AMS Neve BCM32/2 Mk2 (Years)
A revival of a broadcast console, built for the studio, with that Neve weight in every fader.
Overview
The AMS Neve BCM32/2 Mk2 is a channel-by-channel revival of a console that almost slipped into obscurity. It comes from the rare Neve BCM10/2 broadcast console, designed in 1970 to anchor radio and TV control rooms. This Mk2 answers decades of quiet demand from engineers who saw potential in its DNA but needed far more flexibility. The original BCM10/2 topped out at 10 channels with no direct outputs. That made it a capable summing rig but a frustrating recording desk. The BCM32/2 Mk2 is a 32-channel analogue console built for modern tracking and mixing rather than broadcast compliance. It keeps the Neve hallmarks: Class-A circuitry, custom transformers, and a preamp choice between 1073N, 1073 Classic, and 1084 Classic modules.
It is part of the BCM10/2 Mk2 family, which scales from 10 to 32 channels, and the BCM32/2 Mk2 is the full configuration. It carries forward the ethos of its ancestor but reworks the workflow for studio use. Every channel has a direct output, switchable pre- or post-insert, so you can route anything anywhere. The original could not do that. Summing is handled by the classic 1272 gain makeup amplifier, the same architecture that has defined Neve's tonal signature for generations. The monitoring section supports both stereo and 5.1 formats, with a passive, 24-position, gold-plated monitor level control.
This is not a digital hybrid, and it has no DAW integration built in. The signal path is pure analogue from input to output, with the routing, soloing, and bus flexibility you'd expect from a modern high-end desk, minus the digital layer. The solo system offers both destructive and safe/isolate modes. AMS Neve categorizes it under "Small Format," which is a relative term for a 32-channel Neve with 500-series compression and full surround monitoring.
Specifications
| Manufacturer | AMS Neve |
| Console sizes | 10, 16, 24, or 32 channels |
| BCM32/2 Mk2 features | 32 Channels |
| Choice of preamps | 1073N, 1073 Classic, and 1084 Classic preamps for channel input |
| Summing bus | Classic 1272 summing bus gain makeup |
| Compressors | 2x 500-series slots fitted with Neve 2264ALB compressors, patchable or selectable across the mix bus |
| Direct outputs | Direct outputs on every channel selectable pre- or post-channel insert |
| Aux sends | 4x aux sends, 1x stereo cue, 1x main stereo mix bus |
| Monitoring | Stereo and 5.1 monitoring with passive 24 position gold plated monitor level control |
| Loudspeaker outputs | 3x stereo and 1x 5.1 selectable loudspeaker output sets |
| Solo system | Comprehensive solo system with destructive and safe/isolate modes |
| Reverb returns | 2x Stereo reverb returns with width, mono, and balance controls & 2x mono DI to bus inputs |
| Main mix output insertion | Main mix output insertion selectable pre-or post-fade with IMR (Insert Mix Return) parallel processing controls |
| Connectivity | 25-way D-sub connectivity for easy installation |
| Circuit topology | Class-A topology with Neve-designed custom transformers |
Key Features
Class-A Neve Signal Path
The BCM32/2 Mk2 runs on Class-A topology, which favors headroom, low distortion, and a rich harmonic character. Neve-designed custom transformers sit on every channel. The signal path is fully discrete, with no ICs in the critical audio chain, so every microphone, instrument, or line input gets the same treatment.
Preamp Flexibility: 1073N, 1073 Classic, or 1084 Classic
One of the most compelling aspects of the BCM32/2 Mk2 is the ability to choose between three legendary preamp types. The 1073N offers a modern interpretation with extended bandwidth and lower noise, while the 1073 Classic delivers the full vintage EQ and mid-forward punch that defined 1970s rock records. The 1084 Classic, less commonly found on large consoles, brings a different EQ curve and a slightly more open high end — ideal for vocals or acoustic sources. This level of customization means the console can be tailored to a studio’s sonic identity, not just its channel count.
Dual 2264ALB 500-Series Compressors
Two 500-series slots are built into the console, each loaded with a Neve 2264ALB compressor, a discrete, VCA-based design known for its musicality and fast response. They can be patched or selected across the mix bus, so you can apply bus compression without external gear. They can also be used flexibly, either as insert processors or as shared dynamics tools.
Direct Outputs with Insert Switching
Direct outputs on every channel are a major upgrade over the original BCM10/2, and they can be switched pre- or post-insert. You can send a clean preamp signal to a recorder while still using the channel's EQ and dynamics, or capture the full processed signal downstream. That helps in hybrid setups where outboard gear is patched in but discrete stems are still needed.
IMR: Insert Mix Return for Parallel Processing
The main mix output includes Insert Mix Return (IMR) controls, which allow parallel processing with pre- or post-fade insertion. Engineers can blend compressed or effected versions of the mix with the dry signal using dedicated level controls, all within the console. There is no need for external summing or complex patching to get parallel compression on the master bus.
Passive Gold-Plated Monitor Control
The monitoring section supports both stereo and 5.1 formats, with three stereo and one 5.1 loudspeaker output sets. The passive 24-position gold-plated monitor level control puts no active circuitry in the signal path and gives precise, repeatable level adjustments. Gold plating reduces oxidation over time.
Historical Context
The AMS Neve BCM32/2 Mk2 exists because the original Neve BCM10/2, introduced in 1970, was both promising and limited. Designed as a broadcast console, it featured 10 already-racked 1073 preamps and 1072 line amps in the summing matrix. But it lacked direct outputs per channel unless modified, and the 10-channel limit made it awkward as a primary recording console. It found use as a sub-mixer, but never achieved the studio dominance of Neve's other designs. Decades later, engineers who admired its architecture asked for a version built for tracking and mixing. AMS Neve responded with the BCM10/2 Mk2 series, a family of consoles that kept the core DNA but expanded channel counts, added modern routing, and fixed the original's shortcomings. The BCM32/2 Mk2 is the largest configuration in that family.
Collectibility & Value
The AMS Neve BCM32/2 Mk2 is not a vintage collectible in the traditional sense. It is a new-build console, not a used piece from the 1970s. Its collectibility lies in its rarity, its lineage, and its position as a modern tribute to a nearly forgotten design. The base price is $174,950.00. Adding a console stand with lockable castors or fixed feet brings the price to $176,900.00, while genuine Cherry Oak loudspeaker shelves add $175,295.00 to the total. A producer's section (700mm wide) brings the cost to $183,400.00. There is no data on depreciation, common failures, or maintenance costs, as this is a current-production item sold directly through official channels. Its value rests on the Neve name and the demand for high-end analogue summing and processing in an increasingly digital world.
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