If you want to record drums, you’re going to need an audio interface to connect microphones through to your recording software. While the recommended interface would be one with eight channels, sometimes having a large 8-channel interface isn’t possible.
If you’re looking for a smaller one to connect two microphones, you should check out the Neve 88M. It’s a luxurious interface that gives amazing recording quality. In this review, we’re going to dive into what makes it so good.
Is the Neve 88M something that drummers should consider? Keep reading to find out.
The biggest feature of the Neve 88M is that it’s very small and compact. This tiny interface packs a punch, though, as it has much better build quality and sound quality than most of the other popular USB interfaces that drummers tend to use.
It’s a workhorse interface, meaning it can handle anything you throw at it when recording. It only has two preamps, but you can expand on those quite easily with some more recording gear.
With digital connectivity, you have up to 10 ins and outs, giving you plenty of space for different recording options. If you only have two microphones, then the two XLR ports on the interface will be more than enough.
The interface connects with USB 3.0, so it’s easily compatible with all the modern computers that are being released these days.
Lastly, it’s a hand-built interface, giving you the best of what Neve is known to offer with their gear.
The Neve 88M is one of the highest-quality audio interfaces in its segment. The Neve brand has a reputation for releasing high-quality gear, and this interface continues that reputation without a doubt.
The signals you get from microphones are so clear, as well as the sound you get from line input instruments like guitars and keyboards.
The sounds are very full and powerful, and you can immediately hear the difference between this interface and more affordable ones. It’s a total luxury option to have, and you can hear that when you use it.
It’s surprising how good the sound is, considering how small the device is, but somehow Neve has nailed it out of the park with this interface.
The main idea behind the construction of the Neve 88M is that it’s small and simple. You can take it with you anywhere and record through a laptop. Want to record a quick demo at band practice? The Neve 88M will make doing that very easy.
While it’s small, the inclusion of expandable digital connectivity allows you to open up a few channels on your software. This lets you track multiple things at once, which is very useful.
It’s not the most ideal design for drum kits with only two XLR inputs, but it’s perfect if you’re just using one overhead and one kick drum mic. Mike Johnston is a famous drummer who uses a two-mic setup like that, and his mixes sound amazing. You’d be able to use the Neve 88M to do a similar thing.
The performance of the Neve 88M is also top-notch. It’s so easy to use, and you won’t run into any problems when using it through a DAW.
It doesn’t need any external software to run. You can just plug it in and record, and your DAW will do the rest. That’s the beauty of USB audio interfaces, and you experience that in all its glory with the Neve 88M.
The only questionable thing to take note of is that the minimum gain levels are quite high. This is perfect for drums, as they’re so loud already. However, it may affect you negatively if you plan on recording softer instruments.
The Neve 88M is expensive. There’s no dodging the fact. With a price so high, it’s not an interface for everyone to consider. There are cheaper audio interfaces out there that also have 8 preamps to record a full set of drums with.
However, they don’t have the high quality that the Neve 88M has. You’re sacrificing inputs, but you’re getting much better sound quality. The price-to-value ratio is justified because of this.
If you don’t already have an audio interface, we’d suggest getting one of those larger and cheaper options. If you do have an interface, the Neve 88M would be a perfect travel option. It’s also an excellent interface to have at your desk for tracking smaller instrument parts other than drums.
The Neve 88M is a fantastic home studio interface. It’s a bit small to run a full-on recording studio, but it’s amazing for single-person use.
The sound quality is very high, and it’s easy to use. That makes it an ideal option for small producers and musicians who want to record themselves in their bedrooms.
We wouldn’t suggest using the Neve 88M interface for live gigs. It works better as a recording option, as that’s what it was designed for. If you need an input device for live gigs, it would be better to get something a lot bigger with more capabilities.
However, the interface will work well if you do need to use it for some live gigging purposes.
Overall, the Neve 88M is a strong option to consider when looking for USB audio interfaces. If you’re just using a two-microphone setup, you’ll get some incredible recordings.
If you want to use up to eight microphones, you can purchase some expandability gear to still be able to record with this interface. Otherwise, it would be easier just to get an interface that already has eight preamps built into it.
Drum Teacher
Brett Clur has a Drum Performance Diploma from Trinity College London has been playing drums for over 20 years. He is passionate about advanced concepts and uses his years of experience to teach his students about them. While he is a full-time drum teacher, he is also working on growing a YouTube channel where shares his insights. You can see him playing there, or on Instagram where he posts daily videos.
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