AMS Neve 1084 Microphone Preamp and Equalizer AMS Neve

The AMS Neve 1084 Microphone Preamp and Equalizer is an exacting reissue of the original modular 1084 console preamp and EQ, with 3-band EQ and selectable shelving or peak EQ curve selection.

The AMS Neve 1084 rivals the 1073 in popularity due to its wide palette of frequency selections. While sharing the identical preamp and output section as the 1073 and other members of the 10-series (1081, 1073, 1066), its EQ section also includes the ability to switch between two different “Q” types, either narrow or wide with respect to the parametric band. The modular design of the 1084 is a nod to the original intent of the 10-series preamps, which was to populate the Neve 80-series consoles of the ’70s. All of the preamps in the series share the same input and output sections but feature a differently outfitted equalizer section. The reason for this was to maintain sonic consistency across the console while offering the engineer a palette of tone-shaping options that they could commission for the console. For example, a console could be outfitted with eight channels of 1073s, eight channels of 1084s, and so on, all while maintaining the signature sound of the Neve 10-series.  

AMS Neve 1084-Just the Facts:

• Classic Neve transformer mic preamplifier with a wide range of equalizer settings
• Exclusive Neve Marinair™ transformers used on input and output stages
• 3 switchable EQ bands
• HP and LP filters with High Q setting
• EQL button switches the equalizer in or out of the circuit
• Phase Button changes phase 180° at balanced output
• Hand-crafted and tested precisely to original 1970 design

AMS Neve 1084-Under the Hood

Handcrafted and completely hand-wired in by Neve’s dedicated professionals in Burnley, UK, the 1084 reissue built to the precise specifications of the original modules. Since AMS Neve prides itself on its innovation throughout the years, it’s not adverse to technical improvements. However, not all technological advances actually sound better than the components they appear to improve on. For example, audio transformers, which are the essence of the Neve sound and the reason why boutique manufacturers invest a great deal of R&D on custom transformers. Off-the-shelf or poorly designed transformers can cause ringing or smearing in the top end of the audible spectrum. As such, while other manufacturers use replacements, AMS Neve alone has access to the original hand-wound transformers. This is an important factor when you consider that an analog preamp is only as good as its transformer. That is why only a Neve sounds like a Neve.

All Neve mic preamplifiers are designed to accept signals from a wide range of microphone and line sources. The 1081 features 80dB of gain, more than enough for microphones of all sensitivity ratings.  Uncompromisingly low noise and distortion with generous overload performance are noteworthy hallmarks of all Neve products.

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 1084 Equalizer Section

• The 1084’s three EQ bands provide selectable frequency, with cut and boost capability, and a mid-frequency band which benefits from a High Q Presence switch. The high pass filter can be switched between 45Hz, 70Hz, 160Hz & 360Hz, and the low pass filter between 6kHz, 8kHz, 10kHz, 14kHz, & 18kHz. Both boast 18dB per octave slopes 
• High Frequency: Smooth + /-16dB shelving with selectable frequencies of 0kHz, 12kHz, and 16kHz
• Low Frequency: Smooth +/-16dB shelving with selectable frequencies of 35Hz,60Hz, 110Hz & 220Hz
• Mid Frequency: Smooth +/-12dB or +/-18dB peaking with switchable ‘High Q’, selectable center frequencies of 0.36kHz, 0.7kHz, 1.6kHz, 3.2kHz, 4.8kHz & 7.2kHz
• High Pass Filter: 18dB per octave slope, switchable between 45Hz, 70Hz, 160Hz, and 360Hz
• Low Pass Filter: 18dB per octave slope, switchable between 6kHz, 8kHz, 10kHz,14kHz, and 18kHz

Mounting Options

The 1084 can be purchased as single or multiple units. Each 1084 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 AMS Neve 1084 gives you the same preamp as the legendary 1073 with more powerful 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: 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)