Neve 1081 EQ
INTRODUCTION
4-Band EQ & High & Low Cut Filters From Prized Neve 8048 Console
First produced in 1972 by Neve, the 1081 channel module was found in consoles such as the 8048. In fact, vintage 8048 consoles, with 1081 modules, are still in wide use today at classic facilities such as The Village in Los Angeles, and have been chosen by artists ranging from The Rolling Stones to The Red Hot Chili Peppers.
KEY FEATURES
The 1081 features two parametric midrange bands, with “Hi-Q” selections for tighter boosts or cuts. Both the high and low shelf filters have selectable frequencies and may be switched to bell filters. Other features include a -20 to +10 dB input gain control, phase reverse, and EQ bypass.
HARMONIC ANALYSIS
The UAD Neve 1081 does not generate any harmonic components. Thus, if you pass a 100 Hz sine wave through the plug-in you will receive a 100 Hz sine wave at the output.
SATURATION CHARACTERISTICS
For this test I ran drum and synth loops through the 1081. I have compensated for level so that the loops peaks at -1 dBFS for maximum resolution of the waveform in Pro-L.
Dry Drums
Drum Look 1081 at Unity
Drum Loop 1081 at +10 dB Input
Dry Synth Loop
Synth Loop 1081 at Unity
Synth Loop 1081 at +10 dB Input
Similar to the 31102, the 1081 has soft and round saturation characteristics but certainly not as smooth as the 31102. The 1081 sounds brighter and more dynamic than its counterpart.
Like the 31102, the saturation behaviour of the UAD 1081 is arguably not level dependant, there are tiny differences in the waveforms between the ‘Unity’ and ‘+10 dB Input’ waveforms.
AUDIO EXAMPLES
Drum Drum Loop
1081 Drums Dry.aif (1.3 MB)
Drums 1081 at Unity
1081 Drums.aif (1.3 MB)
Drums 1081 at +10 dB Input
1081 Drums 10 dB Input.aif (1.3 MB)
Dry Synth Loop
1081 Synth Dry.aif (1.3 MB)
Synth 1081 at Unity
1081 Synth.aif (1.3 MB)
Synth 1081 at +10 dB Input
1081 Synth 10 dB Input.aif (1.3 MB)
FREQUENCY AND PHASE RESPONSE
Lets take a look at the 1081’s frequency and phase response.
Since the 1081 does not saturate differently at varying settings, I am only looking for the frequency and phase response of the plug-in at unity.
Spectrum Colours
Yellow - noise generated by the plug-in analysis software to analyse the plug-in
White - frequency response of the plug-in
Red - phase shift of the plug-in
1081 at Unity
