The V-EQ3 is an accurate emulation of the 1066 and 1073 console EQs with Class A circuit designs, while the V-EQ4 is modeled after the 1081 model’s Class AB design. Both EQs provide distinctively rich tonal color to any music being run through them, even when using very slight EQ moves. Neve 1073 Emulation Free Vst Software Vst plugin native instruments komplete. Devised by visionary electronics engineer and pro audio legend Rupert Neve, the preamp became a staple of the world’s top studios, and added its unique tonal flavor to countless hits. Konsol is a free Console bus plugin developed by Analog Obsession. Win 64 VST (11.7 Mb). (1073 Neve, SSL and a classic tube) the more input you give the more. Add Clarity and Color to any Source. Of course, the Neve Preamp & EQ Plug-In Collection isn’t just for Apollo owners. UAD-2 hardware owners can employ the Neve 1073 Preamp & EQ Collection for mixing, tone shaping, or simply adding sheen and bite to vocals, guitars, drums and more — without ever leaving the box.
Article Content
The recording industry is in a weird place right now. For years, we coveted analog hardware. Walking into a proper studio felt like stepping into the cockpit on an alien spacecraft. There were knobs and switches and gauges everywhere. It felt like a sanctuary for creativity.
Things are different now. Many of us work on our laptops and mix in the box. Hit records are being made using Virtual Recording Studios that emulate the mic lockers of famous studios. Plugins are being made that emulate vintage hardware so closely, they’re winning blind shootouts.
But that’s the thing — even after 50 years, we’re still making emulations of the 1176. Maybe things aren’t so different after all…
Just because our studios aren’t filled with knobs and switches anymore, this doesn’t mean we don’t love the sound of analog consoles.
Neve
Neve was one of the first popular console manufacturers. The sound of their early consoles is engrained in countless hit records. Their original preamp, the 1073, is self-described as “the world’s most desirable preamp.”
Part of the 1073’s charm is the built-in EQ. It features a fixed shelf at 12 kHz, two switchable low and midrange bands, and a high-pass filter. Often used for its silky-smooth high end and fat low-mids.
Years later, Neve revamped the design of the beloved preamp to “take the legendary 1073 design to the next level.” The newly designed 1084 features an adjustable high-shelf, a “Hi-Q” switch and adjustable slope for the HPF.
Both models featured fixed frequencies on all four bands. Which means you’re either boosting 1.6 kHz or 3.2 kHz — not somewhere in between.
Neve 1073/1084s are emulated by Slate Digital, Universal Audio and Waves.
Slate Digital VIRTUAL PREAMP COLLECTION – Real Analog Preamp Tones For Your Mixes!
The recording industry is in a weird place right now. For years, we coveted analog hardware. Walking into a proper studio felt like stepping into the cockpit on an alien spacecraft. There were knobs and switches and gauges everywhere. It felt like a sanctuary for creativity. Things are different now
In 1973, Neve released the 8048 mixing console, which featured a new combined mic/line preamp and equalizer section. These 1081 units featured “remarkable sensitivity and a fast and musical response to transients”
Neve 1081s are emulated by Universal Audio and Waves.
UAD – NEVE – 1081 EQ plugin explained
The recording industry is in a weird place right now. For years, we coveted analog hardware. Walking into a proper studio felt like stepping into the cockpit on an alien spacecraft. There were knobs and switches and gauges everywhere. It felt like a sanctuary for creativity. Things are different now
The Neve 8048 console also included the highly-coveted 2254 Limiter/Compressor units. Known for their “rich, thick, and round” sound, these units are great for fattening up tracks. For years, engineers used two of these units on their stereo buss.
Neve 2254s are emulated by McDSP, Plugin Alliance and Waves.
In 1985, Neve released an updated stereo version of the classic 2254 compressor, known as the 33609. Designed as a “modern” compressor at the time, the 33609 is often described as smooth and transparent.
Neve 33609s are emulated by IK Multimedia, McDSP and Universal Audio.
Acustica Audio also has a handful of Neve-modeled plugins.
5-Minute UAD Tips: Neve 33609 Compressor
The recording industry is in a weird place right now. For years, we coveted analog hardware. Walking into a proper studio felt like stepping into the cockpit on an alien spacecraft. There were knobs and switches and gauges everywhere. It felt like a sanctuary for creativity. Things are different now
SSL
Solid State Logic, or SSL, gained popularity as a console manufacture after releasing their SSL 4000E Series console in 1979. But it wasn’t until they released their G-Series desks a few years later that engineers like Bob Clearmountain, Chris Lord-Alge and Andy Wallace would start swearing by them.
In addition to colorful, punchy sounding preamps, both desks included a versatile 4-band EQ module. They featured two fully parametric midrange bands, and a bell curve option for the highs and lows.
The E Series desk used brown knobs for the low band, while the G Series used black. While it may not seem like a big difference, they actually used different cards (’02’ and ‘242’), which produced different sounds.
SSL 4000 EQ modules are emulated by Slate, Brainworx (Plugin Alliance) Universal Audio and Waves — many of which offer both the E and G Series models.
How To EQ Tracks In a Mix w/ Slate Digital’s Everything Bundle
The recording industry is in a weird place right now. For years, we coveted analog hardware. Walking into a proper studio felt like stepping into the cockpit on an alien spacecraft. There were knobs and switches and gauges everywhere. It felt like a sanctuary for creativity. Things are different now
Not only were the EQ modules on the SSL 4000G Series awesome, so were the dynamic modules. Fast, punchy, and energetic, these units include an Expander/Gate, as well as a compressor.
SSL 4000 dynamics modules are emulated by Slate, Brainworx (Plugin Alliance), Universal Audio and Waves.
Free Neve 1073 Vst Plugin
SSL Compressor Shootout – UAD vs Waves vs Softube for Punchy Drums (2018)
The recording industry is in a weird place right now. For years, we coveted analog hardware. Walking into a proper studio felt like stepping into the cockpit on an alien spacecraft. There were knobs and switches and gauges everywhere. It felt like a sanctuary for creativity. Things are different now
Finally (as if that weren’t enough to sell you on a console), the buss compressor on the 4000 consoles has been described as a “holy grail compressor that does both transparency and glue.” SSL says it makes mixes sound “bigger, with more power, punch, and drive.”
The SSL 4000 buss compressor is emulated by Slate, Universal Audio and Waves.
Mastering with the SSL – Quick Tip by Yoad Nevo
The recording industry is in a weird place right now. For years, we coveted analog hardware. Walking into a proper studio felt like stepping into the cockpit on an alien spacecraft. There were knobs and switches and gauges everywhere. It felt like a sanctuary for creativity. Things are different now
API
Today, many pieces of outboard gear come in the form of 500 series units. That technology was invented in 1969 by Automated Processes Inc., better known as API. As far back as 1970, API was creating “modular consoles” outfitted with a variety of hand-picked 500 series modules. While many of us think of the lunchbox as a modern invention, production began back in 1985.
Over the years, API has put together a killer channel strip, starting with the 512c mic preamp. Often described as “highly musical and rich-sounding.”
Unfortunately, nobody has properly emulated the 512c yet, but Slate has an API setting on their Virtual Console Collection.
In 1971, API developed their 550A EQ module. The 550A features 3 bands with 7 selectable frequencies. The high and low bands can be switched from shelf to bell shapes, and the HPF can be toggled in or out.
One of the coolest features is the “Proportional Q”, which increases the Q value the harder you turn the gain knob. Essentially, the bell becomes more narrow the more you cut or boost.
Years later, API developed the 550b, adding a fourth band for more midrange control.
API® 500 Series EQ Plug-In Collection Trailer
The recording industry is in a weird place right now. For years, we coveted analog hardware. Walking into a proper studio felt like stepping into the cockpit on an alien spacecraft. There were knobs and switches and gauges everywhere. It felt like a sanctuary for creativity. Things are different now
API 550A/b modules are emulated by Antelope Audio, IK Multimedia, Universal Audio and Waves.
In the early 70s, API released the 525 “feedback” compressor/limiter. They featured variable threshold and output levels, a unique “ceiling” control and a de-ess function. So far, the only proper recreation comes from LSR audio.
Finally, one of the most modern entries on the list, the API 2500 is a rack mount buss compressor that’s absolutely loaded with features. You can toggle between the old “feedback” or new “feed forward” compression styles. It uses patented THRUST technology to insert a selectable high-pass filter before the detector circuit. Plus, it has auto make-up gain!
5-Minute UAD Tips: API 2500 Bus Compressor Plug-In
The recording industry is in a weird place right now. For years, we coveted analog hardware. Walking into a proper studio felt like stepping into the cockpit on an alien spacecraft. There were knobs and switches and gauges everywhere. It felt like a sanctuary for creativity. Things are different now
The API 2500 is emulated by Universal Audio and Waves.
Other Consoles*
While they aren’t modeled as often as Neve, SSL or API, there are a few other console emulations worth mentioning. The UK was pumping out quality records in the 60s and 70s with some pretty unique sounds. Much of that sound can be traced back to two studios.
In 1968 EMI installed a new console at Abbey Roads; the TG12345 console. It was a solid-state replacement for their current “REDD” tube consoles. These consoles had a “cleaner, brighter and punchier” sound. Waves make a plugin emulation of the TG channel strips, EQs and compressors.
Waves/Abbey Road EMI TG12345 Plugin: In-Depth Tutorial with Audio Demos
The recording industry is in a weird place right now. For years, we coveted analog hardware. Walking into a proper studio felt like stepping into the cockpit on an alien spacecraft. There were knobs and switches and gauges everywhere. It felt like a sanctuary for creativity. Things are different now
In the 1970s, London’s Trident Studios built 13 Trident A-Range Consoles. They went on to record hit records for David Bowie, Rod Stewart, and Frank Sinatra. The consoles were described as having a musical, colorful and unusual sound. Slate offers a Trident console emulation plugin, while Softube offers one for the A-Range EQ.
*OK, so these EQs were never part of a console, but they’re one of the most popular hardware EQ emulation plugins. Pultecs are often described as natural, and musical.
The EQP-1A works differently than any other EQ — it boosts and cuts at the same time. It features a low-shelf with 4 selectable frequencies, and adjustable boost and attenuation knobs. Similarly, the high-self has 7 selectable frequencies, and 3 separate selectable frequencies for the attention selector.
Yeah, it makes more sense when you see it in action. The MEQ-1 equalizer focuses on the midrange and is just as confusing/pleasant.
Trident A-Range Classic Console EQ Trailer
The recording industry is in a weird place right now. For years, we coveted analog hardware. Walking into a proper studio felt like stepping into the cockpit on an alien spacecraft. There were knobs and switches and gauges everywhere. It felt like a sanctuary for creativity. Things are different now
Of course, there are many more console manufacturers with their own unique sounds. SSL alone has over a dozen, each with their own quirks and charms. But these consoles are all highly regarded as some of the greatest ever made. Try them out and see what a difference they can make on your mix!
Article Content
The Neve 1073 is arguably one of the most popular preamps in the history of recorded music.
Originally introduced as part of the 80 Series consoles in the 1970s, these colorful preamps are known for their fat, warm sound and rich low end.
Vintage Neve 1073 preamps sound amazing, but their limited feature set and astronomical price tag push many engineers towards digital alternatives. In this roundup, we’ll break down the top five plugins based on the Neve 1073 to help you figure out which one is right for you.
1073 Design
The original 1073 preamps utilize a very streamlined design. In addition to a single gain control knob, which can be used to drive signals until they saturate, the 1073 also features a three-band semi-parametric EQ and selectable high-pass filter.
The top EQ band controls a fixed shelf at 12 kHz. The midband controls a bell curve with selectable frequencies at .36, .7, 1.6, 3.2, 4.8, and 7.2 kHz. The low band controls a shelf with selectable frequencies at 35, 60, 110 and 220 Hz. The selectable high-pass filter can be set at 50, 80, 160 or 300 Hz. Each band offers +/- 16 dB of gain.
About the audio files …
We put some of our favorite 1073-style plugins through the paces on drums, bass, guitars and vocals with the following settings:
Drums
- HPF at 50 Hz
- +4 dB at 110 Hz
- +2 dB at 1.6 kHz
- +2 dB at 12 kHz
Bass
- HPF at 50 Hz
- +4 dB at 60 Hz
- +6 dB at 700 Hz
- +6 dB at 12 kHz
Guitars
- HPF at 80 Hz
- +4 dB at 110 Hz
- +8 dB at 3.2 kHz
- +4 dB at 12 kHz
Vocals
- HPF at 80 Hz
- +2 dB at 110 Hz
- +4 dB at 3.2 kHz
- +2 dB at 12 kHz
Here are the unprocessed audio files …
Drums
https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Drums_1.wavBass
https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Bass_1.wavGuitar
https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Guitar_1.wavVocals
https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Vocals_1.wavUAD Neve 1073 Preamp & EQ Collection
UAD offers “the only authentic end-to-end circuit emulation” of the Neve 1073. The UAD 1073 captures all of the original’s unique circuit behaviors, including all 10 clipping points from the preamp and EQ stages for that classic gritty class‑A saturation.
The UAD 1073 also utilized UAD’s Unison technology, which allows you to use the plugin while tracking.
In terms of features, the UAD 1073 sticks very closely to the original design. The only new features are an impedance switch and a switchable -20 dB pad.
Drums – UAD
https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Drums_2.wavBass – UAD
https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Bass_2.wavGuitar – UAD
https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Guitar_2.wavVocals – UAD
https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Vocals_2.wav“The Sound of ’73” – UAD Neve 1073 Preamp & EQ Plug-In Collection
The Neve 1073 is arguably one of the most popular preamps in the history of recorded music. Originally introduced as part of the 80 Series consoles in the 1970s, these colorful preamps are known for their fat, warm sound and rich low end. Vintage Neve 1073 preamps sound amazing, but their limited f
Slate Digital FG-73 Preamp + FG-N EQ + VCC
Slate has a plugin for everything, and in this case, they actually have three plugins dedicated to emulating the legendary sound of the 1073 preamp.
First, the FG-73, available as part of the Virtual Console Collection, offers simple drive and trim controls for emulating the dual-stage red band preamp of the 1073.
The FG-N, available as part of the Virtual Mix Rack 2.0, is a modified version of the 1073 EQ with variable frequency controls and an additional midrange bell. It also features a variable gain control with an optional “drive” button for added grit — similar to the FG-73.
Finally, the Virtual Channel and Virtual Mixes plugins, both available in the Virtual Console Collection, feature Brit-N settings for emulating the channel circuitry and summing characteristics of using running a signal through a Neve console.
*For the purposes of this test, the VCC (in Brit-N mode) and FG-73 plugins were used with settings at default. Drive set to 6 (10 o’clock); Input and Out set to zero. The FG-73 is set to 20 (the minimum setting).
Drums – Slate
https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Drums_3.wavBass – Slate
https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Bass_3.wavGuitar – Slate
https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Guitar_3.wavVocals – Slate
https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Vocals_3.wavSlate Digital VIRTUAL PREAMP COLLECTION – Real Analog Preamp Tones For Your Mixes!
The Neve 1073 is arguably one of the most popular preamps in the history of recorded music. Originally introduced as part of the 80 Series consoles in the 1970s, these colorful preamps are known for their fat, warm sound and rich low end. Vintage Neve 1073 preamps sound amazing, but their limited f
McDSP British-E
6020 Ultimate EQ is a collection of ten 500-series style equalizer models, including the British-E EQ, based on the 1073. Although the British-E is only a small portion of what this powerful plugin has to offer, it does an amazing job of emulating the sound of Neve EQs.
British-E features more versatile filter shapes than the original design with three fully variable bands: a high-shelf, a midrange bell, and a low shelf. It also includes a fully variable high-pass filter.
The most unique thing about this plugin is that it does not include markings for frequency or gain controls, forcing you to rely on your ears. For these examples, I attempted to match the settings as best as I could by ear.
Drums – McDSP
https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Drums_4.wavBass – McDSP
https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Bass_4.wavGuitar – McDSP
https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Guitar_4.wavVocals – McDSP
https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Vocals_4.wav6060 UMC Module #3 – British-E
The Neve 1073 is arguably one of the most popular preamps in the history of recorded music. Originally introduced as part of the 80 Series consoles in the 1970s, these colorful preamps are known for their fat, warm sound and rich low end. Vintage Neve 1073 preamps sound amazing, but their limited f
IK Multimedia EQ 73
The EQ 73 by IK Multimedia is a “true to the original” reproduction of the 1073, including all of the gain stages, circuit designs, EQ curves and preamp behaviors. IK have also emulated the preamp/EQ interaction, which “truly defines why this unit was so special,” according to them.
Aside from the addition of stereo and mid-side processing, the EQ-73 also stays true to the original feature set.
Drums – IK Multimedia
https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Drums_5.wavBass – IK Multimedia
https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Bass_5.wavGuitar – IK Multimedia
https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Guitar_5.wavVocals – IK Multimedia
https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Vocals_5.wavNEW in T-RackS Custom Shop – EQ 73 & EQ 81 – Two classic, legendary British channel strips
The Neve 1073 is arguably one of the most popular preamps in the history of recorded music. Originally introduced as part of the 80 Series consoles in the 1970s, these colorful preamps are known for their fat, warm sound and rich low end. Vintage Neve 1073 preamps sound amazing, but their limited f
Acustica Audio GOLD2
GOLD2 is much more than a simple preamp emulation. It includes six different equalizers, two compressors, seven preamplifiers and advanced routing emulations.
The GOLD2 package includes individual plugins for the preamp, EQ and compressor modules, as well as a channel strip version. Each plugin also includes a zero latency or “ZL” version for use during tracking.
While GOLD2 doesn’t introduce any new features to the 1073, it offers circuit emulations for several Neve consoles for added versatility.
*For the purposes of this test, only the H073 module and H073 summing were used.
Drums – Acustica
https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Drums_6.wavBass – Acustica
https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Bass_6.wavGuitar – Acustica
https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Guitar_6.wavVocals – Acustica
https://theproaudiofiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Vocals_6.wavAcustica Audio Gold2 Demo on Kick – Snare – Bass – Rhythm Guitar [British Channel Strip]
The Neve 1073 is arguably one of the most popular preamps in the history of recorded music. Originally introduced as part of the 80 Series consoles in the 1970s, these colorful preamps are known for their fat, warm sound and rich low end. Vintage Neve 1073 preamps sound amazing, but their limited f
Honorable Mentions
Free Neve 1073 Vst Free
This is by no means an exhaustive list. There are dozens of emulations of 1073-style preamps and EQs.
Waves have an excellent version designed by the legendary Andrew Scheps called the Scheps 73. It offers the exact same controls as the original with the addition of “a little-known 10 kHz midrange band discovered in the original 1073 schematics but operable only on the rare 1078 channel strip.”
The Stillwell 1973 Equalizer is a very affordable 1073 “tribute”. While it doesn’t model the 1073 exactly like many of the other plugins on this list, it “takes the best features and reduces them down to their essence.”
Unique Recording Software’s N-Series EQ does a great job of capturing the 1073 sound, but it also utilizes features from multiple Neve modules. The URS N4 offers four fully parametric EQ bands, as well as high-pass and low-pass controls, and a gain knob for dialing in distortion.
Free Neve 1073 Vst
And that’s just scratching the surface! What are some of your favorite Neve 1073 emulation plugins?