Great River ME-1NV 
Mono Mic Preamp with 20Hz-75kHz Frequency Response, 70dB Gain, and Hi-Z Input
Classic "Tunable" Vintage Sound with Modern Sonic Fidelity
The ME-1NV is a single channel mic preamp that is designed to take the classic sound of the all-time studio-standard 1073 preamp and bring it to a new level of modern sonic fiedelity. Does it meet its design goals? Absolutely, with accuracy, transparency and vintage "tunable" sound! The circuitry allows for brilliant transformer saturation or the soft distortions of a single-ended amplifier. Extreme pushing of the unit will augment the sound of electric guitars, sound modules, and drums to add vitality, presence, and real punch.
Vintage SoundThe Great River ME-1NV features iron in the signal path for that big vintage sound. Its no-latency output monitoring provides a buffered sound feed to your DAW workstation. The ME-1NV's high-Z input is ideal to shape the sound for bass, electric guitar, and sound modules. Dual metering provides visual monitoring of gain staging. The ultra-quiet noise floor delivers "stealth" performance for rich, textured vocal sounds. The Great River MP-2NV is a stereo version of the ME-1NV that will add an enhanced image to your recordings. The Great River ME-1NV also has a full +70dB of input gain so you can take that prized ribbon mic out of the cabinet for a rich, creamy sound with all the detail and no muddiness. Here's the bottom line. The Great River ME-1NV is a golden channel priced for the project studio and equally at home in a world class facility. This preamp has the ability to enhance the sound of high-end mics as well as being able to make inexpensive mics sound better. Just place your trusty SM57 in front of your guitar amp and run it through the ME-1NV, and you'll hear what we mean. Great River ME-1NV Features: - XLR balanced in and out connections
- 1/4" -10dbV output for 'no-latency' DAW monitoring
- High-Z input on front panel
- Adjustable gain in 5db steps to 60db
- Output gain from -25 to +10db; maximum overall gain 70db
- Frequency response: 20Hz to 75kHz
- Input and output monitor meters on each channel
- 2 or 3 stages of single ended solid state amplifier gain blocks
- Gold plated switching contacts
- Front panel polarity, phantom power, input impedance, and output loading switches
- High quality, custom wound Sowter transformers
- Output transistor and transformer with heavy 70ma Class A bias
- Local regulating of each channel
- Long service life components
- TRS insert patch for compressor or equalizer ahead of the output amplifier
- 110, 220 volts, either 50 or 60 Hz operation with external switching
- 2 year warranty with registration
- Iron in the signal path for that 'Big Vintage Sound'
- Zero-latency output monitoring provides a buffered sound feed to a DAW workstation
- Hi-Z input is ideal to shape the sound for bass, electric guitar, and sound modules
- Dual metering provides visual monitoring of gain staging
- Ultra quiet noise floor with 'stealth' performance for rich, textured vocal sounds
2-year warranty
The Great River ME-1NV is a world class preamp designed to capture world class performances at a project studio price!
Can We Help?
call toll-free (800) 222-4700 or E-mail us
to get personalized advice from a Sweetwater Sales Engineer.
A very nice preamp for a variety of mics
by Darrell St.Blaine from San Francisco, CA
July 6, 2009
Music Background: Singer, guitarist, recording engineer
I use this pre with an AKG SolidTube (that has a custom Telefunken tube), a Rode NT1A an Audio Technica AT4033 and a Shure SM57. With each mic it adds something unique and wonderful. The input gain ... read more [+]can really change the characteristic of the sound. The AT4033 is normally bright to the point of being somewhat thin but when I crank up the input gain on the Great River it really fills out. The simple tone of the SM57 becomes more "bling" by keeping the input somewhat low and cranking up the output level.
Being able to use a single TRS cable to insert my RNC compressor is a great convenience and keeps my signal chain simple and clean.
The only reason I will ever sell this baby is to get the two channel version. ;) close [-]
Versatile & Pristine
by Steve Schriemer from Ann Arbor, MI USA
June 13, 2009
Music Background: Recording Engineer, Producer, Musician.
I bought this pre about 3 weeks ago after months of research and input from friends, mentors, and my sales rep. Alan. Here's the results of my "field test."
DI for Bass:
... read more [+]This is THE BEST DI I've used for bass. I've seen several high end DIs in action, but the great river's my favorite. When tracking bass, I adjusted the tone knobs on the bass to get the tone I wanted... I didn't even EQ or compress yet and the track already sounded smooth, even, and fat. It was wonderful. It has really made tracking bass quicker and more enjoyable.
On Vocals and Acoustic instruments:
I got great clarity and presence, without getting unwanted digital brightness(using an AKG 414 XL-II and a KSM44). There's lots of tonal options with the gain staging, and there's plenty of head room. A low cut is almost always needed because the low end response on this pre is BIG, but I don't mind doing a lowcut, cause I enjoy the low end on other sources.
Overall:
Perhaps the biggest difference I noticed, was that my mixes sounded bigger on songs tracked with the ME-1NV. Mixing has been easier with this pre. Things feel a little more "roomy" and nothing in the mix feels squished. The panning field sounds bigger on all the tracks I've recorded with the great river, which is a HUGE plus in post production. I'd recommend this pre to anyone. It's versatile and pristine. 5 STARS. close [-]
Hip Hop Vocals
by Dex Beats from San Francisco, CA
September 14, 2008
Music Background: Producer
I have been using this mic pre for almost 3 years now, and I have never been more satisfied with the sound clarity and warmth. This mic pre is great for both condenser and dynamic mics.
... read more [+]
A dynamic mic such as the Shure SM58 or the SM7b sound very warm. The gain on the pre is enough to power these mics up. Unlike mic'ing these Shures or any dynamic to a mediocre amp or mixer, the ME-1NV can provide enough gain without hiss or humms.
With a condenser this pre can create wonders. Provided with the 2 gain knobs you can go real warm or crystal clear by simply adjusting these to your liking.
I am a hip hop record producer and if your looking for something that will help make hit records and record great vocals for the long run, I would definitely suggest you pick a quality pre like the ME-1NV. This will solve all your Rap vocal problems. AND should be the first on your list before thinking about recording any vocal. close [-]
The best
by Big Daddy from
December 6, 2007
Music Background: Old music pro, new to recording.
New to recording but have been making music for many years. I also have done live sound reinforcement so I have some knowledge and I build my own guitars and amplifiers. With that, I think I am at lea ... read more [+]st minimally qualified to make a review of a piece of analog gear. I have a few different preamps and the Great River by far has more of that 70's sound. It's full bodied yet does not distort easily unless you want it to. It's hard to believe this is not a tube preamp because of it's warmth and three dimensional sound, it has tone that rivals tube amplification yet has that solid state clean. I bought it because I heard a few preamp shootouts on the internet and I thought the Great River sounded best, it does, I thought it sounded better than ones costing more. As soon as I heard it I knew I recognized that sound, I found out what that sound was, a Neve. This is NOT a purely clean, crystal clear preamp, it does add color, but the color is pure and beautiful. close [-]
Simply Fantastic
by Derrick Martin from San Francisco
November 25, 2007
Music Background: recording engineer 5 years, musician and singer for 15 years
This is my first peice of Class A equipment and there is such a huge difference in sonic quality. The fact that I am able to choose between transformers in the HI Z and XLR input. Then switching bet ... read more [+]ween 600 ohms for a very colored sound or balancing it out with the 300 ohm switch for a more even sound is amazing. I ALWAYS get tonal exellence out of this peice and it has also inspired me to start building my own Class A equipment which I am doing (1176 LN).I also have a friend that favors the sound of my GR me-1nv to his vintech x73-I. That sais alot. Vital peice of gear in my studio. if you have 1100 bucks and are contemplating what pre to get stop wondering because you are in for a treat of sonic cream pie. :)
Derrick @ room3studios.com close [-]
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