The authentic Neve preamp sound – captured as a plug-in.

The Neve 1073 Channel Amplifier is easily the most revered preamp and EQ circuit ever designed. Introduced in 1970, this hallowed class-A, transistor mic/line amp with EQ epitomizes the beautiful "Neve sound," with unparalleled clarity, sheen, and bite.

Now for the first time, you can track through the only authentic end-to-end circuit emulation of this legendary piece of audio history, with the Neve 1073 Preamp & EQ UADx plug-in.

• Get the world's only authentic and licensed plug-in emulation of the classic Neve 1073 Channel Amplifier
• Color and EQ your mix with Neve tone, including all 10 distinct clipping points from the vintage 1970's era hardware
• Mix with artist presets from Ed Cherney, Joe Chiccarelli, Jaquire King, Ryan Hewitt, David Isaac, Ryan West, and more

The Only End-to-End Neve 1073 Circuit Emulation

Universal Audio's all-new Neve 1073 UADx plug-in provides all the features, unique circuit behaviors, and coveted sound of Neve's original hardware design. By modeling the dual-stage "Red Knob" preamp, revered three-band EQ, and post-fader output amplifier with obsessive detail, the Neve 1073 Preamp & EQ replicates the experience of the original 1970s hardware with stunning accuracy. Like the hardware, the new Neve 1073 plug-in incorporates all 10 clipping points from the preamp and EQ circuitry, delivering trademark clarity, grit, and harmonically rich class-A saturation.

Add Clarity and Color to any Source

UADx users can employ the Neve 1073 Preamp & EQ for mixing, tone shaping, or simply adding sheen and bite to vocals, guitars, drums and more — without ever leaving the box. To get you started, there are artist presets from renowned 1073 users such as Ed Cherney, Joe Chiccarelli, Jaquire King, Ryan Hewitt, David Isaac, Ryan West, and more.

Power users can place Neve 1073 instances across multiple channels, turning their favorite DAW into a classic Neve console.

Neve 1073

The Neve 1073 is based on a vintage "golden unit" channel module pulled from an original Neve 8014 console, including the original P&G output attenuating fader.

Neve 1073 interface

UA's Neve 1073 provides the only authentic, end-to-end circuit model of the class-A preamp and EQ circuit. An extremely detailed model was made of the 1073, starting with a Marinar input transformer model. The transformer stage is followed by the Neve dual-transistor preamp (AKA "Red Knob") model with non-clipped and clipped nonlinear behaviors, such as characteristic asymmetric and dynamic duty-cycle clipping.

The three-band active EQ's filter interactions and internal amp clipping behaviors are also modeled, along with the passive low cut filter and the EQ's loading of the preamp output. The plug-in also captures the non-linear behaviors of the 1073's post-fader output amplifier, the output transformer, and much more. There are a total of ten different areas where the circuit can clip.

Artist Presets

Neve 1073 includes presets voiced by prominent Universal Audio artists. Artist presets are accessed through the Artist Tag in the preset browser, or through folders in LUNA.

 

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Neve 1073 Controls

Input Knob

The Input Gain control (aka the "Red Knob") adjusts the input gain for both the mic preamp input and the line input. The gain parameter being controlled (mic or line) is switched by clicking the MIC or LINE text buttons, or by clicking the desired value in the other gain range.

When the MIC/LINE input is switched, the knob position changes to the gain range for the input, as shown below.

Neve 1073 Mic/Line input select buttons and gain knob control ranges

Tip: The unusual "negative value" numbering originally used by Neve are based on sensitivity instead of gain. For example, if an input has a sensitivity of -80 dB, the input sensitivity knob on the 1073 would be set to -80 dB to match.

The mic input gain and line input gain are actually two separate parameters, as shown in controls view below. Unlike the original hardware, the knob is constrained to control only one gain parameter without switching to the other input type.

Input Select

Input Select determines which input (mic or line) is being controlled with the Gain
knob. To change the input gain being controlled, click the MIC or LINE text to switch to that input.

Tip: Input Select can also be switched by clicking any of the "dots" or gain value labels in the range for the input type.

When Input Select is changed, the Gain knob changes to use only the range for that input type.

Like the hardware, the Neve 1073 plug-in easily facilitates sending Line level signal through the "virtual" Mic input, which allows creative use of distortion to color signals. This is the equivalent of routing a line level signal into a mic level input, so a large jump in gain is expected.

Important: Use caution when switching to Mic from Line, as output levels can increase significantly (as they would with any hardware preamp).

Line Gain

Line Gain has a range of 30 dB, available in 5 dB increments. Line Gain can only be adjusted when Input Select is set to LINE mode.

Like the original hardware, gain is increased as the knob is rotated counter-clockwise in the plug-in interface.

Note: When Line Gain is set to the OFF position, processor usage is reduced.

Mic Gain

Mic Gain has a range of 60 dB, available in 5 dB increments. To increase the mic input gain, rotate the knob clockwise. Mic Gain can only be adjusted when Input Select is set to MIC mode.

Mic Z (Impedance)

The impedance of the mic input is set with the Mic Z switch. The modeled input impedances have subtle effects on the signal color and response.

LO

When set to LO, the mic input impedance is 300 Ohms.

HI

When set to HI, the mic input impedance depends on the Gain setting. Mic input impedance is 1.2K Ohms when Gain is set between -20 and -50, or to 600 Ohms when Gain is between -55 and -80.

Note: Mic Z is not available for line input. In this case, the control cannot be switched.

With the original hardware, most studios leave this control in the HI position (the default value in the plug-in). If an engineer chooses to access the LO setting on the hardware for a low output microphone (such as a ribbon mic), they need to crawl under the console to access the control on the back of the module.

Pad

When enabled, the mic input signal level is attenuated (lowered) by -20 dB. Pad can be used to reduce signal levels when undesirable overload distortion is present at low preamp gain levels.

Note: Pad is not available for line input. In this case, the control cannot be switched.

High Band

The High Shelf knob offers approximately ±18 dB of smooth fixed frequency shelving equalization at 12 kHz.

Rotate the control clockwise to add the famous high-end Neve sheen, or counter-clockwise to reduce the treble response.

Tip: Click the "0" text label to return the control to the zero position.

Midrange Band

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

The response for this band has a dependence on the bandwidth as the gain is adjusted. At higher center frequencies, the Q goes up, for a more focused peak.

Midrange Gain

The gain for the mid band is selected with the inner knob of the dual-concentric control. Rotate the control clockwise to increase mid band gain, or counter-clockwise to cut the midrange.

The available range is approximately ±18 dB. The band gain is zero when the knob position indicator is pointing straight down.

Tip: Click the "0" text label to return the control to the zero position.

Midrange Frequency

The midrange frequency is specified with the outer ring of the dual-concentric knob. The available midrange center frequencies are 360 Hz, 700 Hz, 1.6 kHz, 3.2 kHz, 4.8 kHz, 7.2 kHz, and OFF.

To change the frequency, drag the outer ring or click a numerical value label.

Tip: Click the "KHz" label or mid band symbols (at lower left and right of midrange band knobs) to cycle through the available frequencies. Shift+click to cycle backwards.

Low Band

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

Low Gain

The gain for the low band is selected with the inner knob of the dual-concentric control. Rotate the control clockwise to increase low frequencies, or counter-clockwise to reduce low end response.

The available range is approximately ±15 dB. The band gain is zero when the knob position indicator is pointing straight down.

Tip: Click the "0" text label to return the control to the zero position.

Low Frequency

The low shelving frequency is specified with the outer ring of the dual-concentric knob. The available high shelving frequencies are 35 Hz, 60 Hz, 110 Hz, 220 Hz, and OFF.

To change the frequency, drag the outer ring or click a numerical value label.

Tip: Click the "Hz" label or high shelving symbol (at lower left and right of the low band knobs) to cycle through the available frequencies. Shift+click to cycle backwards.

Low Cut

This knob specifies the fixed frequency of the low cut (high pass) filter. This filter has an 18 dB per octave slope. The available frequencies are 50 Hz, 80 Hz, 160 Hz, 300 Hz, and OFF.

Tip: Click the "Hz" label or low cut symbol to cycle through the available frequencies. Shift+click to cycle backwards.

Phase

The PHASE button inverts the polarity of the signal. When the switch is engaged (the darker "in" position), the phase is inverted. Leave the switch in the disengaged (the lighter "out" position) for normal phase.

EQL

The equalizer is engaged when the EQL switch is engaged (the darker "in" position). To disable the EQ, disengage the switch (the lighter "out" position).

The default position is disabled. Click the button to toggle the state.

Processor usage is reduced when the EQ is bypassed with this control.

In the hardware 1073, the audio is still slightly colored even when the EQL switch is
disengaged and the EQ settings are in their "flat" positions. This is due to the fact that the signal is still passing through its circuitry.

More notably, all of the filter bands (except low cut) can have an effect on the clipping behaviors of the Neve 1073, even when EQL is disengaged. Therefore, the EQ values can have a significant effect on the signal when the EQ is "disabled" via the EQL switch.

If a true bypass is desired, use the OFF position of the Power switch.

Level

Level controls the signal level at the output stage of the module. The circuitry of an original Neve console fader was modeled for this control.

The available range is from -∞ dB (off) to +10 dB. Unity gain is at the zero position. Raising Level above 0 dB can cause output amplifier clipping.

Tip: Click the "0" text labels to return Level to 0 dB.

Output

Output adjusts the signal level at the output of the plug-in without effecting the sonic character of the signal. The available range is ±24 dB.

This control, which does not exist on the original hardware, facilitates the ability to maximize color of the overall signal. For example, Gain and Level can be cranked for more distortion, while lowering Output to normalize levels.

Power

Power is the plug-in bypass control. Power is useful for comparing the processed settings to the original signal.

When set to OFF, emulation processing is disabled and processor usage is reduced.

Neve Wessex console with 1073 modules

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.