What's the best Neve Clone?

[crypticglobe]

Originally posted by djui5
It's not a Ferrari if you pay $40,000 for it and build it in your garage from .PDF instructions....

Quite true. However, if you don't mind my using your analogy, you can get QUITE a vehicle for that $40,000, that will not only get you to required destinations reliably, but also turn some heads in the process

The main destination being great sounding records right? Think about it.......

At any rate.... the analogy is a bit flawed... last time I drove one of THESE.... it was DEFINITELY all Ferrari. Check out the price... and no assembly required! You still have $100 left over for a radar detector. The Manager of the Staples down the road from me actually drives one of these... it's yellow though... ugggh.

[Geoff_T]

Originally posted by isa215
Maybe we should have a 'rogues gallery' of badly-done Neve clones?

Hi

How's this for starters?

This is supposed to be a 1081, but is made from a fake 31105 motherboard, using fake 438's, cheap switches that have been drilled through with cheap pots mounted on a bracket on the edge of the motherboard.

Note the passive HP/LP filter where the 306's fitted.

Scary....

http://groups.msn.com/LifeinHollywoo...to&PhotoID=251

[Teacher]

Originally posted by Geoff_T
Hi

How's this for starters?

This is supposed to be a 1081, but is made from a fake 31105 motherboard, using fake 438's, cheap switches that have been drilled through with cheap pots mounted on a bracket on the edge of the motherboard.

Note the passive HP/LP filter where the 306's fitted.

Scary....

http://groups.msn.com/LifeinHollywoo...to&PhotoID=251

Those bastards!!! (note sarcasm)

because you could of showed me the inside of an ART Tube MP and told me it was a Neve and I would of believed you....shows you how much I know on the technical side of things

[not_so_new]

Quite true. However, if you don't mind my using your analogy, you can get QUITE a vehicle for that $40,000, that will not only get you to required destinations reliably, but also turn some heads in the process

Now that is a quote!! Yep I was going to post the same thing. For $40,000 I can have someone build me a car that will smoke a stock Porsche and look pretty good doing it.

Now if your goal is to show everyone that you have a Porsche then get a Porsche. If your goal is reliable transportation that does not turn any heads get a Volkswagen, not as fast as a Porsche but it will last. If your goal is to get a fast a** car that will make you happy and if you do not care to keep up with the Jones's then get a tricked out RX7, fast as a Porsche, more reliable and a whole lot less cash.

Sure the Porsche has the prestige (I am not doubting it's pedigree) but in the world where I think most of us live the RX7 would come pretty close to the happiness we are looking for, this is true for me at least.

YMMV

[De chromium cob]

Originally posted by not_so_new
the RX7 would come pretty close to the happiness we are looking for, this is true for me at least.

YMMV

Thats right- you probably would come pretty close, but its that last 3% of happiness that costs alot of money. Its true with everything.

[isa215]

happiness is FREE.
the key to being happy is making the best of what you have, surely?


Of course happiness was much better originally in the 1972 - this re-issued happiness is just not the same.

[bassmac]

Vintech is a lot closer to a Neve, than a RX7 is to a Porsche.

[Jorg]

I don't know too much about the different clone makes out there.
I'm just interested in a Mic Pre!

So which is the best as in:

- Sounds the closest to an original Neve
- is low in cost
- has been around and therefore gained some reputation


Furthermore, What about the Neve Portico Mic Pre?

[aussie_techie]

do a search, its been here a few times
why does it even matter, take a pre on its own merrits.

[Fletcher]

Have you ever heard a "real Neve"? Have you any idea of the difference in sound between a 1073 and a 1081? Have you ever heard a 1073 with a properly biased amplifier? Have you ever heard a 1081 that employed 640 op-amps instead of 440 op-amps?

Haven't you figured out that the "N word" has been entirely devalued as a description due to the myriad of differences between 25-30 year old modules?

Lemme give you a hint... there are no magic bullets... not even bullets that carry the 'lightning bolt N" on the front.

Here's a new thought you might want to try...









































Use your ears instead of buzz phrases.

[baikonour]

Lemme give you a hint... there are no magic bullets... not even bullets that carry the 'lightning bolt N" on the front.

Did JFK has been killed by Rupert Neve?

[84K]

Originally Posted by not_so_new

Now that is a quote!! Yep I was going to post the same thing. For $40,000 I can have someone build me a car that will smoke a stock Porsche and look pretty good doing it.

Now if your goal is to show everyone that you have a Porsche then get a Porsche. If your goal is reliable transportation that does not turn any heads get a Volkswagen, not as fast as a Porsche but it will last. If your goal is to get a fast a** car that will make you happy and if you do not care to keep up with the Jones's then get a tricked out RX7, fast as a Porsche, more reliable and a whole lot less cash.

Sure the Porsche has the prestige (I am not doubting it's pedigree) but in the world where I think most of us live the RX7 would come pretty close to the happiness we are looking for, this is true for me at least.

YMMV

Thereare some greqat kit cars, but a bad example... Kit cars do not carry warranty, there is usually no local shop that specializes in them, and they do not meet the same safety codes as you expensive examples.

Neves are great. There are some clones and some inspired-by's that are great too. I am glad that there are people making clones...

less R&D + no custom parts needed (Neve-esque transformers are stock), + cheaper prices = more people can afford to get something that sounds great. thumbsup

If you want the 'Exact to the classic' sound, name and look, you need Neve. Just keep in mind, there are many other things most are doing different these days in recording. Back when they made the classic sound, it was tape and all analog. So, if you are recording digital, then you are not getting the exact classic sound anyway. Tape is my favorite compressor. Neve + Tape =

[Jorg]

Ok, so far (by reading this thread)
the best Neve Mic-Pre Clones would be:

-Aurora
-Vintech

What about others? What else is out there that is known to be good?
What about WunderAudio.....???

[84K]

The Shep SN8s are my favorite.... I have not tried Tanner's tho... yet.

We have original 1073s and in many instances I prefer the SN8s. The SN8s we are using have the all-discrete revs.

[Kenny Gioia]

Originally Posted by Jorg

Ok, so far (by reading this thread)
the best Neve Mic-Pre Clones would be:

-Aurora
-Vintech

What about others? What else is out there that is known to be good?
What about WunderAudio.....???

Than read some other threads!!!!!!!

Neve this. Neve that. It's really hilarious.

Who cares how accurate it is? Does it really matter?

I say absolutely no.

Neve didn't even know that he got it right. That's why he kept on trying.

And IMHO he never really got it any better.

It just worked. And now it's a buzz word. Really very funny.

I really could care less if a pre is a bit brighter or darker than the original. That's why I collect them. They all have their merit.

That is as long as they sound as good as an old Neve.

You see, therein lies the difference. Those modules sound great.

And so do alot of others.

The need for them to same the same is really ludicrous.

And as anyone could tell you, it's alot harder to match a good mix (or pre) exactly, than it is to just make a better one.

YMMV

[Jorg]

Originally Posted by Produceher

That is as long as they sound as good as an old Neve.

YMMV

well, the reason why im asking is out of pure interest. I neither have the time to test 20 different units nor do I have the will. I am also not looking into buying one.

I see more and more of thes Neve-look-alikes , and I know that quiet a few guys here are pre-amp fetishists, so I was just wondering which of those clones is actually of quality and which is rubbish! So next time I see one, I know a bit about it....

[Marjan]

Originally Posted by Jorg

Well, the reason why im asking is out of pure interest. I neither have the time to test 20 different units nor do I have the will. I am also not looking into buying one.

I see more and more of these Neve-look-alikes , and I know that quite a few guys here are pre-amp fetishists, so I was just wondering which of those clones is actually of quality and which is rubbish! So next time I see one, I know a bit about it....

Beware then... that's the first step...

[Jorg]

Originally Posted by Marjan

Beware then... that's the first step...

Hahaha. Probably is...

[travista00]

Brent Averill clones are really good. you'll find them in a lot of major studios around l.a. being used interchangeably with neves....

[warhead]

Originally Posted by baikonour

Did JFK has been killed by Rupert Neve?

Hey, he is in Texas now...maybe he's building Porticos in that old book depository!

War

[warhead]

On a serious note, I'd like to see Jules ban the word "Neve" and see how many threads die without the word...or never get started.

Of course everyone would be saying Ne\/e or some shit.

War

[Mike Caffrey]

One thing I find surprising is that there hasn't been a backlash against Neve. Not that they're not great, I'd never give up mine, but having an alternative liek the Chandler EMI gear is so refreshing.

What we really need now is a bunch of Helios clones or "inspired" pres/EQs.

[mr.gefell]

the best neve clone is rupert neve jnr.

[84K]

Originally Posted by Mike Caffrey

What we really need now is a bunch of Helios clones or "inspired" pres/EQs.

There are Helios clones/remakes.... Sold exclusively thru Vintage King. I know Roundbadge has/had a few minty ones for sale... if they are still around??? RB???

[Alexi]

Originally Posted by Jorg

Ok, so far (by reading this thread)
the best Neve Mic-Pre Clones would be:

-Aurora
-Vintech

What about others? What else is out there that is known to be good?
What about WunderAudio.....???

- Brent Averill (my favourite, cause it looks so dang nice )

[Sqye]

Michael Wagener was speaking highly of the 7th Circle guys at he GS party in NY, I know he's got quite a few pres (He seems to like Chandler and Great River pres, as well). He said the guys at 7th Circle are really good at what they they do - if you're not a DIY-er. They're pretty affordable, as well.

But I think the 7th Circle units might be worth at least a listen - Michael gets great sounds on his recordings.

So, if you check them out - give us a post, and let us know what you think

[not_so_new]

Originally Posted by Sqye

Michael Wagener was speaking highly of the 7th Circle guys at he GS party in NY, I know he's got quite a few pres (He seems to like Chandler and Great River pres, as well). He said the guys at 7th Circle are really good at what they they do - if you're not a DIY-er. They're pretty affordable, as well.

But I think the 7th Circle units might be worth at least a listen - Michael gets great sounds on his recordings.

So, if you check them out - give us a post, and let us know what you think

More than just Michael likes there stuff that is for sure. Plenty of people around here really like the SCA stuff, actually Geoff T has said the SCA design is the most accurate of the clones.

I have 7 of the A12's and I can't say enough good things about them, I can't imagine after all I have heard and my own experience with the A12's that the N72's would not be stellar. If I were looking at a Neve clone this is where I would look.