Rupert Neve Designs Shelford Channel

Rupert Neve Designs: The Shelford Channel 5052 

The Rupert Neve Designs Shelford Channel is a versatile and high-quality channel strip designed for recording and mixing applications. It combines various elements from classic Rupert Neve designs and incorporates modern features for the 21st-century studio. Here are some key features and specifications:

Key Features:

1. Mic Preamp: The Shelford Channel features a class-A microphone preamplifier with a custom-designed transformer input, providing gain and clarity to your microphones. It also includes a Direct Input for high-Z instrument signals.

2. Silk Saturation: The Silk circuit allows you to add harmonic content to your signal, enhancing either high-frequency or low-frequency harmonics. It offers two modes: Silk Red for enhancing highs and high mids and Silk Blue for enhancing lows and low mids.

3. Custom Transformer Output: The channel has a custom transformer output stage that provides a balanced LINE-level output. It also features a -6dBu XLR output to accommodate high input levels without clipping.

4. 3-Band Inductor EQ: The EQ section is inspired by vintage Neve EQ designs. It includes a low-frequency band that can function as a shelf or peak filter, a midrange band with proportional Q, and a high-frequency band with selectable shelf/peak frequencies.

5. Diode Bridge Compressor: The diode bridge compressor is based on vintage designs but offers modern enhancements. It's suitable for vocals, guitars, bass, and drums, providing weighty, harmonically rich compression.

6. Variable Attack and Release: The compressor features a 6-position rotary switch for adjusting the attack and release times, allowing you to fine-tune the compression characteristics.

7. Side-Chain Insert: The channel includes a side-chain insert point for connecting external processors, such as EQs, to shape the compressor's behavior.

8. Blend Control: The Blend knob lets you mix the wet (compressed) and dry (uncompressed) signals, giving you parallel compression capabilities.

9. VU Metering: You can choose between metering the compressor output level or gain reduction on the VU meter.

10. Pre-EQ Compressor: The channel allows you to route the compressor ahead of the EQ section for different sonic possibilities.

11. Fast Mode: The Fast mode speeds up all compressor time constants by 30% for quicker compression response.

Specifications:

• Input Impedance:

  • Mic Preamp: 2200 Ohms
  • Direct Input: High impedance
  • Line Input: Low impedance

• Maximum Input Level:

  • Mic Preamp: +21.5 dBu
  • Direct Input: +8 dBu
  • Line Input: +30.5 dBu

• Frequency Response: 17Hz to 45kHz (+/- 0.25 dB)

• Noise Levels: Various noise levels are provided for different sections of the channel, including mic preamp, DI input, line input, and EQ.

• Harmonic Distortion: The Silk circuit introduces harmonic distortion, and specific distortion levels are mentioned for Silk Red and Silk Blue modes.

• High-Pass Filter: Variable high-pass filter with a range of 20Hz to 250Hz and a 12 dB/octave slope.

• Time Constants: Compressor time constants are provided for different settings, including attack and release times.

• Dimensions: 19" x 10.5" x 1.75" (48.3 cm x 26.7 cm x 4.5 cm)

• Weight: Approximately 12.25 lbs. (5.5 kg)

The Shelford Channel is designed to provide a wide range of tonal shaping and dynamic control options for recording and mixing engineers, combining vintage Neve characteristics with modern flexibility and clarity. It can be used for various sound sources, from vocals and guitars to drums and bass, and offers a wide palette of sonic possibilities.