Rupert Neve, Grammy-Winning Architect of Modern Recorded Music, Dies at 94
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Rupert Neve, a pioneering designer of audio recording equipment that revolutionized the industry, has died, according to a statement on his company’s website. He was 94.
As reported on his website, Neve died on Feb. 12 in Wimberley, Texas from “non-COVID pneumonia and heart failure.”
Often credited as “the man who made the recording console,” Neve is best known for designing and producing microphone preamplifiers, equalizers, compressors and mixing consoles that are sought after in the industry. His designs are staples everywhere from large production facilities to home studios, and have even been reproduced as computer plug-ins to become more accessible for all music lovers and creators.
Born in Newton Abbott, England, in 1926, Neve spent much of his childhood in Argentina and would disassemble and repair radios as a young boy. At the age of 17, Neve volunteered to serve in World War II and worked as part of the British Army’s communication support personnel. In 1961, Neve founded his own company, Neve Electronics, along with his wife, Evelyn. In 1964, Neve built a transistor-based mixing console for Phillips Recording Studio in London, then becoming immersed in the world of designed and producing audio equipment.
He then invented the Neve 50 and Neve 80 mixing desks, and later incorporated microphone preamplifiers, equalizers and processing modules to those models, developing a distinct sound. Neve’s equipment — particularly the Neve 8028 console — can be heard on a plethora of classic recordings, including by The Who, Santana, Fleetwood Mac, Chicago, Earth Wind & Fire, The Grateful Dead and Tom Petty. The Neve 8028 console is also celebrated in Dave Grohl’s 2013 documentary “Sound City,” which features an in-depth interview with Neve.
Neve invented the world’s first moving fader system, NECAM, integrating digital technology into the recording process. His Neve 1073 preamplifier is also regarded as one of the best in its field, and is used widely in the industry as well as replicated in software plug-ins.
In 1975, Neve and his wife sold Neve Companies and established ARN Consultants and later Focusrite Ltd., continuing to produce large-format mixing consoles and outboard equipment. In 1994, Neve and Evelyn moved to Texas and in 2005, they established Rupert Neve Designs.
Josh Thomas, Rupert Neve Designs’ co-founder and general manager, paid tribute to Neve in a statement.
“It was always assumed that the company would outlive him on this earth, and for 16 years he poured his energies into creating a team that would become the caretakers of the theories, practices, and ideologies that truly constitute a Rupert Neve design,” Thomas wrote. “All of us at the company are exceedingly grateful for the years of careful instruction and mentoring with which he has blessed us, and we will continue to preserve his legacy in everything we do moving forward. The world certainly sounds better because he was here.”
In 1997, Neve received the Lifetime Achievement Technical Grammy award and earned an Audio Engineering Society Fellowship award in 2006. Neve is survived by Evelyn, five children, nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
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