Great River MEQ-1NV Microphone Preamp & EQ

One of the best channel strips around!

The new MEQ-1NV is the incredibly versatile Great River channel strip comprised of discrete Class A circuitry. The EQ-1NV (four-band parametric, true inductor/capacitor, '70's British "1081/1083"-style) is routed via the patch loop jack on the ME-1NV (two-gain-stage, dual-meter, '70's British "1073"-style mic pre). In this configuration, the EQ is inserted between the mic preamp gain stages, providing a wide range of gain-based effects. With higher input gain / lower output gain, the EQ sections can be driven slightly harder for increased harmonics; with lower input gain / higher output gain, the EQ sounds very transparent. With its ultra-high headroom and ultra-low noise floor, the MEQ-1NV is an indispensable tool for modern recording.

• Modern Updates On Classic Designs
• Iron in the Signal Path
• Flexible I/O for Stage and Studio

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 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.

The EQ-1NV (one channel equalizer) greatly modernizes the classic British "1081/1083"-type design. This "desktop" (and rackable) digitally controlled analog parametric EQ offers similar topology to vintage 1081/1083 models, but with welcome improvements. Newly designed Class-A discrete single-ended amplifiers and true inductor/capacitor (L/C) circuitry add greater clarity and dynamic range to the musicality of the vintage-era models. The EQ-1NV also has a unique discrete high-current Class-A balanced output stage.

The 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 hi-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 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.

To make life in the studio (and on the road) easier, the EQ-1NV has been specifically designed to integrate with the patch loop in Great River NV Series microphone preamplifiers (with a single TRS 1/4" cable), for complete flexibility in tracking and mixing. The front panel input selector / sensitivity switch offers the option of using the signal from the EQ-1NV's transformer-coupled line input (ranging from +8dbm to -20dbm), or the patched signal from the NV preamp. When connected via the patch loop, the four EQ sections are inserted between the microphone (or DI) input's first gain stage (with level control and metering) and the preamplifier's output gain stage and "big iron" transformer (also with level control and metering). This routing flexibility provides a broad range of sonic/harmonic possibilities and maintains a full Class-A signal path.

Preamp:

• Multiple In/Out connections: XLR balanced
• 1/4" -10dbV output for 'no-latency' DAW monitoring
• hi-Z input on front panel (disconnects mic input)
• TRS 1/4" insert patch point for compressor or equalizer ahead of the output amplifier
• 'Big Iron Vintage Sound' from custom-wound transformers
• Adjustable gain stages: input in 5db steps to 60db; output from -25 to +10db
• Maximum overall gain 70db
• 2 to 3 stages of single ended solid state amplifier gain blocks, depending on gain structure
• High-current 70ma Class A bias on output stage
• Input and output meters on each channel (dual-stage metering is a Great River exclusive)
• Front panel switches: polarity; phantom power; input impedance (1200 / 300 ohm); output loading (600 ohm resistor across output transformer)
• High quality, custom wound Sowter transformers
• Gold plated switching contacts
• Local power supply regulation on each channel
• 110, 220 volts, either 50 or 60Hz operation with external selection
• 3 year warranty with registration

• Effortless sound shaping and frequency manipulation
• Multi-purpose: operates with NV Series preamps and as a standalone EQ
• One channel, discrete Class-A design
• Multiple In/Out connections: XLR balanced line in and out
• 1/4" -10dbV output for 'no-latency' DAW monitoring
• TRS 1/4" insert patch point for NV Series mic preamp (inserts EQ between NV preamp gain stages)
• Wide range of input sensitivity from +8dbm to -20dbm with selection between line in and insert patch point
• 4 bands independently enabled with +/-15db boost/cut
• Flexible band use; 1,2,3, or 4 bands can be used simultaneously
• Simple pushbutton selection between Q positions and peak/shelf
• Hi and low bands selectable between peaking and shelving
• Hi-mid and low-mid bands each have 3 selectable Q positions
• 3rd order selectable frequency highpass filter
• Hardwire bypass of equalizer section
• Internal low-noise shielded power supply (externally selectable for 110 / 220 volt; 50 / 60Hz)
• 3 year warranty with registration