I'm asking again: what are the differences between 1081 & 1073?

[Kevinology]

I understand there's cut filter difference between 1081 & 1073; and now I wonder what's different about each color and usage.

[sc1460]

I have 1073s (who doesn’t) but never tried 1081s

Did you see this:

https://gearspace.com/board/high-end/39 ... 081-a.html

Cheers
H

[Guido3]

8 years

[Stuart79]

There are some useful insights on the AMS Neve product page:
https://www.ams-neve.com/outboard/1081- ... 1-classic/

[Hugh Robjohns]

I understand there's cut filter difference between 1081 & 1073; and now I wonder what's different about each color and usage.

1081 is a much later design with completely different circuitry in the gain stages and a more versatile 4-band EQ.

Confusingly, the 1084 is more similar to the 1073 but with a more flexible EQ.

[Urthlupe]

Hey bud.

There’s also some (old) info on the EQ side here:

https://www.uaudio.com/webzine/2006/dec ... %20choices.

Currently enjoying a rebuild so the devices are in storage right now, and I’m estimating I won’t be up and running until approximately end of July.

However - if you’re really bugged by the issue of audible differences between the 1073 and 1081 units (it also really depends a little on exactly which iterations you’re considering) then PM me in August and I’ll run some audio through both for you. I have the 1073 DPX and 1081 Classic (two-channel) because I find them complimentary.

OTOH - if you’re close to SA62 at any point then you’re welcome to come have a coffee and try for yourself (retailers will also offer you that option if you ask - KMR or Studiocare for example).

Loopy

[Wonks]

I think the OP is from North America.

[Urthlupe]

I only offer coffee when it’s a safe bet m8 : - )…..

xx

[Wonks]

[Arpangel]

My take on all this is that we can over-think things sometimes, there’s a lot of debate on the internet about the differences between EQ/preamps, and it’s not consistent, budget, versus high end units as well, people get confused.
If this is even up for debate, then that tells you a lot, the differences aren’t as great as we like to think they are, if they were we’d all be able to tell instantly, but we can’t.
IMO, the microphone will make more of a difference to the sound, than a preamp can, also, if you’re spending say 3/4k or more then you’d better be sure you’re getting something that’s obviously worth it, but the laws of diminishing returns kick in all too suddenly.

[MarkOne]

Might it be time for an updated version of this test?

The main takeaway being that it's not really obvious that super expensive preamps trump much humbler offerings.

[Wonks]

In this instance, it’s probably less about the preamp than the associated EQ.

The ‘colour’ of a preamp is only really brought out when the preamp is pushed into distortion, which requires a preamp with an output control as well as an input gain control, something not all preamps have. Without the output level control, the distorted signal (aka ‘saturation’ or analogue warmth’) would be too hot for most audio interface line inputs and you would get A/D converter clipping.

The SOS comparison test didn’t compare the pushed preamp outputs (as not all the preamps used had output level controls), which would be a far more subjective test, as not all sound sources would benefit and for those that might (e.g. snare drum) there would be different gain levels for the best subjective sounds for each preamp.

[Arpangel]

Might it be time for an updated version of this test?

The main takeaway being that it's not really obvious that super expensive preamps trump much humbler offerings.

A good basic "well designed and built" preamp shouldn’t cost the earth, if it does, it usually means bells and whistles have been added that aren’t necessary for some people, or more likely big knobs, analogue meters, a 4U case, and a smart paint job, all those don’t come for nothing, and add nothing to the performance, and I’d love to see a breakdown of the cost of manufacture of all those things, plus, a preamp is only a handful of components, at best.

[James Perrett]

I was thinking of writing much the same as Tony. A modern design costs very little for the actual preamp. However, the preamps under discussion here are more expensive to make because they include things like transformers which are much more expensive now that they are a specialist item compared to the days when transformers were routine components. The Neve preamps that I've used also used switches in places where a modern unit would use a potentiometer. This also adds to the cost.

These Neve modules also include eq and once you start adding that you can charge more - simply for being able to say you have included the classic eq. I haven't used my Neve modules for a while but when I did use them I found the eq more satisfying than others I had available.

[Arpangel]

These Neve modules also include eq and once you start adding that you can charge more - simply for being able to say you have included the classic eq. I haven't used my Neve modules for a while but when I did use them I found the eq more satisfying than others I had available.

The first thing I do when evaluating something new to me is to turn everything up to maximum, if the differences are subtle, or even unnoticeable in some cases, it’s not for me, I need to hear the money I’ve spent! and if it goes way beyond what I thought it would, then it’s got potential.
Only two desks I’ve used have had the magic ingredients, that MM mixer, and the big Studiomaster mixers of the 80’s regarding EQ, the Studiomaster's are great for drums, unbelievable.
I have limited experience of Neve stuff, but what I have heard, it’s very clean, very transparent, incredibly so, exactly the opposite of how you hear some people talk about it.

[tea for two]

As already said by Wonky Wabbit it's when a pre is pushed that's when the colour comes in.
Expensive Esoteric ones should supposed to shine as it were when pushed, although not necessarily so.
The Cranborne Audio preamps reviewed recommended by Hugh show what £500 retail can do.

With Eq I use software emulated Neve 1073 bundled with Logic to shape sounds especially Bass and Kick, sometimes other instruments.
It's a useful emulation for me.

[Arpangel]

As already said by Wonky Wabbit it's when a pre is pushed that's when the colour comes in.
Expensive Esoteric ones should supposed to shine as it were when pushed, although not necessarily so.
The Cranborne Audio preamps reviewed recommended by Hugh show what £500 retail can do.

With Eq I use software emulated Neve 1073 bundled with Logic to shape sounds especially Bass and Kick, sometimes other instruments.
It's a useful emulation for me.

I don’t like coloured mic preamps, the cleaner the better for me.
I also find that if coloration is required, on any source, it’s available at many points in the signal chain, sometimes we don’t even realise it’s there and available, colouration in mic amps IMO is a much overrated selling ploy.

[tea for two]

I don’t like coloured mic preamps, the cleaner the better for me.
I also find that if coloration is required, on any source, it’s available at many points in the signal chain, sometimes we don’t even realise it’s there and available, colouration in mic amps IMO is a much overrated selling ploy.

Audient ID series interfaces have rather clean pre. I had ID4 MK1. Worth auditioning.
I prefer adding colour later.

Only two desks I’ve used have had the magic ingredients, that MM mixer, and the big Studiomaster mixers of the 80’s regarding EQ, the Studiomaster's are great for drums, unbelievable.

I remember you mentioning the MM's before. Just missed one last week sold £68. Im on the lookout for a smallish vintage as it were mixer under £100.

[James Perrett]

I have limited experience of Neve stuff, but what I have heard, it’s very clean, very transparent, incredibly so, exactly the opposite of how you hear some people talk about it.

In my experience the Neve eq is a bit like the MM but with selectable frequencies. When I turn a knob it just does what I expect it to. Of course the Neve preamps are far quieter than the MM.

(For the sake of clarity my main experience is with the Neve 33122 and the MM MP180 - other models may well be different).

[tea for two]

In my experience the Neve eq is a bit like the MM but with selectable frequencies. When I turn a knob it just does what I expect it to. Of course the Neve preamps are far quieter than the MM.

(For the sake of clarity my main experience is with the Neve 33122 and the MM MP180 - other models may well be different).

Software emulation Neve 1073 I use does this for me. It's partially how I get sledgehammer Kicks.

[Arpangel]

In my experience the Neve eq is a bit like the MM

Thank you so so much James.

[tea for two]

Only two desks I’ve used have had the magic ingredients, that MM mixer, and the big Studiomaster mixers of the 80’s

In my experience the Neve eq is a bit like the MM but with selectable frequencies. When I turn a knob it just does what I expect it to. Of course the Neve preamps are far quieter than the MM.

(For the sake of clarity my main experience is with the Neve 33122 and the MM MP180 - other models may well be different).

Just today won a MM MP175 12 channel for a pony + postage. Keeping an open mind as to how it will fair.

[Arpangel]

Only two desks I’ve used have had the magic ingredients, that MM mixer, and the big Studiomaster mixers of the 80’s

In my experience the Neve eq is a bit like the MM but with selectable frequencies. When I turn a knob it just does what I expect it to. Of course the Neve preamps are far quieter than the MM.

(For the sake of clarity my main experience is with the Neve 33122 and the MM MP180 - other models may well be different).

Just today won a MM MP175 12 channel for a pony + postage. Keeping an open mind as to how it will fair.

I’ll make no bones about it, I’m extremely jealous.

[Hugh Robjohns]

Just today won a MM MP175 12 channel for a pony + postage.

They saw you coming....

[MarkOne]

Just today won a MM MP175 12 channel for a pony + postage. Keeping an open mind as to how it will fair.

I'm pretty certain our band, back in the 80s had one of those. It was nicked from the drummers workshop (he's a cabinet maker) in the middle of the day while he had gone upstairs to take a phone call.

Just seeing the name and googling it to see an image brought that back.

I can't remember it sounding amazing, but then, the rest of the PA was so $h**, a Neve or API would probably have not made a big difference!