Neve 33609 Diode Compressor Teardown

A look inside one of Rupert Neve's greatest inventions, the diode compressor. The 33609 is the same 2254 compressor from Neve's 80-series consoles, but with a class AB signal path and in rack mount format.

[richlodato]

You really made me understand more about diodes. I appreciate the way you went through that unit and described everything in such layman terms, that even I can understand to a certain degree. Thank you.

[spacey_face]

Thanks so much for doing these under the hood break downs - I find this a far easier way to learn about circuits than trying to read the schematics first and then look at the real thing... this way for some reason makes looking at the schematics of a circuit less confusing. I really look forward to more of these videos!

[elpmettsol]

I like your style of narration. You get right into it, without a lot of fluff! So I liked, and subscribed!😊

[benjaminjoeBF]

That's a beast of a compressor! And you're a beast for doing this, cant thank you enough!

[CurtisGabrielMusic]

Not to be pedantic but an important distinction for those that are interested; St Ives actually made the original transformers at the same time as Marinair, Neve had a rule to never take parts from a single manufacturer. So they had St Ives (now Carnhill) make an exact copy of the Marinair which was actually an off the shelf product. Marinair then disappeared and eventually St ives stopped making the transformer as well. However it seems after much demand both companies have been employed to start making these transformers again. Many suggest neither are exactly the same, while all these gear companys like to suggest that their product are the only true exact replica, so you have to take it all with a pinch of salt. Mark from BAE explained that Carnhill (St Ives) are still using the exact machines that they used back in the day so are exact replicas. Either way it seems its as close as you can get without a time machine.

[CharlesTsaiE]

Great!Finally here's a guy gave a deep explanation of diode compressor.Thanks!

[RocknRollkat]

Excellent presentation, thank you !
Bill P.

[grahamshaw]

Absolutely loving these teardown videos, thanks for doing them!!!

[slamcrank]

What a brilliant explanation of diode bridge compression. Thanks for the video!

[robg.]

Great explanation for diode compressors

[IzharAshdot]

Thank you Peterson for another mind opening video.
You’re an amazing teacher.

[Espresso]

I feel like I learn something new every time you do one of these videos. Also thank you for doing this unit! Finally someone explaining exactly what a diod comp does.

On a side note, it seems many viewers admittedly say most of this flies over their head yet find it fascinating enjoy the content. You should consider making a video on teaching the very basics of electronics and schematics. Not just showing a diagram but even pointing out the parts on a on pcb board.

[Brainbox]

One of the best explanations, full stop!

[marklholloway]

Amazing video. Love the detail and technical breakdown. Liked and Subscribed!

[dolovfm]

Great vid many thanks - i think both the RFZ 713 and later the siemens sitral U 273 were diode bridge compressor/limiters which came out before the Neve 2254 ( predecessor to this). I have used all of them ( including the neve ) and they sound great and very different . Also worth mentioning is the WSW 601430 which is also diode bridge and would give a Fairchild 660
/670 a run for its money no problem.

[delusionwalker]

Thank you so much for this video.
Believe ut or not but it really helps for sobering like me who never studies electronics to grasp some sense in all this

[lopezd-rdwm]

Excellent video! The designer of the 33609 is Geoff Tanner.

[Lantertronics]

Interestingly, the Yamaha GX-1 uses similar diode bridges in its voltage controlled filters and some of its early monosynths, as described in U.S. Patent 4039980. It also appears in some early Korg synthesizers like the 700, 770, and MS-50.

[mimidhof]

What a great understanding. This give confidence in your gear built. Ok so I'd like a 8 channels summing-stereo buss compressor with 1073 amp section, CL 1B tube compression, an API continuous sidechain / HP filter knob, LA2A limiter section, blue & red silk + tape or carnhill transformer, 2 mono channel out, M/S - stereo switch, stereo width just before the limiter, all that in an SPL 120v audio rail fashion. Attack, release, treshold, Main+ 2 monitors out, with a 4 band parametric passive EQ. And all that good for Max 1600$ 😁🤭

[ElTimba]

Thankyou for sharing knowledge. There was great to see these diodes in the hardware. Maybe 0, 1% of the area (and cost) for the main work :)