Rupert Neve Designs Shelford 5052 Mic Pre / EQ

Rupert Neve Designs Shelford 5052: Vintage-Inspired Mic Pre & EQ from the 5088

(When ordering, let us know if you are using it in a 5088 console, a rack, or standalone)

The Rupert Neve Designs Shelford 5052 is a vintage-inspired microphone preamplifier and equalizer, uniquely crafted for the 5088 console. It seamlessly blends classic features from the iconic 1073, including a microphone preamp, high-pass filter, and a 3-band inductor EQ, with innovative elements like the Silk/Texture control and the ability to operate pre/post-tape. The 5052 is built using class-A, discrete +/-24V topologies, coupled with custom-wound transformers and inductors, capturing the essence of Rupert Neve's historic designs without compromise.

Mic Preamp The microphone preamp of the 5052 is characterized by 72dB of discrete, class-A gain and robust square-core transformers. The output transformer includes the Silk Red/Blue and Texture controls, allowing precise tailoring of the harmonic content and tonality. The high-pass filter ranges from 20-250Hz, complementing the Mic/Line selection, 48V phantom power, and polarity reverse.

The “Best-Of” EQ The 5052's EQ section draws inspiration from Rupert’s vintage EQ designs, offering a low-frequency band that delivers a resonant bass response, a midrange band for sweetening vocals and instruments, and a hybrid high-frequency band that fuses inductor circuitry with capacitor-based topologies. The EQ sections use low-feedback, class-A discrete electronics, avoiding low-level artifacts and harshness.

What is an Inductor? Inductors in the 5052 create a frequency-dependent resistance that, when saturated, produces beautifully musical harmonics. This sets the 5052 apart from capacitor-based EQ designs, offering a tone that's been a hallmark of Rupert's consoles for over fifty years. The 5052's custom inductors are carefully designed to capture the vitality and personality of Rupert’s classic designs.

Power & Racks Power options for the 5052 include a 25-way 2U rack-mount supply or a smaller 5-way “brick” supply, with versatile mounting options in vertical 2-way wooden racks, 9-way metal racks, or within a 5088’s penthouse section.

Key Features

• Mic/Line selection with a 12-way precision rotary switch for gain control.
• Silk/Texture control for harmonic content tailoring.
• A high-pass filter adjustable from 20-250Hz.
• An LED bar-graph meter for output level monitoring.
• Phantom power, polarity inversion, and comprehensive EQ settings.

The Shelford 5052 is celebrated for its rich, detailed sound, combining the soul of vintage equipment with modern design innovations. It's a testament to Rupert Neve's enduring legacy in audio engineering, offering unparalleled sound quality and flexibility for both recording and mixing applications.

Technical Specifications:

• Gain: 0 to 66 dB in 6 dB steps, with +/-6 dB trim.
• High Pass Filter: 12dB/octave, variable from 20-250Hz.
• EQ Bands: +/- 15dB, with selectable Shelf/Peak options.
• Phantom Power: +48V for condenser microphones.
• Polarity: Polarity inversion switch available.
• Noise: Extremely low, ensuring pristine audio quality.
• Maximum Output Level: Capable of delivering up to +25 dBu.
• Frequency Response: Wide range, ensuring accurate reproduction of sound.