Newer Amek Neve. Any opinions?

[stedel]

G'day folks. Up straight - I like Neve and Focusrite stuff (although I haven't tried any of the platinum range).

I was reading through a previous post on the sound of classic compressors,and I thought hmm I have never seen anything on the newer Amek Neve stuff, not even a query, and I wondered why. Is it that it's too new for any market/user appraisal? For instance the System 9098 Compressor/Limiter. I'd be really interested to have some sort of opinion on this unit for instance. Are they as good as the older stuff I'm familiar with?

Any thoughts anybody? This is for my own interest obviously. I have a fascination/fetish with the differing sonic characteristics of micpre's and compressors. If anybody out there has had any experience with this newer stuff I'd really appreciate any opinion.
Kind regards

 

[wiggy]

Hey Stedel.....

Thought i better chime in here.. cos its what i luv talkin about most.

Stedel and other Sydney folk....... checkout Velvetsound and thier new Media 51 RN console. Daniel_C (who posts here)works there and should have decent hang on how they sound!

First of all...the newer RN(GOD!!!!!!!!!) Amek stuff is very different sonically to his impecable designs of the past, yet much more funitonality and usability and with far more scope for manipulation and scultping.

The 9098 series are extrmely flexible and good sounding.

The Pre/Eq has pretty powerful EQ for sculpting a sound source and is fantastic for cutting a problems freq, Good at adding but not in the sense of a classic 1073 type of addition EQ. Like it will not give you the bottom end or a godly FAT midrange tone for that electric gtr. What is does is what RN wanted to do.....boost or attenuate the frequncies witout any aditional sonic artifacts like tranformer distortion or class a/b or A crosseover distortions... which IMHO are why they(1073 etc) sound so freakin good, but that is a design issue not a taste issue. And i spose RN did not really want to reinvent the wheel again!

The 9098 CL compressor/limiter is without doubt IMHO one of the best and most flexible units around. Again its does not have the classic signature neve overtones of of the classic 2254,2264 or 33609 compressor/limiters, but rather a more neutral tone. It takes a more cleaner and controlled approach to compression and limiting and it can produce nearly any type of leveling/compression effect imaginable. from smooth gain riding to full and punchy stuff ..its the one.

They all come with little 'special' features like the 'Glow' and 'Sheen' features of the pre/eq and the 'ambience' setting on the CL.

BTW... if you are after the classic neve tones. Do ya self a favour and check out the Shep stuff. I just got a pair of SHEP SN-8's this week and they are DA BOMB!!!!!. They are their reproductions of the classic 1073 with a few extras thrown in for good measure. THey have a switchable hi-q (like 1081) on the mid bands and have 4k,8k,10k & 15K selectable as the HF instead of the 12K shelf on orignals. They have original circuits and mairnaire transformers and sounds as good if not better tha the real thing. I feel like I am being sacraligious? here.. but it was a real eyeopener when i popped them in the 1073 console i usually work on.. TONE, Clarity and HEADROOM.

YMMV

PEACE
Wiggy

 

[mixfactory]

Here is the low down on the Amek/Neve stuff:

1)Amek CIB- A "killer" all in one unit, but expensive. The mic pre is excellent(the pre is the same as the one in the 9098I), the EQ is exceptional, the compressor is unique sounding.

2)Amek 9098EQ- a very "useful EQ". The pre is not the same hence its an either or type(either it works or doesn't). The EQ is what its great for, it can be surgical or for enhanccements. It has its own sound, definitely not clinical.

3)9098 compressor/limiter-a dissapointment, especially for what they were asking for it early on. It is good on somethings, but sucks at others. It does not sound like the Neve counterparts(maybe because Geoff Tanner is responsible for the design of all the "33609" types-2264.32264a,33609 and so on). It is ok, if it was at the right price.

I haven't heard anything out there yet that compares to 2254's(I haven't checked out the shep remakes yet, only their 1073). If you want the "classic"sound of a Neve compressor, than save up. They are some of my favorite comps(I own a pair of 2254E,32264a,and a 33609). Very versatile with warmth and guts.

 

[anonymous]

I found the 9098 compressor/limiter 'underwelming'

The knobs seemed to operate backwards and I recived no joy from it... it was too smooth for me.. the meter balistics pissed me off as well.

But I should give it another chance, I am sure..



The 9098 mic pres are very special - jazzy and 'quick' or good for classy hyper reality.. I really dont know why I dont own some (perhaps with the EQ attached)

I haven't tried it but I bet the Pure Path is cool...

The Element 78 range seems interesting I could operate it via my ProControl! (Jesus! Then I would never get out of the chair!)

 

[stedel]

Originally posted by wiggy neve freak:
Hey Stedel.....

Thought i better chime in here.. cos its what i luv talkin about most.

PEACE
Wiggy

Cool 'cos I'd like to ask some more stuff!!

Thanks also Julian and Thrill Factor. As I said I love the stuff I've been fortunate to use and either Neve stuff itself or Neve influenced gear will be a core coponent of my own small tracking studio I'm establishing this year, so all this is really great for me to hear.
It does seem strange, what with Rupert Neve's pedigree that these items haven't appeared in many "must have" articles, posts etc.
Maybe he's just "moving to the beat of a different drum". The Pure Path range, well yes I've seen some good reports on that, in fact quite interesting maybe down the track (oh God I didn't mean that)
path (no not that either) rode...(****!!)... you know what I mean...that little line module for instance.

Wiggy there are a couple of things I'd like to ask you if I may, so if you want to reply...please. I don't mind enthusiastic length.

But first, the Shep gear you mentioned. I've done a couple of searches on the net and haven't been able to come up with anything. Could you maybe point me in the right direction?

 

[wiggy]

Stedel..

Ok...Shep

http://www.shep.co.uk

or if ya want to give one a try give me a buzz on 0418-416-491 anytime between 10am and 6pm.I am distibuting them locally.

PEACE
Wiggy

 

[Nimrod]

Amek CIB is absolutely fantstic on everything. i borrowed a demo unit and after listening back to some vocals a few months later, realised that it was the CIB which lent the magic, I have now bought one as its only in retrospect how good I realised this box had been for my stuff. it also great for PT systems as a front end for snares where you want to get the sound right at source with the EQ. It is a "must have", and frankly smokes my Avalon 737sp for some things, but the Avalon has a better EQ IMHO

James Cullen

 

[stedel]

Wiggy. Thanks for the link. I've just checked out their stuff. Stedel is hungry! Very tasty! I'll give Shep's site a more thorough going over tonight. Have got your phone number. Look forward to talking to you very early on this week...like tomorrow!

We've both mentioned JLMaudio up here. Have you had an opportunity by any chance to check out his VOC-2 Dual Mono Valve Opto Compressor? Impressive looking specs and very very nice looking unit. I love VU meters!

I'm intrigued that Aussie manufacturers with the growing reputation of people like JLMAudio and Peach have based their stuff, or are being raved about in respect to Neve and/or Focusrite high end stuff.

And, it occured to me, when Winton Morrow of Avalon took his first mic pre's into Festival Studio's and ran them by Rick, I wonder was that still the Neve console there that he was able to compare and test his units up against? If so, no wonder Avalon went on to be so highly regarded. Just a thought. Many thanks for taking the time to reply up here. We Neve freaks should stay together!!!!!!

BTW did you like the puns on Neve on the Classic Compressors link? The "Dirty Neves Done Dirt Cheap"
(along with a couple of others) I've nominated for this years RO BADDEST AWARDS. Very funny. Neve should use some of 'em in their advertising....
"Don't Neve Me this Way".........

 

[MadMoose]

Originally posted by THETHRILLFACTOR:
[QB]Here is the low down on the Amek/Neve stuff:

2)Amek 9098EQ- a very "useful EQ". The pre is not the same hence its an either or type(either it works or doesn't). The EQ is what its great for, it can be surgical or for enhanccements. It has its own sound, definitely not clinical.
QB]

While not clinical, I've found it to be a little boring. I wouldn't throw it out of the room, but I wouldn't buy a new one either. Maybe if one fell in my lap for a great price. Otherwise there are other things I'd rather own like an Avalon 737 or an ISA110.

 

[stedel]

Hi folks. I just got some great news over on Rick Hammings Forum. Rick scourced some information I was after and I feel good! Thanks again Rick!
Couple of things:

a. This Pure Path range. The "Driver In A Box"...
Pretty Nifty Rupert Neve stuff here. I could definately use this thing.

b. Points taken re the System 9098 Compressor/Limiter. I've been thinking though, (you can leave now if you want). This thing must be pretty darn cool for some applications. One of the things I mused over, and I am probably totally wrong in this, but with all the CraneHedd and Fatso Jnr's out there now, many people are having a much truer and actual experience of analog type sound and conditions but working in digital. Analogue is very different to digital. With some of the stuff that wiggy and I have mentioned, some very nice Neve based micpre's, eq's and compressors etc. for example, many people would be tracking, mostly mono I would imagine, 24 - 32 individual tracks of extremely resolved analog like signals.
Sgt Peppers, Rubber Soul etc. were recorded 4 tracks max. With bouncing etc,. being the de rigour. The summed total of these tracks I would imagine give particular, very subtle, but possibly precise areas where frquency shelving etc. would play an extrenely important role. Transparency, I imagine, would be something you'd be looking for in this situation. With so much use of individual EQ and quality "musical" compression now being applied to each individual track, with all that care you've taken to get "a warm sound" right up front, you'd want something that protects and finely tweaks these tracks when you sub down. Maybe that's what this thing is cool at. Many people, with no or little experience of working analog, after coping with the hell of DAW's for the last few years, would be coming from an inferior binary bit system, which has been necessarily technology intensive, and quirky. Folk would be so used to the over compensation techniques and strategies needed for DAW's till now, and would have built a highly skilled and experienced level of expertise, that they would be able to change...overnight? Right?
Digital to analog, straight away, NOW! No problems adjusting? Don't fink so. Just MHO.

 

[wiggy]

NEVE ROCKS da House!

What ever flavour.. and if ya dont believe in the Man/Men up stairs this man will make u beleiv there is a sonic GOD!

Every person on this forum owes it to themselves to checkout or aspire to own a piece of real or Rupert inspired equipment!

PEACE
Wiggy

 

[anonymous]

Originally posted by stedel:

But first, the Shep gear you mentioned. I've done a couple of searches on the net and haven't been able to come up with anything. Could you maybe point me in the right direction?

I would personally recommend you avoid that company like they carried a contagious disease... I have found their equipment to sound underwhelming at best, and their honesty less than what I would consider stellar.

YMMV, but mine doesn't.

 

[miketholen]

Originally posted by Fletcher:
[/qb]

I would personally recommend you avoid that company like they carried a contagious disease... I have found their equipment to sound underwhelming at best, and their honesty less than what I would consider stellar.

YMMV, but mine doesn't.[/QB][/QUOTE]
well if your gonna avoid Shep then yeh may as well avoid ANYTHING Drawmer.

 

[Kev]

Originally posted by Fletcher:

....Shep gear...
I would personally recommend you avoid that company like they carried a contagious disease... I have found their equipment to sound underwhelming at best, .....

ouch..

I'm tipping that these modules are not on the shelves at Mercenary Audio


and Mike wouldn't like them 'cos Shep doesn't start with the letter 'T'
... just kidding :w:

 

[stedel]

Originally posted by Fletcher:

I would personally recommend you avoid that company like they carried a contagious disease... I have found their equipment to sound underwhelming at best, and their honesty less than what I would consider stellar.

YMMV, but mine doesn't.[/QB][/QUOTE]

Hi Fletcher. Thanks for posting.

You will probably not find anything from hereon in that gives any indication that people such as myself up here have any ability to form discerning, critical judgement. Be that as it may, it is no use employing some sort of humanitarian trade mission, nor suggesting alternative retail therapy (eg buy this brand instead). I am a self confessed "Neve freak".

To give you an indication. I've only ever owned Jaguar cars. Not interested in owning anything else.
Jaguars rule as far as I'm concerened. Now I know many people think that this is some form of genetic dysfunction on my part. Maybe it is. But I know what to look for in a Jag, know how to check'em out, know which one's to buy, and which ones not to touch with a long pole.
Am I happy if I buy one, after testing it out thoroughly? You bet. Are they perfect? Nope.

Seriously Fletcher, I'm sorry this was your experience. But I've been on RO's and Digis', George Massenburgs Forums etc for about six months now. Wether it's Manley, Digi, Mackie, Fairlight,
Steinberg, Neve, Kurzweil, Rode etc etc etc somebody out there has:
a. Had a bad experience at company/public relations level and is less than impressed (myself included).
b. Will tell you that what you're interested in, and maybe use and enjoy, is a piece of $*^t that your momma will sweep away if she sees you playing with it.
c. Invoke personal floods, famine, and pestilence to warn you not to proceed.

Then you get others who have had the opposite experience.

Right now for instance. Over on another of RO Forums I recommended to someone that maybe running a Creamware Pulsar 11 card, with outboard converters, with Cubase VST32 would be a good solution for what this person wanted to do, and within their budget. This was, as all opinions up here, just MHO. And it was qualified, as it is not "the way" I would go myself...but then I would spend more money or wait until I had enough to buy what I wanted.
By chance I visited one of Sweetwater's forums (gotta be careful here...they're an RO Sponsor I fink...love ya guys!). Sweetwater think the same way about Creamware as you do about Shep gear. Avoid, plague, desease, we're still in recovery ourselves. But their experience with Creamware was, and has continued to be, the exact opposite of mine. I don't have it in my own Studio, but other Studio's where I occasionally work, and in one case even told them to buy it, have not had these problems. And British mag Computer Music think it's the bee knees - (yeah maybe they need to get out more....). I have absolutely no connection with Creamware, and as I said, maybe wouldn't run it myself (I'm too much of an analog person) and I don't like "Wow! You can do it all with this one box" approaches, whether it's Creamware, Steinberg, Digi, Yamaha, Roland, Sony or any one else.

So, I don't know which way to go here Fletcher.
Ignore what you say...but what if it's true? Cos I'm trying to talk wiggy into letting me test one of these things (er..not that I or anybody else is doing business up here..no sir...we just love each other...don't we wiggy...?)

Maybe we should leave aside questions of their personal honesty. But perhaps you could explain just what was so underwhelming about their stuff?

I'm reading Christopher Marlowe's "Doctor Faustus"
at the moment, and thought of doing something really silly last night to get one of these things...particularly their SR12 unit, which apart from their specs and history (which I like), has the same initials as my first amd last name. This could be destiny Fletcher. But will I rise or will I fall?

So here's a tale of caution you tell,
Should you back it up now, for Stedel?

$*^t. Fletcher I don't know if you know what Stephen Paul has done to me. Or any of you other people out there know. But if you wanna get him to build you a good microphone go over and give him some support will ya? Poor guys moping cos somebody on some other forums out there said cruel things about him. Serves him right. What was he doing visiting another Forum anyway?

 

[stedel]

Originally posted by James Cullen:
Amek CIB is absolutely fantstic on everything. i borrowed a demo unit and after listening back to some vocals a few months later, realised that it was the CIB which lent the magic, I have now bought one as its only in retrospect how good I realised this box had been for my stuff. it also great for PT systems as a front end for snares where you want to get the sound right at source with the EQ. It is a "must have", and frankly smokes my Avalon 737sp for some things, but the Avalon has a better EQ IMHO

James Cullen How's the surf? Been doin' any lately?

So James, if you don't mind me asking, which unit did you go for?

There's an API "Lunchbox" for sale over here secondhand. The photo of it (on the net) is a little indistinct for me to make out exactly which modules the person went for. If my money comes through in time, and they've still got it, I'll check it out. If you don't mind me asking also, what sort of mics have you been using that match this unit well? I've been using Urei's, Rodes, AKG,
and Shures (who knows...hopefully in the future I'll be using one of those Stephen Paul things), and I've been using Focusrite's Producer Pack unit as my "benchmark" (please no "flames" - I like it OK?)

This post is not for mere idle speculation or whimsy on my part.Yes, as wiggy describes it, I am a "Neve Freak", but I'm setting up my own small (but quality) tracking studio's this year. Stuff posted up here that I don't know about, such as the Shep line of gear (thanks wiggy), or things like the API gear that I haven't checked out for a while, I'll go and have another look.

I also respect the opinions and experience of folk up here. So when somebody says something good, or bad, about something I'm really interested in I'll often ask (nicely) for further info. Check it out y'know. Even if it's likely to put me off. With fletcher for instance, don't mean to be controversial or stir you up, it's just that I approach this stuff the way I record and engineer, or do most things actually, I pay attention to detail. And I don't want to get into law suits or anything re issues of honesty, but if something is "underwhelming", a little bit of detail (such as say Julian gave re the 9098) goes a long way. I file it in me grey stuff, and look for it when I eventually get to test the stuff I'm interested in.
So thanks folks.
About Jaquars......you are still talking to me aren't you? It says it on my RO profile. I hope you all don't drive Chevy's or Vauxhalls (not that there's anything wrong with that!).
Kind regards

 

[anonymous]

Wow! Vauxhaull's!

Are they still in production? My father had an itty bitty one in the 1960's - only one I ever saw either before or since!

I told him to get the Jaguar instead, but...

 

[Nimrod]

So James, if you don't mind me asking, which unit did you go for?

I bought the Channel in a Box otherwise known as Pure Path, its a great box, the compressor is excellent for vocals, and drums. It adds a certain magic and presence particularly on vocals, I only bought one after months of listening tests and realised this was one unit that stood out, when I had used it on certain tracks, it was obvious where it had made a difference.

Hope it helps

James

 

[dave-G]

I had contacted Fletcher about buying an Amek CIB, and was disheartened to learn that the thing is designed with the EQ fixed in place before the compressor. . . which is absolutely absurd. I can only think of a few occasions where I wouldn't want the EQ after the compressor. It just seems like a glaring oversight not to have put a switch in the thing.

On the other hand, anyone who uses vintage Neve modules (or consoles?) faces something similar, since the insert point would be after the equalizer. . .

anyway.. just something to consider along with the sonics of the CIB.

-dg

 

[anonymous]

Originally posted by stedel:

Seriously Fletcher, I'm sorry this was your experience. But I've been on RO's and Digis', George Massenburgs Forums etc for about six months now. Wether it's Manley, Digi, Mackie, Fairlight,
Steinberg, Neve, Kurzweil, Rode etc etc etc somebody out there has:
a. Had a bad experience at company/public relations level and is less than impressed (myself included).
b. Will tell you that what you're interested in, and maybe use and enjoy, is a piece of $*^t that your momma will sweep away if she sees you playing with it.
c. Invoke personal floods, famine, and pestilence to warn you not to proceed.

Wasn't my experience... I've been around the block a few times, I was warned early. I don't give a $*^t whether someone does business with Shep or not... but it might be in your best interest to talk to people that have done business with Shep.

Pro Audio Design used to deal the stuff... maybe you might want to ask them why they don't any longer... Manley Labs did a deal with Shep Associates, perhaps you might want to email EveAnna and find out how that went. Tommy Litnik mentioned that he had some dealings with Shep on behalf of Billy Corgan... so Mike, seeing as you and Tommy are both in Chicago, perhaps you should ask Tommy how that deal went... There are so many stories out there of deals done wrong that I would advise "caution"... whether anyone heeds that advice or ignores that advice doesn't really concern me one way or the other.

As for the product... I haven't seen it in a while. Last Shep module I saw used a 5532 IC chip as the amplifier for the "4th band"... I've heard they don't do that anymore... but it seems to me that any firm that would put a 5532 in the amplifier surrounding the equalizer and still have the balls to put the "Lightning bolt N" (licenced logo) on the face isn't being all that honest with their potential customers... as always, YMMV.