Editor's Note: This is part 3 in an ongoing series by Fletcher, Rec Pit forum moderator extraordinaire and head of Mercenary Audio in Boston. Review
part 1, talking about the nature of "vintage" gear and mic preamp, and part 2, regarding compressors/limiters.)

The Neve 1073 is probably the most famous of all Neve input modules. It features a wonderful mic pre, line input and an equalizer.

There are two other modules that could have been ordered as alternates for the same console--the 1066 and its Cadillac sister, the 1084. The 1073 has a 3-band equalizer with a high-pass filter.

The EQ points are: 12kHz shelving on the high band, six points in the mid band (7.2k, 4.8k, 3.2k, 1.6k, .7k, .36k), and four available frequencies on the low band (220, 110, 60 and 35 Hz). The 1066 has a 10kHz shelf on the high band, five available points on the mid (7k, 3.6k, 2.4k, 1.2k, .7k) and the same four on the low. It also has a high-pass filter. Needless to say, the 1066 and the 1073 complement each other very nicely due to the variations in frequency points.

Most famous of the Neve input modules - 1073.

The 1084 has 10/12/15kHz selectable shelving frequencies on the high band, the same six points on the mid band as the 1073, and indeed the same four on the low band. It also features high- and lowpass filters, allowing you to have a bit more control over your high-frequency boost. The coolest part of the 1084 is the high "Q" switch available on the midrange band. "Q" refers to bandwidth--the higher the Q, the tighter the bandwidth. This lets you get a bit more specific with your midrange equalization. A 1084 without a line input control, black plastic knobs/switches with light blue caps, is a 31102. This is the little fella found in the 8066, 8058, 8068, 8088, etc. consoles. (Yeah, there is a line input, but it's unbalanced and lacks control function; if you know that much this article isn't for you anyway.)

These are the primary 3-band modules of the early 80 Series desks. (I could write another thousand words on the subtle differences of the other models in this range, but I'll spare you.) They are also of the 1.75 -in x 8.75-in frame size. The other frame size is 1.75-in x 12-in.

The most common 3-band module in that size is the 1064. It has the same function as a 1066 (EQ points) except instead of a dual concentric frequency select/boost cut function, they are laid out on two separate switch assemblies. It is important to note that all of these models are Class-A designed throughout.

In the same frame size as the 1064 is the 1081. This is the powerhouse of Neve modules from a functional point of view. It has a 4-band equalizer that features multiple frequencies, selectable on the high and low frequencies, and a switch enabling both shelving and peak/dip use. The two midrange bands also have hi-Q functions, allowing remarkably specific equalization.

The powerhouse 1081.

The beauty of most Neve modules is that Rupert Neve (everyone on your knees and salaam toward Texas, please) is so much smarter than the rest of us; he built modules that really couldn't be used to make things sound bad. There are generations of engineers who look like incredible geniuses because Neve wouldn't allow us the tools to screw up our audio.

On the 1081 he gave us the tools, so I implore you to use the power wisely.
On a kind of technical note, the 1081 employed a Class-B output stage. There is nothing bad about the models with the "push/pull" output stages. They will not achieve the same rich, flowing low-end characteristics of their 3-band Class-A brothers but give a better low-end punch and a slightly "airier" top.

Most of the "broadcast" series modules I have heard have the same output stage. The 3115 has an equalizer comparable to that of a 1066. The 3114 has functions comparable to the 1084 (sans hi-Q switch).

There are many more variations in this class; these are the two we see most often. Be very careful when purchasing broadcast series modules, because many of them have the dreaded 5534 IC chip. Basic rule of thumb: If the module runs on 15 VDC, it's a 5534 model and is to be avoided.