In this video for Production Expert, Technical Editor James Ivey takes a look at the Neve 8803 Dual Channel Equaliser. The 8803 is a hand-wired unit built in the companies UK factory based on the EQ section of the Neve 88RS console. James puts it to work on Bass, Acoustic Guitars, Vocals and a full stereo mix to see what the 8803 EQ has to offer.

The 8803 Dual Channel Equaliser 

Designed to deliver the inimitable sound of the flagship Neve 88RS console, the 8803 Dual Equaliser’s circuitry is based on the classic Neve 8108 format. Balanced inputs and ±20dB trim are followed by two 12dB per octave filters.

The High-Pass Filter has a variable corner frequency from 30Hz to 300Hz, and the Low-Pass Filter has a range of 3kHz-15kHz.

The four bands of equalisation offer selectable shelving and switchable Q on the high and low bands, with continuously variable Q on the mid frequency bands. Frequency selection is variable on all bands within the ranges 33Hz-440Hz, 120Hz-2kHz, 0.8kHz-9kHz and 1.5kHz-18kHz. 

Features

• Revered equalization circuitry derived from classic 8108 design and flagship 88RS analogue console

• Hand-built and hand-wired by Neve in Burnley, England

• ±20dB Input trim

• High pass filter 30Hz-300Hz, 12dB per octave

• Low pass filter 3kHz-15kHz, 12dB per octave

• EQ High 1.5k-18kHz, selectable Shelving/Bell, selectable Hi Q

• EQ Mid High 0.8kHz-9kHz, Q range: 0.3 to 7 continuously variable

• EQ Mid Low 120Hz-2kHz, Q range: 0.3 to 7 continuously variable

• EQ Low 33Hz-440Hz, selectable Shelving/Bell, selectable Hi Q

• EQ bypass switch

• USB port for recall of settings via Mac or PC and control software

• XLR input combination jack, +4dBu, -10dBV

• XLR and parallel jack outputs

• External 100V-250V power supply

The stunning sounding Neve 8803 EQ has a UK street price of around £1554 UK Pounds and in my mind, it is worth every penny.  Once again this is going to be one of those hardware units from Neve that will be greatly missed in my studio.