Neve 2264ALB Limiter/Compressor

The Neve 2264ALB features exclusive Marinair® specification transformers on the input, bridge-driver, sidechain, and output stages, ensuring rich analogue character throughout.

Originally designed in 1974 by Rupert Neve and his engineers, the 2264 compressor utilised pioneering diode-bridge circuitry for analogue compression. This unique design produces smooth yet precise compression curves, with the characteristic compression ratio engaging at 6dB above the threshold, allowing transients to be smoothed over, thus reducing overall distortion.

This compact unit preserves the classic A/B circuit design of the original 2264, using the same architecture and through-hole wiring essential for the audio circuitry.

The Neve 2264ALB’s compressor and limiter operate with independent circuitry and controls. This unique configuration layers two distinct dynamic processors, such as a hard limiter and a soft compressor, to create bespoke compression curves tailored to your music.

When the bypass switch is activated, the input terminals connect directly to the output terminals, enabling true bypassing of signals when A/B’ing the compressor/limiter.

The Neve 2264ALB offers a user-settable release time and two automatic recovery times. The auto-recovery options, A1 and A2, adapt based on the program material, with rapid recovery for isolated peaks and slower recovery for longer swells. 6-stage LED metering displays overall gain reduction from -2dB to -20dB, using PPM-scale ballistics.

The Neve 2264ALB’s audio processing insert design allows it to be used as an insert in a 1073LB, or a 1073LB & 1073LBEQ signal path, placed before the 1073LB’s output transformer, enabling the creation of a custom channel strip.

Multiple Neve 2264ALBs, whether adjacent or non-adjacent, housed in the same 500 series chassis, can be linked using the link function. When activated, all compressors in the group share the same control voltage bus for their threshold trigger. In this mode, all compressors form a dynamic group with no ‘master’ in the chain; the loudest analogue input determines the group threshold trigger at any given moment.

To modernise the 2264 Classic, the Neve 2264ALB includes a slow attack feature. When two Neve 2264ALBs are paired and linked, the slow attack feature provides ideal bus compression attack speeds to add cohesion to any mix.