Neve Electronics ( ) was a manufacturer of music recording and broadcast mixing consoles and hardware. It was founded in 1961 by Rupert Neve, who is credited with creating the modern mixing console.

History

thumb|Neve VR-72 with Flying Faders, Studio 1 Control Room Center

thumb|Studio 1 Control Room Left Quarter

thumb|Studio 3 Control Room Center

thumb|Studio 3 Control Room Left Quarter

Company formation

Rupert Neve formed Neve Electronics in 1961. The company specialised in producing professional audio equipment and mixing consoles. The products used high-quality components and utilized Class-A circuit designs. In 1964 the company moved to Cambridgeshire. That year Neve Electronics built one of the first transistor-based mixing consoles for Philips Studios in London. The company moved to a purpose-built factory in Melbourn, near Cambridge where in 1968 they designed the 2254 compressor limiter for ABC Weekend TV in the UK. It was also in 1968 that Neve Electronics began to distribute their products in North America.

In 1977, Neve Electronics began using digital technology with the introduction of their Necam system. Necam stood for Neve Computer Assisted Mixdown. The first Necam system was installed at AIR Studios in London. In 1979, the 8108 console was produced using both analog and digital technology. The console had assignable controls and memory mixing faders. "a 24-input, 16-bus, 24-monitor 8028 with 1073 or 1084 EQs and no automation"

  • Neve 8048 Mixing Console
  • Neve 8068 Mixing Console
  • Neve 8078 Mixing Console
  • Neve 2254 Compressor/Limiter
  • Neve 1084 Mic Preamplifier & Equaliser

Neve 1073 Console Module

The 1073 is a Class-A design microphone/line preamplifier with three equaliser bands. The equaliser has a fixed 12kHz high frequency band and switchable low and mid range bands with cut and boost controls. The Equalizer section of the 1073 is regarded as very "musical" and practical and has become the favorite choice of many engineers for recording and mixing.

Neve 33609 Compressor Limiter

The 33609 is a 19” rack mounted compressor limiter produced by Neve Electronics for broadcast and recording purposes. The unit can be linked for stereo and multi-channel operation. The compressor processes the audio signal before the output amplifier, meaning the output level can be raised after compression of the signal.

Timeline

  • 1961: Company based at Harlow.
  • 1964: Moved to the Priesthaus in Little Shelford.
  • 1966: The Neve Group of Companies formed 1 December 1966 to take over business run privately by Rupert Neve.
  • 1966: Consoles made for the TV Centre, Madrid.
  • 1969: First broadcast consoles for ABC Weekend TV and Granada TV.
  • 1969: First consoles to the USA: Sound Studios, Van Nuys, CA and Vanguard studios in New York. First 16 track consoles.
  • 1970: First console to AIR Studios, first desk for BBC TV Lime Grove Studios, a standard 8008 24/8 costing £15,000.
  • 1970: Rupert Neve Incorporated (USA) formed April 1970.
  • 1970: Rupert Neve Canada formed (sales company) 10 September 1970
  • 1973: Neve group of companies purchased by Bononchord (later named ESE Energy Services and Equipment) with Robin Rigby as Chairman.
  • 1975: Rupert Neve leaves the company under contract to not produce a similar product for ten years (i.e. Focusrite 1985).
  • 1977: 8058 and 8068 Mark 1, 5312, 5315
  • 1978: Rupert Neve and Company Ltd becomes Neve Electronics International on April 1, 1978.
  • 1978: Neve digital design department formed.
  • 1985: Neve taken over by Siemens AG (Austria) end 1985.
  • 1992: Company is amalgamated with AMS in Burnley with remaining staff either moving to Burnley or the London Sales Office. Company now called AMS Neve.
  • 2005: AMS Neve acquired by SAE Institute.
  • 2010: SAE sells its interests in AMS Neve back to Mark Crabtree.

References

  • Company website