AMS Neve 1073N AMS Neve

The AMS Neve 1073N retains the modular design and retrofit capabilities of the 1073 and adds standalone functionality with DI input, I/O connectors for mics and other equipment, phantom power, and power supply.

The AMS Neve 1073N preamp/EQ is built to the exact specifications and sonics of the original, and like the modular 1073, it can retrofit into an 80-series console or AMS Neve power rack. However, it has the unique ability to function in standalone, thanks to integrated I/O, DI, phantom power, and power supply. The 1073N gives you the unique ability to not only have the signature sound of the 1073, but also enables you to start with a preamp and add the vintage 80-series Neve console to it later-kind of like buying a bell and waiting until you can afford the bicycle to go under it. Considered by numerous engineers and producers to typify the sound of Neve for all time, the 1073N mic pre and EQ combination adds warmth and depth to recordings, brings out subtle ambience, maintains spatial positioning, and captures a more precise image*.

AMS Neve 1073N-Just the Facts

• Classic transformer microphone preamp amp (Class A design) with integral DI input and phantom power
• Exclusive Neve Marinair™ transformers used on input and output stages
• 3 EQ bands and high-pass filter
• Can be used as a standalone module or inserted into a compatible rack or console
• Mic & Line inputs are transformer balanced and earth free
• Microphone Input: Gain +80db to +20dB in 5dB steps
• Designed and built in England

* PAD Tech Note: Much of the superior performance of the 1073 is attributed to its wide-bandwidth specification, which made it the first preamp with a linear frequency response well beyond human hearing. In conceiving of the 1073 preamp, Rupert Neve reasoned that if harmonics beyond human hearing exist in nature they shouldn’t be ignored in audio capture, as they traditionally were in designs band-limited to 20kHz. His favorite demonstration of his hypothesis is using a tone generator to produce a sine wave at 12kHz, which anyone can hear, and switches it to a square wave, which produces a timbral difference audible to all. The only difference between the two waves is that a square wave adds a single octave harmonic at 24kHz, which is beyond our ability to hear on its own.  

AMS Neve 1073N-Under the Hood

The Class-A design 1073N 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.

Along with its wide bandwidth design, the components that most define the signature sound of the 1073 are the Neve-designed custom transformers built by Marinair. According to Mr. Neve, “Transformers provide superior galvanic isolation while adding musical harmonics and dimension to the sound. The low-impedance, transformer-balanced output excels at driving long cable runs, and performance is immensely consistent regardless of the connected equipment.”

Incidentally, transformers are more responsible for the warm sound attributed to tubes than tubes themselves actually are.

Front-panel controls and EQ  

• High Frequency: Smooth +/-16dB fixed frequency shelving at 12kHz
• 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
• Low Frequency: Smooth +/-16dB shelving with selectable frequencies of 35Hz, 60Hz, 110Hz, and 220Hz
• High-Pass Filter: 18dB per octave slope, switchable between 50Hz, 80Hz, 160Hz, and 300Hz
• EQL Button: Switches the equalizer in or out of circuit
• Phase Button: Yields 180° phase change at balanced output

You can start with an AMS Neve 1073N in standalone and then build a rack, or use it to populate a vintage 80-series console. However you choose to go, you get classic Neve sound. For more information, call or chat online with your PAD Studio Specialist today.   

Specifications

• Microphone Input: Input Impedance 300W or 1200W, gain +80dB to +20dB in 5dB steps
• Line Input: Input Impedance 10kW bridging, gain +20dB to -10dB in 5dB steps. Both inputs are transformer balanced and earth free
• DI Input: Input Impedance 1MW (Pad off); 10kW (Pad on), gain +80dB to +20dB in 5dB steps
• Output: Maximum output is >+26dBu into 600W. Output impedance is 75W @1kHz. Output is transformer balanced and earth free
• Distortion: Not more than 0.07% from 50Hz to 10kHz at +20dBu output (80kHz bandwidth) into 600W
• Frequency Response: +/-0.5dB 20Hz to 20kHz, -3dB at 40kHz EQ Out.
• Noise: Not more than -83dBu at all line gain settings EQ In flat/out (22Hz to 22kHz bandwidth), EIN better than -125dBu @ 60dB gain

Physical

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