Third Take

I bought the M-Audio DMP3 Dual Microphone/Instrument Preamp a few months ago to add another two preamps to my system. I chose this preamp because of my positive experience with the preamps in my M-Audio Omni Studio, which are reportedly based on the DMP2, predecessor to the DMP3. I’ve been using the DMP3 for a few months, and am pleased with the preamp despite one major flaw.

The DMP3 features two solid-state preamps with both Hi-Z and Lo-Z inputs on the rear of the unit. The Lo-Z XLR input is for microphones and direct boxes, while the Hi-Z 1/4″ TRS jack accommodates high-impedance instruments like acoustic and electric guitar. Also on the rear of the unit are buttons to invert the phase on each channel. On the front panel, each preamp has a gain knob and two buttons. The first button switches the “gain range” from high gain (32dB to 66dB) to low gain (6dB to 36dB). The second button engages a low-cut filter on the channel. Also on the front are a main power button, and a phantom power button which turns on +48v phantom power for both channels. Some budget preamps reportedly supply less than 48 volts, but I measured the DPM3 and it actually supplies 49.6v.

The front panel is dominated by two large, round VU meters that show your input level. There is also a clip LED that lights when the unit is about to clip. According to the manual, the light comes on when the input is 4dB below clipping.

The DMP3 sounds transparent. It does a great job of getting the signal from the microphone(s) into the computer without adding any noticeable color. I don’t have any world class preamps to compare it with, but I’ve used bad preamps before (including a starved-plate “tube” pre I had for two days) and I can say that the DMP3 does not get in the way when I want to make a recording. I have used it on drums, guitar amps, acoustic guitars, percussion, and even as a bass guitar DI. I have used it with dynamic mics and large and small diaphragm condensers. In all cases, I was able to get the sounds I wanted and get on to making music.

While it sounds great, there is one terrible flaw in the DMP3 - it is too tall. When I ordered it, I expected to screw it into my rack shelf next to my half-rack-sized M-Audio Omni Studio. While the DMP3 is indeed half a rack in width, it is over 1U tall by a few millimeters. Instead of fitting neatly in its place, the preamp sits sloppily on my desk in front of the rack, cables disappearing into the black hole behind it. I can’t think of a good reason for making it this way. A few millimeters shorter, and it would have been a great design.

Despite the size problem, I think the DMP3 is a good preamp for a home studio. It sounds great and is easy to use.