Whether Rupert Neve in his heyday ever thought that his products would one day become the most copied audio building blocks of all time? Without a doubt, the now 94-year-old electrical engineer is one of THE big names, perhaps even the biggest name in all of music electronics, whose classics have been heard for decades on just about every production that has made a lasting impression musically and commercially. The Heritage Audio HA-81A Elite Channelstrip, available for review from Spanish manufacturer Heritage Audio, also makes no secret of the fact that it is a mix copy of the 1073 (preamp) and 1081 (EQ) modules from AMS Neve. Let's see if the significantly cheaper product can live up to the expectations.
The construction of the Heritage Audio HA-81A Elite
"What looks good, sounds good". If this gladly once shot from the hip, not quite seriously increasing assertion were true, the developers of the Heritage Audio HA-81A Elite could lean back relaxed. The product leaves a very good first impression in its solid sheet steel design, which is also supported haptically by a weight of just under 3 kg. The case itself is easily accessible, to take a look inside the case, the upper panel can be removed very easily with 6 screws.
Should you have doubted the principle of the copy, a look at the front layout will immediately prove you wrong. The optical combination of the red 12-position gain control, the gray-silver / blue-silver double potentiometers, the white push buttons and the whole thing on a medium gray background could also be printed 1:1 in the current AMS Neve catalog without anyone noticing it at first glance.
The inner knobs of the five double potentiometers run pleasantly smoothly, while the outer detent rings have a bit of play due to their design, but this is of no consequence. Interesting is the elegant layout, with which the five double axes accommodate a total of 2 bandpass, 2 shelving (or peak) and one each lowpass and highpass on the front. A total of 11 pushbuttons regulate the further actions, whereby only the power switch and the optionally switchable phantom power call a control LED their own. However, since the white pushbuttons have a very deep control travel, you can see the status very well without an LED.
In principle, the Heritage Audio HA-81A Elite can process all signals, be it microphone, line or unbalanced instrument signals. For this purpose, there is an XLR jack for the microphone section, as well as an XLR jack for line signals and a jack socket on the front of the case, with the jack input bypassing the microphone jack. However, why the line input was not at least designed as a combo jack for the purpose of accepting TRS plugs, which are very often used in line mode, is not really clear to me.
For further signal processing, four push buttons offer some options. On the one hand there is a PAD switch, which reduces the signal by 20 dB, Furthermore one has the choice of the input impedance of the microphone input between 1200 and 300 ohms, which as is well known influences the sound of a microphone crucially. Of course still phantom power and a selector switch for the inputs. A special feature is the gain switch, which boosts the signal in 5 dB steps from 30 dB up to 80 dB, offering an OFF position between 50 and 55 dB, where the preamp is switched off.
The concept of the 4-band equalizer on the Heritage Audio HA-81A Elite is interesting. The two cutoff bands are shelving character and have a frequency response of 3.3 - 15 kHz, and 33 - 330 Hz, respectively. However, both can also be switched to bandpass characteristics via a push switch. The two inner bands ( 220 - 1200 Hz and 1.5 - 8.2 kHz), on the other hand, can be switched to a higher Q-factor with a push switch. Finally, there is a high-pass / low-pass variation at the double potentiometer on the far right, where the high-pass filter allows a five-step cut between 27 and 270 Hz, while the low-pass filter moves between 3.9 and 15 kHz. In the center position the filters are deactivated.
The final output control now allows you to lower the processed signal once again, which turns out to be very useful, especially if you want to drive the preamp slightly into saturation. Finally, three pushbuttons allow you to completely remove the EQ from the signal path, rotate the phase and turn the unit off completely.
When you open the case, the first thing you notice are the two stately Carnhill transformers at the input and output of the device. They have a very good reputation and are also used in other devices of the Heritage Audio Elite series. The whole construction is very neat and does not reveal any weak points.
Even though I understand the reason, an external power supply on a product of this quality level will be an eternal minus point on my scale. Proper cabling in the studio complex is simply not possible with it, as the rectangular blocks always have to be placed somewhere and are both haptically and visually disturbing.
The handling
Those who have some experience with Neve products will find their way around the front panel comparatively quickly. After a little training time, the knobs and switches are almost self-explanatory, although the channelstrip-based structure of the EQ may cause some confusion. As with the original Neve, the highest band is on the left, which is due to the fact that the channel strip was borrowed from a console where the treble control is almost always on top. The neutral position at 6 o'clock can also cause some confusion at first, but is probably also due to the rotation of the product after removal from the console. Well, a little exotic status never hurt anyone.
The Heritage Audio HA-81A Elite In Practice
It is well known that the more a product does not stand out due to a mostly unpleasant peculiarity, the harder it is to describe it in terms of sound. This fact is additionally intensified when the product generally exerts a coloring effect on the adjacent material, which, however, can usually be captured by endeavoring flowery descriptions of the class "musical" or "warm". The sometimes esoteric descriptions always have something straining for me, the more I am also constantly on the lookout for the appropriate adjectives, without resorting to the standards.
Almost always, when a Neve product or a corresponding clone hangs in the signal chain, the signal at hand is given a very unique coloring, which mostly flatters the human ear. This is also true of the Heritage Audio HA-81A Elite, even with all EQ's removed from the signal path. It is precisely for this effect that people love these products and use them specifically for signals that are not to be processed by means of precision analysis, but have a comparatively high human element in their sound production, such as stringed instruments, wind instruments and, above all, vocals, of course.
The entire approach of the product, be it the gain rastering or else the EQ application shines with great practicality and facilitates a sensible application across the entire frequency spectrum. With a neutral management, the preamp always sounds soft and discreetly flattering, but also offers the possibility to add a discreet saturation to the signal by means of a "hot" control up to a powerful overdrive. This can be used as an interesting sound shaping especially for signals with strong impulses.
In general, there is hardly a signal that the Heritage Audio HA-81A Elite can't handle. With a preamp gain of up to 80 dB, there should hardly be a signal that the preamp can't catch up with, be it a typical ribbon microphone or the infamous piezo pickups without a preamp. However, a fixed component always remains the basic sound of the product, those who prefer a neutral sound shaping will possibly frown occasionally.
Conclusion
With the Heritage Audio HA-81A Elite, the Spanish company has a channel strip of the sonic extra class in its portfolio. As a purebred Neve clone of the two products 1073 and 1081, it also takes over the sonic advantages of the originals at a significantly lower price. With its pre-amplification of up to 80 dB, the European-made product provides an excellent basis even for difficult signal carriers, while maintaining the legendary Neve sound in all applied signals across the entire bandwidth.
Sonically outstanding and highly recommended!
Additional informations:
- Heritage Audio is a renowned manufacturer of high-end audio equipment based in Madrid, Spain. The company was founded in 2011 by Peter Rodriguez, an experienced sound engineer with a passion for vintage analog equipment. Today, Heritage Audio is known for its faithful recreations of classic audio gear from the 1960s and 1970s, as well as its innovative designs that incorporate the best of vintage and modern technologies.
One of Heritage Audio's primary goals is to provide professional audio engineers and musicians with access to the same high-quality sound that was once only available in expensive vintage equipment. To achieve this goal, the company has developed a range of products that are handcrafted in Spain using the finest components and materials. Each piece of equipment is designed to be rugged, reliable, and easy to use, with a sound that is warm, musical, and full of character.
Heritage Audio's product range includes preamplifiers, equalizers, compressors, mixers, and other signal processing tools. Some of the company's most popular products include the 1073/500 preamp, which is based on the classic Neve 1073 design, the DMA-73 dual preamp, which adds modern features like high-pass filters and direct inputs to the classic 1073 circuit, and the 2264JR compressor, which is based on the legendary Urei 2264 compressor.
In addition to its faithful recreations of classic equipment, Heritage Audio has also developed several innovative products that incorporate modern technologies. For example, the RAM System 5000 is a modular mixing and recording system that combines the best of analog and digital technologies. The system features a range of modules that can be combined to create a custom mixing and recording setup, with built-in digital signal processing and automation.
Heritage Audio's commitment to quality and innovation has earned it a reputation as one of the world's leading manufacturers of professional audio equipment. The company's products are used by top recording studios, producers, and musicians around the world, and have been praised for their exceptional sound quality, reliability, and ease of use.
Overall, Heritage Audio is a company that is deeply committed to preserving the legacy of vintage audio equipment while also pushing the boundaries of modern technology. Its products are a testament to the company's dedication to quality, craftsmanship, and innovation, and are highly recommended for anyone looking for the best in professional audio equipment.
- Rupert Neve was a renowned British audio engineer and inventor, best known for his innovative designs of analog audio equipment. He was born on July 31, 1926, in Newton Abbot, Devon, England, and passed away on February 12, 2021, in Wimberley, Texas, United States, at the age of 94.
Early Life and Career:
Neve developed an interest in electronics at an early age and built his first radio at the age of 13. He later studied physics and mathematics at the University of Leeds but left before completing his degree to work for a company that manufactured military radios. In 1960, he founded his own company, Rupert Neve Designs (RND), which quickly gained a reputation for producing high-quality audio equipment.
Innovative Designs:
Neve is best known for his innovative designs of mixing consoles and microphone preamplifiers. He was the first to incorporate solid-state electronics into audio equipment, which was a major breakthrough at the time. His designs were renowned for their warmth, clarity, and musicality, and they were used by many of the world's top recording studios and artists.
Neve's most famous design was the Neve 1073 microphone preamplifier/EQ module, which was introduced in the early 1970s. The 1073 quickly became the industry standard for recording vocals, drums, and guitars, and it is still highly sought after today. Neve also designed the Neve 8048 console, which was used by many famous recording artists, including Fleetwood Mac, Pink Floyd, and David Bowie.
Legacy:
Neve's designs have had a lasting impact on the music industry, and his equipment is still highly regarded today. His contributions to the development of analog audio equipment have earned him numerous awards, including a Technical Grammy Award in 1997.
Neve's legacy lives on through his company, Rupert Neve Designs, which continues to produce high-quality audio equipment based on his original designs. In addition, his son, Josh, has continued in his father's footsteps and is also a respected audio engineer and inventor.
Conclusion:
In summary, Rupert Neve was a true pioneer in the field of audio engineering. His innovative designs of mixing consoles and microphone preamplifiers revolutionized the industry and set a new standard for audio quality. His contributions to the development of analog audio equipment have had a lasting impact on the music industry, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of audio engineers and inventors.
Keine Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen