AMS Neve 1073 Mic Preamp & Equalizer AMS Neve

The AMS Neve 1073 Mic Preamp & Equalizer is an exact reproduction of Rupert Neve’s original 10-series modular preamp, responsible for more classic vocal and instrument tracks than any other mic amp

This is the original modular design of the (insert words of praise here) 1073 preamp, the world’s most used and most copied preamp that pro audio has to offer. The AMS Neve 1073 Mic Preamp and EQ not only fit AMS Neve vertical power racks, but it can also be used as a replacement module for vintage 80-series consoles, such as the 8068. The 1073 Mic Preamp and EQ is completely handcrafted by Neve’s dedicated professionals to the exact specifications of the original modules. To ensure the sound remains true to the original, AMS Neve spared no expense acquiring the original components, including the custom Neve-designed Marinair™ input and output transformers that give the 1073 its depth and sonic richness. The 1073 is universally considered to be the essence of the “Neve” sound.   

AMS Neve 1073 Mic Preamp & Equalizer-Just the Facts:

• Classic transformer microphone preamp amp (Class-A design)
• Exclusive Neve Marinair transformers used on input and output stages
• Hand-built and hand-wired to original 1970s design
• Both inputs are transformer-balanced and earth-free 

AMS Neve 1073 Mix Preamp & Equalizer-Under the Hood

The Class-A design 1073 microphone preamplifier features 3 bands of EQ with one fixed high-frequency band, two switchable bands with cut and boost, and a high pass filter. All Neve channel amplifiers are designed to accept signals from a wide range of microphone and line sources.

1073 EQ Bands and Controls:

• High frequency: Smooth+/-16dB fixed frequency shelving at 12kHz
• Low frequency: Smooth+/-16dBs helving with selectable frequencies of 35Hz, 60Hz, 110Hz, and 220Hz
• Mid frequency: Smooth +/-18dB peaking, fixed ‘Q’ with selectable center frequencies of 0.36kHz, 0.7kHz, 1.6kHz, 3.2kHz, 4.8kHz, and 7.2kHz
• High-pass filter: Switchable between 50Hz, 80Hz, 160Hz, and 300Hz; 18dB per-octave slope
• EQL button: Switches the equalizer in or out of circuit
• Phase button: Gives 180° phase change at balanced output

Does AMS Neve make ’em as good as the old ones?

Before we get into the testimonials, it’s important to recognize that electronics don’t improve with age. All electronics components generate heat, and heat is the enemy of electronics. As such, it’s far more likely that a new 1073 built to original specs is going to sound just as good, if not better. Now, back to our regularly scheduled program.

Lynn Fuston of 3D Audio, well known in Nashville recording circles, also the creator of “Preamps in Paradise,” an ear-opener for audio professionals, performed an in-depth review of the modern-day 1073 versus a vintage model for EQ Magazine.

No stranger to the 1073 in his own studio, Fuston wrote: “The Neve 1073 is probably the most famous and possibly most desirable preamp in the history of recording. Designed by the Rupert Neve company in the early 70s, it has earned its place as the ‘gold standard’ among preamps. This discrete transistor mic/line amp with 3 band EQ and high pass may not be the flattest or cleanest or fastest preamp design, but it epitomizes the ‘Neve essence,’ meandering it to generations of engineers and producers worldwide. When I gathered seven world-class engineers together for the Preamps in Paradise video and asked about a ‘desert island preamp,’ three of the seven said without hesitation ‘Neve 1073.’ With all the preamp options today (who knows how many models from almost 200 manufacturers?), finding so much agreement in such an elite group is a testament to the desirability and sound of the 1073.”

Apart from the difficulty in telling the vintage and modern unit apart physically, and noting the wear on the controls and noisy switches on the vintage unit, Fuston’s conclusion after strenuous testing is as follows:

“All in all, I think AMS-Neve has done a spectacular job of recreating a classic and the new module is quite worthy to wear the Neve symbol and the 1073 name. Those who purchase one won’t have “vintage Neve” bragging rights but they won’t have old gear frustrations either. They will certainly be entitled to say ‘I have a Neve 1073′ without reservation.”  

Options

The 1073 can be purchased as single or multiple units. Each 1073 module has been designed to perfectly retrofit into the 80-series Neve classic consoles as part of a channel strip or can be mounted in a custom rack. The available rack sizes are 3U (which accommodates 2 modules horizontally) or 5U (which accommodates 8 modules vertically).

The Neve 1073 mic pre and EQ adds warmth and depth to recordings, brings out subtle ambience, maintains spatial positioning, and more effectively captures a precise image. For more information call or chat online with your PAD Studio Specialist today.

Specifications

• Microphone Input: Input impedance 300 ohm or 1,200 ohm; gain +80db to +20dB in 5dB steps
• Line Input: Input impedance 10k ohms, gain +20dB to -10dB in 5dB steps
• Output: Maximum output is >+26dBu into 600 ohm; transformer-balanced and earth-free
• Output impedance: 75 ohm @ 1kHz
• Distortion: Not more than 0.07% from 50Hz to 10kHz at +20dBu output (80kHz bandwidth) into 600 ohm
• Frequency response: ±0.5dB 20Hz to 20kHz, -3dB at 40kHz (EQ out)
• Noise: Not more than -83dBu at all line gain settings EQ In/Out (22Hz to 22kHz bandwidth),
• EIN: Better than -125dBu @ 60dB gain

Physical

• Height: 8-3/4″ (222 mm)
• Width: 1-7/8″ (45 mm)
• Depth: 10″ (254 mm)
• Weight: 5.5 lb. (2.5 kg)