Do I really need another pre? (cheap slut)

kesslerjesus · 30th October 2009

Right now I'm using a rane ms-1b pre (66db very clean) and an m-audio dmp-2 (pretty clean too, I can even chain link it's two pre's to produce a cleaner output).

Now I'm thinking though, I'm using these pre's with an Sm7b and a Sterling Audio st79. and I really like the results I'm getting from tracking, since I don't even have to eq at all sometimes for a vocal track to sit well in the mix.

But since I'm saving up for a great river pre, I was really wondering, would it make that much of a difference to justify spending 1,000 dollars that I could probably use to purchase a nice outboard compressor or update other parts of my set up?

I know we see these threads all the time, but I would really appreciate the input.

Would you purchase a great river pre or update another part of the following set up? (I only need to track one vocal track at a time, no need for instruments anytime soon)

Interfaces: Mbox2 - RME ADI-2
Monitors: KRK ST8's, Event TR6's
Mics: Senn 835, SM7b, Sterling Audio st79
Pres: Rane ms-1b, m-audio dmp2

NOTE: I'm already treating the room so that won't be needed.

mamm7215 · 30th October 2009

short answer: yes
long answer: yyyeeeeeessssssss

lazarus · 30th October 2009

I own two great rivers and all I can say is get one, trust me you will not regret it, one cant really explain the sheer difference in sound quality, you just have to get one and hear it, If you get it and don't like it (which won't happen) you can always return it. I can garauntee that it will replace your existing pre's

kidvybes · 30th October 2009

...OK...the Great River is a terrific pre...no doubt...that said, if you are looking for a nice upgrade from your existing pres but at a bargain price I would suggest looking at the Golden Age PRE-73 (Neve 1073 type pre)...80dB of output (clean to very coloured tone)...upgradeable with Neve quality components if you chose (not necessary IMHO)...at $299 it's a steal, and they are about to release their matching compressor at a similar pricepoint later this fall...even combined with the inexpensive FMR RNC (compressor), the PRE-73 makes for a terrific vocal chain for your SM7...

...now I'm not comparing the PRE-73 to the GR (risking "fire & brimstone), but it's in that ballpark for a fraction of the price...and I've used it when tracking alongside my restored Neve 1290 (1073 w/o EQ) and the damn little PRE-73 holds it's own...

...it's when a nice transformer based (iron in/iron out) pre (like both the GR and PRE-73) is combined with a quality compressor that the magic really kicks in when tracking vocals (especially with the SM7 IMHO)...so figure out your budget, but don't neglect the (hardware) compressor in the equation...you won't regret it...

2Loud · 31st October 2009

Great River ME1NV used + PBC 6A comp used - /1200-1300/usd
both extraordinary, both well built, no issues, sure shot.
.....................................................................for life!

Heartfelt · 31st October 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2Loud

Great River ME1NV used + PBC 6A comp used - /1200-1300/usd
both extraordinary, both well built, no issues, sure shot.
.....................................................................for life!

sounds yummy.

kesslerjesus · 31st October 2009

being budget minded, and given that i spend wayyyy to much time on ebay, i decided to put my stashed money to use and purchase a Blue Robbie instead for 450 bucks, it should work well with the sm7 and make the sterling st79 just a tiny bit warm, which leaves me enough for an FMR PBC

think the great river is gonna have to wait a year or so

sad being a budget restrained slut

aussie_techie · 1st November 2009

short answer: if your happy with the SM7 through the ms1b then NO
Long answer you dont need anything else but if you wanna be a real slut then yes you would want to buy everything.

2Loud · 1st November 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by kesslerjesus

being budget minded, and given that i spend wayyyy to much time on ebay, i decided to put my stashed money to use and purchase a Blue Robbie instead for 450 bucks, it should work well with the sm7 and make the sterling st79 just a tiny bit warm, which leaves me enough for an FMR PBC

Sounds nice!

30th October 2009	#1
kesslerjesus Gear addict Joined: Sep 2009 Location: NY Posts: 385 Thread Starter	Do I really need another pre? (cheap slut) Right now I'm using a rane ms-1b pre (66db very clean) and an m-audio dmp-2 (pretty clean too, I can even chain link it's two pre's to produce a cleaner output). Now I'm thinking though, I'm using these pre's with an Sm7b and a Sterling Audio st79. and I really like the results I'm getting from tracking, since I don't even have to eq at all sometimes for a vocal track to sit well in the mix. But since I'm saving up for a great river pre, I was really wondering, would it make that much of a difference to justify spending 1,000 dollars that I could probably use to purchase a nice outboard compressor or update other parts of my set up? I know we see these threads all the time, but I would really appreciate the input. Would you purchase a great river pre or update another part of the following set up? (I only need to track one vocal track at a time, no need for instruments anytime soon) Interfaces: Mbox2 - RME ADI-2 Monitors: KRK ST8's, Event TR6's Mics: Senn 835, SM7b, Sterling Audio st79 Pres: Rane ms-1b, m-audio dmp2 NOTE: I'm already treating the room so that won't be needed.

30th October 2009	#3
lazarus Gear nut Joined: May 2008 Posts: 146	go for it I own two great rivers and all I can say is get one, trust me you will not regret it, one cant really explain the sheer difference in sound quality, you just have to get one and hear it, If you get it and don't like it (which won't happen) you can always return it. I can garauntee that it will replace your existing pre's __________________ A few quotes from my man Thomas Jefferson: "Experience hath shewn, that even under the best forms of government those entrusted with power have, in time, and by slow operations, perverted it into tyranny." "He who knows best knows how little he knows." "A Government Big Enough to Give You Everything You Want, is Strong Enough to Take Everything You Have."

30th October 2009	#4
kidvybes Lives for gear Joined: Feb 2005 Location: Banana Republic Posts: 2,354	...OK...the Great River is a terrific pre...no doubt...that said, if you are looking for a nice upgrade from your existing pres but at a bargain price I would suggest looking at the Golden Age PRE-73 (Neve 1073 type pre)...80dB of output (clean to very coloured tone)...upgradeable with Neve quality components if you chose (not necessary IMHO)...at $299 it's a steal, and they are about to release their matching compressor at a similar pricepoint later this fall...even combined with the inexpensive FMR RNC (compressor), the PRE-73 makes for a terrific vocal chain for your SM7... ...now I'm not comparing the PRE-73 to the GR (risking "fire & brimstone), but it's in that ballpark for a fraction of the price...and I've used it when tracking alongside my restored Neve 1290 (1073 w/o EQ) and the damn little PRE-73 holds it's own... ...it's when a nice transformer based (iron in/iron out) pre (like both the GR and PRE-73) is combined with a quality compressor that the magic really kicks in when tracking vocals (especially with the SM7 IMHO)...so figure out your budget, but don't neglect the (hardware) compressor in the equation...you won't regret it... __________________ reggae souljah "It was only four tracks on the machine, but I was picking up twenty from the extra terrestrial squad." *LEE 'SCRATCH' PERRY*

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30th October 2009	#2
mamm7215 Gear addict Joined: Jan 2005 Location: BC Canada Posts: 457	short answer: yes long answer: yyyeeeeeessssssss

31st October 2009	#5
2Loud Lives for gear Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 569 1 Review written	Great River ME1NV used + PBC 6A comp used - /1200-1300/usd both extraordinary, both well built, no issues, sure shot. .....................................................................for life!

1st November 2009	#8
aussie_techie Lives for gear Joined: Jan 2004 Location: Perth, Australia Posts: 2,709	short answer: if your happy with the SM7 through the ms1b then NO Long answer you dont need anything else but if you wanna be a real slut then yes you would want to buy everything.