GR NV1 or Phoenix DRS1 for the first preamp?

[vibralux]

Hi guys,

I am planning to upgrade my channel strip. Which of those two You think will be better as my first good and versatile preamp? I want mailnly to record vocals, sometimes bass and rarely guitar.

Peace

Marty

[Blue Bear Sound]

I think the GR edges out the Phoenix in terms of versatility, but having both covers a lot of ground... they're both excellent!

[Big Kenny]

Check with Dot at Sound Pure. Tell him what you want to record, what mics you are using and he can walk you through your options. He did that for me and I ended up with the phoenix and a Brauner. I've not been happier with my sound since I first used a compressor. Warhead and the Bear can give good advice as well but we need a little more info.

[Teacher]

they both work, you won't be dissappointed with either, flip a coin heads GR tails DRS and see which way the coin lands.

[vibralux]

Thanks guys- I talked to Fletcher and some other people and I think I will go for the GR for now, but something tells me I will get the DRS at some point. Anyway I think that the GR will do well- I mean- the best pres I have so far are those on my Mackie Onyx board...

Cheers

Marty

[chessrock]

I wouldn't recommend either, unless you are planning on opening a comercial studio or produce comercial releases.

If either of those are in your plans, then congratulations, and I would recommend the Phoenix.

[musical5]

Heres what I posted on another board, in response to your question.


I evaluated both when I was looking for a new pre. I can say that owning both would be best
But for those of us that are financially challenged... IMHO the GR is hands down the sweetest unit for producing ultra-tight bass, kick, and chucky guitars. The DRS-1 is very acceptable in these areas, but has a more open top end. For acoustic instruments, vox, pop guitars, it sounds like heaven. I kept the DRS-1. Hope it helps. I am about to finish a new tune. Ill post it for ya, if you'd like.

[Teacher]

Originally Posted by chessrock

I wouldn't recommend either, unless you are planning on opening a comercial studio or produce comercial releases.

If either of those are in your plans, then congratulations, and I would recommend the Phoenix.

damn chess your a cheapskate...a man can't get one nice pre

[chessrock]

Originally Posted by Teacher

damn chess your a cheapskate...a man can't get one nice pre

Would you recommend a dual-processor G5 to someone who just does email and some basic personal computer applications?

[pdlstl]

I have both the GR and an Avalon M5. I'm pretty much set.

[xstatic]

I may not reccomend a dual G5 like you said Chessrock, but thats not a very good analogy for why someone should not buy a nice preamp just because they aren't running a commercial facility. Thats like telling a guitar player that they should not buy a nice guitar because they aren't playing big stages. I do agree though that every newbie does not need to run to the store and buy only high end gear. There is a certain point though where getting nicer equipment definately makes an audible impact in workflow and product quality. Even home recordists can benefit from better results.

[ozraves]

In all fairness, there are many good preamps in that price range that do a good job. In terms of versatility, I do like the GR NV series of mic preamps.

[chessrock]

Originally Posted by xstatic

I may not reccomend a dual G5 like you said Chessrock, but thats not a very good analogy for why someone should not buy a nice preamp just because they aren't running a commercial facility. Thats like telling a guitar player that they should not buy a nice guitar because they aren't playing big stages.

Actually, I would highly, highly urge someone to invest their money on a nice guitar (or whatever other instrument you might play) ... long before I would recommend even looking at an expensive mic pre. Go ahead and get the goshdarned nicest guitar and amp money can buy, regardless of the venue size. Then get a kickass mic. Or even an average one like a 57. Then run that through whatever you've got -- hell, run it through an audio buddy, and it should sound pretty stelllar (assuming you play well).

Boutique mic pres are luxury items that are mostly wasted on all but the most serious of projects. Unless you're recording professionally, I just don't see the point when there are likely so many other things you can improve on that will yield exponentially greater dividends in sound quality.

[EleKtriKaz]

Originally Posted by chessrock

Actually, I would highly, highly urge someone to invest their money on a nice guitar (or whatever other instrument you might play) ... long before I would recommend even looking at an expensive mic pre. Go ahead and get the goddamn nicest guitar and amp money can buy, regardless of the venue size. Then get a kickass mic. Or even an average one like a 57. Then run that through whatever you've got -- hell, run it through an audio buddy for all I care, and I'm telling you it should sound pretty stelllar (assuming you can play the damned thing).

Boutique mic pres are luxury items that are mostly wasted on all but the most serious of projects. Unless you're recording professionally, I just don't see the point when there are likely so many other things you can improve on that will yield exponentially greater dividends in sound quality.

Having recenty upgrade my preamp, I'm going to agree with this. There's improvement up to a point, then there's flavor...granted there are some tasty flavors out there.

One application where I would say high quality preamps do make a huge difference is on dynamic mics, especially for elec. guitar and vocals. I know Radiohead has been favoring dynamics like the EV RE20 and the Shure SM7 on their last couple albums...and those dynamics are definitely running through some high quality pres. It's pretty amazing in the difference in the vocals (not good or bad, just different) if you go back to The Bends and listen up to now.

[Dot]

I reviewed both the GR NV and the PA DRS.

Phoenix Audio DRS

Great River NV

[vibralux]

chess- Yes I would like to release my music commercially and yes I would do all the production by myself. Call my crazy but thats the plan. I make electronic music with female vocals. What i need now is a hi end preamp, pristine converters and a good mic to go with it. And for me there is a difference between audio buddy and a grnv1.

Peace

Marty

[xstatic]

Not everyone is ready for a really nice mic pre. So to a point chessrock I do agree with you. However, there comes a time when a person learns enough and develops their ears to a point where a great mic pre can make a HUGE difference. To discourage that is just silly to me. I don't think that people should just go buy one thinking that their recordings are automatically going to be nicer. But I would never give up my pre's. I can definately tell the difference between them. Thats why I have them. Granted I do record professionally, but I do know some "home recordists" with some pretty serious little setups that are doing some pretty serious work. Like I said, not everyone is ready for the high end stuff. Some people are "wasting" their money buying that stuff, but there is another group of people who's skill has developed to a point where something like nice preamps could really help them break through into other levels concerning what they are doing with music. Let's HELP people decide whether they are ready for that kind of financial step and whether or not it makes sense for them rather than just telling them to forget about it.

[vibralux]

Guys thank YOu all for Your input- I did a lotof thinking and I have chosen the GR - I mean -I cant go wrong with it as i read all Your posts. And compared to the DRS its cheaper, so I already have extra 200$ I could put towards some Lucid converters. I have already made some arrangements so Fletcher can prepare one for me

Peace

Marty

[chessrock]

Originally Posted by vibralux

Yes I would like to release my music commercially and yes I would do all the production by myself. Call my crazy but thats the plan. I make electronic music with female vocals. What i need now is a hi end preamp, pristine converters and a good mic to go with it.

Couldn't agree more. Sounds like you have some ambitions, in which case you should get the best stuff you can afford, and the investment should be justified.

[Big Kenny]

Now we can move on to why you spelled your name wrong! Isn't it VibrOlux?

[EleKtriKaz]

Originally Posted by Big Kenny

Now we can move on to why you spelled your name wrong! Isn't it VibrOlux?

Yeah! Fender is NOT going to be happy when I tell them about this!

[meriphew]

There's a GR ME-1NV on ebay right now (not mine). Looks like bidding starts at $600.