Neve 1081 Microphone Preamplifier

The Neve 1081 is meticulously handcrafted in the UK by Neve Engineers, with each unit undergoing rigorous construction to ensure the highest quality before it leaves the factory and arrives in your studio.

The Neve 1081 utilises the same exclusive Marinair transformers as the 1073 in its microphone and line input stages, with the addition of a non-gapped balanced output transformer enabled by the A/B design.

As Neve consoles evolved, so did their circuit designs. The Neve 1081 was the first console module to incorporate class A/B circuitry. While class B circuitry offers greater efficiency for transistors, it can also introduce crossover distortion. To overcome this, Neve Engineers implemented a class A/B design, allowing the transistors to share the preamplification load while remaining in an always-on state, effectively eliminating crossover distortion.

The classic, gold-plated, 3-bank Elma switch provides precise gain levels in 5dB steps throughout the gain range. This innovative design eliminates the need for a mic/line switch, as the pot itself selects the preamp and input. The Neve 1081 uses a single transistor-based preamplifier to achieve all gain levels, offering a more efficient design than the 1073.

The Neve 1081’s efficient class A/B designed preamplifier delivers a high gain output of up to 80dB, with a detailed, fast, and musical response to transients, making it ideal for capturing percussive instruments with exceptional clarity.

The Neve 1081 EQ section represents an advancement over the earlier 1073 EQ. While maintaining the same high-quality inductor-based technology, the EQ palette has been expanded to four bands, based on customer feedback. Two mid bands with wider frequency selections and high Q settings provide greater control over most program material, and the high and low shelving bands offer broader frequency points with switchable bell curve settings.

The Neve 1081 also features separate capacitor/resistor high and low pass filters, each with five selectable frequency roll-off points at 18dB/Octave, designed to eliminate unwanted signals outside the passband. When combined with the four-band EQ, this flexible tool allows you to shape sounds and control any part of the audio spectrum.

The 180-degree phase flip feature is particularly useful in multi-microphone setups with multiple preamps, making it ideal for scenarios like top and bottom snare micing.

The Neve 1081 module includes two impedance settings, accessible via a rear mounted Hi/Lo switch. With settings of 1.2kΩ and 300Ω, the impedance can be optimised for use with a wide range of modern and vintage microphones.

The Neve 1081 is available in two orientations: vertical and horizontal. Vertical orientation modules can be installed into a console or an 8-module rack, while horizontal modules can be installed into a 3U stereo pair rack.

Features

• Legendary Neve microphone preamp and equalizer design (Class AB)
• Exclusive Marinair specification transformers used on input and output stages
• 5 switchable EQ bands
• HP and LP selectable filters (18dB per octave)
• Separate 48V phantom power supply
• 180° phase flip
• Solo button selects channel unbalanced output
• Spare button for external switching
• Hand-built and wired precisely to original 1972 specifications