Focusrite = Neve

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Hard2Hear

Hard2Hear

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For some reason I missed the fact that Focusrite was started by Rupert Neve in 1985...yes THAT Neve. I have been working with various Focusrite pres for a couple years now, but I think they are nothing like the typical "Neve" pre-amps. I know the "good" Focusrite pres (ISA and Red series) are transformer coupled designs, and while I do not know the engineering theory behind this, I know it lends a color to the sound. But the cheaper platinum pre amps are transformerless, thus more like the traditional Neve pre amps we all know or at least hear about. BUT I also know that in 1985 the original ISA110 was his own design, which started Focusrite. So Im thinking...was it, in Mr Neve's mind, a superior design over his previous efforts? Why such a radical departure from his previous designs? OR is the ISA110 design an enhancement on the original Neve designs?

For you history buffs, Mr Neve...who seems like a better engineer than a business man by far...got info $ trouble with Focusrite (as he had with his previous efforts) and in 1989 it was bought by the man who had created Soundcraft, Phil Dudderidge.

Anyways, just some thoughts and information that possibly many of you did not know.

Oh, and don't go listing your "NEVE" Voicemasters on Ebay just yet;)

H2H
 
sorry for the multi posts..something is seriously wrong with this site.
 
According to some research into your topic, Beatles Over-Lord
George Martin hired Rupert to design and build a no-compromise
pre with a EQ circuit that can be added to his Neve console in his studio with the included modules designed for compatibility and inclusion on to other consoles. Accordingly, the ISA modules that
Rupe constructed were so well rec'd by others that George requested additional ISA modules to be added to his console replacing the pre's already built into the board.
The ISA was eventually built and offered to consumers as a 7U rack however they were not inexpensive. One had to 1st purchase the rack and the external power supply.

In 1988, FocusRite produced the ISA 115 in a 19" rackmountable
design wich contained 2 horizontal channels of the orig ISA 110
mic-pre & EQ but one still had to purchase the rack-mountable
power supply which again made it an expensive tool.
It was eventually discontinued and replaced by the ISA 215, a stripped down version and less expensive than the 115.
 
The newer lower-end Focusrite gear has nothing to do with Rupert Neve and he has nothing to do with it.

------------
Dan Richards
Digital Pro Sound
 
Hard2Hear said:
But the cheaper platinum pre amps are transformerless, thus more like the traditional Neve pre amps we all know or at least hear about. H2H
Click to expand...

Was that a typo? Did you mean NOT like the traditional Neve pre amps we all know or at least hear about? As those ARE designs with transformers and the transformers being a HUGE factor of their "sound" which we all know or at least hear about.
 
Same thing I was thinking.... the Neve sound is every bit a transformer sound, in particular one certain transformer that is hard to get these days.
The ISA stuff is transformer, as is the RED, the Platinum is not and had nothing to do with Rupert, and it shows.
The Amek 9098 preamps are transformerless, though. I think he did a good job with those. Rupert just finished a custom made Neve guitar pickup for someone, Taylor guitars I believe. Available soon.
 
RE

Sorry, I was half asleep, and the stupid board wasnt working for me, not thinking straight. Thanks for the clarification.

Anyways, my whole thought behind this was that on 95% of my recordings, I am using either an ISA110 or a Red7. I haven't actually used anything Focusrite other than that. But this whole time I have been thinking I'm missing out because I don't have a Neve pre to use also. I got this in my head because everyone drools at the mouth when Neve pres are mentioned, but Focusrite pres are never talked abut here or at Pro Audio, unless it's the cheap ones they're talking bad about. So I was just wondering what the connection, if any, is between the designs of the two, especially the ISA, since it is the true, first design.

Oh, and I know the platinum are not related. I would put those under the head of the Soundcraft guy who runs the show now.

Enough of me.
H2H
 
Well I really don't know much about Focusrite (the Mr. Neve genre)... I mean I just thought it was another step in that quest of a pure, clean signal path; something that seemed to be the goal of most engineers until my generation came and pretty much sought-after any and every piece of "vintage" gear out there and sky-rocketed the prices FAR into "not even worth it" land inorder to "fix" the ADAT and Mackie combo!

Now when I say "just another step", I wasn't belittling Focusrite. I know the ISAs and REDs are sought-after items and I hear for very good reason. I certainly don't doubt them, but I've never had the opportunity to use them. Wish I could! :(

And I hear you about feeling like you may be missing-out because of not having a Neve preamp in your rack along with your other outboard pres... I've been feeling the same way these past few months! Not that I don't have a pre that kicks crazily with top-notch character... It's just not "transformer character"!

I mean other than when I'm using mics with a transformer in them, my signal path in my set-up doesn't have a single transformer in it, ANYWHERE!!! While I consider that a GOOD thing, there are plenty of times I feel a nice NEVE-type and API-type pre or an 1176 and API 525 in the signal path would be desireable! I mean you can only get that "transformer sound" with a transformer, and a good one at that!

So while I will more than likely NEVER pay the outrageous prices of an original NEVE, I eventually will snatch-up a Neve-type and API-type pre (Phoenix Audio GTQ2, Great River NV, Brent Averill, API 512, OSA, RTZ) as well as an 1176LN reissue and an API 525 reissue. I've had a pair of Telefunken U373As in the works (being racked with a power supply) for about 2 months now and I'm expecting them around Christmas. I'll be put then through the ringer for a few months, and if they don't live-up, they'll be outta here and buying me one of those other units!
 
it's true there are transformers in neve pres.... but saying their sound has "character"? i wouldnt exactly put it that way. Neve pres sound exactly as sound should. a neve will make the best of any given mic in almost any situation. they just sound accurate. thats all their is to it. no hype. just good sound
 
Cave Dweller,

WOW! I have to say I 100% disagree with you, respectively of course... I put Neve's completely on the opposite end of the spectrum as you. I put DaviSound "Mic-All" pres on the side of the spectrum you find Neves on...

Just what I find...
 
A while back pipelineaudio posted some great neve links in the cave. On was a text interview, the other was about a 45 minute video presentation by neve himself discussing various audio concepts.

Anyhow, in the video one he mentioned that he had started Focusrite with the intent of only making modules. He got out of it before any of the focusrite preamps we see today were made, and he had nothing to do with their design.

Slackmaster 2000
 
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