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I haven't used a Neve 1073, but many claI'm there's magic in this combination of Neve preamp and eq.

Not wanting to spend the $$$'s for the 1073, but having a Neve 1272 and some open slots in a API rack, I was wondering if the combination of a Neve 1272 + API eq (550, 553, 554 type) would approach the "magic" of the Neve 1073?

Obviously they have different eq points, topology, etc., but I would love to hear comments from anyone that may have compared mainly the eq sections of the 1073 with other eqs.

Is the 1073 in a class all by itself, or would the 1272/API EQ combination be roughly in the same league?

  • api_550b.png
  • neve_1073.png

Comments

mixfactory Thu, 03/07/2002 - 07:37

Sorry Buck, that's like comparing apples and oranges. I would say it is a good combination for somethings(Kick,snare,guitars and bass), but not for others(vocals). My favorite Neve EQ is actually the 1081, but it doesn't sound like a 1073. If you are after the 1073 EQ, then maybe try some of the new " 1073 rip-offs" or to be politically correct "1073 copies". To my ears they don't sound the same, but they are useful with the extra EQ points. Its like comparing a beautiful woman with D-cups and a beautiful woman with D-cup implants. Sure they are both attractive,funny and smart, but there is nothing that compares to the real thing for some reason. Must be that "D-cup" Neve magic.

anonymous Thu, 03/07/2002 - 08:15

I don't know man! the way you are comparing NEve and Neve copy, At my age right now, any woman is fine with me :)
"D" natutal or "D" implant......I get a hard on just seeing the real 1073 or a copy 1073. You get situated, then just "stick" your mic in, you don't get it (your ear) you ain't gonna get it.

Guest Thu, 03/07/2002 - 12:14

In terms of 'similarity', it's more like Apples and Banana's than Apples and Oranges... in terms of 'usefulness'... the API's are equally useful, but entirely different. My favorite 'general purpose' API EQ is the 560 [10 band graphic], though the 550b is pretty fuckin' cool too.

I'm not all that wild about 554's and find 553's right next to a complete waste of time. The 550a's and 550's are cool (but not as versatile as the 550b)... if you're checking out 550a's, make sure you open them up. If you don't see 2x 2520 op-amps inside, then they're 550A-1's... which suuuuuuck!

There are a whole bunch of other equalizers that are also exceptionally cool... be the first onyour block to collect them all (no, it's not really possible to collect them all... but having a good, varied collection is actually a good idea).

Best of luck with your quest.

audiokid Sat, 02/25/2012 - 13:04

mixfactory, post: 15342 wrote: Sorry Buck, that's like comparing apples and oranges. I would say it is a good combination for somethings(Kick,snare,guitars and bass), but not for others(vocals). My favorite Neve EQ is actually the 1081, but it doesn't sound like a 1073. If you are after the 1073 EQ, then maybe try some of the new " 1073 rip-offs" or to be politically correct "1073 copies". To my ears they don't sound the same, but they are useful with the extra EQ points. Its like comparing a beautiful woman with D-cups and a beautiful woman with D-cup implants. Sure they are both attractive,funny and smart, but there is nothing that compares to the real thing for some reason. Must be that "D-cup" Neve magic.

And for today's archive revisit, I've never heard it put better!

RemyRAD Tue, 03/06/2012 - 17:31

I have and utilize both. The nice thing about the API 550 series is that they have switched boost and cut selections. So things are entirely repeatable. They don't utilize inductors but instead are resistor capacitor. They are much more versatile with many more frequency selections and shelving options. My NEVE 3115's are nearly identical to 1073's and accept this is all class A/B output instead of a single always biased on class A single transistor output. Those equalizers are inductors with their requisite ringing, very few if any frequency selections and 100% variable meaning it was nearly impossible to reset to predetermined previous levels. The microphone preamp themselves, really aren't all that different in late 1960s early mid 1970s circuitry operational amplifier concepts. Each module will lie to you differently based upon its capacitors ages. Otherwise I use all of my NEVE & API stuff in combination with each other. It's all good. It's all fun.

You need both!
Mx. Remy Ann David