Hi all,
So I've got this rack tray in my rack that has a few pieces of gear in it that are all 1/3 space units. One is the FMR RNC and the other is a Henry Engineering Matchbox HD ( a consumer to pro and back line level matching box). So that leaves an open space for another 1/3 sized unit. That little hole is bugging me death. So I'm wondering what my options are for pieces of gear that are 1/3 rack sized. The ones that I know of are:

FMR RNC
FMR RNP
Henry Eng. Matchbox HD
M-Audio AudioBuddy

What are some others? Maybe I can find something I need to fill that hole. Thanks for your input.

Brandon

something from Littlelabs!!!! (1/4 rack) but it'll look fine...and be REALLY useful and GREAT sounding.

Also could be a good spot for another FW drive???...always useful.

Andy

Alesis Nanoverb. Also Presonus makes a bunch of 1/3 RU stuff now. The parametric EQ wasn't too bad.

Steve

Actually the Nanoverb suggestion (or Microverb) isn't bad if you need a little reverb for monitoring use etc. They go for like $20 on eBay for sure...

those little Presonus EQ3B are somewhat useful actually.

War

The Apogee Mini Me, Mini MP, Mini DAC are 1/3 rack aren't they?

I dunno, there's a couple things I could think of.

But I must ask...

What do you NEED?

I really dig the RNP. It's the obvious choice!

-Synth80s

Well, I'm still building up the basics so there's a lot I could use from preamp, eq, fx, headphone amp, you name it. Here's what I got:

John Hardy 990/ Jenesn pre -custom one channel
DBX 160VU
FMR RNC
Henry Eng. Matchbox HD
Countryman DI
M Audio Firewire Solo interface
NS10s and Crown DC300A
Behringer balanced patchbay
Behringer UB802 mixer for monitoring
Lacie Triple extreme hard drive 160GB


I was really considering the RNP but Im not quite sure I want that as my main pre. I do want a 2 channel pre that is pretty much a "go to" for everything but I dont think I want it to be the RNP...

I'm just looking for something useful to fill that little hole. Cheap would be nice too..

Anymore thoughts? Thanks.

Brandon

I'm curious about this statement -- please elaborate.

Your description of what you're looking for in a pre is actually how I might describe the RNP. It doesn't offer too much of any specific flavor IMO -- just 2 channels of high quality preamplification (and great DI) in a small form factor at a very good price.

Though I haven't used one to compare, I've read several opinions saying that the RNP and Sytek are quite similar and that the Sytek is a good, high quality "bread and butter" pre.

I think it's fair to say that the more particular the flavor a piece of gear offers, the less widely it can be used. Becuase it doesn't lean too far in any tonal direction, I think the RNP is a great "go to" pre for most sources.

-Synth80s

I'm not sure really. I was just thinking for a 2 channel pre as my main pre, especially since I'm not using console pres in any form, I would need something on a little higher level. However, considering my experience with the RNC, I'm very tempted to just get the RNP and be done.

On the other hand, I could kind of use one of those nanoverbs for monitoring verb while tracking....

I found a bunch of stuff at markertek that is 1/3 sized: Radio Design Labs.... but it all looks pretty bunk...

Decisions, decisions....

little labs ibp!

Anymore?

I would add a second Hardy 990. These are my "go to" preamps for vocals and acoustic guitars, as well as drum overheads, bass (after D.I.), and numerous other sources.

However, my suggestion for your 1/3rd rack space remains an RNP, if only to give your RNC balanced ins and outs. Add a Funk Logic tray to it to give the whole thing a classy look.

Hi all,
I found some more 1/3 rack unit for those interested:

http://www.rane.com/ms1b.html - 1 channel mic pre

http://www.henryengineering.com/hestereomix.html - $200 summing device

I havent used either but they're 1/3 rack units so I thought I'd throw them up here...

Any comments on the Rane pre? I searched the forums and found some info but does anyone have anymore to add? Thanks.

Brandon

i tried to resist but i cant.

i really think its a bad idea to buy gear based on its size.

what will make your work flow better, what will best address what is missing from your results?

sorry, i couldnt resist

No, no... that's not the point here...

I was just curious about cheap little fun boxes that can fill in some of those holes in the rack. ....hopefully coming across some useful little tools. I'm not looking for what I need necessarily but just tossing around some units/tools that may be a useful addition at a low cost. Yeah it sounds rediculous just to buy something to fill in a hole in the rack so that's why I'm looking for cheap little tools that may be helpful and fill that annoying hole all at the same time. Just a fun discussion to see what's out there...

Brandon

C'mon. This is Gearslutz after all! What does "need" have to do with it?

BTW, I'd add another RNC. If you want ultimately want another two pre channels, you will eventually want another RNC since they provide stereo, but not 2 independent channels, of compression. You may or may not want the RNP as another pre (I have one so no bias here), but I suspect that another RNC will be useful regardless of what additional pre you eventually purchase.

http://www.mojopie.com/ms1b.html

I liked it on snare and acoustic stuff. Not a bad pre at all, little light in the low end.

War

Warhead... I noticed you sold your Rane pre. Why?

Brandon

Exactly!

Little Labs IBP