Working with Dan Kennedy at Great River, and the folks at Sowter transformers, we came up with a special, custom transformer specifically for the Great River MP-2NV "Mercenary Edition". The idea was to build a transformer that would have all the "size" and "thunder" that you would find in the pre-amp of an original Neve™ 1073, but without the 'haze' and 'mush' that can accumulate when you run a whole bunch of tracks through a 1073.

As recording has moved along, we find ourselves using more and more tracks. As we use more and more tracks, things that were at one time acceptable, like the cumulative effect of the St. Ives and Marinair transformers in original Neve™ modules. Through our work as recording engineers, we found this cumulative effect to make the low end lose it's "punch" and "distinction". The circuit in the MP-2NV was taken from original Neve™ drawing. The implementation of that circuit allows for an equally large, yet clearer and more distinct recording. At Mercenary, we have found that especially as you layer many tracks, the new transformers allow the tones to blend and intermingle in a more musical manner, making them easier to mix.

Every 10 series Neve™ module has a switch on the back that is marked "Hi" or "Lo" (depending on position), this is the microphone input impedance switch. Dan Kennedy had a fairly brilliant idea, and brought the microphone impedance switch to the front of the MP-2NV. This switches between a 1200 ohm load and a 300 ohm load. The difference isn't all that subtle, the 300 ohm load gives you about 4 db greater overall gain potential, as well as a slightly brighter and airier tone with some microphones.

One evening when I was at dinner with Rupert Neve, he told a story about a desk the original Neve™ had delivered to Air Sound in London. Apparently Geoff Emerick was working on the desk one evening when he heard one module that sounded different from the other modules in the desk. When they brought that module back to the Neve™ factory, they discovered that someone had omitted the installation of the load resistors on the input and output transformers, causing the transformers to ring somewhere in the vicinity of about 60 kHz.

Now, normally you wouldn't think humans could hear that high, but apparently we can. I guess we perceive this ringing as part of the harmonic structure, or it creates some phase shift down the line... the bottom line is that on some very airy and delicate sounds, you can indeed perceive a tonal difference when you remove the load from the transformers. By loading the transformers, you can also perceive a bit of 'toughness' to the sound... perhaps it's just the contrast to the 'unloaded' transformers, but there is an audible difference. The MP-2NV's transformers are not loaded when the switch is in it's normal "out" position, by depressing the switch you add the proper loading to the transformers, which actually flattens the frequency response to it's original 'ruler flat' response.

In addition to the regular features found on the MP-2MH, an "Output level pot" has been added for greater gain staging flexibility, as well as an "insert point", which is perfect for use with a Speck "ASC" equalizer or FMR Audio RNC compressor!! Well, you can insert anything from a GML EQ to a Crane Song or Pendulum Audio compressor, but the insert point is setup with a 'Tip/Ring/Sleeve 1/4" connector", just like the RNC, though it's not too tough to build a "break out" cable for use with other devices. [or we can build one for you for an extra $25- w/ 1/4" ends, $35- with XLR ends].

The other big ergonomic improvement is the metering. Two LED ladders meter the input amplifiers, as well as the output amplifier (don't forget, a 1073 has 2 Amps in the front, the 1272 only has one), allowing you maximum confidence that your levels are optimized, even with another unit (or two) connected to the insert point!!

Currently in design for next year is an equalizer also based upon the 'class A' designs of Neve modules from the past. Frankly, that was the original thought behind the "insert point" as that is where the equalizer sits in the 1073 design. So Great River is developing the equalizer section which should be able to be used with the MP-2NV as the equalizer is used in the 1073. A "stand alone" version of the equalizer will also be made...but the theory is to have your "mic pre" still be of use when you get to the 'mixing' phase of your project.

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Great River NV Series Mic Pre Manual Adobe pdf