Rupert Neve Designs 5034 Newton Channel

Modern and powerful channel strip with a rich sonic heritage.

Its intuitive design offers a classic and recognizable sound, along with the ability to shape sound with Rupert Neve Designs' signature characteristics. The Newton Channel is suitable for recording studios of various sizes and can be used both in the studio and live, allowing more industry professionals to experience the quality of RND products. Its name is inspired by Rupert's birthplace, Newton Abbot, England, and reflects his life's sonic journey: from tradition to modern, with everything in between. It is an extremely versatile and high-quality channel strip, capable of bringing any sound source to life with the typical classic Rupert Neve Designs sound.

Overview

The Newton Channel includes a Class-A microphone preamplifier, a discrete and musical 3-band EQ section, a fast and flexible VCA compressor, and Rupert Neve Designs' exclusive transformer-coupled outputs with the innovative variable Silk Red & Blue harmonic generation circuit.

Input Stage and Microphone Preamplifier

The Newton's microphone preamplifier offers the typical timbre and musicality of Rupert Neve Designs products. This preamp makes it easy to create a crisp, clean, and detailed sound. With 72 dB of gain, including 6 dB of fine trim control, the Newton is ideal for a wide range of sources. The input stage is designed to adapt to the impedances of normal microphone sources and can also handle line levels, making it possible to use a pair of Newtons during mixing. The Newton also includes a variable high-pass filter with a wide range of frequency adjustment and an independent bypass switch that allows for quick elimination of unwanted noise, resonances, or other low frequencies in the source signal.

The Equalizer

The Newton's EQ section is designed for speed and flexibility with simplified controls. The low and high frequency bands can be precisely adjusted using 31-step potentiometers, allowing for gain boosts or cuts of up to 12 dB. You can switch from delicate to extreme settings as needed. The Newton's parametric mid-band EQ includes another 31-step potentiometer and a wide range of mid-frequencies, adjustable between 220 Hz and 7 kHz. This makes the mid-frequency band particularly flexible, allowing you to reduce unwanted frequencies in the low-mid range, increase mid-frequency presence, or attenuate high-mid frequencies. The selection of a fixed Q ensures a balance between musicality and precision, wide enough for precise equalization without negatively interfering with adjacent frequencies. As with every section of the Newton Channel, the EQ also has an independent bypass button.

The Compressor

The Newton Channel also includes the latest version of Rupert Neve Designs' VCA compressor, with a +20 dB make-up gain and extensive control to adjust the desired amount of compression while maintaining the sound. There is also a "pre EQ/post EQ" switch to position the compressor before or after the EQ section, as well as an independent bypass button.

Variable Silk

At the end of the Newton's signal path is the exclusive variable Silk circuit, which allows you to amplify 2nd and 3rd harmonics through Rupert Neve Designs' custom output transformers, creating a vintage sound. With the adjustable Texture knob, you can precisely select the desired harmonic density. Red Silk mode accentuates harmonics in the high and upper-mid frequencies, while Blue mode emphasizes harmonics in the low and lower-mid frequencies. With the Silk/Texture circuit engaged, the Newton's output stage enriches every track, imparting greater power and brilliance.

Custom Transformer Outputs

The Newton Channel features a custom transformer-balanced line output stage. Additionally, there is a -6 dBu XLR output that allows for compensation of high input levels and Silk harmonic saturation. This allows you to take full advantage of the transformer harmonics without distorting the next device in the signal chain. Both outputs are active and can be used simultaneously.

Specifications

• Mic Gain: 12-step rotary switch controlling the mic preamp gain in 6 dB steps. For line-level input signals, set mic gain to "0dB" position.
• 48V: Switch that illuminates RED when +48V Phantom power is active.
• Ø (Polarity): Pushbutton switch that illuminates amber when engaged and inverts the preamp signal polarity.
• HPF: Switch that illuminates GREEN when the high pass filter is engaged.
• FREQ: 31-step potentiometer allowing the user to adjust the high pass filter cutoff frequency in a range from 20Hz to 250Hz.
• EQ IN: Switch that illuminates GREEN when the EQ section is activated.
• TRIM: 31-step potentiometer allowing the user to adjust the preamp gain by +/- 6 dB.
• LF: 31-step potentiometer that controls the amount of boost or cut of the low frequency shelf in a range of +/- 12dB.
• 60/150: Switch that selects between the two available low frequency shelves: 60Hz (OUT) and 150Hz (IN).
• MID FREQ: 31-step potentiometer controlling the frequency of the midband peaking EQ in a range between 220 Hz and 7 kHz.
• MID: 31-step potentiometer controlling the amount of boost or cut for the MID FREQ peaking EQ in a range of +/- 12 dB.
• 8K/16K: Switch that selects between the two available high frequency shelves: 8kHz (OUT) and 16kHz (IN).
• HF: 31-step potentiometer controlling the amount of boost or cut for the high frequency shelf in a range of +/- 12 dB.
• COMP IN: Switch that illuminates GREEN when the compressor section is engaged.
• RELEASE: 31-step potentiometer controlling the compressor release time. The overall timing range available is from 50mS (FAST) to 500mS (SLOW).
• THRESHOLD: 31-step potentiometer controlling the compressor threshold from +20dBu to -30dBu. When the input signal exceeds the set threshold level, compression begins with
• a soft-knee with a 2:1 ratio.
• GAIN: 31-step potentiometer controlling the compressor make-up gain in a range from -6dB to +20dB.
• PRE EQ: Pushbutton switch that, when active, routes the compression section before the EQ section.
• SILK: Illuminated pushbutton switch that toggles between the three available SILK modes: OFF, RED, and BLUE.
• TEXTURE: 31-step potentiometer controlling the amount of SILK harmonics added to the transformer output stage when SILK mode is activated.
• GR and OUT Metering: 8-segment LED meter indicating compressor gain reduction (dB) and output level (dBu).
• POWER: LED that illuminates GREEN when the Newton Channel is powered on.
• Newton Rear Panel Features
• POWER: IEC AC power input with integrated power switch. 100-240VAC at 50/60Hz. Maximum power consumption 35 Watts AC power.
• GROUND LIFT: Slide switch that lifts Pin 1 of the XLR from chassis ground on the MAIN OUT and -6dB OUT to help isolate from ground interference.
• -6dB OUT: Balanced XLR output using a secondary lower-level output on the custom Rupert Neve Designs transformer.
• MAIN OUT: Balanced XLR output using the custom Rupert Neve Designs transformer.
• LINK: 1/4" TRS jack that allows two Newton Channel compressors to be linked for stereo operation. To be used exclusively with other Newton Channel LINK jacks.
• INPUT: Balanced XLR-1/4" TRS combo input that can be used for MIC or LINE level signals.