Rupert Neve facts for kids

Arthur Rupert Neve (born 31 July 1926 – died 12 February 2021) was a famous British-American electronics engineer and entrepreneur. He was a pioneer in designing professional audio recording equipment. He created analog recording and mixing gear that was highly desired by top musicians and recording experts.

Some of his famous customers included music groups like The Beatles, Aerosmith, and Nirvana. His equipment was also used in well-known recording studios such as Sound City Studios and Abbey Road Studios. Companies he worked with include Neve Electronics, Focusrite, AMS Neve, and Rupert Neve Designs. He received a special Technical Grammy Award for his lifetime achievements in 1997.

Early Life and First Steps in Electronics

Rupert Neve was born in Newton Abbot, England, on July 31, 1926. He spent much of his early childhood in Buenos Aires, Argentina. His father worked there as a missionary.

From the age of 13, Rupert began designing audio amplifiers and radio receivers. When World War II started, there was a big need for radios. Rupert started repairing and selling them. At 17, he joined the Army's Royal Corps of Signals and served in World War II.

Rupert Neve's Amazing Career

Neve VR-72 with Flying Faders

After the war, Rupert Neve started his career designing public address systems. These systems help make voices louder for large groups. He also recorded speeches and songs onto lacquer discs. In the 1940s, he recorded speeches by Prime Minister Winston Churchill and sent them to radio stations.

He even provided the sound system for Queen Elizabeth (when she was a princess). This was for the opening of a church that had been rebuilt after being destroyed in the Blitz.

In the 1950s, Rupert worked with Rediffusion, a company that was an early version of cable TV. Later, he started his own company, CQ Audio, which made hifi speaker systems.

In 1961, he formed Neve Electronics. This is where he began designing and building mixing consoles for recording studios. A mixing console is a large board that lets engineers control and blend many different sounds together. He built his first transistor-based mixing console for Phillips Recording Studio in London in 1964. One of his famous customers then was The Beatles and their producer George Martin.

Rupert sold Neve Electronics in 1975. He continued to work on important audio equipment. He designed microphone preamplifiers, equalizers, and compressors. These devices help make sounds clear, balanced, and smooth. Many of his older products are still highly valued by professionals today. He is often given credit for designing the modern recording console.

In 1989, he was added to the Mix Hall of Fame. In 1997, he received a Technical Grammy Award for his lifetime achievements. A survey in 1999 by Studio Sound magazine named him the top audio personality of the 20th century. Musician Dave Grohl even interviewed Rupert Neve for the 2013 documentary Sound City.

Companies Rupert Neve Worked With

Rupert Neve was involved with several important companies throughout his career.

Neve and AMS Neve

Neve 8078

AMS Neve 8816 Summing Mixer (bottom)

Neve Electronics was Rupert's first company. It started in his home and later moved to its own building. He sold the company in 1973 and left in 1975. Later, Neve Electronics merged with another company called AMS (Advanced Music Systems) to form AMS Neve.

Focusrite

Focusrite Console 72in 48out with GML Fader Automation

Rupert and his wife, Evelyn, founded Focusrite. This company made high-quality audio equipment like equalizers, processors, and amplifiers. They created gear that engineers would put in racks in recording studios. The company closed in 1989, but its assets were bought and a new Focusrite company was started.

ARN Consultants

Amek 9098i

Legendary Audio Masterpiece

In 1975, Rupert and Evelyn started ARN Consultants. This was a company that offered advice and design services. They worked with Amek Systems to design new audio equipment. ARN Consultants also helped design the special pickup system for Taylor Guitars' acoustic guitars. Rupert also designed a preamplifier called the K4 for Taylor.

Rupert Neve Designs

Rupert Neve Designs Portico 5015 Mic Pre Compressor

Rupert Neve started Rupert Neve Designs in 2005. This company sells many types of audio equipment, including microphone preamplifiers, equalizers, and compressors. They created the Portico series, which allowed people to build their own modular mixing and recording setups. The company has won many TEC Awards for its innovative products.

In 2008, Rupert also partnered with sE Electronics. Together, they designed a special line of microphones called the "Rupert Neve Signature Series."

Personal Life

Rupert Neve was married to his wife, Evelyn, for almost 70 years. They had five children. In 1994, the couple moved to Wimberley, Texas, United States. They became U.S. citizens in 2002.

Rupert Neve passed away on February 12, 2021, in Wimberley. He was 94 years old. His death was caused by pneumonia and heart failure.

See also

In Spanish: Rupert Neve para niños