Analog Obsession: Neve Console EQs
By Will Shanks

It has already been announced: Neve and Universal Audio have sealed a deal, and the UA algorithm team has been given the green light to do what they do best, with the most ubiquitous name in pro audio. Universal Audio has been given the honor of bringing the quintessential Neve sound to the desktop with digital emulations of the classic tools that make Neve famous. Some might say that the pro audio industry suffers from "tool worship," but there's a reason why some products evoke this reverence. Neve siginal processors are coveted like no other, but this status has been earned by the quality and success of an untold number of recordings. Neve is probably best known for its channel EQs, particularly the 1073 module. The Neve 1073 is the first device scheduled to be given the meticulous, analytical treatment for which UA is famous. And you can be sure that the design team at UA feels a tremendous responsibility to produce a product worthy of the Neve legend.

History
Neve's founding father was Rupert Neve, who formed Neve in 1961. From the early days Neve specialized in the finest quality audio consoles and associated equipment. Utilizing class A components, excessive bandwidth and linearity, Neve quickly became renowned for its unrivalled quality of design and workmanship. After moving to a new facility near Cambridge, Neve designed and built the first commercial transistor console for Philips Recording Studios in London.

Building on the success of the early consoles, Neve were able to relocate to a purpose built factory in Melbourn, Cambridge. Again the move propelled the company to even greater heights, with Neve entering into the US and Broadcast markets. On the 10th of May 1970, Neve created a legend, the 1073 mic pre amp. The 1073 modules were designed for the Wessex A88. It is a testament to the design team that after more than thirty-five years the sound of the 1073 has yet to be equalled and is still arguably the most desirable mic pre amp in the world.

The next four years are a blur of innovation and expansion, with a vast number of new consoles leaving the production line including the 8016, PSM8/2, 5031, 8038, Melbourn, 8024, and the 8048 console featuring the famous 1081 modules.

Neve 1073
Designed by Neve in 1970, the Neve 1073 channel module may exceed all other studio tools in both ubiquity and desirability. Without exaggeration, Neve consoles such as the 8014, where the 1073 originated, were used on the majority of late-20th-century popular recordings, and the 1073 easily tops the shortlist of audio design masterpieces. The 1073 can add texture and emotion to the presentation of music that is nearly unattainable with any other unit. This Class-A discrete transistor mic/line amp with 3-band EQ and highpass filter epitomizes the Neve "essence," endearing it to engineers and producers worldwide. As with all legendary gear, the used-market prices are daunting-an original working 1073 module will set you back upwards of $5,000.

The Neve 1073 EQ comprises a fixed 12 kHz high-shelving EQ, a 6-frequency (7.2 k, 4.8 k, 3.2 k, 1.6 k, 0.7 k, 0.36 k) parametric EQ, a 4-frequency (220, 110, 60 and 35 Hz) low-shelving EQ, and a 4-frequency highpass filter. Other features include a 30 dB range of line gain or 60 dB of mic gain, phase reverse and EQ bypass.

Neve 1084
Based on the same technology as the 1073, the 1084 offers a different palette of frequency selections than its 1073 cousin and adds the "Q" switch, allowing the user to have two different Q types-narrow or wide-on the parametric band. Some prefer this module to the 1073 because of the added flexibility.

Neve 1081
The Neve 1081 channel amplifier was first produced in 1972 by Neve and was used to provide the mic/line amp and EQ sections in Neve consoles such as the 8048. The 1081 improved the feature set of its original cousins by expanding the selectable frequency ranges, adding Q selection and adding an additional parametric band. The 1081 module was immediately embraced as an indispensable studio tool, further establishing the Neve legacy and reputation. The 1081 remains highly prized throughout the recording community for its sheer tonal-shifting muscle and expanded flexibility.

Because sometimes only the physical experience will suffice, Neve still manufacture the classic handcrafted Neve 1073, 1081 & 1084 modules to the exact 1970's specification as part of their Classic range.

Thanks to AMS-Neve for the images used in the artcle. For more information on Neve's history and products please visit www.ams-neve.com

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