Great River Pres

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ad0lescnts

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alright,
what's the difference between the Great River ME-1NV and the 2 channel one and the MP-2 series pres? THe ME ones seem more expensive. why?

and how is it compared to the Peavey VMP2 and whats a good price to pay for a used one?

thanks,
T
 
ad0lescnts said:
alright, what's the difference between the Great River ME-1NV and the 2 channel one and the MP-2 series pres? THe ME ones seem more expensive. why?
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It's more expensive because it's based on the preamp design and sound of that in a vintage Neve console. It's a classic sound that many a gear freak is fond of, so it is a color pre which usually translates to expensive.

The MP-2 is their original flagship model, and it is of the mega clean and uncolored variety ; ala John Hardy, Buzz Audio, etc.

and how is it compared to the Peavey VMP2 and whats a good price to pay for a used one?
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I haven't heard them side-by-side, so take what I say with a grain of salt. But one of them is an all-tube design with transformer input and output, another is transistor-based and emulates the sound of a vintage console, and the third is a discreet, solid-state that aims for sonic transparency and neutrality.

You're talking about three very different sounds, here. So it really comes down to whether you like the sound of tubes, or if you like the sound of vintage consoles . . . or if you prefer transparency.

And I would imagine that any one of these would hold their value quite well, so you're probably not going to pay much less than the price of a new one unless you get lucky.
 
thanks.
well they dont make the vmp2 anymore if i remember correctly. does anyone know a good price to pay for one?

T
 
I wouldn't pay any more than 700 bucks. If you don't like it, then sell it to me. Seriously, PM me and I'll buy it from you for whatever it was you paid for it. Maybe even throw in a little extra for your trouble.
 
The Neve 1073 inspired Great River mic pres are the MP-2NV and the ME-1NV. I got nothing but good to say about these. I think they put across a quality colored sound that's very safe in that you could dial it in to work on everything but Classical. You could record an entire project with one and never think about using another mic pre.

The Peavey VMP2 can be found sometimes for around $600.

If you want a tube pre, then let me suggest the A Designs MP-1 or MP-2. I like these on vocals and bass. And, you could record Classical on these as they lean toward the clean end of the spectrum.

Steve
www.mojopie.com
 
do you like the A designs better than the VMP2?


and how do these sound on drums?

T
 
All 3 of those units are xformer in/out...
The Great River NV has a very expensive custom input transformer and does everything from mega super duper clean and crystal fabulous, all the way to dirty gritty... the secret is in the gain and output volume on each channel. The two channel is exactly the same as the one channel.
The Orginal Great River is a worthwhile investment, too.
 
There's a couple of new Great River preamps coming down the pike. They are not only preamps but will contain built in EQs.
 
ad0lescnts said:
do you like the A designs better than the VMP2?


and how do these sound on drums?

T
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I've never A/B'ed the A Designs to a Peavey VMP2. But, I like the A Designs as much as any pre I've ever used.

I think the A Designs MP-1/MP-2 works extremely well on kick drum. Think big and low.

Steve
www.mojopie.com
 
ozraves said:
I've never A/B'ed the A Designs to a Peavey VMP2. But, I like the A Designs as much as any pre I've ever used.

I think the A Designs MP-1/MP-2 works extremely well on kick drum. Think big and low.

Steve
www.mojopie.com
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Have you tried them on snare? I'm thinking of getting one for kick and snare, then looking for a second dual (great river?) for the overheads.
 
i need your guys advice...

I guess waht i really want is the Great River ME-1NV, but that's about AS MUCH as i can spend, and i need a two channel unit. what do you guys think i should do? are there any good used units that i would be able to get my hands on? the great river is pretty hard to find used.

thanks
T
 
The A-Designs two channel is about the same price. I think $1200?
 
Chris--

I've never used the A Designs on snare. Anyhow, here is Producer Russ Long's opinion:

"During a tracking session I put one channel of the MP-2 to work on the drum set's kick drum with a D 112 and the other on the snare using an SM-57 and had great results in both cases. On the kick I found the bottom end to be far more tight and punchy than the sound I have typically achieved with a tube mic pre, and the snare had a wonderful sparkle that seemed to be enhanced by the tubes. On another tracking session I was able to use the MP-2 with a pair of Royer SF-1s and a pair of Empirical Labs Distressors to record drum kit ambience; again I had great results."

Steve
www.mojopie.com
 
Chris--

I've never used the A Designs on snare. Anyhow, here is Producer Russ Long's opinion:

"During a tracking session I put one channel of the MP-2 to work on the drum set's kick drum with a D 112 and the other on the snare using an SM-57 and had great results in both cases. On the kick I found the bottom end to be far more tight and punchy than the sound I have typically achieved with a tube mic pre, and the snare had a wonderful sparkle that seemed to be enhanced by the tubes. On another tracking session I was able to use the MP-2 with a pair of Royer SF-1s and a pair of Empirical Labs Distressors to record drum kit ambience; again I had great results." http://www.proaudioreview.com/par/january03/adesigns.shtml

Steve
www.mojopie.com
 
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so... right now i'm looking at the A designs MP-2, or a used Altec 1567A and a new Senn. MD-421. This would totally rid me of all the money i have. Which do you think i should get?

T
 
alright thought i'd update.. why not..

i called the guy at A designs and he just seemed excited that i new about his stuff. talked him down to $1150 for the A designs MP-2

wicked.

T
 
You must have caught Peter on an AES high. Congrats on getting a great price. That's a bargain.
 
what's AES? he was just talking about some new york fair and sellin a bunch of MP-2's. ( :

T
 
ad0lescnts, I just got back from AES and there were A Designs pres in booths for Royer and ADK, so you're in good company. Great choice you made with the MP-2.

If you've got over $2K for a dual mic pre, the Great River NV is a great choice. Lots of sonic versatility.

Dan Richards
Digital Pro Sound
The Listening Sessions
 
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