BAE 1066D Mic Pre Module

Hand-wired, 10-series module recreates the character of the Neve 1066 mic pre EQ with added selectable high-frequency shelves

The BAE 1066D Mic Pre Module is a faithful recreation of its namesake, the Neve™ 1066, which was originally designed to populate the revered Neve 80 series consoles, such as the Neve 8028 made for Sound City. The precursor of the famed 1073, the 1066 shares the same mic/line amplifier circuitry (this also holds true between the BAE 1066D and BAE 1073). The two differ only in terms of EQ curves; the original 1066 had a wide shelf at 10kHz, while the 1073 had a 12kHz shelf. The original idea behind the Neve 10-series preamp modules was to populate the Neve 80-series consoles with a selection of 1066, 1073, 1081, or the later 1084 to provide a wider sonic palette while maintaining uniformity of character. Fast-forward to today, the BAE 1066D adds more high-frequency shelves than the original 1066 (and 1084), giving you an even wider array of creative EQ options backed by authentic, vintage Neve-style sound.

BAE 1066D Mic Pre Module features:

• Completely hand-wired
• Carnhill (St. Ives) transformers
• The “big iron” console sound of the ’60s and ’70s
• Will fit seamlessly into vintage Neve consoles (see customer testimonials below)
• Offers 4 additional shelving frequencies above 10kHz
• Made in USA

Inside the Box

The BAE1066D is completely hand-wired using Carnhill (St. Ives) transformers and has the same mic-line pre-amp as the BAE 1073. However, the 1066D adds a few different frequencies to your pallet. It features a discrete, 3-band EQ with low-, mid- (presence), and high-frequency controls, with hi-pass filter. The shape of frequency curves and the frequencies themselves have been carefully chosen to provide maximum flexibility.

Popular for recording guitar due its unique midrange, the BAE 1066D offers four additional high-frequency EQ shelves above the 10kHZ shelf of the classic 1066, including 12kHz, 16kHz, 20kHz, and 24kHz. Thanks to the addition of 12kHz shelving EQ, the 1066D gives you the high-frequency advantage of the classic 1073, which should make choosing the 1066D a little easier if you’re going back and forth. (Well, not really, you’ll still want both like we do.)

And speaking of using the 1066 for guitar recording, check out RSPE’s interview with Pete Townsend, fast forward to about 6 minutes in to the full interview and find that the 1066 is an integral part of his recording chain!

Outside the Box

The vintage-blue front panel of the BAE 1066D has three dual-concentric knobs for EQ frequency selection and gain, and rotary selectors for LF filter and gain (0 – 80dB). It also has two small rectangular buttons for EQ on/off and phase reverse. The BAE 1066D Mic Pre Module not only fits into the BAE 8-Channel Powered Rack (as do vintage Neve modules), but also fits seamlessly into classic Neve 80-series consoles (see customer testimonial below).

BAE 1066D Mic Pre Module front-panel controls:

• High frequency: +/-16dB shelving with selectable frequencies of 10kHz, 12kHz, 16kHz, 20kHz and 24kHz
• Low frequency: +/-16dB shelving with selectable frequencies of 35Hz, 60Hz, 110Hz, 220Hz
• Midrange: +/-16dB peaking with switchable selectable center frequencies of 700Hz, 1.2kHz, 2.4kHz, 3kHz, 7kHz
• High-Pass Filter: 18dB per-octave slope, switchable between 45Hz, 70Hz, 160Hz, 360Hz.
• EQ Button switches the equalizer on or off
• Phase button: 180º

Who’s Using BAE:

"BAE has been an integral part of my record making for many, many years now. I have owned the mic pre's, EQ's, and racks for years. The dedication to costumer service is something one can count on. With the advent of the Avedis 1122 OpAmp, the classic 2520 opamp was brought forward into the future. Mark has also made a point at looking back at certain designs and his attention to detail shows in the new products that he is working on. I am very happy to announce and toast Mark's (Loughman) new ownership in the company. I forecast excellent things to come. — Ross Hogarth, Grammy-winning producer-engineer

"During the recording of many of the Steven Slate Drums sessions, we used lots of BAE mic pres and equalizers. They made it easy to get some of the best drum sounds I've ever heard." — Steven Slate Drums

“What all 312a users say about clarity and punch is absolutely true. They are very versatile pre amps and aside from the obvious with guitars, drums, and vocals, I really enjoy using these pre's with bass and synth sequences.” Ilan Rubin (NIN, Paramore, Lostprophets)

“I love my BAE mic pre-amp. It makes my tracks sound lovelier!” — Jane Wiedlin, The Go-Go's

“I was just screwing around with my BAE 1084 when it hit me, wonder what my Space Bass would sound like in this. I plugged it in and the sound was so pure and natural I thought I was on stage in the ‘Mothership.’ This thing sings with tone, punch, and straight-up good, solid sound that will stand out in a mix with loud drums and guitars.” – Bootsy Collins

“Two thumbs way up! In my opinion, the BAE 1073 and 1084 modules sound every bit as good as the original Neve modules I have used my whole career (we've had blind fold audio "shoot out" tests in my vintage Neve room and there is absolutely no difference). Nothing comes as close to my original Neve EQ/mic preamps as BAE products. And in my opinion, BAE products surpass all the competition in build quality; from the point-to-point wiring, to the audio traces on their cards, original St Ives (Carnhill) transformers, nickel plating, impeccable craftsmanship, and wow! —no old dirty switches and pots. (Did I mention they plugged right in to my vintage Neve 8014 frame from 1970 flawlessly!) Plus, Mark and the staff over at BAE are totally professional and a pleasure to deal with.” — Andy Kravitz, drummer, producer, engineer

Discography: (Imogen Heap, Billy Joel, The Rolling Stones, Simon Townshend, Robbie Krieger, Urge Overkill, Lizzy Grant, The Cheeters, Cypress Hill, James Taylor, Los Lobos, Soloman Burke, Joan Osborne, Taj Mahal, Mark Broussard, Norwood Fisher, Shawn Colvin, Hundred Year Flood, and Sting)

About BAE (British Audio Engineering)

Answering to a higher authority (maintaining the legacy of Mr. Rupert Neve), BAE puts nothing but the very best and their very best into every unit they built. Under the guidance of president/CEO Mark Loughman and Neve guru, Avedis Kifedjian, BAE uses the only highest quality components from the original suppliers, such as Carnhill (formerly St. Ives) and Jensen. All BAE products use discrete electronics and are completely hand-built and wired point-to point (no circuit boards). For more information about BAE, check out RSPE’s Designer’s Perspective feature and get a first-hand look at the inner workings of BAE.

Get the classic Neve sound plus greater frequency control and precision performance with BAE’s 1066D. Call or chat with an RSPE representative today.