A new company, Neve Manufacturing Australia, have recently announced a high-end analogue mixer, called the Custom Series 75. This classy-looking in-line console, designed in association with SAE (the School of Audio Engineering) and described by its makers as being “powered by Neve”, is based on classic Neve designs from the ‘70s. The input and output modules, for example, are derived from the 1081 and 1272, respectively, while it can optionally be shipped with compressors based on the 2245 (another Neve design). It will ship in frame sizes from 16 channels up to a whopping 64 channels, and is due to be available early next year.
Though Neve Manufacturing Australia were faithful to the original circuit designs up to a point, they do say that where reliability could be improved and manufacturing costs kept down, without compromising sound quality, some small changes were made, and these account for the console’s relatively low price: a basic 16-channel model is set to sell for under $40,000 — which obviously isn’t pocket money, but if you take into account the price of a single Neve 1081 (nearly $4500 in the States), and the fact that you get 16 of them, plus the comprehensive routing and summing that the Custom Series 75 provides, it starts to look rather reasonable!
A host of cost options are also available: as mentioned earlier, the console can be fitted with two patchable 2245 compressors, a fader automation system, and scene recall, while the wooden end-cheeks and leather arm rest can also be customised.
Unfortunately, there are just too many things to say here about the actual design of the desk (such as the choice of current and voltage summing buses, the use of microprocessors to allow automated testing, the dual output-circuit topologies, and so on), but those with an interest in the matter won’t be disappointed: our Technical Editor Hugh Robjohns attended a sneak preview of the console in Berlin earlier this month, and we’ll be publishing an in-depth report, complete with close-up pictures of the master section, channel modules, and even their circuit boards, in the December issue of SOS.
