Following the success of the hugely popular Genesys Black console, British manufacturer AMS Neve has unveiled another classic in the shape of the Neve® 8424 – A small format console with a large format sound based on the iconic 80-series console range.
The 8424 console is designed to fit the needs of the modern hybrid studio where the speed of in-the-box workflow is enhanced with the ultimate sound quality of analogue outboard gear. Designed to be straightforward and accessible to all, this versatile and powerful desk provides a centralised platform with unparalleled connectivity, facilitating an ergonomic link between the linear analogue processing world of outboard gear, analogue synths and instruments, to the digital world of DAW workflow, software plugins and session recall.
Capitalising on Neve’s sixty years of technical heritage and highly revered analogue circuit design, the British-designed 8424 fits perfectly into many different applications. Whether you’re a music producer or an artist with your own project studio, the owner of a small professional recording studio or the person in charge of an educational facility, this compact, budget-conscious desk delivers everything you need to record, mix, monitor and master music quickly, marrying Neve’s revered sonic excellence with the speed and flexibility required for today’s connected workflows.
Recording: The 8424’s dual-input channel strip allows for seamless switching between recording and mixing inputs without additional patching. Simple input connectivity via 24 line-level inputs, dual 1073® preamps, and dual Instrument DI channels makes the 8424 the perfect console for artists to effortlessly connect and record their instruments, and performers can record directly from the control room, taking advantage of the 8424’s dual cue mix system with talkback/return talkback capability and dual headphone amplifiers.
Mixing: The 8424 offers the ultimate analogue mixing platform with 24 DAW returns across 24 channel faders or, for larger DAW sessions, a 48-Mix mode that allows a total of 48 mono inputs with individual level and pan controls to be mixed through the 8424’s Marinair® transformer-coupled stereo mix bus. Engineers can take advantage of the 8424’s mono and stereo aux busses to connect to their favourite outboard FX units and route them back into the console’s two dedicated stereo reverb returns. Four mono groups with 2-band shelving EQ, Inserts, and Direct Outs make this console ideal for stem mixing. The 8424 stereo mix bus gives true voltage mixing into Marinair® transformers, as found in the legendary Neve 80-series consoles, while additional features such as Stereo Insert, 2-band shelving EQ and Neve’s proprietary Stereo Width control give engineers, artists and producers all of the tools they need to create polished, professional recordings.
Connecting: Each Channel, Group and Stereo Mix bus has its own switchable insert point, giving a level of connectivity to analogue outboard units only found on large-format consoles. Dual on-board 500 series slots allow engineers to customise their signal chain and build a modular hybrid recording system, all connected and centralized through the 8424 console.
The 8424 has an on-board Recall system, which further integrates the console into the modern hybrid studio workflow. This unique feature enables this pure analogue console to save, load, and recall all settings, faders and pot positions for on a session by session basis. With this unrestricted workflow, engineers can take advantage of all analogue features without the added worry of losing console settings and wasting valuable studio time.
“Modern small studio hybrid setups often lack analogue metering, signal routing, talkback and accurate control room monitoring options, key features that only large format studio consoles deliver,” says David Walton, AMS Neve Distribution Manager. “Our engineers wanted to put these features back into the heart of the 8424 console, giving artists, producers and engineers the professional tools required to work faster, smarter and more effectively.”
Walton adds that by providing a central hub that brings various pieces of audio equipment together, combined with a high-channel analogue summing count, the 8424 console assists the modern studio workflow, giving users the capability of working on large sessions with an easy transition from working In the Box. “In any configuration, the 8424 console offers an excellent studio control surface with comprehensive monitoring and signal routing capabilities. This eliminates the typical collection of awkwardly interfaced devices and puts a proper Neve console back in the heart of the studio.”
Classic, but with a modern twist, the 8424’s name alone references so much that is iconic about the Neve brand, delivering Neve 80 series voltage mixing sound (thanks to the Marinair® Transformers), plus four mono groups and, of course, 24 channel faders.
The 8424 – Connected, Compact, Creative
Key Features of the 8424 Console include:
• Two Inputs Per Channel – Seamlessly switch from Mix to Record Inputs
• Third channel strip Input for dual-layer use
• Marinair® Transformers on Mix, AFL, CUE bus for true Neve voltage mixing
• 80 – series Neve® sound in a compact frame
• Large format console Centre Section – Multiple speaker sets, dual Cue system and three-way talkback system
• Internal Snapshot system to Save/Load/Recall all console settings across multiple sessions
• 500 series slots for internal expansion options
• 1073® preamps and DI inputs with Smart Routing for recording in the live or Control room
• In-Line Console capability
• Mix up to 48 Mono Signals at once
• 25-way D-Type and Balanced Jack Inputs on rear and on front for a combination of simple and professional I/O Connection
• The 8424 is designed to connect to and utilize all of your instruments and outboard equipment, becoming the centrepiece of your studio
The Neve® 8424 console is now shipping. The price of the 8424 is £17,950 / $24,950. For more information, please visit: www.ams-neve.com
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About AMS Neve
AMS Neve engineers have pioneered the greatest proportion of the ground-breaking techniques in the professional audio industry. Just a few examples of “world firsts” are moving fader automation, hard disk editing, digital console technology, digital audio for film, microprocessor-controlled effects units and standards such as MADI. The most discerning artists, producers and facility owners regard AMS Neve products as number one for desirability on their equipment list and have done so for the past fifty years. Recognised by all the premier bodies in the various fields of music, TV and film, the products and their designers have been honoured by two Scientific and Engineering Academy® Awards, an Emmy™ and a Grammy™ amongst many others. All AMS Neve products are designed and built in-house at the company’s Headquarters in Burnley, England. For more information please visit: http://www.ams-neve.com
