AMS Neve 1081 Classic Microphone Preamp and EQ Module (Mono) AMS Neve

The AMS Neve 1081 is a classic mono preamp/EQ originally built for the Neve 80-series consoles and still made today by hand in Burnley, UK, using the original components, hand-wound transformers, and refined construction methods.

The AMS Neve 1081 is a member of the original 10-series preamp/equalizers whose siblings include the venerable 1073, 1084, and 1066. All of the preamps in the series share precisely the same input and output sections, with the only difference being the equalizer sections in order to offer more tonal options. The difference between the 1081 and the 1073, is the addition of high- and low-pass filters with five center frequency options. While the high-frequency band of the 1073 is a shelving EQ with a center frequency of 12kHz (one of the reasons it’s so popular), the 1081 offers five center frequencies with selectable shelving or peak curve. A truly classic component in a recording front-end or mixing environment, often seen in the credits on today’s platinum-selling albums, the 1081 provides remarkable sensitivity, fast and musical response to transients, plus inimitable Neve equalization.

AMS Neve 1081-Just the Facts

• Legendary Neve microphone preamp and equalizer design (Class AB)
• Exclusive Neve Marinair™ transformers used on input and output stages
• 5 switchable EQ bands
• HP and LP selectable filters (18dB per octave)
• Separate 48V phantom power supply
• Solo button selects channel unbalanced output
• Hand-built and wired precisely to original 1972 specifications
• Both inputs transformer-balanced and earth free

AMS Neve 1081-Under the Hood 

An indispensable tool for recording and mixing drums, bass, and percussion, the 1081 features 80dB of gain, more than enough for microphones of all sensitivity ratings. As with all Neve outboard gear, you’re assured of the highest quality signal capture, thanks to uncompromising Class AB circuitry, hand-wound Neve-designed transformers, and unrivaled attention to every last component and construction detail.

The 1081 equalizer

The 1081 equalizer features high- and low-pass filters designed to separate unwanted signal outside the pass-band. This gives you a flexible tool with which to shape new sounds and control any part of the audio spectrum. The curves and slopes have been carefully tailored to enable you to exercise maximum technical and artistic skill.

1081 front-panel EQ controls

• H.F. Controls: 5 switched frequencies, shelving or peaking curve, continuously variable 18dB cut or boost
• H.F. Presence: 10 switched frequencies with continuously variable 18dB cut or boost, high or low Q selection
• L.F. Presence: 10 switched frequencies with continuously variable 18dB cut or boost, high or low Q selection
• L.F. Controls: 5 switched frequencies, shelving or peaking curve, continuously variable 18dB cut or boost
• H.P. Filter: 5 switched frequencies with a slope of 18dB per octave
• L.P. Filter: 5 switched frequencies with a slope of 18dB per octave

Custom Marinair transformers

Mr. Neve is a great proponent of transformer-balanced designs. Transformers excel at passive isolation, eliminate noise and hum and aren’t prone to turning into radio receivers as transformerless designs can be. They also provide the advantage of long cable runs with no, or minimal signal degradation, which is essential for large multi-room facilities or live performance.

PAD For the Record–When tubes fell out of favor and transistors became all the rage, designers of pro audio gear had a problem. Transistors didn’t saturate like tubes, which distort naturally as gain is increased. Transistors, on the other hand, much like digital circuits, perform consistently as gain is increased, but once the threshold is crossed, they clip, producing rather harsh distortion. When faced with this dilemma, Mr. Rupert Neve realized that his task was to take the components we had (i.e. transistors) and find a way to make them sound musical. In so doing, it was discovered that the rich euphonic sound of tube preamps was actually more attributable to transformers than tubes. The Neve preamps prove that solid-state, transformer-based designs are just as capable of a rich, creamy sound as tube designs, hence the reference in the industry to custom-designed preamps by Neve and other manufacturers as “the big iron sound of the ’70s.”

The AMS Neve 1081 gives you the same preamp as the venerable 1073 with far more EQ options and can be fit into Neve power racks or retrofit into classic 80-series consoles. For more information, call or chat online with your PAD Studio Specialist today.

Specifications

• Microphone Input: Z-in 300 or 1200 ohms switched, gain +80 to +10 dB in 5dB steps
• Line Input: Z-in 10k ohms bridging, gain +20 to -15dB in 5dB steps. Both inputs are balanced and earth-free
• Outputs: Max +26dB into 600 ohms. Z-out 75 ohms ±5% @ 1kHz, balanced and earth-free. An unbalanced output 8dB below the level of the balanced output is also provided
• Distortion: Not more than 0.07% for +20dBm output from 50Hz to 15kHz
• Frequency Response: ±0.5dB from 20Hz to 20kHz. -3dB at 7Hz and 35kHz
• Noise: Output noise better than -42dBm from Z-in 1200 ohms and -80dB input, giving an equivalent noise of -125dBm referred to 600 ohms input impedance fed from 100 ohms. Output noise better than – 80dBm at all line input levels