Great River Electronics
Great River ME-1NV Single Channel Microphone Preamp
Best versatile preamp for professional studio recording.
This single-channel microphone preamp modernizes classic British designs, offering signature sonic fidelity and expert craftsmanship. It allows fine-tuning of gain effects, reminiscent of 1970s-era 1073s, balancing transparency with vintage harmonic structure. Key features include two discrete Class-A gain stages, a front-panel DI input for exceptional Hi-Z instrument sound, and a discrete high-current Class-A transformer-coupled output amplifier. This essential audio tool is designed to enhance the performance of any microphone and instrument.
$979.99
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
29
/ 565
#29 in Microphone Preamps
Price vs Category Average
-40%
Below average
Channels
Single-Channel
/ Single-Channel
Who it's for
- Recording engineers seeking a premium, characterful sound for vocals and instruments
- Producers needing a flexible preamp to optimize various microphones and sound sources
- Studio owners requiring dependable, long-lasting equipment for daily professional use
Who should skip it
- Home studio users on a budget needing multiple channels for simultaneous recording
- Aspiring musicians or hobbyists seeking affordable entry-level recording equipment
- Audio purists demanding completely transparent preamplification without any sonic coloration
Performance breakdown
Harmonic Character
Delivers that sought-after vintage grit with exceptional musical warmth.
DI Performance
Front-panel input captures instrument signals with impressive depth and clarity.
Gain Versatility
Dual-stage design allows for precise control over saturation and clean headroom.
Noise Floor
Ultra-quiet operation ensures pristine signal capture even at high gain settings.
Build Quality
Rugged construction and high-quality transformers built for a lifetime of use.
Monitoring Precision
Dual meters provide reliable visual feedback for managing complex gain structures.
Key Specs
Channels
Single-Channel
Chassis
Desktop
Direct Input
Yes
Circuit Type
Solid State
Preamp Circuitry Type
Class-A
Input Connector Type
XLR, TRS
Metering Type
Dual meters
Form Factor
Desktop, Rackmount
Know before you buy
The unit utilizes custom-wound, big iron transformers and discrete Class-A gain stages to replicate the harmonic structure and warmth of classic 1970s British console preamps.
Yes, the front-panel DI is specifically designed for Hi-Z instruments. It provides a high-quality, transformer-coupled signal path that is excellent for capturing the nuance of guitars and basses.
The dual metering system allows you to monitor both gain stages independently. This is essential for fine-tuning the balance between the input and output gain to achieve your desired level of saturation without clipping.
No, the Great River ME-1NV does not provide phantom power. You will need an external power supply or a different preamp if your microphones require 48V phantom power to operate.
Yes, the ME-1NV is designed with a desktop-friendly form factor. It is also rack-mountable if you choose to integrate it into a larger studio rack system later.
The unit provides no-latency output monitoring, which ensures that you can hear your signal in real-time without the distracting delay often associated with digital processing in a DAW environment.
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Ready to buy?
$980