The 4081 Quad Mic Preamp builds on the incredible success of the 1081 and 1081R modules and provides both powerful control and legendary Neve sound.

Every function of the 4081 can be controlled directly from the front panel or by remote control using a Mac or PC with Neve Remote Control software. This provides a simple and elegant solution for users of ProTools, Nuendo, Cubase and similar DAW systems. Multiple 4081 units can be linked together to create up to 64 independent channels of Mic Preamps or Line Level inputs – all controlled from a single computer.And now with Version 2.00 software, metering information is displayed within the Remote Mic Control window, which is passed back from the 4081 unit(s) to the Remote Mic Control software running on the computer being used for remote control.
 
The Features
- Remote Control of legendary Neve microphone preamp design
- Four genuine 1081 Mic preamp channels in a single 9.5” wide unit
- Two units can be linked together to provide 8-channels in a 19” unit with optional 19″ rack-mount kit
- Remote control using a Mac or PC with Neve Remote Control software
- XLR Mic input can be switched between Mic and electronically balanced Line
- Switchable 48V Phantom power supply
- Digital I/O Option: Firewire/AES interface with four channels of A/D conversion to either AES or FireWire and 4 channels of D/A conversion. Analogue Insert (pre A/D converter) per channel.
 
Options
An optional Digital card provides a FireWire/AES interface with four channels of A/D conversion to either AES or FireWire. An insert point is available before the A/D converter on each channel to allow external, analogue Outboard equipment to be switched into the signal path. Four channels of AES-to-analogue or FireWire-to-analogue conversion are also available.FireWire interface for 4081, with AES conversion.
 
The expansion board is fitted internally to a 4081 unit and has two modes of operation, determined by whether a FireWire connection is detected or not.
 
Mode 1 – Standalone (no FireWire detected)
The 4 analogue outputs from the 4081 Mic Pre or Insert are mapped to the two stereo AES OUTPUTS. The two stereo AES INPUTS are mapped to the 4 analogue outputs – these are simply an AES to analogue convertor. The 4 analogue outputs are also available on the 25 way d-type on the back of the main 4081 unit.
 
If no sync input is detected (either Wordclock or AES), then the expansion board runs on internal sync and the sample rate is selected by the UP/DOWN buttons on the front panel.  If a valid sync input is detected, then the sample rate is automatically calculated and indicated on the front panel.External AES EBU cable lengths are limited to 100M.
 
Mode 2 – FireWire detected
Multiple 4081 units can be cascaded onto one FireWire stream, or starred back to the FireWire card. There is currently a limit in the driver of 4 units per FireWire stream. 4 units gives 16 IN and 16 OUT on a single DAW connection if using FireWire, but the available bandwidth allows 16 IN and 16 OUT at 192kHz.
 
The first unit in the chain becomes the master, and provides the sync to the other 4081 units either via FireWire or Wordclock. Supports ASIO driver – the sample rate is set via the DAW software driver.
 
A 19″ rack-mount kit is also available and can be used to securely mount one or two 4081 units into a 19″ rack enclosure.