Coveted by top engineers and producers since its introduction in 1970, the Neve 1073 channel amplifier represents the Holy Grail of characterful microphone preamplification and the epitome of definitive “British EQ.” The 1073 mic/line input module defined the punchy, authoritative sound of the legendary Neve 80-series consoles that dominated professional recording studios in the Golden Age of Analog. Today, you can fortify your 500 Series rack with the EQ section of this timeless classic with the AMS Neve 1073LBEQ 500 Series EQ module. Employing the same EQ circuit architecture and matching components as the original 1073, and updated to meet the demands of modern workflows, the 1073LBEQ gives you a rich tonal palette for making audacious statements with your music.
Note: the 1073LBEQ is not a standalone unit; a compatible 500 Series chassis with power supply and line-level I/O connectors is required, not supplied.
Since the 1970s, the Neve 1073 has reigned as the most sought-after mic preamp and equalizer on the planet — one reason being its inimitable sound; another its impressive versatility. The 1073’s fat, punchy EQ section is an intrinsic ingredient of the legendary Neve sound that has graced countless iconic recordings across all genres — the “secret sauce” for authoritative, radio-ready mixes that blast right out of the speakers. While today’s 1073LBEQ retains all its vintage bona fides, AMS Neve remains an R&D-driven company that continually improves their classic designs to meet and exceed the performance requirements of today’s hybrid analog-digital workflows. The 1073LBEQ benefits from Neve engineers’ fastidious attention to detail with an advanced design optimized for the 500 Series format.
Decked out in classic RAF blue-gray livery, the 1073LBEQ 500 Series EQ module offers you a user experience like no other. The robust build quality of the 1073LBEQ — including its rotary switches, stout metalwork, and internal circuitry — is manifestly superior even to most of today’s high-end pro audio gear. And it’s a joy to use. In operation, everything feels just right, from the spoon-in-honey throw of its pots to the satisfying precision click of the switches. As was all pro audio gear of the era, vintage Neve equipment was built with mil-spec parts and materials — which, together with their extraordinary sonics, explains why we still see half-century-old Neve consoles in major studios worldwide. This is how they used to build professional audio equipment — and AMS Neve still does.
The Signal Presence LED illuminates green from a level of -25dB and red from a level of +24dB, giving you instant visual feedback. The HF Cut/Boost control provides smooth ±16dB fixed-frequency shelving at 12kHz, while the Highpass Filter offers an 18dB/octave slope, switchable between 50Hz, 80Hz, 160Hz, and 300Hz. The Mid Frequency band delivers smooth ±18dB peaking with fixed Q and selectable center frequencies of 0.36kHz, 0.7kHz, 1.6kHz, 3.2kHz, 4.8kHz, and 7.2kHz. The Low Frequency band supplies smooth ±16dB shelving with selectable frequencies of 35Hz, 60Hz, 110Hz, and 220Hz. The EQL button switches the equalizer in or out of circuit, and the Level LED is a 3-state indicator showing outgoing signal level for precise gain staging.
At Music Experience, the name Neve commands reverence. Rupert Neve started designing audio equipment in the tube console era but made his mark with solid-state designs. Setting up shop in Little Shelford in the ’60s, Mr. Neve faced many obstacles establishing his brand amid a new technological landscape. Transistors were new, expensive, and difficult to obtain in quantity in the UK. Reliable faders didn’t exist yet — a far cry from today’s world, where parts are affordable and readily available from multiple suppliers, all competing to win bids. Nevertheless, Rupert persisted. And by the early 1970s, the Neve company was humming along, taking orders and building custom transformer-balanced consoles for recording and broadcast studios the world over. With their “big iron” transformers, Neve consoles deliver wide, linear bandwidth while maintaining audiophile quality throughout the spectrum for rich, full-bodied sound with formidable lows, assertive midrange presence, and sweet, airy highs.
Neve 80-series consoles had a huge, punchy, and authoritative sound that defined the sound of ’70s rock. From London to New York to Los Angeles and beyond, top studios were installing Neve desks as fast as they could. By 1978, with the introduction of the majestic 8078 — the pinnacle of handwired analog “production” consoles — and NECAM automation system, Neve boards were the main component of the success formula for any recording studio with world-class aspirations. In the decades since, AMS Neve has innovated with groundbreaking products such as the VR, VX, and 88R series consoles. And today, the company continues to advance the state of the art with cutting-edge pro audio gear that sounds incredible and intelligently addresses the challenges of the digital age.
Based on the legendary inductor-based 3-band EQ from the classic 1073®, the 1073LBEQ packs a punch recognized by users worldwide, now available in a compact 500 series format. The three frequency bands from the original 1073® EQ were carefully selected by Rupert Neve to produce musical results on a wide range of signal sources, including ideal presence frequencies for male and female vocals, an airy top end, and selectable frequencies for tight, controlled bass.
Exclusive to Neve, the 1073® inductor circuitry follows the incredibly detailed ‘pencil-on-paper’ specifications drawn up by Rupert Neve and his team of engineers in the ’70s. These hand-wound inductors “sing” when resistance is applied to selected frequency bands, creating the famously musical 1073 EQ character.
The 1073LBEQ cut and boost amplifiers for all three bands feature a Class A design. The discrete audio circuit found in the classic 80-series 1073® EQ has been faithfully maintained, including original-style tantalum capacitors and chokes for the high-pass filter and presence band.
The 1073LB and 1073LBEQ make perfect partners thanks to their unique audio processing insert circuitry. This special design places the LBEQ after the transformer-balanced input stage of the 1073LB but before the transformer-balanced output stage. When paired together, the two units recreate an accurate and complete classic 1073® module signal path.
The revered high-pass filter from the original 1073® modules is built into the 1073LBEQ. Using the original circuitry and components, the filter provides 18dB per octave slopes at selectable frequencies of 50Hz, 80Hz, 160Hz, or 300Hz for precise low-end control.
The 1073LBEQ input and output stages are electronically balanced, delivering a pure signal path on both sides of the EQ circuit. This transparent I/O design ensures that only the classic 1073® discrete EQ circuitry adds tonal color, making it ideal for pairing as an insert with the 1073LB preamp. A signal presence LED illuminates green at -25dB and red at +26dBu to clearly indicate analog signal level and potential overload.
| Type | Solid State |
|---|---|
| Number of Channels | 1 |
| Controls | Boost/Cut, Frequency |
| High Pass Filter | Yes |
| Low Pass Filter | Yes |
| Number of Bands | 3-band |
| Boost/Cut Range | ±16dB (high, low), ±18dB (mid) |
| Q Type | Fixed Q (mid) |
| Freq Range High | Shelving at 12kHz |
| Freq Range Mid | 360Hz-7.2kHz |
| Freq Range Low | 35Hz-220Hz |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz-20kHz (±0.5dB) |
| Power Usage | +16V/50mA, -16V/40mA |
| Module Slot Size | Single |
| Depth | 5.75" |
| Weight | 1.25 lbs. |
| Manufacturer Part Number | 1073LBEQ |
