Neve Neve 4081 User manual

NEVE
NEVENEVE
NEVE
4081
Quad Mic Preamp
User Manual
Issue 1

4081 User Manual Issue 1
Health & Safety Notice
FOR YOUR OWN SAFETY AND THE PROTECTION OF OTHERS,
PLEASE OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING HEALTH AND SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
 READ THESE INSTRUCTI NS AND KEEP THEM HANDY
 HEED ALL SAFETY WARNINGS
 D N T USE NEAR WATER
 CLEAN NLY WITH A DRY CL TH
 D N T INSTALL NEAR HEAT S URCES
 D N T BL CK VENTILATI N PENINGS
 PR TECT THE P WER C RD
 USE NLY ACCESS RIES SPECIFIED BY THE MANUFACTURER
 UNPLUG WHEN UNUSED F R L NG PERI DS F TIME
 THE EXPANSI N M DULE N T BE INSERTED R REM VED WITH
THE P WER N
 REFER ALL SERVICING T QUALIFIED PERS NNEL NLY
 N USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE
FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE PROCEDURES AND RECOMMENDATIONS
COULD INVALIDATE THE MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY
© ® 2008 AMS Neve Ltd own the copyright of all information and figures contained in this manual which are not to be copied or
reproduced by any means or disclosed in part or whole to any third party without written permission.
As part of our policy of continual product improvement we reserve the right to alter specifications without notice but with due regard to
all current legislation.
Disclaimer: The information in this manual has been carefully checked and is believed to be accurate at the time of publication.
However no responsibility is taken by AMS-Neve for inaccuracies errors or omissions nor any liability assumed for any loss or damage
resulting either directly or indirectly from use of the information contained within.
Trademarks: All trademarks are the property of their respective owners and are hereby acknowledged.
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4081 User Manual Issue 1
Table of Contents
Health & Safety Notice.....................................................................................................................................2
Introduction........................................................................................................................................................4
Module Controls................................................................................................................................................5
Rear Connectors...............................................................................................................................................6
Installin the software – PC..............................................................................................................................9
Installin the software – Mac.........................................................................................................................11
Standalone Computer Setup.........................................................................................................................12
Pro Tools Control Setup...................................................................................................................................13
Technical / Physical Information...................................................................................................................17
Dimensions.......................................................................................................................................................17
Power Requirements.......................................................................................................................................17
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4081 User Manual Issue 1
Introduction
The 4081 Quad Mic Preamp builds on the incredible success of the 1081 and 1081R modules and
provides both powerful control and legendary Neve sound.
Perfect for vocals, ADR and Foley Recording, the 4081 features make it the number one choice for any
studio, B truck or live stage environment.
Every function of the 4081 can be controlled directly from the front panel or by remote control using a
Mac or Intel based computer with Neve Remote Control software. This provides a simple and elegant
solution for users of ProTools, Nuendo, Cubase and similar DAW systems.
Multiple 4081 units can be linked together to create up to 64 independent channels of Mic Preamps or
Line Level inputs – all controlled from a single computer.
An optional Digital module provides a Firewire/AES interface with four channels of A/D and D/A
conversion to either AES or Firewire.
An insert point is available before the A/D converter on each channel to allow external, analogue
utboard equipment to be switched into the signal path.
•Legendary Neve microphone preamp design
•Four genuine 1081 Mic preamp channels in a single 8.5” wide unit
•Two units can be fastened together to provide 8-channels in a 19” unit
•Remote control using a Mac/Intel computer and Neve Remote Control software
•XLR Mic input can be switched between Mic and electronically balanced Line
•Switchable 48V Phantom power supply
•Digital I/ ption: Firewire/AES interface with four channels of A/D conversion to either AES or
Firewire and 4 channels of D/A conversion.
•Analogue Insert (pre A/D converter) per channel
Head Office:
AMS Neve
Billington Road
Burnley
Lancashire
England
BB11 5UB
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
London Office:
[phone]
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.ams-neve.com
Support: www.ams-neve.info
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4081 User Manual Issue 1
Channel Controls
The channels can be controlled from the front panel, or from a remote PC
(or Mac) or Pro Tools using the optional remote control software.
By default, the unit powers-up with all functions locally controllable and
settings are retained on power-down.
The unit is powered by the silver switch with the Neve logo, which will
light red once the power is on.
Front panel control is available on each input for:
48V – turns on Phantom Power to the Mic
Not available for LINE
- 0 – Pad, attenuates the incoming Mic signal by -20dB.
Not available for LINE
HI Z – Impedance for Ribbon Microphones
Not available for LINE
MIC/LINE - Selects between the Mic or Line signal.
The button lights yellow to when MIC is selected; the button will not
be illuminated for LINE
Ø – Swaps the incoming phase of the Mic or Line signal
INS – This function is controls the source for the A/D in the FireWire
expansion module if fiited. When illuminated, allows an external
insert pre the A/D of the expansion module
Turning the Gain control will vary the gain as shown in the display
beneath, but the Gain is not related to the actual position of the knob
which will infinitely rotate.
The MIC gain control runs from +20dB to +70dB in 5dB steps.
The LINE gain control runs from 0dB to +20dB in 5dB steps.
Just beneath the gain control are two software controlled leds that
indicate:
Signal Presence (default - lights green at approx -30dBu or greater)
Signal overload (default lights red at 2dB below clipping)
The metering point is post the gain stage – the maximum signal level is
26dBu.
If the optional Firewire module is fitted, the Sample Rate leds and
adjacent buttons will also function.
The unit will auto-detect the sample rate of the incoming sync signal plus
the type of sync source, and the  and  buttons are used to step
through the available sample rates when running on internal sync.
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4081 User Manual Issue 1
Rear Connectors
Mic / Line Input XLRs
Employs standard XLR wiring:
1Screen
Hi
3Lo
Mic / Line Output XLRs
These can either be used as Direct utputs from the unit, or as Insert
Sends.
The utput is Post-Gain control.
Pin-outs as above.
Power input
48 volts, 8-pin connector.
This connector is polarised so can only be connected in one way.
INS IN / LINE OUT
25-way D-type connector contains the Insert Return signals.
The Line Out part of this connector will have no function unless the
optional AD/DA card is fitted (see below).
USB / RS 485
It is possible to 'daisy-chain' multiple units together so they are controlled
by the USB port of one PC or Mac.
The first unit on the chain should be connected by USB (blue USB/RS485
button on the rear selected – pushed in).
Subsequent units are connected from the RS 485 OUT of the 1
st
unit, to
the IN on the 2
nd,
from the OUT of the 2nd to the IN of the 3rd and so on.
These units should have the blue USB/RS485 button on the rear de-
selected to select RS485 control.
Note that each 4081 unit should have a unique ID as described on page 7.
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4081 User Manual Issue 1
4081 unit ID dip switches
When remotely controlling more than one unit, the adjacent ID dip-
switches need to be set so that each sequentially numbered unit on the
chain responds to the correct commands.
The first 3 switches from left to right are used to set the machine IDs from
1-8. These switches are n when in the down position (the right-most
switch on this block – Switch 4 - puts the unit into 'Bootloader Mode'
where the unit software can be updated via USB, so is therefore not used
to set the unit ID).
Unit ID Switch 1 Switch Switch 3
1ff ff ff
On ff ff
3ff On ff
4 On On ff
5ff ff On
6 On ff On
7ff On On
8 On On On
Where there are more than 8 units on an RS 485 chain, the IDs for units
greater than 8 are set using an internal dip-switch on the switch-block
labelled SW on the unit's circuit board (just next to a programming
connector labelled J14 on the middle left of the board).
For this switch, it is On when in the up position.
Remove the lid to the unit, and set the 1
st
(left-most) switch on this block
to be ON, then set the switches on the rear of the unit to the following:
Unit ID Switch 1 Switch Switch 3
9ff ff ff
10 On ff ff
11 ff On ff
1 On On ff
13 ff ff On
14 On ff On
15 ff On On
16 On On On
If a unit's ID is changed, the power must be switched off and on again for
the remote control software to receive the new ID number.
If the unit IDs are set incorrectly, they will either fail to respond or
multiple units will respond to a single command.
Technical Earth
When switched On, internally connects 0v to the unit chassis.
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4081 User Manual Issue 1
Optional Di ital / Firewire card
This optional module has 2 FireWire ports, Wordclock sync IN and OUT
and a 25-way D-type connector for AES Ins/ uts.
If this option is not present, there will be a blanking plate fitted instead,
(as shown in the previous section), plus the Sample Rate leds & buttons
on the front of the unit will not function.
The AES IN/OUT and Firewire ports are intelligent, in that if a Firewire
connection is detected, then FireWire will be the digital interface.
If a Firewire connection is not detected, the unit presumes that the audio
is coming in via the AES IN/OUT 25-way D-type connector.
The expansion module the also has 4 DA/AD convertors:
•AES signals going into AES IN/OUT (or Firewire if detected), these
signals will also be output as analogue from LINE OUT of the 25 way
d-sub
•If INS is selected on a channel, the corresponding analogue input
signal connected to INS IN of the 25 way d-sub, will be converted,
•and output as AES from the AES IN/OUT (or Firewire if detected).
By default, the post gain amplified signal from the Mic/Line input will
be routed to the A/D inputs.
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4081 User Manual Issue 1
Installin the software – PC (NOT RELEASED)
The install procedure is the same, regardless of whether the software is
installed on a standalone PC or on a Pro Tools PC.
Double-click the Setup icon and the install will begin.
Click Next.
Click I Accept the Agreement.
If you select I Do Not Accept The Agreement, the software will not be
installed and the install will terminate.
Click Next.
Click Next.
Click the options if you wish to have a Desktop icon or a Quick launch icon
for the installed application.
Click Next.
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4081 User Manual Issue 1
Click Install.
The software will start to install.
Click Finish.
(If you wish to launch the programme at this point, click Launch Mic Line
Control before clicking Finish).
Standalone Control Setup - PC
The software is launched from Windows Start Menu / Programs / Mic Line
Control / Mic Line Control.
The control program automatically detects the presence of connected
racks and the screen will be updated with any changes made through the
modules’ front panels.
The Gain can be set by clicking on the Gian knob and rotating it to the
desired position.
The Phantom, Pad, Phase, Impedance, Mic/Line selection and Insert can
all be set by clicking on the appropriate button on-screen.
The icons at the bottom of the screen indicate how many remote racks are
connected.
The rack indicated by the red outline is the one currently controlled from
(and displayed on) the upper part of the screen.
To select another rack, click on it's icon and the red outline will move to
indicate that the screen is now displaying parameters for that rack.
The Mic amp settings can be saved and recalled independently using the
Store Preset and Load Preset buttons that launch conventional
Windows Save and Load dialogues.
These Stores will save the control settings of all the attached racks, not
just for the currently displayed rack.
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4081 User Manual Issue 1
Installin the software – Mac
The install procedure below is for V10.4.
At any point in the install, you can return to the previous screen by click
Back
.
If you have a different version of software installed, there may be subtle
differences on the screens shown below, but the basic install is still the
same.
Double click on the icon called Remote Mic Control.pkg and the install
program will open with the Welcome screen.
Click Continue.
The Information screen will display where the software will be installed
on the Mac.
Click Continue.
The Licence Agreement screen will open.
Click Continue.
You will be asked to confirm that you have read the agreement.
Click Agree.
If you click Disgaree, the Install procedure will terminate.
You will be asked to select a location to install the software to.
Click on Macintosh HD as shown left so a green arrow is placed on-
screen.
Click Continue.
Click Install to continue, and the software will start to be installed.
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4081 User Manual Issue 1
nce installed, a confirmation screen will report it has been installed
successfully.
Click Close.
nce installed, a program called Remote Mic Control will be placed in the
Applications folder.
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4081 User Manual Issue 1
Pro Tools Control Setup
Control is sent and received between the 4081 and Pro Tools via USB or
RS 485 protocol.
pen the Remote Mic Control.app application.
This will appear either as an icon on the desktop or can be accessed from
the Applications folder.
n the main page, click Setup and the General screen will open.
At the top of the screen, click MIDI.
In both upper displays, click the Midi In and Midi Out you wish to link
and then click Link Port.
The linked Ins and Outs will appear in the lower window.
Repeat for as many midi ports you wish to link.
These midi streams must match those set in Pro Tools.
Under the lower window, click Start Midi.
The Start Midi button will now say Stop Midi to indicate that midi
information is being sent and received.
If you need to set further links (or use the Remove button to cancel these
links), you will need to click Stop MIDI before doing this.
From the MIDI menu, select MIDI Setup.
The Pre MIDI Port Setup screen will open, showing the available racks.
Click the Sort button.
Two information screens will be displayed telling you that it may take up
to 16secs to detect all the connected racks, and that you should click OK
to any messages saying 'failed to detect' that might appear in Pro Tools.
Click OK to both of these and the mapping procedure will take place.
Midi ports will be mapped to the available racks and displayed, colour
coding the IN and UT fields:
Red Unavailable Input
Blue Available Input
Green Available utput
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4081 User Manual Issue 1
Click 81 Setup at the top of the screen.
Click MIDI Rack Setup and the rack display page will open.
Click the Reset button if you want the racks to be reset.
Click the General button.
Ticking the Auto Load Last Setup File On Startup option will cause the
last saved or last loaded system setup to be reloaded when the software is
next started.
Confi urin Pro Tools Session
Please refer to your Pro Tools documentation on how to configure Pro
Tools.
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Dimensions: sin le unit
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Dimensions: 2 units for rack-mountin
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4081 User Manual Issue 1
Technical / Physical Information
Dimensions
19" Rack Mount Width mm (inches) Height mm (inches) Depth mm (inches)
2 units + fixing
brackets = 19" 218 (8½) 88.2 (3½) 267 (10½)
Power Requirements
External Power supply Rated Voltage 100 – 240V AC
External Power supply Rated Frequency 50 - 60 Hz
External Power supply Rated Current 1.9A Max
Fuse (INSIDE THE 4081 unit):
Input voltage 48V DC
Fuse rating / type 1A
20mm x 5mm
Location FS1
Mains Power
The power supply is a universal input type and therefore no mains
operating voltage setting is required.
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