Neve 88C: Legendary Console Sound in a Portable Box
Neve recently released their new 88C Compressor, inspired by the iconic Neve 88 Series console found in some of the best studios around the world. Now, that legendary sound is available in a compact, portable device—perfect for your home studio, touring rig, or any remote session. You can literally bring the “Neve sound” anywhere.
I was lucky enough to be one of the first to test the Neve 88C, and within just a few days of using it, I realized this compressor quickly earned a permanent spot in about 80% of my mixes and production sessions.
Working remotely with songwriters and artists, I often get vocals recorded in simple home setups—dry, flat, and lacking body. I used to stack tons of processing: saturation, EQs, compressors, modulation… but with the Neve 88C, that changed. It instantly gives vocals weight, depth, and that analog color we’re always chasing in home recordings.
Even though I work out of Playback Los Angeles, where I have access to dozens of vintage and modern compressors—including other Neve gear—the 88C stands out for its versatility, warm tone, and flexible operation modes. You can run it as two mono channels or a single stereo unit depending on your setup.
Personally, I run the Neve 88C through a FreqInOut FO1 system, which turns any analog hardware into a plugin. That means I don’t compress during recording—I add the effect later in post, keeping full control without sacrificing quality.
What I loved most about it:
Portability – Compact, lightweight, and doesn’t require external power
Easy to connect – No racks or special equipment needed
Flexibility – Stereo or dual mono operation
Sound – Warm, musical, with that signature “Neve” character
Price – More than reasonable for the quality you get
Honestly, I tried to find a downside just to balance the review—but after extended testing, I couldn’t find anything worth complaining about. It’s one of the most convenient and musical compressors I’ve used in years.
Huge thanks to Sweetwater for letting me be one of the first to try the Neve 88C. I’ll drop a link below so you can check it out for yourself. If you care about great sound, this one’s a must-have.
Templates: Simplify Your Workflow
Finally, if you’re looking to speed up your workflow, consider using templates. Whether for recording vocals or starting your production sessions, templates save you time and effort. If you’re curious about the templates used by top producers, check out my store for some great options.
Thanks for reading! If you found this guide helpful, make sure to subscribe to my blog for more free resources, tips, and soon-to-be-released sample packs and loops to help you level up your music production.