Rupert Neve Designs Announces Shelford Series and 5052 Mic Pre/Inductor EQ
AES 2013 – RND is converging classic design and current sensibilities in a contemporary collection of high-voltage modules – The Shelford Series.
This new series consists of the 5052 Mic Pre/Inductor EQ and an updated 5051 Inductor EQ/Compressor. The 5052 includes many modern features with tons of headroom without the compromise of vintage gear, producing a flexible pre that can be utilized in a variety of ways.
The 5052 is a completely new take on multipurpose rack mounts from RND, blending contemporary with vintage qualities.
The 3-band EQ is also based on multiple vintage RND tech that includes a few modern additions to features and circuitry. Some of which include a variable shelf or peak low band filter, easy problem eq subtraction and capacitor-based topology.
Both the 5052 and 5051 will be available November, 2013 for $2,495 MSRP with power supplies from $749 MSRP (5-way) and $2,495 MSRP (25-way).
Here are more details from RND:
At this year’s AES conference in New York, Rupert Neve Designs is proud to announce the Shelford Series: the 5052 Mic Pre / Inductor EQ, and the updated 5051 Inductor EQ / Compressor. The Shelford 5052 echoes the simple and definitive 1073 feature set with a vertically-oriented mic pre, high pass filter, and 3-band inductor EQ, while also incorporating modern capabilities like the variable Silk / Texture control from the Portico II Series and simultaneous pre / post “tape” operation. Utilizing class-A, discrete, +/- 24V topologies with custom-wound transformers and inductors, Rupert Neve designed the 5052 as a vintage-style channel strip that captures the soul of his classic designs, without the compromises.
Mic Preamp
Like Rupert’s designs from his time in Shelford, the 5052 preamplifier has 72dB of discrete, class-A gain coupled with serious square-core transformers. Unlike the classics however, the output transformer features the Silk Red / Blue and Texture controls from the Portico II Series to hone the harmonic content and tonality of the output stage. By engaging these controls and sufficiently driving the output, the 5052 can produce up to 4-5% THD (primarily 2nd order, some 3rd order), bringing a richness and thickness to tracks when desired with no danger of overloading the output stage.
3-Band EQ
The 3-band, custom-tapped inductor EQ on the 5052 was inspired by RND’s favorite portions of Rupert’s vintage EQ designs. The low frequency band is primarily based on the 1064, which is renowned for its creamy, resonant bass. Unlike the 1064 however, the LF band on the 5052 can be used as either a shelf or a peak filter, adding punch, dimension, and immense control to your low end. The 5052’s inductor midrange band is based on his prized 1073 EQ, which is ideal for sweetening vocals and instruments while bringing them forward in a mix. Additionally, the mid frequency band’s proportional “Q” response makes it well-suited for minimizing problematic frequencies in a source. The 5052’s high frequency band is a hybrid vintage / modern design, blending inductor circuitry from the 1073 with capacitor-based topologies to achieve the vintage tones with enhanced control.
5051 Inductor EQ/Compressor
With the announcement of the Shelford Series, Rupert Neve Designs has also re-released the 5051 Inductor EQ / Compressor for use outside of the 5088 console. The 5051 is “a mix engineer’s dream,” featuring the same high voltage line driver and EQ topologies as the 5052, while also incorporating a linkable VCA compressor similar to that found in the acclaimed Portico II Master Buss Processor. The 5051 is available in the same vertical format as the 5052, and can share the same 5-way or 25-way power supply with 5052 modules.
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