UA 2-610....End of an Affair?

[s0nguy]

All,

I recently purchased the Great River Mp2-NV and have been using it and loving its sound. I also own a UA2-610 and decided to give it another go on a lead vocal today... I could tell a difference immediately (as I should) when I brought up the fader... I used to love this box but I'm starting to find it more and more underwhelming. it sounded a bit "honky".. I also find that I am going to the GR for everything from vox, guitars, bass, percussion to the occasional cowbell.

I cant record with gear that doesnt make me moist.... and the UA honeymoon is ending... Anyone else found this? Does anyone have a good alternative for a pre that will compliment the MP2nv?

thanks,
S0nguy

[wallace]

I was a lot of happier after replacing all the tubes, but if you don't like it just sell it.

[lucey]

i've never liked that pre .. mooshy and tooobey and the eq is too dramatic



when you say "compliment" what do you hear as complimentary to the NV?

the TG2 is always good, GTQ2 is similar but very different ...

[Mastering101]

i love my 2-610 for guitars and direct for keys never heard it "honk" once

[Chris Parsons]

The key with the 610 is gain structure. It does not overload well like other tube gear. But when i'm not hitting too hard I find it very smooth sounding on guitars, vocals, room mics, and keyboard.

I wish I had a MP2-nv to compare it to (soon I hope)

-Chris

[valver]

Try an LA610 . . it may be a little less underwhelming and slightly more
focused.
The Mp2-NV is great but a 2-610 is no slouch (IMHO),
just not right for everything.
Happy Hunting !

[James Lugo]

I had a 610 and a 6176 and found the pre kinda whack. Overly warm and it distorts very easily. Dumped it for an LTD-1 and a 2-1176 and was in heaven.

[themaidsroom]

it doesn't sound like things recorded on a ua console; it's o.k.
i run things through it....
it's been used with an sm-7 for vocals here for the last
2 days, but some of the gain's coming from
the distressor,
the 610 is maxxed....



- jack

[NathanEldred]

If a unit can't 'sing' with Chinese tubes, the circuit is flawed. NOS will help, but it should be fine without. For complementing the Great River, it really depends on what you want to do. Do you want MORE color, less color, what kind of color (mid emphasis or more 'air'). Lots of variables even with the confines of a great preamp selection. I'm using OSA, vintage API, BAE Neve (from Neve parts), Vintech, Buzz Audio, Chandler, Purple Audio, Millennia, and Great River. They all have their place and all are quite different....just like microphones IME.

Now, for complimenting a Great River, I suggest taking it out to dinner, buying it a bottle of wine and telling it it's still pretty after all these years.

[henryrobinett]

I always thought of it as kind of a one trick pony. Sounded nice on bass, but I always preferred the Evil Twin or the TD-1 by Millennia or even a 1272/1073. For some real vintage vibe I used to like them on overheads. But never got a lot of other uses for it. Although it certainly had a wow factor when I first plugged it in the first time. Just not enough wow over a prolonged period for me.

[µ¿ z3®ø™]

i second the chandler TG-2.
i also think that if U got the dosh that the GT vipre is truly outstanding. want a loose, warm, mooshy tube sound? slow it down by decreasing the slew rate and muck with the impedance. want a fast, airy, super detailed sound? crank the slew rate up and muck with the impedance. wanna use a high output LDC? no prob. wanna use a super low output ribbon? again, no prob.
the GT vipre complements EVERYTHING.
sure, it's street price is twice that of the GR and if U wanna record stereo.......
i also really dig the manley mono or dual mono mic pre. really great tube sound without that "oh look at me, i sound like a cartoon version of what tubes really are" sound that so many prosumer manufacturers are going for these days.
i'd hesitate to suggest the FMR RNP. it's a super pre for the price but the GR trounces it in every parameter.

[scott petito]

funny my Neve DPD's made me have the same underwelmed feeling about my great rivers...(except for kick and snare).....

cheers
SP

[s0nguy]

Im all to familiar with over loading the input stage on the 610 since I recorded very dynamic vocalists with it for a while....even with wn inline pad it still distorts sometimes...depends on which mic is hooked up to it.

Does the Manley Dual Mono distort like this? Anyone ever compared the two?

-S0nguy

[Velvetfreddy]

"You definitly need to switch out the 12AX7's though. GEs are OK, Mullard 4004s make it sing."

I found that removing the Sovtek 12ax7 and putting in a Telefunken suddenly opened the top end up. By comparison, with the Sovtek it did sound "honky".

As for levels, I have really grown dependent on the vu meter in the 6176. I spent a fair amount of time getting the singer to sing so I can get a feel for the dynamics and levels before I begin recording. Even then, I may gently ride the level knob on the 610 going to tape.

I won't be selling my 6176 anytime soon. I might buy some more shit though... of course.

[lucey]

Originally Posted by s0nguy

Im all to familiar with over loading the input stage on the 610 since I recorded very dynamic vocalists with it for a while....even with wn inline pad it still distorts sometimes...depends on which mic is hooked up to it.

Does the Manley Dual Mono distort like this? Anyone ever compared the two?

-S0nguy

totaly different

the manley is a clean pre, not a toobey pre.

[µ¿ z3®ø™]

Originally Posted by s0nguy

Does the Manley Dual Mono distort like this? Anyone ever compared the two?

-S0nguy

i have not compared the two, but......
there seems to be a current fashion amongst some manufacturers to make fuzzy, warm tube stuff that really has nothing to do with what GOOD tube sound is all about.
in this regard, the manley is old skool in that it is fast and detailed without sounding hyped and also sounds absolutely HUGE. it also imparts a sense of emotional connection (with the right mic) that is soooo elusive with most gear. it's as if U can hear thru the electronics into a world where U can hear the intent of the artist that U are recording. there's only a hand full of gear that i have used that does this really, really well. in this regard, it's right up there with the DW fearn stuff.
OK, i'm gonna shut up now before i start and sound TOO new-agey-flakey.

[shikawkee]

The 2-610 works for me.