AMS Neve 8801 Channel Strip (Ex Demo)
The 8801 Channel Strip is like having a complete channel from the legendary Neve 88R console—widely considered among the best-sounding analogue music consoles ever developed. Contained in a single rackmount unit, the 8801 combines a classic Neve mic preamplifier and equalisation circuitry with an incredible 88R-style dynamics processor.
Completely hand-built and hand-wired by Neve in Burnley, England, this ground breaking Channel Strip delivers a front-end with all the quality and versatility that has become synonymous with the Neve name. The 8801’s signal path consists of our extremely high-quality Neve mic preamp, high and low pass filters, four bands of highly musical equalisation, a compressor, gate, dynamics side chain and an insert point. The order of the signal path can be easily modified as the producer requires. The filter section and/or the equalisation section can even be routed to the dynamics side chain to tailor the dynamics response of any input signal. An optional Neve-designed analogue-to-digital converter accommodates all standard sample rates up to 192kHz, as well as direct-to-DSD conversion.
In listening tests, many engineers and producers preferred the sound of these Neve-designed converters to standalone converters costing more than the entire 8801 unit. Neve’s proprietary Recall software (Mac- and PC-compatible) allows the 8801 to be seamlessly integrated with workstations, providing instantaneous recall of all external device settings. An essential tool for creativity, Recall combines the flexibility of a computer-based system with the power and sound quality of genuine Neve design. Quite simply, the 8801 is the most convenient way to give any serious studio the ultimate Neve analogue sound.
Heritage
Released in 2001, the Neve 88RS was the first all-new Neve analogue music console in almost 20 years. The console quickly reinforced Neve’s legacy as the designer and manufacturer of the ultimate analogue consoles—as attested by engineers and producers at Abbey Road, The Village, Ocean Way, 20th Century Fox, Skywalker Sound, and Plus XXX.
When asked about the Neve 88RS console, thirteen-time Grammy Award winner Al Schmitt simply remarked, “It is the best sounding console I have ever heard.” With the 8801, this amazing sound is within reach of any serious project studio or DAW-based producer.