For AMS Neve, the new 8424 is another classic design from the brand. Designed to be straightforward and accessible to all, this versatile and powerful desk provides a centralized platform for studio connectivity and creates an ergonomic link between the linear analog processing world of outboard gear, analog synths and instruments, to the digital world of DAW workflow, software plugins and session recall.
Capitalizing on Neve's sixty years of technical heritage and highly revered analog circuit design, the British-designed 8424 fits perfectly into many different applications. For a music producer or an artist with its 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 that's needed to record, mix, monitor and master music quickly, marrying the revered sonic qualities of an AMS Neve with the speed and flexibility required for today’s connected workflows.
The 8424’s dual-input channel strip allows for seamless switching between recording and mixing inputs without additional patching. For recording operations, simple input connectivity via 24 line-level inputs, dual 1073 preamps, and dual Instrument DI channels, make the 8424 perfect for artists to effortlessly connect and record their instruments. Also, 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.
And the 8424 offers the ultimate analog 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. Users can take advantage of the 8424’s mono and stereo aux busses to connect to their favorite 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 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.
Each Channel, Group and Stereo Mix bus has its own switchable insert point, giving a level of connectivity to analog outboard units only found on large-format consoles. Dual on-board 500 series slots allow engineers to customize their signal chain and build a modular hybrid recording system, all connected and centralized through the 8424 console.
The 8424 also has an on-board Recall system, which further integrates the console into the modern hybrid studio workflow. This unique feature enables this pure analog console to save, load, and recall all settings, faders and pot positions for on a session by session basis. This allows users to take advantage of all analog features without the added worry of losing console settings and wasting valuable studio time.
“Modern small studio hybrid setups often lack analog 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. This eliminates the typical collection of awkwardly interfaced devices and puts a proper Neve console back in the heart of the studio.”
The new AMS Neve 8424 console is now shipping and sells for $24,950.
www.ams-neve.com
