For some time now I have dreamed of a multi-channel Dante equipped microphone preamp with some character. Just the other day I was talking with a friend in the music industry and we were racking our brains to think if such a device even existed. Three days later and a care package arrives from AMS Neve. Let me share with you the stuff of dreams that is the AMS Neve 1073 OPX.
The Neve 1073 OPX
The new AMS Neve 1073 OPX is in fact 4 very high-quality audio solutions in one 2U rack.
1) 8 Channels Of Remote Controlled Neve 1073 Preamp
At its heart, the Neve 1073 OPX is 8 channels of classic Neve 1073 mic preamp in a 2U rack chassis. Each of these channels features 3 different input options (Line, DI or Mic) which are switchable per channel. Each channel also features a 48v phantom power which is automatically disengaged if you switch to Line or DI input. There is also a -25dB pad which you are going to need if you want to really drive the inputs hard to get that warm 1073 tone and Low Impedance (Z) switch to allow you to really get the best out of ribbon mics.
Next to the front panel XLR/Jack combination input are the input switch, front input selector and an 80Hz high pass filter.
You can also get signals into the OPS via the two 25 pin D-Sub connectors on the back of the unit (one for mic level and one for line-level signals). This allows you to easily integrate the OPX into a studio work-flow keeping the front panel nice and tidy.
Each of the 8 channels can be either driven from the front panel or from the software remote control. Just connect the Comms CTRL RJ45 port on the back of the unit to your network, install the software and you get full control of each channel and the master section from your host computer. This feature comes in very handy when the OPX is located far from the main studio or recording position. But more on this shortly.
2) Monitoring Controller
As well as 8 lovely 1073 pres the OPX also has stereo inputs for monitoring either via the inbuilt headphone amplifier with front panel control or via a pair of XLR outputs on the back panel. Yes, I know, I also asked myself why an 8 channel preamp would need a monitoring option. It’s coming just hold on. The headphone amp drives nice and loud and sounds great. It also has a mono option and the ability to interrogate each of the input channels so you can check your input at the source which can be handy by pressing the volume pot to cycle through the inputs and monitor output.
3) 8 In 2 Out USB Audio Interface
As well as being a fantastic sounding mic pre and monitoring section the 1073 OPX can also an 8 in and 2 out USB audio interface. If you have the optional digital card installed (which I do) just hook the OPX up to your Mac or PC with a USB cable and use the ASIO or Core Audio drivers to link it to your DAW. What’s not to love?
4) 8 Channel Analogue To Dante (Digital) Converter
Finally, the bit that got me really excited. The 1073 OPX can output to a 25 pin D-Sub for analogue output or with the optional digital card directly to Dante. At last, a Dante equipped mic pre with some character. Put the 1073 OPX in the same room as the drums and control the levels and features of the OPX from the control room. Yes, you do need 2 network connections, but the workflow is great. And if you are worried about non-technical folks getting creative with the controls of the OPX there is a LOCK function which can be engaged from the remote that locks out local control. It’s easy to set up if you know your way around the Dante Controller software. It just works.
Testing - How Does It Sound
As ever I have recorded some drums to test the 1073 OPX in action. The kit is recorded on 8 channels with 7 mics. The session was recorded at 48KHz, 24 Bit.
Kick In - Shure Bete 98A
Kick Out - Sontronics DM1-B
Snare Top - Lauten LS-308
Hi-Hat - Shure KSM 137
Tom 1 - Sontronics DM1-T
Tom 2 - Sontronics DM1-T
Overhead L & R - Vanguard V44S
The drums are not being processed in any way. No EQ, no compression or dynamics and no reverb so you can hear just how good the 1073 OPX sounds naked.
We have also included the unprocessed audio file
Verdict
Is the Neve 1073 OPX a unit I have been dreaming a company would make? Yes, absolutely it is. Is the Neve 1073 OPX perfect in every way? Sadly no not 100% perfect no. Having to use a second network connection to control the unit remotely is far from a brilliant idea. I get that the idea was to shift the load away from the Dante network but other manufacturers are running their control software over a single Cat5 cable. And while we are talking about networking. This is a pro-grade unit with a fairly hefty price tag to go with it. Some pros use Ethercon connections for the networking around their studios, not just bog-standard RJ45 connectors. And if there is a place for the 1073 OPX in the live or touring world then Ethercon is a must.
My other issue with the 1073 OPX and the Neve 4081 which I reviewed back in October 2016 and even the Neve Genesys Black digital console which took a look at back in July 2016, is the main gain encoders. In my opinion, they feel flimsy and like they are going to snap off at any minute. Now I understand that this is a digital encoder and not a mechanical pot as you find on a Neve 1073LB 500 series module but it feels cheap which is not how the rest of these units feel at all. Please, Neve, do something about this component. I can’t be the only person saying it.
All that said, do I want to keep the Neve 1073 OPX? Damn, right I do. Live or in the studio the 1073 OPX is the answer to getting that classic warm Neve sound into a 21st-century workflow. Also bang for buck the OPX is a very cost-effective way to get 8 amazing sounding pres into your rig. If you were to buy eight 1073LB 500 series modules you would be looking at a minimum of £6,000. The 1073 OPX with the digital IO card is a couple of quid short of £3,500. (excluding taxes) Any chance I can have 2 please?
You can find out more about the Neve 1073 OPX and the full range of Neve consoles and outboard hardware at the AMS Neve website.