Neve 88M MK2: Route Your DAW Signals Through Neve Preamps
Neve's compact interface gets an update.
4,2 / 5,0 | 
The Neve 88M MK2 is the latest version of the compact USB audio interface with some exciting additional features for DAW integration and reamping.
About the Neve 88M:
Released back in 2022, the 88M was AMS Neve’s first-ever audio interface, bringing the Marinair™ transformer-equipped mic preamps from the 88RS console into an accessible desktop format.
Neve 88M MK2
As we’ve mentioned, the 88M MK2 allows you to select your DAW as an input source on either of the preamps. This is ideal for reamping signals from inside your DAW, or with the insert path, the 88M preamps allow you to set up a hardware processing chain, bringing the narrow gap between the analogue and digital realms.
Naturally, two channels enable stereo processing, which is useful for adding warmth from the Marinair™ transformers to your lead vocal or guitar groups, as well as your drum bus. Also, it’s particularly exciting for users of the 88C dual VCA compressor, which bears a close ressemblance offers dual mono or linked stereo processing.
The ESS AD/DA stage remains, offering the same reference-grade 24-bit 192kHz conversion as before. However, there is now a dedicated power switch and a USB-C port for connectivity. In addition, the monitor attenuation control has been refined, giving you more precise control of your output levels.
Meanwhile, for dealing with high-output active guitar and bass pickups, there is a switchable -6 dB pad to trim back the input. Overall, while some potential users may still want XLR outputs on the rear panel, this is still an exciting update. The incentive to add hardware processing to your DAW workflow will certainly be appreciated, as well as the upgraded headphone preamp.
NAMM 2022: AMS Neve 88M Dual Mic Preamp & USB Audio Interface
[03 Jun 2022] Lyubomir Dobrev: AMS Neve 88M is the first digital audio interface carrying the emblematic brand. Equipped with dual mic preamps and USB connectivity, the desktop unit uses the same transformer-balanced technology as the flagship Neve 88RS large-format console. Here’s more about the big announcement…
AMS Neve 88M USB Audio Interface with Dual Mic Preamps
The 88M is designed and manufactured in England, which is notable considering AD/DA converters and audio interfaces in general are manufactured in China. Neve, being renowned for its musically colorful 1073 preamps, it also comes off as a surprise that the 88M’s dual mic pres are ‘precise and clinical’.
More specifically, they are a faithful reproduction of the Neve 88R console preamps. This console was designed to accommodate the preferences of recording engineers for external preamps. Now everyone with the budget can have two of those ‘pristine Neve’ pres. However, Neve does use the ‘faithful reproduction’ term to describe the interface’s pres. I’d be surprised if the complete 88R/RS Marinair transformer-balanced preamp circuitry made it over to a box this small.
The 88M is housed in a robust shell and is bus-powered. That makes sense considering the interface is designed with project studios and location recording in mind. Neve speaks highly of the sound quality as well. Unfortunately, we lack the finer details at the time of writing. I presume it’s premium converters and the kind of components that go into the manufacturer’s consoles that make up most of the innards.
Pricing and Availability:
The Neve 88M is currently available for pre-order. Get it at Thomann.*
More about the Neve 88M:
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One response to “Neve 88M MK2: Route Your DAW Signals Through Neve Preamps”
Like the idea but the design is terrible I will probably wait for 2nd version, for 1200 they better improve the look and make better knobs. Looks cheap as hell….