Iconic 3-Band active EQ from a legendary Neve console.

Originally featured in the Neve 8068TM console, the 31102 EQ was used to mix one of the best-selling debut albums of all time, Guns N' Roses' Appetite For Destruction. With its distinct filter shaping and familiar Neve sheen and bite, the 31102's three-band active EQ offers enhanced tone-shaping possibilities and simple workflow that sits squarely between its legendary cousins, the 1073® and the 1081TM.

The Neve 31102 Classic Console EQ plug-ins for UAD-2 hardware and Apollo interfaces is a thorough emulation of this powerful, distinct sounding EQ. By modeling the original hardware's filter response curves to exacting detail, as well as its Level Adjust gain control — with original 30 dB gain range — the 31102 Classic Console EQ plug-in delivers the same sonic experience as its analog cousin, with exacting detail.

• Add dimension and personality to electric guitars
• Open up treble frequencies with iconic Neve sheen — and zero harshness
• Tighten up kick drums with classic Neve attitude
• Give vocals, bass, and drums personality and color

Neve 31102

Neve 31102 Controls

Input Gain

The Input Gain control sets the level at the input of the plug-in, and doubles as a plug-in bypass control. The range is from -20 dB to +10 dB, and off.

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 Shelf

The high shelf delivers smooth high frequency shelving equalization, controlled by dual-concentric knobs. The inner knob controls the band gain, and the outer ring selects the frequency or band disable.

High Shelving Gain

The 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 ±15 dB. The gain value is zero when the knob position indicator is pointing straight down.

High Shelving Frequency

The high shelving frequency is specified with the outer ring of the dual-concentric knob. The ring knob pointer can be dragged with the mouse, or click the shelving symbol above the knob to cycle through the available frequencies (shift+click to step back one frequency).

The available high shelving frequencies are 16 kHz, 12 kHz, 10 kHz, and off. When off is specified, the high shelf band is disabled. UAD DSP usage is not reduced when the band is off.

Midrange Band

The midrange band is controlled by dual-concentric knobs, delivering smooth semi-parametric midrange equalization with a choice of two bandwidths. The inner knob controls the band gain, and the outer ring selects the frequency or band disable.

Midrange Gain

The equalization gain for the midrange band is selected with the inner knob of the dual-concentric control. The available range is approximately ±15 dB. The gain value is zero when the knob position indicator is pointing straight down.

Midrange Frequency

The midrange frequency is specified with the outer ring of the dual-concentric knob controls. The ring knob pointer can be dragged with the mouse, or click the peak/dip symbol above the knob to cycle through the available frequencies (shift+click to step back one frequency).

The available midrange center frequencies are 7.2 kHz, 4.8 kHz, 3.2 kHz, 1.6 kHz, 0.7 kHz, 0.35 kHz, and off. When off is specified, the band is disabled. UAD DSP usage is not reduced when the band is off.

High Q Select

The High Q button switches the response of the midrange 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 Shelf

The low band is controlled by dual-concentric knobs, delivering smooth shelving 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 ±15 dB. The gain value is zero when the knob position indicator is pointing straight down.

Rotate the control clockwise to boost the selected low band frequency, or counter-clockwise to reduce the bass response.

Low Frequency

The low frequency is selected with the outer ring of the dual-concentric knob controls. The ring knob pointer can be dragged with the mouse, or click the shelving symbol above the knob to cycle through the available frequencies (shift+click to step back one frequency).

The available low band center frequencies are 35 Hz, 60 Hz, 110 Hz, 220 Hz, and off. When off is specified, the band is disabled. UAD DSP usage is not reduced when off.

Cut Filters

The independent low and high cut filters are controlled by the dual-concentric knobs to the right of the low band. The controls specify the fixed frequency of each cut filter.

The knob pointers can be dragged with the mouse, or click the respective cut symbols above the knob (left symbol for low cut, right symbol for high cut) to cycle through the available frequencies (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, 14 kHz, 10 kHz, 8 kHz, 6 kHz, and off. When off is specified, the high cut filter is disabled.

Low Cut

The outer dual-concentric ring controls the low cut filter. The available frequencies for the low cut filter are 45 Hz, 70 Hz, 160 Hz, 360 Hz,and off. When OFF is specified, the low cut filter is disabled.

Note: Each cut filter is disabled when its respective knob position indicator is pointing straight down. UAD DSP usage is not reduced when the cut filters are off.

Phase

The Phase (Ø) button inverts the polarity of the signal. The signal is inverted when the button is engaged (darker). Leave the button inactive (lighter) for normal phase.

EQL

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

In the hardware 31102, the audio is still slightly colored even when the EQL 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).

Tip: If a true bypass is desired, use the OFF position of the Input Gain control.

Neve 31102SE

Neve 31102SE interface

The Neve 33102SE is derived from the UAD Neve 31102. Its algorithm has been revised in order to provide sonic characteristics very similar to the 31102 but with significantly less DSP usage. It is provided to allow 31102-like sound when DSP resources are limited.

The 31102 interface can be differentiated from the 31102 by color and the module name. The 31102SE background is black instead of the 31102's dark blue, and the module name on the lower right of the interface panel includes "SE".

Note: The Neve 31102SE controls are exactly the same as the Neve 31102.

One Neve 31102 EQ hardware module (left) and 31102s installed in a Neve 8068 console

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.