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In the world of audio engineering, few names evoke as much reverence as Neve. The Neve 2254 compressor/limiter stands as a testament to this legacy, bridging the gap between vintage warmth and modern functionality. Originally designed in 1969, the 2254 quickly became a cornerstone in professional studios, famed for its rich, creamy sound and its ability to glue tracks together seamlessly.
The roots of the 2254 can be traced back to the collaboration between David Rees and Rupert Neve. In the late 1960s, Rees developed the 2253 diode-bridge limiter for ABC Weekend Television in the UK. The following year, Neve released the 2254 compressor/limiter, an evolution of the 2253 featuring a compressor sidechain with selectable ratios and release times optimized for music production. The 2254 compressor became a standard module in Neve's 80 Series consoles and has been used on countless classic records over the years.
When it comes to sound, the Neve 2254 is often described as creamy, warm, and thick. The 2254 excels in thickening up subgroups, especially drums, giving them a cohesive and polished sound. This makes it an excellent choice for those looking to add character and depth to their mixes.
At the heart of the Neve 2254 is its innovative use of all-discrete Class A circuitry, complemented by transformer-coupled inputs. The compressor utilizes a diode bridge as its level control element, a choice that is both unique and influential. By adjusting the dynamic resistance of the diodes, the 2254 achieves a smooth level of gain reduction while minimizing distortion.
The 2254 compressor's limited parameters make it less flexible than some of its counterparts, such as the 33609, but this is precisely what many engineers appreciate about it. Three switches for Limit, Compress, and De-Ess can be used to engage or disengage the associated function.
On the original 2254, the compressor’s attack is fixed at 5ms, while the limiter's attack is selectable between 100 microseconds and 1 millisecond. Both the compressor and limiter circuits have their own release time controls. Compressor release times are selectable between 400 ms, 800 ms, 1500 ms, or auto, while limiter release times are selectable between 100 ms, 200 ms, 800 ms, or auto.
In the auto position, both the Attack and Recovery times respond to the incoming audio signal. The 2254 reacts quickly to isolated peaks while providing slow, consistent compression for sustained peaks.
The compressor circuit features controls for ratio, selectable between 1.5:1, 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, and 6:1, while the limiter section features a variable threshold, which can be set between +4 dBu to +12 dBu in 2 dB step.
Throughout its history, the Neve 2254 has seen several revisions, including the 2254/A, 2254/E, and the modern replica, the 2254/R. Each iteration has introduced refinements while retaining the core characteristics that made the original a classic.
As seen here, the Neve 2254/A replaces the De-Ess and Limit Attack switches with controls for compressor threshold and make-up gain. However, the attack time is fixed at 5 milliseconds.
The Neve 2254/E upgraded the limiter bypass switch to include options for slow or fast attack times, just like the original 2254.
In 2021, AMS Neve released the 2254/R, a rack-mountable reissue of the original Neve 2254 with manually adjustable attack time, clipping indication, and storable settings.
In addition to being a studio staple in its own right, the 2254 was also the inspiration for the popular Neve 33609 compressor, which was essentially a stereo version of the 2254 designed to be used as a bus compressor in the brand's 80 Series consoles. Check out our blog on the history of the Neve 33609 compressor to learn more about the vintage models or pick up Neve's modern reissue, the 33609/N.
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