Radial X-AMP vs. Radial Pro RMP (clips inside)

[CronosBeyond]

So far I used a passive "Radial Pro RMP" for reamping my stuff. Because I was curious how the active "Radial X-Amp" sounds in comparison and I want a second output I bought it. Today it came and I made a little comparison. Perhaps some of you are interested in the results - as a blind test
I provided the files in WAV and MP3 format.


Recording chain:

• ESP Ltd EC1000 with SD Blackouts -> MOTU 896 MKIII (1 Mohm Input)

Reamp chain:

• MOTU -> Radial X-Amp/Rmp -> Maxon OD9+ -> Engl Steve Morse (Channel 3) -> Engl 4x12 (Celestion V30) -> Shure SM57 -> MOTU

And here are the files...

WAV:

• Full Mix - Reamp Box 1
• Full Mix - Reamp Box 2
• Guitars Only - Reamp Box 1
• Guitars Only - Reamp Box 2

MP3:

• Full Mix - Reamp Box 1
• Full Mix - Reamp Box 2
• Guitars Only - Reamp Box 1
• Guitars Only - Reamp Box 2

Here's the whole package in a zip file: zip

I'm curious about your votes An often heard opinion is that active DI/reverse DI boxes are better than passive ones. Let's see if it's the case here

 

[ahjteam]

My answer is the number four: so minimal difference that it doesn't affect record sales = don't really care. Still proud to own X-amp.

 

[PhilTheBeard]

Hmm don't hear much of a difference at all

 

[006]

Same here.

 

[deLuther]

Maybe better to use ground lift on ProRMP or transformer isolated output on X-Amp to get rid of 50 Hz pike.
To me both results seems slightly undergained. ProRMP can be easily modded to have large output level (transfer signal 1 to 1) and better frequency response.
Differense is minimal, but voted for 2nd variant.

 

[CronosBeyond]

Maybe better to use ground lift on ProRMP or transformer isolated output on X-Amp to get rid of 50 Hz pike.

GroundLift is activated on both boxes. I used the first output (direct) on the X-Amp. Is there a 50hz peak in the guitars?

To me both results seems slightly undergained.

I'm using not much gain on the amp. Sounds too muddy for me in the mix and I want to achieve clarity. Or do you mean something else with the term "undergained"? Output level on both boxes is set to full.

 

[Skaldir]

I also made a shootout for myself between those boxes, where it was a bit more obvious what the differences are.
Yours sound very similar but I would guess x-amp is 1 and pro rmp is 2.

 

[deLuther]

GroundLift is activated on both boxes. I used the first output (direct) on the X-Amp. Is there a 50hz peak in the guitars?

Yes, there is, check with frequency analyzer (with high resolution).
Maybe it`s coming from other source.

 

[Skaldir]

post the result

 

[CronosBeyond]

post the result

First answer is the right one
Box 1 was the X-Amp, Box 2 the RMP.

Personally I didn't notice any difference

 

[Skaldir]

First answer is the right one
Box 1 was the X-Amp, Box 2 the RMP.

Personally I didn't notice any difference

Cool, then I was right. But I have to add that I only could answer it because I made a shootout between those myself in the past. The x-amp is a bit darker, the RMP a bit brighter.
I have the modded RMP and I'm totally happy with it.

 

[CronosBeyond]

Cool, then I was right. But I have to add that I only could answer it because I made a shootout between those myself in the past. The x-amp is a bit darker, the RMP a bit brighter.
I have the modded RMP and I'm totally happy with it.

There's a little difference in the high frequency range, yes. You can hear it of you phase flip one of the files and play both stacked. But in the mix I don't hear that so I don't care

What's that modded RMP you're talking about?

 

[Skaldir]

deluther could probably tell you more about it
http://www.ultimatemetal.com/forum/equipment/568415-radial-prormp-modification.html

You jump two resistors and pull one out. The box gives out a louder signal then

 

[deLuther]

deluther could probably tell you more about it
The box gives out a louder signal then

And better frequency response, check plot with extended range.

 

[Skaldir]

And better frequency response, check plot with extended range.

For my box I measured the response before and after the mod and it stayed the same.

 

[deLuther]

After full mod i.e. v2?

 

[Skaldir]

Bridged R1 & R2 removed R3