recommend 60-70db gain mic preamp?

[Mickey_C]

I've been reading the Royer 121 manual and it says this mic does best with 60-70db of mic preamp... and I'd assume it want's CLEAN mic preamp.

I guess that rules out the MOTU, right?

Is the Groove Tube brick a viable option? Keep in mind I am using this for cranked amplified guitar.

[clothwiring]

I run a Great River MP2-NV. I love it.


Adjustable gain in 5db steps to 60db
Output gain from -25 to +10db; maximum overall gain 70db

[E-Rock]

I run a Great River MP2-NV. I love it.


Adjustable gain in 5db steps to 60db
Output gain from -25 to +10db; maximum overall gain 70db



mmmm, my favorite chain for guitar :AOK

[E-Rock]

I don't remember for sure, but I think the Brick has enough gain.

[Mickey_C]

How about under $800?

I'm thinking about a Universal Audio 610, or Chameleon Labs 7602 right now, open to suggestions.

I'm surprised the Royer wants that much gain!

[E-Rock]

My friend has a Chameleon Labs and loves it. Plus it has EQ.
I don't know how much they are, but check out the VIntech stuff. Neve flavor. We used them in the studio, sounded killer.

[FlyingVBlues]

The Great River ME-1NV has 70 dB of gain and works well with the Royer 121, although I find it to be a little dark sounding. I'm using a Vintech X73i, which is based on the Neve 1073. The X73i also has 70 dB of gain, and sounds great with a Royer 121. I find the X73i has a clearer, more open sound with the Royer 121 than the ME-1NV that I tried. I always play clean, or just barely on the edge of breakup, so the Vintech was the better choice for me.

FVB

[ricoh]

Is the Groove Tube brick a viable option? Keep in mind I am using this for cranked amplified guitar.

Yes ....................I have used a Brick with a Russian made ribbon with good results on cranked guitar. Those others are better pre's in general but way more $$$$$
The Brick makes a good bass DI pre too. It is pretty good for the $$$.

[cochese]

I Have the Royer 121 and the Great River ME-1NV (which was designed with the Royer in mind) and a Groove Tube Brick. The Great River is obviously the first choice but the Brick works fine when recording a guitar amp. You only need 70db of gain for recording something soft like an acoustic guitar or vocal.

If you are limited on funds buy the mic first as this will have a much bigger impact than the mic-pre.

[Bryan T]

You only need 70db of gain for recording something soft like an acoustic guitar or vocal.

Exactly. I've not had enough gain when trying to use the Royer on some things (room mic on a dobro comes to mind), but you won't need a ton of gain close-micing a guitar amp.

Bryan

[Denyle_Guitars]

You'll still need ~55 db of gain for guitar amps, and that's just about the point where cheaper ones start to get nasty. How's your soldering? There's plenty of DIY ways to a great preamp for under $500.

[Mickey_C]

Well, I can solder with the best of 'em, if I had an idea what to build.

I bought a Universal Audio 610 at Guitar Center. I guess I'll find out tomorrow how good/bad I did.

[drfrankencopter]

I Have the Royer 121 and the Great River ME-1NV (which was designed with the Royer in mind)...


I don't think the Great River ME-NV was designed with Royer, or any ribbon mic in mind. It is a take on the Neve (hence the NV designation) 1073 mic input stage.

I do think that the older Great River MP-2 (and it's other variations) was designed with ribbon mics in mind. It's a very different design than the ME-NV...dual rail power supply (+/-30V I think), differential topology, transformerless output (except on some versions), versus the NV's single ended transformer output. The MP was built with 'clean' in mind, and the NV was built with 'character' in mind.

But yeah, they will both rock with a Royer!

Cheers

Kris

[HammyD]

I have not used it but others (who have much more experience than me) seem to like it with ribbons.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/101Ribbon/

[atticus]

This is the go to ribbon pre for me:

http://www.wesdooley.com/aea/TRP.html