Review - Neve 88R LB 500 Series Module

In this video for Pro Tools Expert, Technical Editor James Ivey takes a look at the Neve 88R LB 500 series mic pre and DI. The 88R and RS consoles have been described as some of the best sounding mixers in history and the 88R LB pre is taken straight from this classic board. James uses a pair of these stunning microphone pre-amps record drum overheads, screaming lead and rhythm guitars and a Bass using the DI input with the stunning REGenerate feature. Listen and enjoy.

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

For a drummer, your also a great guitar player!! Great video and performance James!

[@MattJoko]

r you kidding me!! what an awsome performance. you rock!!! Totaly forgot about what this vid was about

[@felix9671]

Hi! if you had to choose one pair to record mostly stereo acoustic guitars, piano and percussion , like ( bongos, cajon, etc ) which one do you recommend ? RND511 or Neve 88R lb ? thank you very much !

[@Sagerydian]

I have a question: is it rather lovely or not?

[@WarIsOver-ifyouwantit]

what was the signal flow after the 88RLB? is it going through any compressorss or EQ? I wish you'd do an AB testing with the 88RLB bypassed and going through straight to some normal Audio interface preamps.

[@EJ-ov4kw]

I've found the best sound comes straight through the pre amp into the box. I've always loved the sound, I recomend doing as little as possible after that, aside from adding a gate for the drums maybe. Subtractive comprehension and e.q. I'll usually do in the box - anything to retain the raw sound really. I've had the great opportunity to work on an 88R and they just sound absolutely wonderful on their own.

[@regnifelrub]

Amazing performance! What I do not like about these preamps (I own two of them) is that they do not memorize certain settings after switching off and on again. Source, phantom power, and locut you have to press everyday, some of them multiple times. This may not sound too bad but something like locut is prone to forgetting. And just imagine you have 24 of these preamps and record a band everyday... The sound surely is good but at that price tag I'd rather buy no compromises...

[@64hapz]

@regnifelrub Thanks for sharing your experience with these. What would be your alternative if you could choose a different preamp? Thanks in advance.

[@stayaway8823]

You are multifunctional and multi skilled.

[@voband]

How does the sound compare vs the 1073 next to it?

[@INeedsMoneys]

1073 less open, less transparent transparent sounding, while also a bit dirtier in low mids. 1073 also shaves off a bit of the highs

[@JanusJanavas]

Alec Brits did a fantastic comparison of the two. Spoiler: the 88RLB arguably sounds better.

[@sourcefor]

Used to have one of those..loved it why did I sell????!!!!What console is that?

[@midimyke]

Love the bass on that track

[@preciseaudioblog]

Nice vid! If you’ve had a video with guitars and bass separated, would be awesome! Cheers!

[@PapiCee]

Can someone tell how does the 88rlb compare to the 1073lb?????

[@richieconwaymusic]

I have the same question!

[@PapiCee]

Richie Conway hi I went today to vintage king and really love the 88rlb over the 1073 the sounds were similar except the 88r was thicker and had a 3D quality but I tested 7 different pres and the 88r was my fav 1073 came in 3rd to API 512

[@richieconwaymusic]

Score! I purchased an 88rlb and am eagerly waiting for it to arrive! Thanks for the insight. How does it compare to the API 512? I have a 512 too, and love it.

[@PapiCee]

Richie Conway congrats!88rlb has that neve sound that just reminds me of a finished record where the 512 sound thin to me similar to the 1073 where the raw recording of 88rlb had new modern sound that you hear on the radio (I used the U87 mic) and the raw recording sound like my voice was right between the speakers where the other two sounded like airy and thin in comparison I also tried 8 different eq in combo with the 88rlb and love it with 1073 lb eq the others eq's just didn't cut it

[@richieconwaymusic]

That's good to know about the 1073lb eq! Do you notice a difference eqing it then, rather than post?

[@CreativeSpacestudios]

Nice, very nice!

[@hermecazares]

Great performance

[@Garock2]

Gr8 video. Greetz from Brazil 🇧🇷🙃🙃🙃

[@chrisquanta4048]

really cool performance

[@adhinugrahadsp]

Best Sound 👍👍👌

[@kevinsmusicroom1362]

So I’m guessing that’s an audient mix!

[@peteralbert9805]

Could have been a very nice demonstration of the 88R LB. Too bad that it is not.

[@iiisaaciiiriv8981]

Great video!! Man, that 1073 looks so ugly though.

[@PerceptiveAudio]

I think it looks sexy and very Rock n' Roll