Rupert Neve Designs 5034 Newton Channel

Modern and powerful channel strip, with a long sonic tradition.

Its intuitive design offers a classic and recognizable sound, along with the ability to shape sound with the characteristic features of Rupert Neve Designs. Newton Channel is suited for recording studios of various sizes and can be used both in the studio and live, allowing a greater number of industry professionals to experience the quality of RND products. Its name is inspired by the birthplace of Rupert, Newton Abbot, in England, and reflects the sonic journey of his life: 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 sound of Rupert Neve Designs.

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 exclusive transformer-coupled outputs from Rupert Neve Designs with the innovative variable Silk Red & Blue harmonic generation circuit.

Input Stage and Microphone Preamplifier

The Newton microphone preamplifier offers the timbre and musicality typical of Rupert Neve Designs products. This preamp makes it easy to create a clear, clean and detailed sound. With a gain of 72 dB, 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 typical microphone sources and can also handle line levels, making it possible to use a pair of Newton 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 you to quickly eliminate unwanted noise, resonances or other low frequencies in the source signal.

The Equalizer

The EQ section of the Newton is designed to offer speed and flexibility with simplified controls. The low and high frequency bands can be adjusted precisely via 31-step potentiometers, allowing gain increases or reductions up to 12 dB. You can switch from delicate to extreme settings depending on your needs. The parametric mid-band EQ of the Newton comprises 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 the presence of mid frequencies or attenuate the mid-high frequencies. The selection of a fixed Q ensures a balance between musicality and precision, broad enough for precise equalization without negatively interfering with adjacent frequencies. Like 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 keeping the sound unchanged. There is also a "pre EQ/post EQ" switch to place the compressor before or after the EQ section, plus an independent bypass button.

Variable Silk

At the end of the Newton signal path is the exclusive variable Silk circuit, which allows you to amplify the 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. The Silk Red mode emphasizes harmonics in the high and mid-high frequencies, while Blue mode emphasizes harmonics in the low and mid-low frequencies. With the Silk/Texture circuit activated, the Newton output stage can enrich every track, giving it more power and brilliance.

Custom Transformer Outputs

The Newton Channel features a balanced line output stage with custom transformer. In addition, there is an XLR output at -6 dBu that allows you to compensate for high input levels and Silk harmonic saturation. This allows you to maximize 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 that controls the microphone preamplifier gain in 6 dB steps. For line level input signals, set the microphone gain to the "0dB" position.
• 48V: Switch that illuminates RED when +48V Phantom power is active.
• Ø (Polarity): Push switch that illuminates amber when engaged and inverts the pre signal polarity.
• HPF: Switch that illuminates GREEN when the high pass filter is engaged.
• FREQ: 31-step potentiometer that allows 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 that allows the user to adjust the pre gain of +/- 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 that controls the frequency of the midband peaking EQ in a range between 220 Hz and 7 kHz.
• MID: 31-step potentiometer that controls 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 that controls 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 that controls the release time of the compressor. The overall available timing range goes from 50mS (FAST) to 500mS (SLOW).
• THRESHOLD: 31-step potentiometer that controls 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 that controls the compressor make-up gain in a range from -6dB to +20dB.
• PRE EQ: Push switch that, when active, routes the compressor section before the EQ section.
• SILK: Illuminated push switch that toggles between the three available SILK modes: OFF, RED and BLUE.
• TEXTURE: 31-step potentiometer that controls the amount of SILK harmonics added to the output stage of the transformer when SILK mode is activated.
• GR and OUT Metering: 8-segment LED meter that indicates the 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: AC IEC power input with integrated power switch. 100-240VAC at 50/60Hz. Maximum power consumption 35 Watts AC power.
• GROUND LIFT: Slide switch that disconnects XLR Pin 1 from the chassis ground on the MAIN OUT and -6dB OUT to help isolate from ground loop interference.
• -6dB OUT: XLR output balanced using a secondary lower level output, on the custom Rupert Neve Designs transformer.
• MAIN OUT XLR balanced output using the custom Rupert Neve Designs transformer.
• LINK: 1/4" TRS jack that allows you to connect two Newton Channel compressors to operate in stereo. For exclusive use with other Newton Channel LINK jacks.
• INPUT Balanced combo XLR-1/4" TRS input that can be used for MIC or LINE level signals.