Neve 88RLB – Mono Mic/Line/DI Preamp (500-Series Module)

Bring the legendary sound of Neve’s flagship 88RS console into your 500-series rack. The Neve 88RLB delivers the unmistakable clarity, headroom, and musicality that engineers expect from Neve, all in a compact and flexible module suited for any professional or high-end project studio.

Product Overview

The 88RLB is built around the same transformer-balanced mic preamp design found in the world-class Neve 88RS console. It offers pristine, low-noise amplification with the rich analog warmth Neve is known for. With mic, line, and DI inputs plus the powerful REGenerate feature, this unit provides studio-grade tone shaping for everything from vocals and guitars to synths and external processing chains.

Key Features

• Authentic 88RS Console Preamp

  Based on Neve’s flagship 88RS circuit for unmatched transparency, detail, and musical warmth.

• Three Input Modes

  Mic, Line, and DI inputs for maximum versatility across any recording or mixing workflow.

• Marinair® Transformer-Balanced Mic Stage

  Provides signature Neve character and full-bandwidth performance.

• REGenerate™ Feature

  Route line or DI signals through the mic input transformer to add Neve coloration to any source.

• Sweepable High-Pass Filter

  Adjustable from approximately 31.5 Hz to 315 Hz to control low-frequency rumble and unwanted noise.

• Intelligent +48V Phantom Power

  Engages only when the mic input is selected and safely disengages when switching modes.

• Pad & Phase Invert

  –20 dB pad and 180° phase flip available for all input types.

• Ground Lift

  Helps eliminate unwanted hum when using unbalanced instruments.

• 500-Series Compatible

  Fits any standard 500-series rack or chassis.

Specifications

Microphone Input

• Input Impedance: > 1.2 kΩ (transformer balanced)

• Gain Range: +20 dB to +70 dB

• Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz ±0.5 dB (at 60 dB gain)

• THD: < 0.025% (40 Hz – 20 kHz, at +20 dBu output)

• Equivalent Input Noise (EIN): Better than –126 dBu

Line Input

• Input Impedance: > 10 kΩ (electronically balanced)

• Gain Range: –20 dB to +20 dB

• Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz ±0.25 dB

• THD: < 0.0025% (20 Hz – 20 kHz, unity gain)

• Noise: < –87 dBu (20 Hz – 20 kHz)

DI Input

• Input Impedance: > 500 kΩ

• Gain Range: 0 dB to +50 dB

• Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz ±0.25 dB

Physical

• Dimensions: 132 mm (H) x 38 mm (W) x 145 mm (D)

• Weight: Approx. 0.5 kg

Ideal For

• Vocal and instrument tracking

• Adding Neve coloration to line-level synths, drum machines, or mixes

• High-end project and commercial studios

• Engineers seeking classic Neve tone in a modern 500-series workflow