Saffire vs RNP - preamp shootout

bensommerfeld · 20th July 2006

Hey guys,

I just made a little shootout between the Saffire and the RNP preamps. I thought this might be interesting for some of you guys, as both devices seem to be very "hot" these days.

http://gload.de/files/1fc82eb62f313bd9ab33fae30.zip

The signal chain of the files was:

1.Neumann TLM193 ---> RNP ---> Saffire Line-In
2.Neumann TLM193 ---> Saffire Preamp
3.SM57 ---> Saffire Preamp
4.SM57 ---> RNP ---> Saffire Line-In

All files are 16 Bit WAVs.

The vocal part is taken from a friend's song, which we recorded some weeks ago.

What do you guys think?

Acoustic Cloud · 20th July 2006

Hey Ben!

Alot of them sound pretty close, even one 57 take seemed a bit clearer than the others. You might want to hit them harder while tracking, or maximize the files, to hear a bit more detail and bring it "in the face" some more. This would probably point out more difference..

Nice work though!

nano_606 · 23rd July 2006

The RNP sounds just a bit "smoother" than the saffire, on the Nuemann.. But on the 57 they both sound identical almost, very focused and highly usuable, just a little boring. But I actually like "your" voice more through the 57, it doesn't have so much simbalence and wild dynamics, but thats probably due to your technique more than anything.

On the Neumann the saffire sounds a little congested and doesn't seem to have the depth and eveness of the RNP.

But really, im not sure if its a big enough differance in quality to justify paying the extra bucks for.. I would say if you have a low end mic like the 57, NO.. But if everything else in the chain is up to snuff , then yea, I might say one should get the RNP... might ...

what do you guys think?

bensommerfeld · 24th August 2006

*bump*

mr jkn · 26th August 2006

RNP - more presence, more detail

Saffire - a bit dull (dark), some lo mid bumps

..but(!), both sounds useful to me, would prefer the rnp though.

Nice shoot-out!

bensommerfeld · 26th August 2006

thanks for all of your opinions so far!

20th July 2006	#1
bensommerfeld Gear Head Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 48 Thread Starter	Saffire vs RNP - preamp shootout Hey guys, I just made a little shootout between the Saffire and the RNP preamps. I thought this might be interesting for some of you guys, as both devices seem to be very "hot" these days. http://gload.de/files/1fc82eb62f313bd9ab33fae30.zip The signal chain of the files was: 1.Neumann TLM193 ---> RNP ---> Saffire Line-In 2.Neumann TLM193 ---> Saffire Preamp 3.SM57 ---> Saffire Preamp 4.SM57 ---> RNP ---> Saffire Line-In All files are 16 Bit WAVs. The vocal part is taken from a friend's song, which we recorded some weeks ago. What do you guys think?

20th July 2006	#2
Acoustic Cloud Lives for gear Joined: Jun 2006 Location: around the corner Posts: 1,990	Hey Ben! Alot of them sound pretty close, even one 57 take seemed a bit clearer than the others. You might want to hit them harder while tracking, or maximize the files, to hear a bit more detail and bring it "in the face" some more. This would probably point out more difference.. Nice work though! __________________ If the Earth wasnt created, where'd all the dirt come from?

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23rd July 2006	#3
nano_606 Gear interested Joined: May 2006 Location: California Posts: 23	The RNP sounds just a bit "smoother" than the saffire, on the Nuemann.. But on the 57 they both sound identical almost, very focused and highly usuable, just a little boring. But I actually like "your" voice more through the 57, it doesn't have so much simbalence and wild dynamics, but thats probably due to your technique more than anything. On the Neumann the saffire sounds a little congested and doesn't seem to have the depth and eveness of the RNP. But really, im not sure if its a big enough differance in quality to justify paying the extra bucks for.. I would say if you have a low end mic like the 57, NO.. But if everything else in the chain is up to snuff , then yea, I might say one should get the RNP... might ... what do you guys think?

24th August 2006	#4
bensommerfeld Gear Head Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 48 Thread Starter	bump

26th August 2006	#5
mr jkn Lives for gear Joined: Aug 2005 Location: Sweden Posts: 518 1 Review written	RNP - more presence, more detail Saffire - a bit dull (dark), some lo mid bumps ..but(!), both sounds useful to me, would prefer the rnp though. Nice shoot-out!