Is anyone using....

  • Thread starter Thread starter Michael Jones
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Michael Jones

Michael Jones

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Is anyone here using vintage Neve 1073's or 1064 racked preamp/eq modules?
I'd like to hear from someone that actually has one (or more) in their studio, and uses it on a regular basis, and not "Well, I've heard them before and....."
 
Son of Mixerman said:
Why are you asking If I may ask?

SoMm
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Because I'm interested in getting one (or the other) and I'd like to hear from a first hand user.
 
oh :p

Are you interested in a home recordist view or a professionals view.

My 2 cents are along the lines of Its been too long since Ive used one to be of any real help. But, Joe Chicarrelli over at the artistpro webboard is usually more than helpful in discussing the pros and cons of the class A pq's not only from Neve but many other early 70 designs and he isn't biased as a pedaler or manufacturer of such fine equipment. It was Just last month I was browsing the vintage shops for a deal on 1081's .. IM still looking :(

http://www.artistpro.com

SoMm
 
So if you've just recorded through them in professional studios then you're not qualified to comment on them?
 
If I recall correctly, the 1064 and 1073 are essentially identical except for the switch design or something like that. I haven't used a 1073 style pre (only homebrew 1272), but for more info on DIY route, go here:

http://recording.org/users/kev

Ian
 
Robert D said:
So if you've just recorded through them in professional studios then you're not qualified to comment on them?
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Not at all, but I think you should have personal experience with it, actually have used it, with your own hands, and heard it with your own ears, on music that you tracked or helped track.

I put the qualifer in there because so many people comment on what they have read, or heard others talk of. I'm just looking for someone with some first hand experience.
 
Son of Mixerman said:
oh :p

Are you interested in a home recordist view or a professionals view.

My 2 cents are along the lines of Its been too long since Ive used one to be of any real help. But, Joe Chicarrelli over at the artistpro webboard is usually more than helpful in discussing the pros and cons of the class A pq's not only from Neve but many other early 70 designs and he isn't biased as a pedaler or manufacturer of such fine equipment. It was Just last month I was browsing the vintage shops for a deal on 1081's .. IM still looking :(

http://www.artistpro.com

SoMm
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Home recordists, or professional, it doesn't matter, as long as its first hand experience.

Thanks for the link SoMm. I'm still looking too.
 
imacgreg said:
If I recall correctly, the 1064 and 1073 are essentially identical except for the switch design or something like that. I haven't used a 1073 style pre (only homebrew 1272), but for more info on DIY route, go here:

http://recording.org/users/kev

Ian
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Thats kind of the way I understand the diff between the two as well.

Homebrew 1272??
 
Well, I've recorded through 1073's in a couple of different studios, on the client side of the glass. They are my favorite pre's, having the perfect balance of Class A clarity and warmth that rivals tube designs. I highly recommend them...to anyone that can afford them that is. Just make sure you get the real deal, and not just something that was built from the original schematic, but not with the original parts.
Cheers, RD
 
Robert D said:
Well, I've recorded through 1073's in a couple of different studios, on the client side of the glass. They are my favorite pre's, having the perfect balance of Class A clarity and warmth that rivals tube designs. I highly recommend them...to anyone that can afford them that is. Just make sure you get the real deal, and not just something that was built from the original schematic, but not with the original parts.
Cheers, RD
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Thanks for the input Robert. I know there are some imitations out there. Buying from a reputable dealer should ensure that what one gets is authentic.
I know they sound pricey, especially for a home recording site, but there are people here that use Avalons, Vipre's and other high priced modern pre's. Given that, I really don't think that they're beyond the scope of this board.

I'm currently using a pair of vintage Audix 35102's (racked by Brent Averill). Supposedly these were made by ex-Neve employees, to rival or compete with Neve's 33114's from the '70s.

At any rate, I REALLY, REALLY like the Audix 35102's. After I learned how to use them effectively, I was blown away by the sound from them. I'm ready to be blown away again!
 
Michael Jones said:

Homebrew 1272??
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Yeah,
I've built a 1272 from scratch. All the '72 (as a mic pre) consists of is an amplifier card, two transfromers (where the REAL neve sound comes from), some form of gain/attenuation switch, and a power supply. The cards are easy enough to make at home, the transformers can be bought from a couple different places, all you need is to figure out the power supply/chassis/etc. and you have a mic pre. Now, a 1272 is NOT a 1073 w/o EQ, for anyone who is interested, here's the difference. The 1073 consists of three gain stages and an EQ section. The signal path looks like this: mic input->first gain stage->second gain stage->EQ-> third gain stage. The 1272 just has two gain stages. Therefore, you get a different sound/ gain from the 1272 or 1073/1064. Am I boring people here with this tech talk?? Anyway, sorry to hijack your thread, but that's my explanation for a "Hombrew '72"

Ian
 
imacgreg - Thanks for the clairification and input.
I have really good soldering chops, and I can read schematics better than the average joe. My father worked for General Electric in the 60's, 70's and early 80's as an electronics designer. I'm sure he'd help me take on a task like that, but I don't think building my own pre is something I want to do.

Thanks for the info though.
 
Michael Jones said:

I have really good soldering chops, and I can read schematics better than the average joe......but I don't think building my own pre is something I want to do.
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I second that statement.. whew I used to build all sorts of electronic stuff, but Id rather just buy the thing and get on with it.

Try this link for more info, I found it to be a pretty good site on differentiating vintage pre's. I found it while on ebay and it helped me look for things specifically.

http://www.danalexanderaudio.com/

Click on the Neve choice under the Information title on left side frame. Its gear slut heaven for me.

SoMm
 
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