Overview
Signal Prescence/Clip Warning LED
Classic Elma Switch
1.2 kΩ or 300Ω Impedance
Front & Rear Mic/Line Connections
Smart Phantom Power
-20 to +5dB Gain Trim
180° Phase Invert
1073LB
Everyone’s favourite preamp, with 500 series convenience
Designed and manufactured in England, the 1073LB uses the same architecture as the original 1073® preamplifier, conveniently packed into a single 500 series module. This compact design uses matched components and original hand-wound transformers to produce the world-famous 1073 sound.
Marinair® Transformers
Exclusive Marinair® transformers are used on the microphone input, line input and line output stages to produce that classic 1073® sound.
Class A Design
Packing the classic 1073® into a 500 series module was no small feat! The 1073 class-A circuit design is faithfully maintained in the 1073LB.
Classic Gain Control
The classic 5dB stepped Elma switch delivers accurate gain staging throughout 1073’s high output gain range. This unique layout means there is no need for a mic/line switch; the pot itself selects the correct preamp and input.
Unique Gain Staging
Three different gain stages, provided by two independent transistor-based preamplifiers, provide gain for any line input or microphone signal.
High Output - Harmonic Saturation
The 1073LB combines multiple gain stages, meaning the 1073LB preamp can deliver up to 80dB of microphone gain; this brings out the musical drive and harmonic saturation that the 1073® is famous for.
Phase Invert
The 180-degree phase invert feature is handy in multi-microphone setups with multiple preamps, ideal for top and bottom snare micing.
Front and Rear Inputs
The 1073LB can be integrated into your studio via the rear inputs, patched, and ready to go with the front input ready to plug into to record quickly.
Lo-Z Impedance
With settings of 1.2kΩ and 300Ω, the 1073LB impedance can be optimised for use with a wide range of modern or vintage microphones.
Marinair® Transformers
Exclusive Marinair® transformers are used on the microphone input, line input and line output stages to produce that classic 1073® sound.
Class A Design
Packing the classic 1073® into a 500 series module was no small feat! The 1073 class-A circuit design is faithfully maintained in the 1073LB.
Classic Gain Control
The classic 5dB stepped Elma switch delivers accurate gain staging throughout 1073’s high output gain range. This unique layout means there is no need for a mic/line switch; the pot itself selects the correct preamp and input.
Unique Gain Staging
Three different gain stages, provided by two independent transistor-based preamplifiers, provide gain for any line input or microphone signal.
High Output - Harmonic Saturation
The 1073LB combines multiple gain stages, meaning the 1073LB preamp can deliver up to 80dB of microphone gain; this brings out the musical drive and harmonic saturation that the 1073® is famous for.
Phase Invert
The 180-degree phase invert feature is handy in multi-microphone setups with multiple preamps, ideal for top and bottom snare micing.
Front and Rear Inputs
The 1073LB can be integrated into your studio via the rear inputs, patched, and ready to go with the front input ready to plug into to record quickly.
Lo-Z Impedance
With settings of 1.2kΩ and 300Ω, the 1073LB impedance can be optimised for use with a wide range of modern or vintage microphones.
1073LB
Everyone’s favourite preamp, with 500 series convenience
Designed and manufactured in England, the 1073LB uses the same architecture as the original 1073® preamplifier, conveniently packed into a single 500 series module. This compact design uses matched components and original hand-wound transformers to produce the world-famous 1073 sound.
Read More”These preamps help us get that warmth and harmonic drive that is missing from so many modern recordings.
Bryan VanderpoolThe Well Pennies
Read the independent reviews by clicking on the logo below
The 1073LB on Camera
More Information and Support
General Specification
- Classic transformer microphone preamp amp (Class A design)
- Exclusive Neve® Marinair® transformers used on input and output stages
- Both Mic and Line inputs are transformer balanced and earth free
- Gain knob with Signal Presence LED
- +5/-20dB level Trim control with integrated phantom power on/off switch
- Phase, Impedance and Front Input selector switches
- Front combi-XLR connector with intelligent switching of phantom power
- Audio Processing Insert design allows processing from adjacent 1073LBEQ and/or 2264ALB modules to be inserted into the 1073LB signal path (pre-output stage)
- Crafted in England by Neve® Engineers
- Compatible 500-series rack/enclosure with Power Supply and line-level input/output connectors required, not supplied.
Audio Performance
- Microphone Input: Gain -80db to -20dB in 5dB steps
- Line Input: Input impedance 4k ohms bridging, gain -20dB to +10dB in 5dB steps
- Output: Max Output +28dBu – Output Impedance 75Ω @ 1kHz
- Output is transformer balanced and earth free
- Distortion: Not more than 0.07% from 50Hz to 10kHz at +20dBu output
- (80kHz bandwidth)
- Freq Response: ±0.5dB 20Hz to 20kHz, -3dB at 40kHz
- EIN: Better than -125dBu @ 60dB gain
- Noise: -82dBu at all Line gain settings (22Hz to 22kHz bandwidth)
Dimensions
- Width: 38mm (1.5 inches)
- Height: 132mm (5.25 inches)
- Depth: 145mm (5.75 inches)
- Weight 1.1Kg (2.5 pounds)
How does the Neve 1073LB compare to the BAE73MPL?
The Neve 1073LB is a genuine 1073 preamp circuit comprising two discrete transistor-based preamp gain stages, and one output gain stage using custom Marinair specification input and output transformers. This true 1073 design performs to our exacting 1073 preamp specification, producing up to 80dB of mic gain and matching the performance of the classic 45-series 1073 module, albeit with the EQ circuit removed. The BAE 73MPL can only produce 70dB of gain, with significantly less headroom than the Neve 1073LB and uses only one transistor-based preamp gain stage to handle all gain positions. The BAE 73MPL uses a similar design to Neve 1272 modules, which were never intended to offer full range microphone preamplification.
Which 500 racks are compatible with the 1073LB?
The 1073LB follows the VPR alliance specification, while there are many types of 500 rack on the market, it is always good practice to check that the rack follows the VPR specification and is rated at 250mA per slot.
What are the optimal 1073LB settings to produce harmonic saturation?
The 1073LB uses two discrete preamplifier stages for its microphone preamp circuit. The first stage is active at settings less than 55db (9-o-clock position). After this point, the second stage is activated. Use the Gain switch to set a level above 55dB, then adjust the final output level with the trim pot to get an optimal recording level into your DAW.
How do I connect an instrument to the 1073LB?
The 1073LB does not have a built-in DI circuit; the front input will accept microphone or line-level signals. An external DI box must be connected between the 1073LB and the instrument to record instruments directly.
Any questions on the 1073LB?
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