First produced in 1972 by Neve, the 1081 channel module was found in consoles such as the 8048. In fact, vintage 8048 consoles, with 1081 modules, are still in wide use today at classic facilities such as The Village in Los Angeles, and have been chosen by artists ranging from The Rolling Stones to The Red Hot Chili Peppers. UA's Neve 1081 EQ plug-in is an exacting emulation of the channel module's four-band EQ with high and low cut filters featuring two parametric midrange bands and "Hi-Q" selections for tighter boosts or cuts.

The 1081 EQ license also includes the DSP-optimized 1081SE EQ plug-in for higher instance counts.

Neve 1081

Neve 1081 Controls

The Neve 1081 channel module is a four-band EQ with high and low cut filters. The 1081 features two parametric midrange bands, with "Hi-Q" selections for tighter boosts or cuts. Both the high and low shelf filters have selectable frequencies and may be switched to bell filters. Other features include a -20 to +10 dB input gain control, phase reverse, and EQ bypass.

The bands are arranged and grouped as shown below. The bands feature dual-concentric controls. For each of the main bands, the inner knob controls the gain while the outer ring controls the frequency. The low and high cut filters are grouped as one knob/ring set, but they are actually two independent filters.

Band Layout

Neve 1081 band layout

Input Gain

The Input Gain control sets the level at the input of the plug-in. The range is from -20 dB to +10 dB.

When the Input Gain knob "snaps" to the OFF position, plug-in processing is disabled and UAD DSP usage is reduced (unless UAD-2 DSP LoadLock is enabled).

Tip: Click the OFF screen label or the Neve logo to toggle between OFF and the previously set Input Gain value.

High Band

The high band delivers smooth high frequency shelving or peak equalization. The inner knob controls the band gain, and the outer ring selects the frequency or band disable.

High Gain

The equalization gain for the high band is selected with the inner knob of the dual-concentric control. Rotate the control clockwise to add the famous high-end Neve sheen, or counter-clockwise to reduce the treble response. The available range is approximately ±18 dB.

High Frequency

The high band frequency is selected with the outer ring of the dual-concentric knob controls. The ring control can be dragged with the mouse, or click directly on the "silkscreen" text to specify a frequency or disable the band.

Tip: Click the shelving symbol above the knob to cycle through the available values. Shift-click to step back one frequency.

The available high band center frequencies are 3.3 kHz, 4.7 kHz, 6.8 kHz, 10 kHz, 15 kHz, and OFF. When OFF is specified, the band is disabled. UAD DSP usage is not reduced when the band is OFF.

High Peak Select

The High Peak button switches the high band from a shelving EQ to a peaking EQ. The band is in shelf mode by default; it is in peak mode when the button is "down" (darker).

High-Mid Band

The high-midrange band delivers smooth high-mid frequency peak equalization with a choice of two bandwidths. The inner knob controls the band gain, and the outer ring selects the frequency or band disable.

High-Mid Gain

The equalization gain for the high-midrange band is selected with the inner knob of the dual-concentric control. The available range is approximately ±18 dB.

High-Mid Frequency

The high-midrange band frequency is selected with the outer ring of the dual-concentric knob controls. The ring control can be dragged with the mouse, or click directly on the "silkscreen" text to specify a frequency or disable the band.

Tip: Click the midrange symbol below the knob to cycle through the available values. Shift-click to step back one frequency.

The available high-mid band center frequencies are 1.5 kHz, 1.8 kHz, 2.2 kHz, 2.7 kHz, 3.3 kHz, 3.9 kHz, 4.7 kHz, 5.6 kHz, 6.8 kHz, 8.2 kHz, and OFF. When OFF is specified, the band is disabled. UAD DSP usage is not reduced when the band is OFF.

High-Mid Q Select

The High Q button switches the response of the high-mid band from normal to a narrower bandwidth for a sharper EQ curve. The band is in normal mode by default; it's in high Q mode when the button is "down" (darker).

Low-Mid Band

The low-midrange band delivers smooth low-mid frequency peak equalization with a choice of two bandwidths. The inner knob controls the band gain, and the outer ring selects the frequency or band disable.

Low-Mid Gain

The equalization gain for the low-midrange band is selected with the inner knob of the dual-concentric control. The available range is approximately ±18 dB.

Low-Mid Frequency

The low-midrange band frequency is selected with the outer ring of the dual-concentric knob controls. The ring control can be dragged with the mouse, or click directly on the silkscreen text to specify a frequency or disable the band.

Tip: Click the midrange symbol below the knob to cycle through the available values. Shift-click to step back one frequency.

The available low-mid band center frequencies are 220 Hz, 270 Hz, 330 Hz, 390 Hz, 470 Hz, 560 Hz, 680 Hz, 820 Hz, 1000 Hz,1200 Hz, and OFF. When OFF is specified, the band is disabled. UAD CPU usage is not reduced when the band is OFF.

Low-Mid Q Select

The High Q button switches the response of the low-mid band from "normal" to a narrower bandwidth for a sharper EQ curve. The band is in normal mode by default; it's in high Q mode when the button is "down" (darker).

Low Band

The low band delivers smooth low frequency shelving or peak equalization. The inner knob controls the band gain, and the outer ring selects the frequency or band disable.

Low Gain

The equalization gain for the low band is selected with the inner knob of the dual-concentric control. The available range is approximately ±18 dB.

Low Frequency

The low band frequency is selected with the outer ring of the dual-concentric knob controls. The ring control can be dragged with the mouse, or click directly on the silkscreen text to specify a frequency or disable the band.

The available low band center frequencies are 33Hz, 56 Hz, 100 Hz, 180 Hz, 330 Hz, and OFF. When OFF is specified, the band is disabled. UAD CPU usage is not reduced when the band is OFF.

Tip: Click the shelving symbol above the knob to cycle through the available values. Shift + click to step back one frequency.

Low Peak Select

The Low Peak button switches the low band from a shelving EQ to a peaking EQ. The band is in shelf mode by default; it is in peak mode when the button is "down" (darker).

Cut Filters

The independent low and high cut filters are controlled by the dual-concentric knobs to the right of the low band (see Band Layout). The controls specify the fixed frequency of the cut filter. The cut filters have an 18 dB per octave slope.

Click+drag the control to change the value, or click the silkscreen frequency values.

Tip: Click the high cut/low cut symbols below the knob to cycle through the available values. Shift-click to step back one frequency.

High Cut

The inner (blue) dual-concentric knob controls the high cut filter. The available frequencies for the high cut filter are 18 kHz, 12 kHz, 8.2 kHz, 5.6 kHz, 3.9 kHz, and OFF. When OFF is specified, the high cut filter is disabled. UAD CPU usage is not reduced when OFF.

Low Cut

The outer (silver) dual-concentric ring controls the low cut filter. The available frequencies for the low cut filter are 27 Hz, 47 Hz, 82 Hz, 150 Hz, 270 Hz, and OFF. When OFF is specified, the low cut filter is disabled. UAD CPU usage is not reduced when OFF.

Phase

The Phase (PH) button inverts the polarity of the signal. When the switch is in the "In" (lit) position, the phase is reversed. Leave the switch in the "Out" (unlit) position for normal phase.

EQ Enable

The equalizer is engaged when the EQ switch is in the "In" (lit) position. To disable the EQ, put the switch in the "Out" (unlit) position. Click the button to toggle the state.

In the hardware 1081, the audio is still slightly colored even when the EQ switch is in the Out position. This is due to the fact that the signal is still passing through its circuitry. Therefore, the signal will be slightly colored when this switch is in the Out position.

UAD DSP usage is reduced when the EQ is bypassed with this control (unless UAD-2 DSP LoadLock is enabled). If a true bypass is desired, use the OFF position of the Input Gain control.

Neve 1081SE

Neve 1081SE

The Neve 1081SE is derived from the UAD Neve 1081. Its algorithm has been revised in order to provide sonic characteristics very similar to the 1081 but with significantly less DSP usage. It is provided to allow 1081-like sound when DSP resources are limited.

The 1081SE interface can be differentiated from the 1081 by color and the module name. The 1081SE is black instead of the 1081's dark blue, and the module name on the lower right of the interface panel includes "SE".

Note: All Neve 1081SE controls and operations are identical to the non-SE version.

All visual and aural references to the Neve® Preamp, 1073, 1084, 1081, 31102, 88RS, 2254, and 33609 products and all use of AMS-Neve's trademarks are being made with written permission from AMS-Neve Limited.