Summit Audio 2BA-221 / Great River ME-1NV / UA SOLO/610

[jsrockit]

Currently using a Apogee Duet with an AT-3035 and Shure Sm7b. I only record rap vocals with the Mics. I am looking at one the aforementioned pre-amps to add some flavor / coloring to my vocals as well as to run some digital drum machines / synths through for some bottom weight. I would imagine the Great River is the one to go for... but the other can be had for a good deal cheaper. Any help would be great, if anyone has used two or three of these in the ways I am looking to.

[cosmos]

I can only speak of the Solo 610, Great for bass DI on synths & guitars, havent used it much latley as my Reddi is my to go DI for bass on synths, but the Solo 610 is defenitly a great unit for that couse which i sometimes use for a different flavor ..

[wildstar]

Of the three, I've only used the Summit 2BA. Love it. Very flexible, clean to juicy, great DI. Did I mention I love it?

Definitely an underrated, under the radar, secret box.

But of the three you listed, I don't think you can go wrong with any choice.

[dan p]

I never have tried the 610.I have a great river mp2nv and luv that box.i also have a summit mpc 100a.So these are not exactly the same but summit and great river products are usually pretty good.I know i luv mine.I go between the two pres mentioned and the third pre i used from time to time is an avalon 737sp.Look for some other posts on these units here.



Dan P

[Doc Mixwell]

Originally Posted by jsrockit

Currently using a Apogee Duet with an AT-3035 and Shure Sm7b. I only record rap vocals with the Mics. I am looking at one the aforementioned pre-amps to add some flavor / coloring to my vocals as well as to run some digital drum machines / synths through for some bottom weight. I would imagine the Great River is the one to go for... but the other can be had for a good deal cheaper. Any help would be great, if anyone has used two or three of these in the ways I am looking to.

I use the Great River for your purpose, and it works really well for everything, especially hip hop vocals. I don't think you'll find that the GR is lacking in bottom end, actually its deeper than most down there. I find that using the DI for low output synth and keys, works insanely well. If there is a mini-moog getting hooked up....then its going into the DI of the ME1NV. I do often patch drum machines either into the patch point return, to simply access the output transformer, or turn the inputs all the way down and patch them into the mic inputs. I find that using something like the DW Fearn LP-1 [Line PAD] really helps change the character of your instruments because once the impedance is correct, you can "gain up" your pre amps and achieve that specific flavor of pre amp [driving it into saturation] on any line level +4 balanced signal.

[jsrockit]

I'm confused... part of me wants to just cheap out and get a used Summit. The other part of me says just get the Green River... thinking it is the best overall option for my wants / needs. The UA just falls in the middle unless more people reply stating it is too great to pass up. Thanks so far all.

[Jazzpunk]

Originally Posted by jsrockit

I'm confused... part of me wants to just cheap out and get a used Summit. The other part of me says just get the Green River... thinking it is the best overall option for my wants / needs. The UA just falls in the middle unless more people reply stating it is too great to pass up. Thanks so far all.

Is there anyway you can book some time in a local studio that has some of the gear you're interested in?

I know from your past threads on the same topic (ie boxes to 'warm' things up) that you've only got the buget for one key item right now and it seems like booking a few hours of alone time with some nice pres, compressors and eq's would really help clarify just what you need (not to mention saving you time and money in the long run).

In the big picture, I don't think you can go wrong investing in a high quality mic pre but I'm just not convinced that a mic pre is going to do all of the things that you are hoping for. I have a feeling you're gonna end up needing a combo of mic pre, compressor and eq to cover all of your 'coloring' needs.

As for which one will give you the most bang for your buck right now I don't think you're really gonna know until you get in and track some stuff through various signal chains. Shouldn't take but a few hours to hit that 'Aha!' moment and than you'll be straight as far as how to prioritize your spending.

[jsrockit]

Originally Posted by Jazzpunk

In the big picture, I don't think you can go wrong investing in a high quality mic pre but I'm just not convinced that a mic pre is going to do all of the things that you are hoping for. I have a feeling you're gonna end up needing a combo of mic pre, compressor and eq to cover all of your 'coloring' needs.

I hear ya... I don't really feel comfortable going into a studio to do that...to be honest. I think I'd be lost in a big studio... ...I should mention that my recording and engineering skills aren't that great either.

That said, the only way I can figure out if something works for me is to buy it and go through my normal routine....then, over time, decide if it is worth keeping.

My main concern with the aforementioned pres / DIs is that I don't want to buy something that sucks... if the summit doesn't suck, I'll probably start with that since I can get one for like $400 something on ebay...

Are there any reasons not to buy any of the ones I mentioned? Any issues, etc?

[cosmos]

Originally Posted by jsrockit

My main concern with the aforementioned pres / DIs is that I don't want to buy something that sucks... if the summit doesn't suck, I'll probably start with that since I can get one for like $400 something on ebay...

Are there any reasons not to buy any of the ones I mentioned? Any issues, etc?

Summit gear are good, dont get me wrong here, i use the Feq50 EQ and the TLA-50 tube leveler, they are great for their price and i consider them as high end gear.

Higher then that i recommend the Great River ME1-NV which is a single channel Pre/DI, you can be sure that you will be 100% satisfied with that, thats defenitly hi-end pre which you can use for anything from Vocal to Distorted guitars and synth's.
it is $1100 new but be patient and look for 2nd hand on ebay or better in the GS Second Hand forum.

good luck thumbsup

[clusterchord]

Originally Posted by cosmos

Summit gear are good, dont get me wrong here, i use the Feq50 EQ and the TLA-50 tube leveler, they are great for their price and i consider them as high end gear.

Higher then that i recommend the Great River ME1-NV which is a single channel Pre/DI, you can be sure that you will be 100% satisfied with that, thats defenitly hi-end pre which you can use for anything from Vocal to Distorted guitars and synth's.
it is $1100 new but be patient and look for 2nd hand on ebay or better in the GS Second Hand forum.

good luck thumbsup

+1

yep, what he said. GR is the only really high end sounding pre of the bunch. even tho with 1k price tag, its most expensive of the three, i think its still one of best-buys on the market, as its sound is more in the league of 1.5 - 2K per channel pres. beautiful n versatile. imho.