I don't own the GR NV, but have used one a few timnes now. It is a great piece of kit. I do own the ViPre and it is an awesome unit that I have come quite dependant on. The two fo them are just different and complpiment each other well. If I didn't already have my Vintech X81's, I'd own the GR NV also. They are still on my must have someday list along with a lot of other stuff.

Hey AudioGaff,
I tried the Great River today and I'm sticking with the Vipre. There's so many options and I do like the high end rounding out the tubes give me-even at 2400 impedance and a fast slew rate. Clarity without harshness. And I admit, I LOVE looking at the thing.
I spoke to the guy who mixed my last record and he told me he had me doing some of my fave vocal tracks through an 1176-tracking with it that is. I think a compressor is my next purchase. I'm curious though: If I choose barely use any compression through the 1176 how much will it colour my sound? I'm assuming it must add it's own flavour even on a low or even ratio...

Well, I'm one of those guys who has a hard time using the 1176 just a little. I usually have to use it a bunch and hit the input pretty hard on top of that. For gentle compression that is fairly transparant and yet still great for vocals, I often match up my ViPre with my dbx 160SL or Red-7 compressor and/or Tube-Tech CL2A. Often times the cream of my LA2A can be just the right topping.

Interesting. I am not oppossed to more colour at all I'm just anxious to find out what a nice compressor will do in my chain. I don't need it control dynamics really, which is technically it's 'job'. I tend to sing very quietly and control the dynamics myself. I want some colour! Colour me! Also simply as a creative tool.
The vipre with my K2 is already quite amazing I just want more gear!! That glory comp looks great (there I go with the looks thing again). Eventually I'll end up trying a few and go with the one that sounds right. Thanks for you feedback. I've learned a hell of a lot from these forums.

The Glory comp is not really a fully colored comp like the 1176 or LA2A just as the ViPre isn't really a full colored mic pre compared to older Neve or API. The Glory comp is also on my must have one day list.

Ya. I don't find the vipre that coloured at all. Versatile but never too colourful. My friend has been going on about the Distressor which seems like a cool box but I think I would like to get a classic 1176 first.
Are you talking about those little API vertical things that fit in a rack side by side? Or a vintage one from a console? I really would like to try a very coloured pre just too hear the difference. The Great River was just not that different in colour from the vipre.

API is API be it current API modules or those modules made from old API consoles. The 500 series modules are basicly the same as the modules that fit in the large console desks from years past. The more modern and smaller 200 series modules are the same as used in the current API consoles,

The Distressor is great and flexible unit that has quickly established it's self as a true studio and industry standard. It does a decent emulation of many popular types of compressors. Most of the time, I don 't think vocals are it's strong point and there are dozens of other compressor I prefer for vocals.

The 1176 may not have the over the top color or be exactly the compressor you are seeking, but it certainly is one of the most used and popular compressors of all time and everyone or every studio sholuld have at least one.

AudioGaff, thanks for all your friendly advice. Much appreciated.
When and if you have a chance, I'd love to hear what you would use on my voice. My last record is streamed on my website. I spoke to the engineer on that record and he said he had me tracking those vocals (especially the quiter ones) through a new 1176LN. I was pleased to hear that because I have never forgotten that feeling of singing into a compressor. I felt good and I swear it coaxed something out of me that day (sniff, sniff). It definitely changed my approach. Track 5 is the one in particular.
Steve