You will love the Great River. I have the 2 channel version. Out of all my pre-amps, my first choice is the Great River. Almost every time.
The Great River is sooooo flexible, the input gain knob can really change the sound alot. There are also "load" buttons and such.
I use my Great River on bass guitar (fantastic sounding...tons/ loads of bass), vocals, sounds great for clean singing, also sound awesome on screaming vocals (with the input knob set a little higher), and on clean guitar, as a DI. For instance just plug a Les Paul in and go straight to tape (hard drive). You can't beat the Great River
On a 1 to 10 scale, I give it an 11 :P

For Rock-and-roll, I recommend the APIs. Get yourself a " lunchbox", slam 2 512s in now and add to it later. The lunchbox accommodates the 512 series microphone preamplifiers along with APIs renowned equalizer's. I own 2 3124M units, which are based on the 312 series microphone preamplifier and are 4 microphone inputs along with a single echo send and a 2 track mix output but they are about twice the price of what you are indicating right now. You may want to search eBay for the 312 series cards as you would be able to purchase numerous units and along with a bipolar 15 volt power supply, you're in business (along with appropriate rackmounted hardware). I love the API sound when I'm not near my Neve and in addition to, they are both very different.

I like 31 flavors! Howard Johnson's only had 28. I'm talking microphones and ice cream! I could do microphones and ice cream every day! What's your favorite flavor of microphone?

Remy Ann David

RemyRAD wrote: I recommend the APIs

I have the API 3124+. It does kick serious ars. But they are way over $1000. I paid over $3200 for my 4 channel API.
If you can afford them, there great. But, if you only have a grand, the Great River or Sebatron VMP 1000e might be just as good, in many respects.
(my 2 cents)

Yup. I guess they have gone up since I obtained mine 15 years ago. DUH!! And yup, you are right Pre Amp with everything you've said.

RemyRAD wrote: And yup, you are right Pre Amp with everything you've said.

Thanks RemyRAD
And if I may say...
What kind of crazy marketing crap was API thinking of, when they came up with this ridiculous "lunchbox" idea. I mean I understand that the preamp slots will plug & unplug directly into an API board, but how offen is that? Hell, I've never touched an API console
I've seen them in magazines, so I know what they look like.
But could you imagine a Groove Tubes Vi-pre lunchbox?
How about that new Sebatron "lunchpale"?
Or an Avalon 737 "picnic basket"

Well..... It's a cool box. For those folks that only want a mini API board! You can have a couple of microphone preamplifier's, along with a couple of equalizer's and a couple of (if memory serves me correctly) 525 compressors. I believe you can also get a 1U rackmount to install up to 2 550 type equalizer's.

The API equalizer's are awesome, legendary sounding units. A lot of people equate them with the Neves but they are nothing like them. The APIs rely on RC (resistor, capacitor) networks where the Neves rely upon IC, or inductor, capacitor networks. Both of which are great sounding and have their own individual characteristics sound. Of course a lunchbox power supply/frame is a good investment if you happen to find any 512 or 550 style modules on eBay. When you get them, all you have to do is slam them in and you're cooking with gas!

I do like the idea of those other kinds of awesome picinic baskets you mentioned and now I'm hungry for lunch again. Audio equipment is like food for my soul. You know, it's like deja vu all over again!

Yogi Ann David Bear

How about that new Sebatron "lunchpale"?

Hey that's a great idea!....I'm onto it....... :lol:

8)

Sebatron wrote:

How about that new Sebatron "lunchpale"?

Hey that's a great idea!....I'm onto it....... :lol:

8)

Modular TUBE preamp boxes? :shock:
Now we're talking. :twisted: