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 Plug‑In Collections.

• 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
• Record "through" the 1073 preamp in real time using Apollo interfaces
• Control Apollo interface mic preamp gain staging and impedance directly from the 1073 plug-in with Unison™ technology
• Mix with artist presets from Ed Cherney, Joe Chiccarelli, Jacquire King, Ryan Hewitt, David Isaac, Ryan West, and more
• Get the flagship Neve 1073 Preamp & EQ plug-in, plus the Legacy 1073 EQ and 1073SE ("DSP-Lite") EQ plug-ins

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

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

Presets from prominent Universal Audio artists are included. You can access the artist presets using the UAD preset browser.

Neve 1073 Legacy (UAD-2 DSP only)

When physical amplification is not required or circuit non-linearites are not desirable, the
1073 Legacy EQ provides a spot-on linear emulation of the 1073’s three-band EQ and
passive cut filter, complete with modeled filter interaction.

Because the Neve 1073 Legacy does not include nonlinearities of the EQ, nor modeling
of the input and output stages, it uses significantly less UAD DSP resources than the
newer Neve 1073. The Neve 1073 Legacy can be even more desirable than the Neve
1073 when a very clean sound is desired.

Neve 1073SE Legacy (UAD-2 DSP only)

The Neve 1073SE Legacy is nearly identical to the Neve 1073 Legacy but because this
plug-in is not upsampled, it provides excellent UAD DSP efficiency.

The Neve 1073SE Legacy interface is differentiated from the Neve 1073 Legacy by color
and the module name. The 1073SE is black instead of the 1073’s dark blue, and the
module name on the lower right of the interface panel includes the SE suffix after 1073.

Control Differences

The following parameters are unique to Neve 1073 and unavailable with Neve 1073 Legacy and Neve 1073SE Legacy:

• Unison Technology
• Mic/Line Input Select
• Mic Gain
• Impedance
• Pad
• Level
• Output

Unison™ Integration

The Neve 1073 features Unison technology for integration with the mic preamp hardware in Universal Audio’s Apollo audio interfaces. With Unison, Apollo’s ultra-transparent mic preamps inherit all of the unique sonics, input characteristics, and features of the Neve 1073 hardware preamp.

Note: Unison is active only when the plug-in is placed in the dedicated UNISON insert within UAD Console or LUNA. For complete details, see Unison.

Realistic Tandem Control

Unison facilitates seamless interactive control of Neve 1073 plug-in settings using Apollo’s digitally-controlled panel hardware and/or the plug-in interface. All equivalent preamp controls (gain, pad, polarity) are mirrored and bi-directional. The preamp controls respond to adjustments with precisely the same interplay behavior as the Neve 1073 hardware, including gain levels and clipping points.

Hardware Input Impedance

All Apollo mic preamps feature variable input impedance in analog hardware that can be physically changed by Unison plug-ins for physical, microphone-to-preamp resistive interaction. This impedance switching enables Apollo’s preamps to physically match the emulated unit’s input impedance, which can significantly impact the sound of a microphone. Because the electrical loading occurs on input, prior to A/D conversion, the realism is faithful to the original target hardware preamp.

Tactile Gain Staging

Apollo’s front panel preamp knob can independently adjust the gain and level parameters available within the Unison plug-in via Gain Stage Mode. The gain stage being adjusted can be remotely switched via Apollo, so the gain levels and their associated colorations can be tuned from the hardware knob for precise physical tactile control, all without using the Unison plug-in’s software interface.

Note: Unison technology is not available with Neve 1073 Legacy or Neve 1073SE Legacy.

The three outlined gain controls as they appear when in Unison Gain Stage Mode

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Neve 1073 Controls

All control descriptions apply to Neve 1073, Neve 1073 Legacy, and Neve 1073SE Legacy unless specifically noted otherwise.

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.

Neve 1073 in controls view showing the separate Mic and Line parameters

Neve 1073 Legacy and Neve 1073SE Legacy

The Input Gain control sets the level at the input of these plug-ins. Separate Mic/Line gain controls are unavailable because these plug-ins do not feature input stage modeling.

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).

	Unison Interaction
When Neve 1073 is used in a Unison insert within UAD Console or LUNA, software and hardware control of Input Select is mirrored. Input Select can be changed within the plug-in interface, with Console’s MIC/LINE buttons, or with Apollo’s hardware buttons (MIC/LINE on Apollo, or INPUT on Apollo Twin). Note: Input Select is unavailable with the Legacy 1073/1073SE.

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.

• In Unison mode, Line Gain can be increased by turning Apollo’s preamp level knob clockwise.
• In Controls View mode, Line Gain is increased by moving the control slider from left to right.

Note: When Line Gain is set to the OFF position, processor or UAD-2 DSP usage is reduced.

	Unison Interaction
When Neve 1073 is used in a Unison insert within UAD Console or LUNA, and Line Gain is set to the OFF position, the signal is muted. This is how the original hardware behaves. UAD DSP usage is not reduced in the OFF position in Unison mode.

Neve 1073 Legacy and Neve 1073SE Legacy

Line Gain control on 1073 Legacy plug-ins

This control sets the level at the input of these plug-ins. The available continuous gain range is -20 dB to 10 dB.

Separate Mic/Line gain controls are unavailable because these plug-ins do not feature input stage modeling.

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

Tip: Clicking the OFF screen label toggles between OFF and the previously set Input Gain value. You can also click the Neve logo to toggle between OFF and the previous state.

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.

	Unison Interaction
When Neve 1073 is used in a Unison insert within UAD Console or LUNA and Mic Gain is set to the OFF position, the signal is muted. This is how the original hardware behaves. UAD DSP usage is not reduced in the OFF position in Unison mode. Note: Mic Gain is unavailable with the Legacy 1073/1073SE.

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.

Unison Interaction

When Neve 1073 is used in a Unison insert within UAD Console or LUNA, the hardware input impedance of the Apollo mic preamp is switched to match the value in the plug-in for physical, microphone-to-preamp resistive interaction. Matching the microphone to the closest impedance value is generally recommended, but this parameter can be used creatively and will not harm equipment connected to the Apollo mic preamp.

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.

	Unison Interaction
When Neve 1073 is used in a Unison insert within UAD Console or LUNA, software and hardware control of PAD is mirrored. Pad can be switched within the plug-in interface, with Console’s PAD button, or with Apollo’s hardware PAD button.

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.

	Unison Interaction
When Neve 1073 is used in a Unison insert within UAD Console or LUNA, the following low cut filter behaviors apply: The filter is always in circuit, even when the EQL switch is disabled. In Gain Stage Mode, the Apollo/Arrow hardware filter switch toggles between OFF and the last Hz value that was set within the plug-in.

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.

	Unison Interaction
When Neve 1073 is used in a Unison insert within UAD Console or LUNA, software and hardware control of PHASE is mirrored. Polarity can be inverted within the plug-in interface, with UAD Console or LUNA's polarity button, or with Apollo’s hardware polarity button.

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 (Neve 1073) or the OFF position of the Line Gain control (Neve 1073/1073SE Legacy).

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.