Linear Recording - Neve 1073 Page

Here is some work I have done on recreating the Classic Neve 1073 Channel Amplifier. Most of the schematics should be available on the Technical Audio website, or Kev's DIY site.

**!!Update!!**

I have since made a complete 1073 based on the original layouts, but by putting everything on a single PCB. I have built and tested it, and it works and sounds a treat. Click here to look at some pictures and download the PCB's.

Although I have not had access to an original 1073, I have used photographs to get an idea of the PCB layouts.

PLEASE NOTE that these layouts presented below are untested! Part of the collective DIY philosophy is to share the knowledge, so if you do find any errors let me know here. Thanks.

General Info

As the dual concentric switches are fairly hard to come by, I have executed this design using separate switches/pots, more like a 1064 or 1064A.

As most of you probably know, the Neve 1073 consists of 5 separate PCB's (2 amplifiers, 3 EQ) within the module, with a 22 position/3 gang gain switch. In the following PDF's, I have made a separate PCB for the EQ switches with most of the other components that were soldered internally on the switches themselves on the PCB (easier). I haven't physically made the board so I can't guarantee that everything fits, when you open the PDF's you'll understand.

For the switch you will need the drawing EK20033 to see how the resistors are soldered onto the switch.

Drawing no. EH10023 is invaluable. This gives you the component info and the numbering for the boards. Also some work needs to be done on the builders part making sure the connectors on the EQ switch PCB go to the right board etc etc.

To be honest you can build this two ways - the 'original' way (as in the drawings above) or a modified way which I have tried to do using a single board for the switches. As I said before, I can't guarantee that this is without error, and to be honest it took me bloody ages to get it to fit one a single board.

Note that the positions on the EQ switch PCB look a little strange at first, they all seem offset. If you study the schematic, you'll see that HF is adjusted with a single 10K pot, the two mid frequencies are are also adjusted with pots next to the switches, with switches providing the frequency selection. The HP filter is adjusted using a switch only; I will do a drawing if it's too confusing...

Also some might wonder why I didn't put everything onto one board - well, many people have BA 283's and 284's already, plus I think it would make troubleshooting and fixing a little easier. It also makes interchanging boards a possibility.

Layouts

Here are the boards as PDF's - you should be able to use these as stuffing guides. Also on most of these PDF's are Farnell part numbers, use them if you wish (not guaranteed)

Unfortunately these are not designed in the traditional PCB sense (which personally think is a good thing)- they have been 'traced' into Adobe Freehand on a Macintosh and then exported as PDF's.

B205

BA182C

BA211

BA283AV

BA284

PCB's

As for the PCB's themselves, you can either use them from the above files, or try using these templates. I have managed to fit all 5 onto a single standard sized PCB, also fitting two EQ switches on 1 PCB. They are also reversed for better exposing (see Gyraf Audio's 'How to make a PCB').

Have fun and don't forget to give me feedback if you're game enough to try building this! Lastly, in the spirit of DIY you a free to use (but not redistribute) these layouts as long as it is for personal use only - ie not for profit.

A quick thanks to Kev for the DIY site, Jacob Erland for his great Gyraf audio site, John Klett for the great Technical Audio site, Bob Rowlette for the initial inspiration from his 1272 site and all the DIYers out there.

Chris Vallejo (Sydney, Australia)

22/10/2002