AMS Neve 2264ALB
The 2264ALB is AMS Neve's 500-series reissue of the legendary 2264A mono limiter/compressor, originally released in 1974. As Tape Op put it, the vintage 2264A is "hard to service" and carries a significant price tag — the 2264ALB steps in as a modern, serviceable alternative that captures the character of the original in a single-slot module.
The circuit is a diode-bridge design, with transformer-coupled input, bridge-driver, sidechain, and output stages using Marinair-specification transformers. The module packs a lot into its front panel: three sets of concentric controls. The top set handles the limiter (threshold from +4 dB to +15 dB via the center knob; recovery time from 50 ms to 800 ms plus two auto settings via the outer ring). The middle set does the same for the compressor (threshold −20 dB to +10 dB; recovery 100 ms to 1500 ms). The bottom set covers make-up gain (0 dB to +20 dB) and compressor ratio (1.5:1 to 6:1). Pushing the center knobs toggles the limiter in/out and stereo linking, with LEDs for status. Two modern additions over the original: a signal-present LED and a slow-attack switch. Gain reduction is shown on a six-step LED ladder across the top — basic metering, as Tape Op noted, so your ears matter more than the lights.
Tape Op reviewed a pair and came away impressed: easy to get great sounds quickly, capable of transparent control or rich, colored compression when pushed. The reviewer found it added "kick-ass punch" to snare, handled acoustic guitar with warmth, and couldn't make it sound bad even at extreme settings. The only gripe was slight side-to-side play in some control knobs — a fair trade for the functionality packed into the format. At $1,395 street, it's positioned as a reasonable entry into genuine Neve compression versus hunting down an aging original.
The 2264ALB can also be inserted between the input and output stages of the 1073LB preamp module, creating a full Neve signal path in 500-series format.
Known specifications:
- Format: 500-series, single slot
- Input: 10,000 ohm, bridging, balanced, earth-free
- Limiter threshold: +4 dB to +15 dB
- Limiter recovery: 50 ms–800 ms plus two auto settings
- Compressor threshold: −20 dB to +10 dB
- Compressor recovery: 100 ms–1500 ms
- Compressor ratio: 1.5:1 to 6:1
- Make-up gain: 0 dB to +20 dB
- Stereo linking via control voltage (Pin 6 in compatible racks)
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