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Hi,

I run a small home studio which is mainly setup to record vocals. My current preamps are UA Solo610, Focusrite ISA One digital and PreSonus Eureka.

I been using forums for quite a few years now and everyone seems to rave about the Great River ME-1NV preamp as being something quite special!

My question is would the Great River be a noticeable step up from my current pres?
I would mainly use it to record vocals but on occassions I record asoustic and electric guitars and basses.

Thanks

Comments

audiokid Fri, 03/11/2011 - 09:19

Based on running this site for 12 years, watching and reading between the lines. Learning about the key products that remain classics, I think so.
There is so much hype and distorted opinions coming from a lot of people with no experience that it makes it hard for new comers to know what to use. So much G.A.S. I'll say this...

For many years I have wanted an MP 2NV. Its a classic preamp ideal for all sorts of applications including ribbons. It's vintage sounding and choice for Classic Rock to clean, but not sterile, producing just the right meat for pristine acoustic recording. Its very easy to use.
You can be confident its going to do what its supposed to do.

My dream came true yesterday. I now have a new Great River MP 2NV in my rack!
I have only briefly messed with it but I can tell you that I put it up against others in my rack and its no disappointment.

2 thumbs up.

audiokid Fri, 03/11/2011 - 09:55

Good question that I don't know. The UA 610 is another classic that I have thought about and would like to have but I'm only guessing it would be a step back, but who knows. This opens up discussion for G.A.S. now.

I make my limited choices through years of being in the music business and from reading thousands of topics here over years. The people I follow are the old vintage and analog hybrid summing crowd. I follow the road less traveled and look for the core.
There are only a handful of preamps that I need and dozens that I would buy if I had everything I needed at the end of my life. I need a few top tube pre's and a few top Solid State pre's. The MP 2NV is one of them.

John Hardy, Forssell, Millennia, Gordon, PreSonus ADL 600, Lavry Blacks would be a few others that I have or would look at if I was you. The Great River MP 2NV is choice and eliminates G.A.S.

audiokid Fri, 03/11/2011 - 10:37

I should add for others reading this. I come at music from a different angle here. I would consider myself a Hybrid Musician, who records mostly ITB (high end project) for my own but also records classical or soloist projects and/or limited acoustic instruments 8 tracks or under for high end sound. I don't need 20 preamps of all flavours. I use the choices above and put my money into choice product. I am not into the 24 track racks and racks of gear for recording bands and a guy who even wants to test every product on the market so I can talk about it on forums.
I am a Hybrid Musician who uses 80% midi and choice analog hardware to make and produce higher quality music for myself or people that want to pay for my services. I am a DAW musician that embraces technology and has been into electronic music since 1979. I would not consider myself a recording engineer. I am a musician who uses high end electronic technology to to create, record, produce and master my own way. The hybrid method to making music.

I have found the New StudioLive 24.4.2 to be the new 24 channel all in one beast that I would use if I was recording bigger session ll in the name of making money as a project studio company.
The way I look at this business. You are either going to invest 1/4 million in a studio to produce bands for record companies (lol) or be real and smart and buy a few really high end specialty pieces for pristine sound and then get something like the StudioLive.

I have a killer mixing room and if I need a great room for recording acoustics, I use other peoples venues. I am mobile ready and high end if needed.

If I need more that 16 preamps, it have 24 preamps in the StudioLive 24.4.2 and 8 more in a few RME FF800's and then my specialty gear for hybrid audio that I know will be useful for years to come.
40 pre-amps is enough. And if I can't do it on that, time to hang up my hat.

Hope that helps those who are suffering from G.A.S.

Davedog Fri, 03/11/2011 - 11:34

Thats kinda like a Rolaids or a Tums....temporary relief.

The Millennia is a step up in tonal ways. Build quality is about the same. All of your pres INCLUDING the Eureka are usable for many sources. I would only choose the 610 if I wanted character and I had a mic to deliver it. I'm loving the ISA more and more. I recently bought the 428. Its funny to read the comments on sites about this pre. Most who havent used it claim it to be a half-step towards boutique. Those that have it begrudgingly start loving it in small steps. Those that have had one for many years wouldnt change it for anything. The proof is in the number of USED units for sale.

The Millennia will be a great addition to your rack.

dickiefunk Fri, 03/11/2011 - 13:00

Davedog, post: 366200 wrote: All of your pres INCLUDING the Eureka are usable for many sources.

Yes I have been really impressed with the Eureka

Davedog, post: 366200 wrote: I would only choose the 610 if I wanted character and I had a mic to deliver it.

Yes that's why I bought it. I was wondering how the Great River compared as a character pre?

Davedog, post: 366200 wrote: I'm loving the ISA more and more.

Davedog, post: 366200 wrote:

The Millennia will be a great addition to your rack.

Yes the ISA is nice but I've been tempted to to replace this with a uncolored pre but can't afford a Millennia. I've considered the Grace M101, True Systems P-Solo or Audient Mico. All of my pres are transformer based pres.

dickiefunk Sun, 03/20/2011 - 06:47

dickiefunk, post: 366205 wrote: Yes the ISA is nice but I've been tempted to to replace this with a uncolored pre but can't afford a Millennia. I've considered the Grace M101, True Systems P-Solo or Audient Mico. All of my pres are transformer based pres.

What are your thoughts on the Grace M101, True Systems P-Solo and Audient Mico compared to the Millennia?

Anyone?

BobRogers Mon, 03/21/2011 - 05:38

I don't want to discourage you from discussing this, but I think you probably have all of the useful information you are going to get on this subject from internet discussion. All of the units you are considering have a good reputation for quality and you've read the consensus about their general sonic character. In the end it's going to come down to taste, and you are the best expert on your taste.

Of course, it would be best to try a bunch of these out, but that might not be an option. (It really does help to fill out the location on your profile. You might get some pointers on where to shop.) If you can't try before you buy, my opinion is that preamps in the quality/price range you are considering are probably one of the least risky investments in audio. We're talking about stable technology. Products that last for decades. An active, fairly stable resale market. (The boutique market is smaller and seems a bit more volatile - said the man with a collection of lefty guitars and basses.) Check out eBay. Follow the Great River. There are only a few a month, but you should get a good idea of the going rate. From what I can see, it looks like less than a 20% drop from new to used. Not exactly a huge risk.