Neve Information

Module Layouts/Specs     Console Specs    Tek Raps

WHAT IS A NEVE 1272?

A 1272 is a line amp/summing buss amp from the circa 1970-76 era of neve consoles, such as 8048,8014,8016,and bcm10 portable consoles.

A 1272 is not a mic pre, nor was it ever used by neve as such.

However, when asked what he thought about people rewiring the 1272 as a mic pre, Ruperts' answer was" why not? It's all the same stuff in there".

Inside of a 1272, one finds an input transformer, a line amp card, and an output transformer.
Some enterprising techno gentlemen rewire these components and with the addition of appropriate volume and gain switches, build a preamp that emulates that found in a 1073( or other class a) input module.

The only problem occurs when one attempts to get much over 50 db of gain, which is accomplished in a 1073 by the insertion of an additional amp card. When wringing that extra gain out of one amp card, one encounters frequency response and distortion anomalies. However, assuming that the wiring is done properly, a1272 can be made into a mic pre that exactly emulates the classic neve class a preamp 1073/1064/1066/1089/1084 type of circuit and of course , done right, that sounds wonderful....

"I CAN'T GET MY SOUND WITH A BROADCAST ( CLASS AB) MODULE"

Any recording engineer who says he can't get his sound with a Neve 33115 or 33114 module, a Neve 33122a module, or any other Rupert Neve mic pre module, like a 31105(8078) a 1081(8048) a 3102 or a 33609 (stereo limiter) needs to seriously consider his future options.....or he needs a stint as an assistant .......

The output/summing buss amps of an 8058/8068 and all the output stages in every module of an 8078 and Melbourne portable consoles are all class AB type amplifiers.
" class a" by the way, as well as "class AB", refer to specific technical types of amplifiers, having nothing to do with which is the better amplifier for any particular purpose. For an illustration of this tempest in a teapot, see the funny stories section of this website.

"33114; 3114; 31114; 34114 ????"

The difference is purely cosmetic, as in knob style, indication nomenclature, and front panel width. The 3114 and the 33114 are the same size but slightly different color and different knobs. The 31000 and 34000 series are exactly the same as the 33114, but have slightly different facia widths. The 3114 was found in a Melbourne mark 1 series and the 33114 in the Melbourne mark 2 .

NEVE 2254,2254A,2254E

2254 LIMITERS come in 3 varieties…
2254
2254a
2254e
The original 2254 is a moderately acceptable unit if updated with current components. Neither its sonic quality nor its facilities are comparable to the a or e versions.
Here is the difference between a 2254a and a 2254e versions: with one exception…nothing.. They are identical…The difference is that the 2254a has only one attack time available.. The 2254e has that same (slow) attack time and an additional "fast" attack time…I quote from the Neve 2254e manual……………"the fast attack time (100microseconds) is intended for use when….used for driving a transmitter and should be used with care in recording" in other words ( and I'm sorry to inform you guys who revel in that fast attack) Neve suggests that for practical use in recording, the UNITS ARE IDENTICAL……

NEVE B183 VS. B283 PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARDS.

The 183 and 283 printed circuit boards are virtually identical... The difference is that the 183 is slightly larger than the 283. The schematics for a number of Neve modules (including the 1073) Specify either one.