Neve AMS 8801 Channel Strip – Microphone Preamplifier / Equaliser / Dynamics

Neve AMS 8801 PRODUCT FEATURES:

The Sound of the Legendary Neve 88R Console in a Rack

The 8801 Channel Strip is like having a complete channel from the legendary Neve 88R console – widely considered among the best-sounding analogue music consoles ever developed. Contained in a single rackmount unit, the 8801 combines a classic Neve mic preamplifier and equalization circuitry with an incredible 88R-style dynamics processor. Completely hand-built and hand-wired by Neve, this ground breaking Channel Strip delivers a front-end with all the quality and versatility that has become synonymous with the Neve name.

The 8801’s signal path consists of our extremely high-quality Neve mic preamp, high and low pass filters, four bands of highly musical equalization, a compressor, gate, dynamics side chain and an insert point. The order of the signal path can be easily modified as the producer requires.

The filter section and/or the equalization section can even be routed to the dynamics side chain to tailor the dynamics response of any input signal. An optional Neve-designed analogue-to-digital converter accommodates all standard sample rates up to 192kHz, as well as direct-to-DSD conversion. In listening tests, many engineers and producers preferred the sound of these Neve-designed converters to standalone converters costing more than the entire 8801 unit.

Feature Summary:

Complete channel strip from the revered 88RS console in a single rackspace

Hand-built and hand-wired by Neve in Burnley, England

Genuine Neve mic preamp with High and Low Pass Filters

4-band equalization with highly musical, full-range sound

88RS-style compressor and gate

Insert send and return

EQ or filters to sidechain

USB port for direct connection to Mac or PC

Neve AMS 8801 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:

Performance:          

Frequency Response:        
+/- 0.2dB (10Hz to 20kHz)+/- 0.5dB (10Hz to 40kHz) Line Input to Main Output

THD + Noise:           
<0.005% Line Input to Main Output (20Hz to 20kHz) using a measurement window of 10Hz to 80kHz

Noise: 
Line Input to Main Output: 
< -89dBAll the audio blocks in circuit: < -80dBuAll noise measurements made between 20Hz and 20kHz using a measurement bandwidth 22Hz to 22kHz

Microphone Input: 
Input Impedance (balanced):         
1.2k Ohms

Input Headroom:     
+26dBu (reference 0dBu)

Input Gain Range:    
0db to +70dB (using PAD)

Line Input:   
Input Impedance (balanced):         
> 20k Ohms, is able to encompass signals from sources referenced to +4dBu or to -10dBu

Input Headroom:     
+26dBu (reference 0dBu)

Input Gain Range:    
-24dB to +24dB

DI Input:       
Input Impedance (balanced):         
> 750k Ohms

Input Headroom:     
+20dBu (reference 0dBu)

Input Gain Range:    
-44dB to +24dB (using PAD)

Output:          
Line Output Impedance:      
< 50 Ohms

Main Output Maximum:      
> +26dBu into 600 Ohms

Dimensions:
Width:            
482mm (19 inches)

Height:           
44mm (1.75 inches) - 1U

Depth:           
240mm (9.5 inches) - without power socket plugged in

Weight:          
3kg (6.6 pounds)

Options:        

Digital Output:          
Optional analogue to digital card converts up to 192kHz sample rate, installs inside the 8801 unit