Neve 8816 User manual

User Manual
527-361
Issue 2
Neve 8816 16:2 Summing Mixer
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2005 AMS Neve Ltd own the copyright of all information and
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1
CONTENTS________________________
1INTRODUCTION..................................................................................................................................... 1
28816 APPLICATION SCENARIOS........................................................................................................ 2
3SUB MIXER .............................................................................................................................................. 9
4CONTROLS ............................................................................................................................................ 10
5MON LEVEL .......................................................................................................................................... 16
6RECALL.................................................................................................................................................. 21
7REAR PANEL CONNECTORS AND CONTROLS........................................................................... 28
8DIMENSIONS......................................................................................................................................... 30
9RACK MOUNTING AND COOLING ................................................................................................. 30
10 POWER REQUIREMENTS.................................................................................................................. 30
11 SYSTEM SETTINGS ............................................................................................................................. 31
12 SPECIFICATIONS................................................................................................................................. 33
13 CONNECTORS ...................................................................................................................................... 34
14 BLOCK DIAGRAM ............................................................................................................................... 36
15 RECALL SOFTWARE INSTALLATION........................................................................................... 37
16 OPTIONAL ADC INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS ..................................................................... 40
17 TECHNICAL SUPPORT....................................................................................................................... 41

Page 1
1 Introduction
The 8816 is an extremely versatile 16:2 summing mixer, which can produce the
highest possible recording and mixing performances in any format using revered
Neve analogue designs including transformer mixing.
With comprehensive input, mixing and monitoring functions, 8816 can upgrade a
DAW to a professional mixing facility. But that’s not all, not only does the unit provide
quite unbelievable analogue facilities but also has remix and Recall as standard.
In addition to the superb facilities offered as standard on the 8816 there are two
options, digital outputs and a fader pack.
ADC Output. World class A to Ds with sampling rates of up to 192kHz and DSD
outputs. Analogue insert points are provided ahead of the ADCs that couple the
ultimate analogue circuitry with superior digital conversion making the unit an obvious
choice for complete integration with a DAW.
NOTE: Requires Internal fitting, please consult your Neve dealer
Fader Pack. 16 Input Faders with cut solo controls and post fade direct outputs plus
2 Master Faders give the engineer fine level control with a traditional feel. With the
fader unit attached, the rotary channel level controls become aux send levels
increasing the functionality of the unit.

Page 2
2 Application Scenarios
The 8816 can be used to monitor from the workstation while recording directly from a
mic pre such as the 1073DPD or as a pre-mixer for recording a number of signals
simultaneously to the workstation. With the optional fader pack, direct outs can be
used from the 8816 to the DAW enabling it to be used like a conventional desk with
both recording and monitoring signals passing through the unit.
Direct recording with 8816 as monitor: Connect the output of the mic pre to the
input of the workstation. Connect the outputs of the workstation to the inputs of the
8816. The 8816 outputs can be monitored on loudspeakers or headphones as
required. The performers headphones source can be switched (engineer/performer).
Sub-mixing signals to be recorded: Connect the instruments to be recorded to the
inputs of the 8816 (via a 1073 or similar mic pre if required). Connect the main output
of the 8816 to the inputs of the workstation (this can be analogue or digital if the
optional digital card is fitted). Set the balance required using the channel level
controls on the 8816 and record onto the workstation.

Page 3
Recording with optional Fader Pack: Connect the instruments to be recorded to
channel inputs on the 8816 and connect the direct outputs from these channels to the
inputs of the DAW (the direct outs are located on the fader pack). These channels
can be muted so that they do not go to the main bus if monitoring via the 8816 or a
monitor mix can be set up on the DAW and monitored via the 2 Track Return on the
8816. Signals can now be recorded with fader control over their level while the mix or
play back is monitored through the 8816.
In all of the above recording situations the engineer can utilise the 8816 to control
monitoring via two pairs of speakers and/or the headphones as required. The 8816
can also be used to provide a Cue to performer headphones.

Page 4
Connect the outputs of the workstation to the inputs of the 8816. If you have a
backing track pre-mix on your workstation assign this to outputs connected to inputs
15/16 on the 8816. Connect the output of the track being recorded to any of inputs 1-
14 on the 8816. Connect the performer’s headphones to the headphone socket on
the rear of the 8816. The cue mix level of the overdub against the backing track can
be adjusted using the Cue Level Control until the mix is right for the performer. The
2-Track Return can also be routed to the Cue so may be used as an FX return if the
performer wishes to listen to a guide reverb while recording. The engineer can
monitor on headphones connected to the front of the 8816 and can switch between
monitoring the performer’s cue mix and the main mix.

Page 5
Connect the outputs of the workstation to the inputs of the 8816. Key elements such
as lead vocals and lead instruments should be kept separate within the workstation
and connected to individual inputs on the 8816. Other elements such as backing
vocals, FX, etc can be routed to stereo groups within the workstation and these
groups connected to the 8816 inputs.
Optimum sound quality within the workstation is generally achieved by setting the
virtual faders to 0dB. Final mix levels can be set on the 8816.
The mix is now being created on the mix bus of the 8816. This uses the same
transformer mix topology as the classic 80 series Neve consoles and recreates their
legendary sound. Recording back to the DAW or onto another devce such as a CDR
may be analogue or, if the digital option is fitted, can be from the Neve Analogue to
Digital Convertors ensuring the best possible sound quality.
A compressor such as the Neve 33609 or an EQ such as the Neve 1081 can be
patched across the Insert Point allowing the whole mix to be compressed or EQ’d.
Sometimes it is necessary to mix between a clean mix and a processed mix, for
example when using a Filter Bank to create a special effect across the whole mix for
one section of a song. This can be done by patching the filter bank across the Inserts
of the 8816 and switching to Insert Mix mode. The balance between the clean mix
and the processed mix is now controlled by the insert Mix level control and the
engineer can switch between clean and processed mix or balance the two as
required.

Page 6
The engineer and producer can monitor on two sets of speakers, main and near field,
and switch between them using the Alt Speaker switch allowing comparisons of the
mix on small and large speakers. Headphones can also be connected if required.
The outputs of the recording unit (or the appropriate two tracks of the DAW) can be
connected to the two track return so that the engineer can switch between monitoring
the mix leaving the 8816 and the mix coming back from the recorder.

Page 7
Connect the outputs of your DAT, CD player or two tracks of your DAW to inputs 1
and 2 on the 8816. Connect the master outputs of the 8816 to the inputs of the
Workstation, CDR or DAT that you wish to record onto. Connect the outputs of the
recording device to the 2 track return of the 8816.
The mix is now passing through the mix bus of the 8816. This uses the same
transformer mix topology as the classic 80 series Neve consoles and recreates their
legendary sound.
A compressor such as the Neve 33609 or an EQ such as the Neve 1081 can be
patched across the Insert Point allowing the whole mix to be compressed or EQ’d.
The Insert can be switched to Sum and Difference mode allowing the producer to
process the centre sum/mono signal and the stereo/difference signal in different
manners. The width control can be used to reduce the stereo width, perhaps for a
club remix, or to enhance it beyond standard stereo if the original mix is not wide
enough.
The engineer and producer can monitor on two sets of speakers, main and near field,
and switch between them using the Alt Speaker switch allowing comparisons of the
mastered mix on small and large speakers. Headphones can also be connected if
required.
The monitor source select can be used to switch between monitoring the sound
entering the 8816 on inputs 1 and 2, the sound leaving the 8816 on the mix bus and
the sound as recorded on the CDR/DAT/Workstation via the 2 Track Return.

Page 8
It is often desirable to make a stereo recording of the performance as a band are
playing a live gig. Frequently the sound used on the main Front Of House console is
of a high standard but the mix created for the venue does not have the correct
balance for the recording. The 8816 can solve this problem.
The main mix outputs of the 8816 should be connected to a recording device such as
a DAT or DAW running on a laptop Mac or PC. The output of the recording device
should be connected to the 2 Track Return on the 8816.
Key elements such as the lead vocal can be connected directly to an input on the
8816 from a Direct Out on the FOH console. Other elements such as drums,
keyboards, etc can be connected to the inputs of the 8816 either from the Group
Outputs or from the Matrix Outputs of the FOH console depending on the type of
FOH console being used.
A correct balance between the individual and pre-mixed sounds can be set up on the
8816 using the Channel Level controls. The mix is now passing through the mix bus
of the 8816, this uses the same transformer mix topology as the classic 80 series
Neve consoles and recreates their legendary sound.
The engineer can monitor the live recording on headphones and switch between
monitoring the output of the 8816 and the 2 Track return from the recorder for a
confidence check on the recorded sound.