Rupert Neve Designs Shelford 5052 Mic Pre / Inductor EQ

Hear The Real Difference Through The Rupert Neve Designs Shelford 5052 Mic Pre / Inductor EQ

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 previous compromises.

THE MIC PRE

The 5052 preamplifier has 72dB of discrete, class-A gain coupled with serious square-core transformers. 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. The mic pre section also includes a sweepable 20-250Hz high-pass filter, Mic / Line selection, 48V phantom power, and polarity reverse.

DUAL I/O PATHS

The 5052 has a transformer-coupled output, which allows the 5052 to feed a tape machine or DAW directly from the mic pre while still using the EQ and Silk / Texture in a dedicated analogue mix path such as that found with a 5088, 5060 or vintage console. This output can also be used to insert a separate compressor between the mic pre and the EQ, or it can allow the 5052 to work with two separate sources.

THE “BEST OF THE CLASSICS” EQ

The low frequency band 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 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. 

POWER, CONNECTIONS AND MOUNTING

The 5052 receives +/- 24V rails from an external DC power supply using a 4-pin connection. There are currently two options available: the RND 5-way brick supply and the RND 25-way 2U rack-mount supply. The back panel of the 5052 includes three XLR-F connections for Mic In, Line In, and EQ In, and two XLR-M connections for Mic Out and Main Out. The 5052 chassis is a “half-rack” format, and can be mounted in RND’s new 2 –way and 4-way vertical racks in addition to the existing 9-way racks and the 5088 penthouse.

• MIC GAIN: A 12-way precision rotary switch controls gain from 0 to 66 dB in 6 dB steps.
• SILK / TEXTURE: Pushing the Silk button cycles the silk modes from red silk to blue silk to off. Silk reduces the negative feedback on the output transformer, adding harmonic content as the texture is increased. Red Silk accentuates the saturation in the mid and high frequencies, similar to that of the red silk mode on the Portico II Channel. Blue Silk accentuates low frequencies.
• INDUCTOR EQ: The first inductor based EQ designed by Rupert Neve since the mid 70’s, the 5051 EQ is very reminiscent of Mr. Neve’s classic EQ, while providing a thoroughly modern performance.
• HPF: 12 dB/octave High Pass variable from 20-250Hz
• LOW EQ: +/- 15dB Shelf or peak, selectable at 35 Hz, 60 Hz, 100 Hz or 220 Hz
• MID EQ: +/- 15dB with 6 center frequencies; 200 Hz, 350 Hz, 700 Hz, 1.5 kHz, 3 kHz and 6 kHz, with High Peak switch to narrow the bandwidth or increase the Q of the filter.
• HIGH SHELF: +/- 15dB Shelf or peak selectable at 8 kHz to 16 kHz
• TRIM: Continuously variable +/-6 dB level trim control
• +48V: Engages phantom power on the microphone input
• POLARITY: Push button inverts the polarity of the signal path, and illuminates when engaged. The symbol “Ø” is often used to denote opposite polarity.
• HIGH PASS FILTER: The high pass filter is continuously variable from 20-250Hz and engaged by the HPF switch, which illuminates when engaged. Signals below the selected frequency are attenuated at a rate of 12db / octave, getting rid of proximity effect, building rumble, air handling, motor hum, etc.
• LEVEL METER: An Eight-segment LED bar-graph meter displays output level (pre-Silk). The color range proceeds from green for lower level signals, yellow for intermediate signals, and red for high levels.

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