NEVE 1073 ORIGINAL VS RME FF800 PRE

Feb 28, 2010
160
8
18
Corsica
Hi guys, i've recorded today an guitar sound test with neve 1073 original and FF800 preamps.You'll recognize which one is Neve? This is the files :

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/11389511/GUITAR TAKE A.mp3
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/11389511/GUITAR TAKE B.mp3

Recorded with ESP MII > Engl Powerball > SM57 off axis
No FX, EQ , COMP OR OTHERS It's just the take.

I hope you enjoy this test and help you for your futur recording devices
Thanks for listening

EDIT : Can you hear the differences with EQ and Comp?? Seriously ,I can't!
Neve = RME ??! or my ear is really bad!

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/11389511/FF800.mp3
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/11389511/Neve.mp3
 
actually both do not sound really good IMHO.
totally boomy, fizzy, undefined etc. :)

but if i hat to pick up one, i'd chose B.

cheers
S.
 
first of all, B is +2dB louder than A! bad! ;)


I like B more than A. It sounds cleaner, but I don't know which one is Neve.
 
Jeff has killer ear!! A is FF800 and B neve.. Do you understand why neve is really more expansive than rme?? Do you know a similare neve preamp but less expansive??
 
I had the exact same experience when A/B'ing my SCA N72 (Neve 1072 clone) and my FF800 preamps - I was able to dial in a brighter, more present/lively tone with the Neve preamp, because it wasn't producing the same harsh top end/upper midrange that the FF800 was adding to the sound. Not only that, but the buildup in the low end was organic and smooth, rather than the FF800's preamps tendency to make the low end a bit cloudy and clunky.

I would highly recommend building an SCA N72 (and that leaves you the option to add API and Millenia clones, as well) if you want an authentic-sound Neve channel. Another option would be the Golden Age GAP-73, but I've heard those were discontinued. There were some cap/transformer mods that made them almost identical to the old 1073 circuits, but they sound killer stock, too.
 
BAE 1073
Neve 1073LB
Avendis MA5

I would highly recommend building an SCA N72 (and that leaves you the option to add API and Millenia clones, as well) if you want an authentic-sound Neve channel. Another option would be the Golden Age GAP-73, but I've heard those were discontinued. There were some cap/transformer mods that made them almost identical to the old 1073 circuits, but they sound killer stock, too

Thanks Guys i'm looking for that!
 
Guys you has a fuckin ears machines lol .. The EQ and compression is the same for the two bus.
i've the two tracks (the neve and FF tracks) without effects go to masterbus and I put the effects on master bus. Maybe it's my monitors which does not reproduce well the frequency.. (Mackie mr5)
 
I have Mr5s and I hear the differences in bass and mids more than fine- the highs I don't like 'em on any of them.. bass freqs also need +taming IMO
It's not really fair to compare both as the controls are not the same, no? unless all knobs on Neve @ 'noon', if I understand correctly..

Why asking about cheaper ones if you already do have ''Neve original''?
 
The EQ is Off on the neve (the pusher) , I put EQ on masterbus on cubase ,It's the same settings on the two tracks.. I've only 2 neve preamps i search others neve for recording drums :D.The api500 lunch box with neve pre must be really good but $$$$