Check out the Great River MP-2NV preamp it is absolutely stunning and will give the needed boost to all your other gear. It is a pricey piece of equipment but delivers beyond your dreams. Along with mic inputs it also has hi-z for guitar/bass DI. The rich bass and detailed sound will make your jaw drop. The feature set includes impedance and loading switches that should not be under rated as they are very effective. It has an insert loop for outside processing. The Great River is also available as a single channel pre if you want to save $$. Sound & features are same as the 2 channel version.

In my opinion, I have never seen a computer plug-in reverb that performs up to an external unit. I use a Lexicon MPX500 that I'm very pleased with. Lexicon's new MX200 unit is interesting as it uses USB so you can use it as a hardware plug-in to your software. I haven't tried it but the concept is right on the mark. Yamaha's SPX2000 is another great unit, would like to see it with USB like the MX200.

If you can rent mics then that is the best way to choose your next purchase for sure. One mic I own that gets the most use is an AKG C414B-ULS although your Rode probably does similar duty. The Audio Technica 40 series mics are where I'd be looking for my next purchase.

MJim wrote: Check out the Great River MP-2NV preamp it is absolutely stunning and will give the needed boost to all your other gear. It is a pricey piece of equipment but delivers beyond your dreams.

Well after doing some further reading, I am convinced what you are saying makes great sense (for the 2NV)

MJim wrote: If you can rent mics then that is the best way to choose your next purchase for sure. One mic I own that gets the most use is an AKG C414B-ULS although your Rode probably does similar duty. The Audio Technica 40 series mics are where I'd be looking for my next purchase.

I have also (I think) decided on a microphone (which will mainly be used for male vocals) - The Neumann TLM 103 - The poor mans U87 ;-)
I think that this, teamed up with the Great River should sound pretty damn good right?

Now the only thing left to improve in my hardware chain is finding a good compressor (light compression going in is always good, right?) ;-)
Cheers
Gary

Hmmm after some research I am thinking of maybe getting a Avalon VT-737SP - this seems to be a potentially useful unit but I dont know if this would make the Great River obsolete or whether it would be good to pair this up with it? Any suggestions on this?
Cheers
Gary

There's a thread here where some folks seem to dislike the compressor on the Avalon, and I've read a few negative things about that unit. I have never heard anything bad about Great River, Sebatron, or Universal Audio pre's.
food for thought.

I hear you.

I am still thinking, and I am wondering whether a Great River channel strip would be better than getting pre and comp seperately?

I am still trying to find a good 1/2 channel compressor which would marry well with the Great River MP-2NV pre.
C'mon guys, anyone get a great suggestion?
max for compressor? 2000 USD

Cheers
G

New update - I think all I have done in the last 20 hours (apart from sleep) is search this forum and on the web for this mic/pre/comp combo for my studio.

I have now changed my microphone choice after seeing mixed views on the Neumann TLM 103 - It seems for similar money a Gefell M930 would be a better choice - as I will used it 99% for male pop/rock vocals, will this be the ideal choice for this price range?

I am sticking with the Great Water MP-2NV as is seems to be appreciated alot - and it also gives me the option to use one channel for vox and the 2nd I can interchange between bass and guitar.

For the compressor unit - I am still quite stuck. If I have a 2 channel pre (2 mono) - should I get a 2 channel compressor to avoid cable yanking too often? I was checking out the Focusrite Red 3 2 channel comp and that seems ok, but I haven't got much idea if this is a good choice or not.
If we are talking in th 2000-3000 USD bracket, what would a good compressor (1-2 channel) be for what I have just mentioned?

Also I realise that by boosting the other gear upwards, my AD DA in my MOTU 896HD might be the weakest link afterwards - question is what could I connect up to the MOTU 896HD to improve the AD DA conversion and how does that connect up to the pre's comps ( I guess I will feed the pre's into the comps anyway, so it would be comps to ?)?

Would appreciate your feedback - hopefully one day I'll be in a position to help in return on this forum as I do over on the Cubase forum :D
Cheers
Gary

have you considered an EL Distressor? or 2 that is.
Those seem to be lock, stock, and smoking barrel compressor. I have yet to read an article with a well known mix engineer who didnt love them. I'm saving up for a pair myself :D
good luck in your search, and make sure to get some sleep :wink:

saemskin wrote: have you considered an EL Distressor? or 2 that is.
Those seem to be lock, stock, and smoking barrel compressor. I have yet to read an article with a well known mix engineer who didnt love them. I'm saving up for a pair myself :D
good luck in your search, and make sure to get some sleep :wink:

The distressor looks an interesting unit, but hard to get here in Switzerland for a good price... And the US shop I can buy things from doesnt stock that brand. Plus would this be a good choice for a 1st good level compressor? I dont have any other compressors worth mentioning.
I can get a good deal on the Focusrite Red 3 dual channel comp - but is that worth it?
Cheers
G

mic t3

i m using a t3 by studio projects and its a great copy of the u87 as i said in other posts i had the chance to use some of the best vox mic ever made regardless of price and for the money the t3 is much better then groove tubes 67 and many more
listen to my sound http://www.terryilous.com
that s my favorite mic from now on < for a home studio of course> if i had 3k to spend i would buy something else but i don t have that money
so i m happy with the t3

frogga wrote: Great Water MP-2NV

Great River