Description

The Great River ME-1NV takes the harmonic character of classic British console preamps and rebuilds it around modern precision. Housed in a compact half-rack (1U) chassis with its own internal linear power supply, this single-channel unit pairs two discrete Class-A gain stages with custom Sowter input and output transformers, giving you that “big iron” warmth without sacrificing clarity or headroom.

What sets the ME-1NV apart is how much control it hands you over the signal path. A front-panel DI input runs Hi-Z sources like bass, guitar, and synths through a FET buffer straight into the input transformer — a signature Great River touch that makes direct-recorded instruments sound noticeably richer. Separate metering for the input and output stages lets you watch gain staging in real time, something most single-channel preamps don’t offer. Round out the I/O with a balanced mic input, both balanced and unbalanced line outputs, an unbalanced insert point, and switchable input impedance and output loading for tailoring the tone to whatever you’re tracking.

Whether it’s sitting on a desktop or mounted in a rack, the ME-1NV is built to be a workhorse: quiet at any gain setting, fast to dial in, and flexible enough to flatter everything from a vocal mic to a DI’d bass.

Sowter transformers on both input and output for authentic vintage-style coloration
Up to 70dB of gain from dual discrete Class-A stages
Front-panel FET-buffered DI input routed through the input transformer
Dual metering for independent input- and output-stage monitoring
Balanced mic input, DI input, balanced/unbalanced line outputs, unbalanced insert point
Switchable input impedance and output loading for tonal shaping
Solid-state, single-channel, 1U half-rack design with internal linear power supply