A bluffers guide to Neve Compact desks...
The original 1960's Class A modules have chunky transformers and (in theory) minimal crossover distortion, giving a very full, rich and warm sound. The upside is the full, fat spread - glorious on acoustic guitars and some vocals - but the downside is the 'sluggish' transients, which are fine for Fleetwood Mac stylee drums but to my ears (and to others, less aged) tend to be a little slow and laid back for modern music. The API will give you that classic 70's drum sound anyway (think the Eagles and most West Coast rock).
The BCM10 is a small, ten channel console usually loaded with either 1066 or 1073 modules (the 1066 has different midrange frequencies and isn't as fashionable as the 1973 although I think it's just as good and they tend to be cheaper/easier to find. The 1084 is effectively a 1073 with a selectable top end as opposed to merely cut and boost on the 1073/1066 so is more versatile if harder to find). Basic though they are, a BCM10 in good condition would probably set you back well over £30k The KELSO came shortly after the BCM10 and is a scaled down console, in that i) it's class A/B (see below), ii) has a fully blown mic pre (the same as is used in the 1081 or 33 series) but iii) has simple 'filter' eq (two band cut or boost) and iv) has no direct outputs (although Blake Devit does a transfromer balanced add on to give direct outs).
The pres sound great and they're a great deal more affordable than the BCM10 or the... MELBOURN came out in the early 1970's and is a compact twelve channel desk designed to house the broadcast 33 series modules. Rupert introduced the 33 series modules (33114/33115/33118) as a scaled down version of the 1081 (the large class A/B mocules used in the classic 8048 and later 8078 consoles albeit with different knobs). Class A/B technology combines the detail, fat sound and superb imagery of transfomer balanced class A modules with a faster transient - i.e. more punch.
I'm told that Rupert himself preferred the sound of class A/B, although this may be one of a thousand myths surrounding the great but eccentric man. The Melbourne is a lovely small desk, combining a lot of facilities (two track returns, monitor select, metering, two or four aux's) with direct outputs and a fantastic sound. When I started out, I used to pick them up for £800 and gloat as I sold them to Americans for two grand. Who's laughing now? At £25k upwards, it ain't me...
