Beautiful rare and vintage Neve console
,Custom built for the BBC. EDACS to original BBC GPO patch bay.
24 channels of 33122/a mic-pre/eq modules with Belclair transformers 4 x am6/17 compressors. The console is up and running and fully working. It sounds absolutely amazing, with a warm, rich and deep soundstage. Well it should, because it’s the real deal, with transformers everywhere and a classic Neve eq circuit.
The power supplies and all the summing amps and output amps in the master section, including subgroups, have been fully refurbished and recapped. The channels are working but are not refurbished.
3 stereo subgroups (with insert points) plus stereo master output (also with insert points). All the amplifier cards (B620, B621) for this section have been fully refurbished, including the summing amps for echo & FB sends. This means fully re-capped with Panasonic FC, the unreliable FET input HA911 op-amps replaced with Burr-Brown OPA604, and all the 5534’s replaced with modern equivalent. All amplifier cards tested and trimmed to within 0.1 dB tolerance.
Master Echo and foldback sends; Working.
Monitor section and talkback; These are not in use and have not been tested. The relays for PFL/AFL and TB are clicking so seem to be working.
Remote controls for 2 plate reverbs; Not tested.
Echo return modules are missing, so not tested. There is a stereo input that goes straight into the master stereo bus, we use a separate 16 ch mixer for FX returns patched into these inputs.
Meter duplicators and stereo link buttons for the compressors.
A few other various BBC modules that are not in use.
24 x 33122/a modules with direct outputs. Not refurbished but fully working. These are very similar to the 33114 modules, with the exact same eq section. The gain switch is stepped in 5 dB steps with a concentric trim pot. The 2 separate input transformers (mic/line) are relay switched from line (gain -10 <-> +20 dB) to mic input (+25 <-> +80 dB) these are TF10014 and TF10015 respectively. High shelf switchable 5 frequencies, mid peak switchable 10 frequencies, low shelf 5 frequencies. 18 dB/oct HPF &
LPF 5 frequencies each. Knobs are color coded according to BBC standard. EQ in/out and phase flip switch. A couple of these modules have leaky tantalum caps, that manifests as loud popping noises when using the gain switch.
The 33122a are built with plug-in type amplifiers BA437, BA638 and BA640. The BA437 is a discrete amp card used in the eq. The BBC were unhappy with the performance of the discrete BA438/440 as input/output amps, so Neve devised the 638/640 replacements with IC op-amps. The class A purist might want to replace them with BA438/440 (pin compatible)
24 x Routing modules with 2 FB sends switchable pre/post fader and 2 post fader echo sends (1 pot with switches to select echo 1, echo 2 or both), routing switches for subgroups 1-3 and master, panpot, PFL an AFL.
24 x Channel faders
The Outside Source section This is where phone lines and other “outside sources” would show up when in use in a radio studio. This section is not in use and not tested, but lights up nicely with some funky colors. The 10 OS modules are the same size as the channel modules, and a Neve compressor (33314) in the same format does exist.
The producers desk.
4 x am6/17 compressors. These are the special BBC-design with the analog look-ahead circuit that provides 0 attack time. These are very cool and have a unique sound. Once you’ve tried these they’re hard to live without.
Bantam patch bay with pre and post fader channel inserts, duplicates of the compressor in/outs and tie-lines (buffered and transformer balanced!) to and from the main patch. This may seem impractical, but for pre fader inserts we have used the main patch bay (included!) and gone directly from tape/interface -> outboard – > channel in. If you need post eq insertion you have to go through the tie-lines in the bantam patch. Or re-wire…
Also included:
- 4 x 24 volt power supplies in original racks. These are refurbished and fully re-capped.
- A large GPO style patch bay (B-gauge). All connections from the GPO patch bay to the console are on EDACs.
- Original manuals with all schematics.