Originally Posted by chessparov2.0 ➡️

I don't know that even with my very "fussy" hearing (22 KHz+ at 6!/still excellent at 61/easily over 17KHz now)...
I could hear the difference of the SM7 or SM7B, as to "which Pre". Especially in a Mix.
Chris

Originally Posted by dranzangos ➡️

Of all the listed options, I have and use an SM7b with a Tonebeast, ISA Two and a Great River ME1NV. Most often I leaned on the Tonebeast for rock vocals because it helped to push the upper mids a bit more for rock mixes. It can also be set very clean. Ditto for the GR, can be thick and vibey or sparkly depending on the gain settings and impedance/loading or dialed back on the input to clean up too. The ISA is also nice, more neutral and doesn’t saturate like the others. Loads of clean headroom though. No issues whatsoever with noise on my unit. It’s neutral character helps when a mic or source is overly colored to begin with. Also great as a line amp or a sleeper DI (really nice).

Truth is, when set clean, all three have subtle differences but no one will wreck your vocal take. Ample gain to amplify the low output of an SM7b. When they get pushed they show their true colors though and it is HERE where you might think of which flavor or set of options might help you down the road:

ISA is neutral and more utilitarian. It takes most sources well and won’t screw them up.

GR can be big or warm or shifted towards high end sparkle with many options in between.

TB can be clean and spanky or mid range gritty with good cut, but is a swiss army knife with its tone options and transformer selects.

Originally Posted by Vinny554 ➡️

Great breakdown of these units and your descriptions align perfectly with everything I’ve heard. Definitely leaning towards the GR for the versatility in options - saturation with Pre gain, cleanliness with output gain. Sounds like a winner.

Curious if you could tell me what those other buttons on the GR do? “Impedance” , “Polarity” and “Loading” buttons.

Originally Posted by TVPostSound ➡️

I found a sweet set up!

SM7B->Soyuz Launcher->Grace M101.

Seriously!!

Originally Posted by chessparov2.0 ➡️

Clips?
Thanks, Chris

Originally Posted by TVPostSound ➡️

I don't know why my response was deleted by Synth Guru


I recorded some VO with this setup.
I can't post those clips, as Netflix would sue me.

Originally Posted by dranzangos ➡️

From the GR manual:

Impedance

The input load for the microphone and the Hi-Z buffer can be switched from 1200 ohms to 300 ohms. When the button is in the out position, the input load is 1200 ohms. When the button is pushed in, the input load is 300 ohms.

Great River Tips:
Most microphones will work best with the 1200 setting. Best isn’t always what you want though. With most microphones, the result of using the 300 ohm setting will be a roll off of the lowest frequencies and a tilt upwards of the highs. This effect is highly dependant on the particular microphone, and the only way to know for sure is to try it.
Keep in mind that the impedance change is accomplished by changing the step-up ratio of the input transformer, so a gain change happens as well. Don’t let the volume difference mask the tonal difference when determining your preference.
In general, the best mics to try changing the impedance selection effect on are dynamics and ribbons. Condenser microphones have built in amplifiers, and the usual effect of running them into a lower impedance than they like to see is just a large increase in distortion and lower headroom, with minimal tonal changes.
The DI is similar to a condenser microphone, in that it doesn’t change tonally much, but has much different distortion characteristics with the different loads presented by the two impedance selections. This can be used to great advantage when recording electronic instruments that need a little more body.

Loading

This button controls the output termination relay. When in the out position, the output transformer is unloaded. When pushed in, a 600 ohm resistor is connected across the secondary.

Great River Tips:
The output transformer has an inherent resonant peak that affects the frequency response at high frequencies. This peak is at approximately 50kHz, and is about 6db up from flat and is cable and load dependant. The amplifier is designed to be correctly loaded by 600 ohms for best flatness in both frequency and phase response, but some interesting effects happen when unterminated.
A gentle high frequency lift, like an “air band” EQ and a bit grittier midrange are the effects you should hear when the loading button is out.

I found their description fairly accurate, though the effects are far more pronounced when driving the input harder. Oddly enough, engaging impedance while using my LDCs sounds nasty but really nice with one of my tube LDCs. So for what its worth, experimenting can yield very cool results.

Polarity just flips the signal so you can phase match other signals if multi micing the same source.

Originally Posted by ShelGef ➡️

I have a GR ME-1NV ... and it is one of the most versatile pieces of hardware I've ever, ever used. Built like a tank -- and the way it is electronically laid out, is an experimenter's dream-come-true. I also have both a Soyuz Launcher and a Klark-Teknik CT-1. I am in agreement with another GSer here -- in that I think using a Launcher in association with a "colored" pre like the GR might be a bit too much. When it comes to goosing the level of my various workhorse dynamics ... I find myself using the CT-1 with the GR ... and the Launcher with my "cleaner" pres [Onyx, Jim Williams High Speed, the Yamaha D-Pres on my Steinberg UR22, etc.]

Originally Posted by Vinny554 ➡️

Dammit guys...I get it! I'm gonna get the damn GR!
But seriously - all of this feedback has been wonderful. Really excited to experiment with one.

My Audient iD22 has 1/4" RETURN inputs that bypass its preamps (image attached for example). Would I need an XLR-to-1/4" to take the GR's XLR "OUTPUT" into it?

Originally Posted by Vinny554 ➡️

Dammit guys...I get it! I'm gonna get the damn GR!
But seriously - all of this feedback has been wonderful. Really excited to experiment with one.

My Audient iD22 has 1/4" RETURN inputs that bypass its preamps (image attached for example). Would I need an XLR-to-1/4" to take the GR's XLR "OUTPUT" into it?

Originally Posted by cheu78 ➡️

While the GR is for sure a good piece, I’d suggest you to try 2 or 3 candidates in YOUR place, and the YOU decide with YOUR ears, instead of what I (or somebody else) is blabbering on this forum.



Cheu

Originally Posted by cheu78 ➡️

While the GR is for sure a good piece, I’d suggest you to try 2 or 3 candidates in YOUR place, and the YOU decide with YOUR ears, instead of what I (or somebody else) is blabbering on this forum.



Cheu

Originally Posted by Vinny554 ➡️

My friend, you are very much persistent in me experimenting with multiple units. I may not have the patience to buy multiple units and play around, only to return some and repeat the process. Although, I can say that will definitely be the case if I grab one (like the GR per se) and don't vibe with the results in my setup.

I respect you for being that voice!

Originally Posted by Dirk Churlish ➡️

jeff steiger's a good man, and thorough.

Originally Posted by TVPostSound ➡️

Another fine setup with the SM7B is with a Daking Mic Pre One, and a Cloud Lifter if more gain needed.
Not a Soyuz.
One transformer is enough!!