Neve 1100 VK Racked Pair #20113, 20007k (Vintage): Vintage Mic Pre/EQ

Neve 1100 VK Racked Pair #20113, 20007k (Vintage): Vintage Mic Pre/EQ

The rare Neve 1100 is a Class A/B discrete Mic Pre/3 band EQ. It is essentially a Neve 1084 module & EQ points, using the Class A/B amplifiers/transformers of a classic Neve 1081 - get the best of both worlds. Remarkable sounding modules. Nice bottom end depth, but a bit tighter and punchy as expected from a 1081. Useful mid EQ points with standard or narrow Q selector and nice, open top end selectable frequencies.

EQ controls are:

• High pass filter at 27 - 47 - 82 - 150 - 270 Hz
• Low pass filter at 3.9 - 5.6 - 8.2 - 12 - 18 kHz
• Low EQ points (peak or shelving): 33 - 56 - 100 - 180 - 330 Hz
• High Mid EQ points (with Hi-Q): 390 - 820 Hz; 1.8 - 3.9 - 8.2 KHz
• Selectable High shelf 10 - 12 - 15 kHz
• Separate mic and line inputs
• Mic input attenuation from -25 to -75 dB in 5 dB increments
• Line input attenuation from +10 to -20 dB in 5 dB increments
• Phase reverse
• Bypass

History

Formed in 1961 by Mr. Rupert Neve, the Neve Electronics company was focused from the beginning on designing and building the highest quality professional audio components. After moving to a new factory in Melbourn, England Neve created three of its most iconic products: the 2254 compressor limiter in 1968, the 1073 Mic pre/EQ in 1970, and the 1081 Mic pre/EQ in 1973.

Aimed at the broadcast market, these units were found in numerous custom-built Neve consoles of the day. And because so much of their work was customized, there are many variants on the basic 2254 compressor and 1073 limiter/pre, including different form factors, cosmetics and components.

Using Class A discrete, transistor designs, meticulously hand-wired and built to last, Neve became the world standard for excellence in broadcast and recording studio consoles. From the small-format BCM10 and Melbourn mixers, to the large-format 80xx Series, these consoles continue to be treasured today, while standalone modules from them can be found in the racks of the best studios all over the world.

To this day, the most important Neve products from the late 60s and early 70s are still manufactured according to the original specs. The reason is obvious - no other gear has that ‘Neve sound’, and there is no substitute for the real thing.