[quote author="Jeff Goodman"]FYI: the Eq and Mic Pre/Lim sections of the V/V2/V3/VR/VRL/VRP/VX versions of the console are identical. So the V-Rack drawings wil be the same as any of those.[/quote]
Not so, I'm afraid.
The V and V2 were non-parametric, They only had sweep sections and no bandwidth control, amongst other differences. They were essentially much the same EQ as on the much-maligned 8124/8232 series boards. Only with the V3 did the fully-parametric EQ evolve. The VR was the V3 with Recall, the 'L' ("Legend") was the same with oxygen-free cabling and perforated rear panels, the VRP was the post-production version with more panning options, the VX was a further minor evolution with mainly the paint colour changed on the channel strips. (the center section however, did evolve a lot on the VX...)
We were offered the very first V series console ever built (it went into the old Strawberry 2 studios in Manchester, instead...) -we turned it down because there was no fully parametric EQ and bought an SSL instead. Our bookings went through the roof, Strawberry 2 bought the Neve and went broke. Neve came a-calling again when they built the V2, again we told them to go and build one with a parametric EQ (and preferably recall!) and come back when they did. We bought a second SSL.
Eventually the V3 came out, we sold our second SSL and bought a V3. No more than a month or so after we confirmed our order, they announced the VR. We were annoyed that we hadn't been told that it was in development, but we kept to the deal.
-So I know from first-hand experience that they're not the same. :wink:
They made some changes to the mic pres, but they never did fix the idiotic 30dB pad. Usually kick drums were just a teensy-bit hot, so you invariably wanted to chip a bit of gain off, to keep the channel/EQ from overloading. As a result, using the ridiculous 30dB pad meant that you normally had to wind back on about 25dB more gain on the mic pre, and usually the hissiest thing in the session was the kick drum mic. I don't like having to gate drums just because the console manufacturer couldn't get their shit together, so we modded several channels on our V3 (and then our later VR purchase also) to have 10dB and 20dB options, by using a selection of different resistor values.
The mods for the mic pres that I'm aware of were incorporated by Neve in the VR and after the V3. They were aimed at making the mic pre slightly quiter (Here's a better idea... lose the stupid 30dB pad!!!) and didn;t significantly affect the tonality of the pres. The only other change I ever heard of, was the usual "pick-your-fave" boutique IC swap... (it's an OEP transformer followed by a 5534... there's not much you can do!)
Neve never dignified our comments and suggestions for modifying the utterly useless (unless you're close-micing a shuttle launch using high-output large diaphragm condensors! :twisted: ) pads.
Keith