Blue Kiwi with Great River ME-1NV or Blue Robbie?

SashaRangas · 28th October 2011

Hey guys,

I recently purchased an Apogee Duet 2, and I am planning to buy a Blue Kiwi Mic soon, because I want to upgrade (using a SE 2200a right now).

I've read that the built-in preamp of the Duet 2 is pretty good, but I'm considering to get an external preamp.

I was thinking to get the Blue Robbie preamp, but the Great River ME-1NV recently got my attention as well, since I've read some good stuff about it.

I'm using the Focusrite Voicemaster pro right now, but it's just not the right thing for me. It's too much knobs and tweakable things, and I spent a lot of time tweaking it, but I just couldn't get anything right for my taste out of it. I think both of the preamps mentioned above are much more straight forward, and a better outcome.

I mainly want to record vocals, and I'm looking for a warm, clear sound.

Here's an idea of what we make.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCZxDoaXIHE

So my question is; Which preamp is better in the following chain:
Blue Kiwi -> Blue Robbie/Great River ME-1NV -> Apogee Duet 2

I don't know if it's worth mentioning, but I record on a macbook pro with Logic Pro as DAW.

Btw: If you recommend any other preamps or setups, feel free to let me know. I'm open to suggestions!

Bob Vinsick · 28th October 2011

I have a song where I had to sing a quick reference vox track. I threw up my Kiwi and I don't remember what preamp I used. This is one of my best sounding vocals. After I sang the part, my friend said, "that's a nice mic". Hey, what about my voice

?

For the life of me, I can't remember what pre I used. Either an A-Designs Pacifica or a Focusrite 428, because I don't think I had my Robbie yet. No matter what, that is the best scratch vox I ever recorded.

The Kiwi is a great mic. It will work with many preamps.

Ward Pike · 28th October 2011

A Kiwi loves a 1073, and that's about as simple as a preamps gets!

SashaRangas · 28th October 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Vinsick

I have a song where I had to sing a quick reference vox track. I threw up my Kiwi and I don't remember what preamp I used. This is one of my best sounding vocals. After I sang the part, my friend said, "that's a nice mic". Hey, what about my voice

?

For the life of me, I can't remember what pre I used. Either an A-Designs Pacifica or a Focusrite 428, because I don't think I had my Robbie yet. No matter what, that is the best scratch vox I ever recorded.

The Kiwi is a great mic. It will work with many preamps.

Thanks for the response

I'm curious for that vocal now. Is there any chance I could here it somewhere?

So now you have the Robbie, and the Blue kiwi? If yes, do you like how they work together?

evilpeezy · 28th October 2011

i got a kiwi i my need to pull it again from the locker. Im using a u67 right now for my main vocals...but i have a robbie and a gr nv. the blue robbie will compliment the blue kiwi for sure. the great river is good for a different character right now for Im in love with the ua 610 solo vacuum tube pre it adds that good warmth.

Stepwise Sound · 28th October 2011

I love my Robbie but it's hard to go wrong with a 1073-inspired sound for vocals. You can get a fairly wide range of tones with the Great River too.
I have to go with the GR. It will also take up less space, especially in 500 series

evilpeezy · 28th October 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stepwise Sound

I love my Robbie but it's hard to go wrong with a 1073-inspired sound for vocals. You can get a fairly wide range of tones with the Great River too.
I have to go with the GR. It will also take up less space, especially in 500 series

that blue robbie is bulky akward and ugly

Rockabilly69 · 28th October 2011

The Kiwi and the Robbie were made for each other, together they work great! I tracked a few demos last night with that combo, and also worked
out a finger style guitar part, and that was the only recording setup I used.
I love the soft top end of the Kiwi which sounded great on both my guitar and vocals! And the Robbie, on the lower side of it's gain knob, is really a quiet good sounding pre! I use it tabletop and I can find the buttons on the back just by reaching around the box, i don't need to see them, and it takes only moments to memorize which buttons are which.

SashaRangas · 28th October 2011

Thanks for the responses, appreciate it. Does anyone else has something more to say about it maybe?

28th October 2011	#1
SashaRangas Gear interested Joined: Oct 2011 Posts: 3 Thread Starter	Blue Kiwi with Great River ME-1NV or Blue Robbie? Hey guys, I recently purchased an Apogee Duet 2, and I am planning to buy a Blue Kiwi Mic soon, because I want to upgrade (using a SE 2200a right now). I've read that the built-in preamp of the Duet 2 is pretty good, but I'm considering to get an external preamp. I was thinking to get the Blue Robbie preamp, but the Great River ME-1NV recently got my attention as well, since I've read some good stuff about it. I'm using the Focusrite Voicemaster pro right now, but it's just not the right thing for me. It's too much knobs and tweakable things, and I spent a lot of time tweaking it, but I just couldn't get anything right for my taste out of it. I think both of the preamps mentioned above are much more straight forward, and a better outcome. I mainly want to record vocals, and I'm looking for a warm, clear sound. Here's an idea of what we make. www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCZxDoaXIHE So my question is; Which preamp is better in the following chain: Blue Kiwi -> Blue Robbie/Great River ME-1NV -> Apogee Duet 2 I don't know if it's worth mentioning, but I record on a macbook pro with Logic Pro as DAW. Btw: If you recommend any other preamps or setups, feel free to let me know. I'm open to suggestions!

28th October 2011	#3
Ward Pike Lives for gear Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 1,711 10 Reviews written	A Kiwi loves a 1073, and that's about as simple as a preamps gets! __________________ -- Free the electrons! Use tubes/valves when possible.

28th October 2011	#6
Stepwise Sound Gear addict Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 474	I love my Robbie but it's hard to go wrong with a 1073-inspired sound for vocals. You can get a fairly wide range of tones with the Great River too. I have to go with the GR. It will also take up less space, especially in 500 series __________________ Dave Ahl Producer, Engineer Stepwise Sound LLC http://www.stepwisesound.com "Your Music...Brought to Life"

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28th October 2011	#2
Bob Vinsick Gear addict Joined: May 2008 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 320 1 Review written	I have a song where I had to sing a quick reference vox track. I threw up my Kiwi and I don't remember what preamp I used. This is one of my best sounding vocals. After I sang the part, my friend said, "that's a nice mic". Hey, what about my voice ? For the life of me, I can't remember what pre I used. Either an A-Designs Pacifica or a Focusrite 428, because I don't think I had my Robbie yet. No matter what, that is the best scratch vox I ever recorded. The Kiwi is a great mic. It will work with many preamps.

28th October 2011	#5
evilpeezy Gear maniac Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 298	i got a kiwi i my need to pull it again from the locker. Im using a u67 right now for my main vocals...but i have a robbie and a gr nv. the blue robbie will compliment the blue kiwi for sure. the great river is good for a different character right now for Im in love with the ua 610 solo vacuum tube pre it adds that good warmth.

28th October 2011	#8
Rockabilly69 Gear interested Joined: Jan 2011 Posts: 8	The Kiwi and the Robbie were made for each other, together they work great! I tracked a few demos last night with that combo, and also worked out a finger style guitar part, and that was the only recording setup I used. I love the soft top end of the Kiwi which sounded great on both my guitar and vocals! And the Robbie, on the lower side of it's gain knob, is really a quiet good sounding pre! I use it tabletop and I can find the buttons on the back just by reaching around the box, i don't need to see them, and it takes only moments to memorize which buttons are which.