Tell Me About Neve 33115

[Geoff_T]

Originally Posted by EBGB

I am interested in this module

I know it is a class AB broadcast module found in the Neve Melbourn console

I've read it can be discrete or ICs

I know it has fixed high-freq on the EQ-- Is it at 10k or 12k?

Is the pre similar or the same as a 1081?

What is a good price on 1 or 2?

Most importantly how does it sound?
Compared to the (class A) 10 series?

I hope Geoff T pops up (thank you)

Hi

"Sounds like" is a very subjective path to walk along... even if the mic pre stage bears a close relationship to a 1081, the output stages differ with the 1081 having a house brick sized LO2567 transformer while the 33115 will have the skinny TO129 with the tertiary feedback. How close will they sound? Who knows? They are both nice sounding pres!

The 1081 has a class AB output stage so neither it nor the 33115 will sound close to a 1066/73/84 so it's really better to say that they are nice sounding pres rather than try to compare them with another unit.

I wouldn't worry in the slightest about discrete versus IC as I suspect that, with modules in identical condition, you would not be able to tell the difference and the IC versions have advantages over the discrete if one ignores the hype, urban legends, and audiophile snobbery.

I'm typing this at home so am not near my files to confirm the HF figure. A more important issue is how the module is terminated because I've seen plenty of these modules that are not terminated correctly and the users formed their opinion of the sound based on that.... rather than how they sounded at the Neve factory.

A 600 ohm termination is essential!

[Geoff_T]

HF = 10KHz

[PhilE]

Different from the fatter Neve modules in my book but I wouldnt like to describe how- but I love em... there will be 24 of them in a sidecar console (5315) in my new room when it happens!

[glouvis@mac.com]

I own two of these in a single rack mount. I used them to record Deborah Cox on her first album. (The songs recorded at Stardust Recording Studio). We recorded her vocal through a U87 through the Neve module onto a Saturn 624. My main console at the time was a Trident and I still love Trident consoles but we found with certain singers using the Neve's was just a better combination.

I'm torn right now, because I'm considering selling the Neves to buy the Trident S80 so that I can have Trident pre-amps that I can take on the road to record a vocal remotely. Not really sure what to do but I hope this was helpful to you.

George

[RedWallStudio]

Originally Posted by PhilE

Different from the fatter Neve modules in my book but I wouldnt like to describe how- but I love em... there will be 24 of them in a sidecar console (5315) in my new room when it happens!

+1 here. I have the exact same configuration, a 5315 with 24 modules. It sounds fantastic and I absolutely love it. You would think the fixed 10k adjustment is limited at first, but it is just a simple but totally usable EQ.thumbsup

[EBGB]

Thanks guys

I have one 33115 for a few months now in a Vintage King rack

I've been enjoying it-- kind of a pillowy sound

Worked great for elec guitar

I want to try it more with vocals

[colinmiller]

how about the 33114? Is it much different?

[drundall]

Originally Posted by Geoff_T

HF = 10KHz

Wow, this whole time I thought it was 12.

Sounds great though,even if I didn't figure that out for 11 years.

[drundall]

Originally Posted by EBGB

Thanks guys

I have one 33115 for a few months now in a Vintage King rack

I've been enjoying it-- kind of a pillowy sound

Worked great for elec guitar

I want to try it more with vocals

Yeah, these modules sounded "pillowy" especially on the kick til we got em recapped. Now they sound fantastic.

[EBGB]

I meant pillowy in a good way

My module was completely gone over by Vintage King before I got it

[TonyBelmont]

Originally Posted by glouvis@mac.com

I own two of these in a single rack mount. I used them to record Deborah Cox on her first album. (The songs recorded at Stardust Recording Studio). We recorded her vocal through a U87 through the Neve module onto a Saturn 624. My main console at the time was a Trident and I still love Trident consoles but we found with certain singers using the Neve's was just a better combination.

I'm torn right now, because I'm considering selling the Neves to buy the Trident S80 so that I can have Trident pre-amps that I can take on the road to record a vocal remotely. Not really sure what to do but I hope this was helpful to you.

George

Call me if you want to sell/ trade the 33115's. I have a client who needs extra modules for his console...

[peat]

ive been using a pair of these for a few years now

interesting about needing a 600 ohm termination,
their outputs are attached to the patchbay.

usually use a compressor everytime after them (1178) to more finely adjust the gain, as the gain is in 5dB steps on the 33115

love the sound, totally agree with pillowy.
i usually use them for kick and snare, enjoy that alot.
vocals are also fantastic

i find the eq very useable, and usually end up boosting on all three bands because it sounds so great.

have also used the line input to put the eq's on the stereo bus from time to time, was very impressed.

[wavewalker]

Originally Posted by Geoff_T

HF = 10KHz

hello , i got a pair of neve 33115 modules
and they ask me a "wife".... like
psu
and a "custom" DI input , for put gtr & bass signal direct to the module
and add or not eq ,
do you have any info can help me ?
thanks in advance
wavewalker

[Geoff_T]

Originally Posted by wavewalker

hello , i got a pair of neve 33115 modules
and they ask me a "wife".... like
psu
and a "custom" DI input , for put gtr & bass signal direct to the module
and add or not eq ,
do you have any info can help me ?
thanks in advance
wavewalker

Hi

I don't understand the wife bit... these are inanimate modules.

I don't dabble with Neve stuff these days... just post the occassional piece of info or advice.

The 33115 was never intended to have a DI and fitting one involves butchering the motherboard because the rear connector and circuitry are all on a common motherboard.

You may find folk that do it, but it's usually a relatively low impedance, a mismatch with the transformer, and knocks $$$$$'s off the value of the module because of the butchering.

[Marcocet]

Originally Posted by Geoff_T

I wouldn't worry in the slightest about discrete versus IC as I suspect that, with modules in identical condition, you would not be able to tell the difference and the IC versions have advantages over the discrete if one ignores the hype, urban legends, and audiophile snobbery.

We have a 5316 broadcast desk at Studio G filled with 33114's and 33115's and I couldn't agree with that statement more. (And thanks as always for chiming in Geoff) At first we were all in a huff to make sure ever channel had discreet boards, however after using a desk for a while and having to swap in some ICs based boards to keep it running I haven't noticed any difference. Mind you, I mean that I haven't noticed any more difference than I do between any other two channels. It is an old board.

They're amazing pres and amazing eqs and haven't hit that magical spot where they're way overvalued yet in my opinion. Well worth looking in to. And you should ask Wade Goeke about them, seeing how he based his new Little Devil EQ on them.

[RoundBadge]

Originally Posted by Marcocet

We have a 5316 broadcast desk at Studio G filled with 33114's and 33115's and I couldn't agree with that statement more. (And thanks as always for chiming in Geoff) At first we were all in a huff to make sure ever channel had discreet boards, however after using a desk for a while and having to swap in some ICs based boards to keep it running I haven't noticed any difference. Mind you, I mean that I haven't noticed any more difference than I do between any other two channels. It is an old board.

Funny Mark we must live in parallel east/west gear universes!
I'm using a 1608 and 5315

love them little 33114/5's
getting some Little devil eq's in to compare shortly.
got the comp today.cool.

[Marcocet]

Awesome. I've been dreaming about them. Let me know what you think!

[1radicalron]

I have owned a racked pair of Neve 33115 for a few years. They are awesome Pre's, and them EQ's are not to shabby either!
Some of the Best Electric Guitar tones come from these pre's.
I imagine these continue to go way up in value!

[RoundBadge]

Originally Posted by Marcocet

Awesome. I've been dreaming about them. Let me know what you think!

you got it.
imagine 8 of those puppies in the 1608 expander .

[Geoff_T]

Hi

Funny thing is the number of posts I have seen saying, to effect... "Pah! Those are broadcast modules... sound like sh*t", etc.

Typical of some of the jaundiced posts you occasionally see here because such and such a module isn't a 1073...

[RoundBadge]

Originally Posted by Geoff_T

Hi

Funny thing is the number of posts I have seen saying, to effect... "Pah! Those are broadcast modules... sound like sh*t", etc.

Typical of some of the jaundiced posts you occasionally see here because such and such a module isn't a 1073...

Good.that'll keep em semi affordable for a while longer

[colinmiller]

Originally Posted by Geoff_T

Hi

Funny thing is the number of posts I have seen saying, to effect... "Pah! Those are broadcast modules... sound like sh*t", etc.

Typical of some of the jaundiced posts you occasionally see here because such and such a module isn't a 1073...

That's because they don't have some big engineer making huge hits touting them. That's what makes something sound good or not it seems. I actually know of one of the biggest engineers using these modules for everything, but I'd rather not say because the last thing anyone needs is for them to become popular and drive the prices up.

[Isle of Weight]

Originally Posted by RoundBadge

Funny Mark we must live in parallel east/west gear universes!
I'm using a 1608 and 5315

love them little 33114/5's
getting some Little devil eq's in to compare shortly.
got the comp today.cool.

so what do you think, how did they compare?

AA

[RoundBadge]

Originally Posted by Isle of Weight

so what do you think, how did they compare?

AA

Sorry bro not yet.
later next week

[lowswing]

there are 29 33114 (=33115 with more eq points and lp filter) pe/eqs in my 5316 Neve console and I really love the sound of them, I used to have a huge collection of pres before I got this desk and I sold almost all of them since then...

[Isle of Weight]

Originally Posted by RoundBadge

Sorry bro not yet.
later next week

thanks

AA

[xlon]

I work on a desk full of 33115's every day and I love them.
For some types of signals I like it better than the 1081's
I also work a lot on. The pre's are punchier and faster, without
ever being harsh. The eq has kind of the same feel to it.
My "emotional" descritption of comparison would be that the
1081's have more headroom in bottom end and lower mid but
the 33115 has more presence and top range energy.
Since this thread is of ages i suppose your not still looking
and sadly the world nowadays understand how good these
modules are so they will put severe hurt on your moneybag
should you come across any for sale.


QUOTE=EBGB;1762196]I am interested in this module

I know it is a class AB broadcast module found in the Neve Melbourn console

I've read it can be discrete or ICs

I know it has fixed high-freq on the EQ-- Is it at 10k or 12k?

Is the pre similar or the same as a 1081?

What is a good price on 1 or 2?

Most importantly how does it sound?
Compared to the (class A) 10 series?

I hope Geoff T pops up (thank you)[/QUOTE]

[PicoFarad]

Question for Geoff,

I recently purchased a pair of the 33115 modules, they're on they're way in the mail, I have already built a 24v supply, and was wondering about the termination, are the 600 ohm resistors your talking about terminated from pin 2 & 3 to ground of the output? I really want to make sure I set these guys up properly when I get them going. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Sorry for hijacking this thread, I just noticed there was some discussion about the termination for those modules.

[Geoff_T]

Originally Posted by PicoFarad

Question for Geoff,

I recently purchased a pair of the 33115 modules, they're on they're way in the mail, I have already built a 24v supply, and was wondering about the termination, are the 600 ohm resistors your talking about terminated from pin 2 & 3 to ground of the output? I really want to make sure I set these guys up properly when I get them going. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Sorry for hijacking this thread, I just noticed there was some discussion about the termination for those modules.

Hi

It goes across pin 2 and 3... you could try a 1200 ohm that should also do the trick.