soft
C IS THE MOST SUCCESSFUL ELEMENT;

CONVERTER good quality

NOTE ON THE OUTPUT PAD REALLY MAKES RETURN TO THE PREAMP AS A HORSE FOR MORE LIGHT GENERATED SOUND

SOUND QUALITY

USE VARIED BASS GTR SINGING ALL GOING WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS

Staining and NET.
NOT SOME Tube Pre-amps or the presence of MEDIUM FREQUENCY ACUTE CE is reinforced

OVERALL OPINION

,,, USE ON AN ALBUM SET FOR 6 MONTHS

Disadvantage and also a sign of good AUDIO DESIGN / L POWER IS EXTERNAL AND VERY HEAVY
TRANSPORT IF FIX THE TRANSFORMER IF THE WEIGHT OF THAT MAY DESTROY THE REST OF YOUR EQUIPMENT

VERY GOOD VALUE FOR MONEY This brand is definitely very SURPRISING ;;;;;

Prampli mono microphone and instrument + compressor

Between a combo XLR / Jack with power supply and fantme slecteur source XLR or Jack
Selector impdance of the microphone (to play on the gain and of color, nice enough, but requires lengthy testing to find the most suited impdance e microphone)
A 20 dB pad between the pad and a-20dB output (to force the level of internal sigbnal)
A 80 Hz low cut (12 dB per octave): useful for the voices of pop
Phase reverse
A selector frequency drives to chantillonage
Symtrique analog outputs (XLR + jack) and numrique (S / PDIF coaxial)

Simulation technology Lamp

I do not regret it 10/10 because there is a rapidly between mono ...

UTILIZATION

Super easy to use, especially the compressor that provides IMMEDIATE about the results.
The book is rich with such a circuit diagram (it is too rare to be prcis amrita and proposals rglage of the compressor.

We can not rely on the VU meters needles especially for a singer. In addition, the saw-nitre output does not take into account the level diffrence with or without the -20 dB output pad. On the other hand, corresponds dBVu 0 + 26 dBu (instead of +4 dBu gnral!)!
The saw-Maître has attnuation of the compressor is enjoyable.

What is pnible is that in many situations, there is not enough in between then it's starts the 20 dB pad, and it's too hard. A 10 dB pad might be more convenient t.

On the other hand, the output pad -20 dB only affects the analog output and no output numrique. Too bad ...

SOUND QUALITY

In my opinion, this machine is worth it just for the quality of the compressor: it is excellent on the vote. The cuts are soft, natural and amnent a little heat. I would bet that untrained ear would not hear the sound is compressed.
on the other hand, do not expect standards compression ratio is not the goal.

Otherwise, the prampli is excellent to the extent that it is completely transparent (no, it is not cold, it's the microphone that is cold, and I have been slow to understand) . To beginners, because I expected j'tais of a warm, soft, pretty ... H beh no, this SPP is neutral and suddenly, trs Fidler sound source and microphones DIFFERENT.
In addition, it is completely silent even with the gain background (66 dB when-even!).

For cons, I'm not convinced by their simulation technology lamp of course, the soft-clipping and saturation gradually as and when you push the gain are l.
But I expected a more warm, soft ... Niet.

OVERALL OPINION

I recorded a CD with (vocals and guitars).
A 325 Euros (instead of 800) in sons.com universe is a great deal.
I wanted a pramp compressor for recording of the song (because I find the software compressors dforment voice too, lack the natural). So I am the 100% satisfied. It stupfiant.
And since it is transparent and trs silent, we are not in sr crash recording.
But I'm kind of not get a warm out when I want. So back the good old method of legalization with the software ...

There is an interresting news article about it on the site of M-Audio. They say they come to have a neutral sound by working pramp the average earnings, and sounds "lamp" by drilling the internal signal and lowering the output level with the-20dB pad.
Beh me, I feel that the sound is neutral all the time (and never trs hot). But what does that heat lamps? That is the question ...

If you want a good compressor for voice trs: ok
If you want a prampli powerful prcis, quiet and neutral: ok
If you want the sweetness or heat: not ok. The pramps my MOTU interface or those of my table Phonic are softer and warmer.