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More than 50 years ago, Rupert Neve was working out of a converted rectory house in Little Shelford, England. It was there that he developed a series of amplifier and equalizer circuits that formed the basis of the Neve sound that remains so highly coveted today: bold and assertive yet clear and defined, with incredibly musical harmonics when pushed to saturation.
The Rupert Neve Designs Shelford Series brings a piece of that history and sonic character back in a range of preamps, equalizers, compressors, and channel strips that combine those legendary original circuits with thoughtful tweaks and nearly twice the operating voltage for enhanced performance.
The Shelford Series includes five products: three horizontal 1U modules for standard 19-inch racks and two vertical modules made for slotting into RND’s flagship 5088 discrete high-voltage console. Whether you’re looking for an all-in-one Rupert Neve channel, musical inductor-based EQ, characterful diode bridge compression, or just a couple of updated 1073-style preamps, the Shelford Series has something for any studio.
For those who want to inject some Rupert Neve sound into their outboard racks, the Shelford Series offers three superb choices. The Shelford Channel makes an excellent all-in-one signal path for tracking vocals and instruments, while the 5025 Dual Shelford Mic Pre focuses on just the front end and the Shelford Diode Bridge Compressor gives you two linkable channels of bold yet versatile compression.
The Shelford Channel combines Rupert Neve’s first new transformer-gain mic preamp design in 40 years with a musical three-band inductor EQ, a versatile diode bridge compressor, and a custom transformer output stage with Silk saturation.
The input stage gets its signature Rupert Neve boldness from a custom step-up transformer that’s thoughtfully integrated into the Class A preamp circuitry. The high-Z instrument input uses the same topology as the RNDI active DI box, providing ultra-clear low-end and smooth highs that instantly flatter guitar and bass signals.
The three-band, inductor-based EQ combines the best aspects of classic Rupert Neve EQs with a few thoughtful tweaks. The Low band channels the “creamy” sound of a vintage 1064 and can be used in peak or shelf mode from 35-220 Hz. The Mid band is based on the iconic 1073, with a range of 220 Hz-7.5 kHz and a switchable Q for broad boosts and surgical cuts. The High band can be set to 8 or 16 kHz in peak or shelf mode and combines inductor and capacitor-based topologies for an overall vintage character with enhanced control. All bands offer a generous +/- 15 dB range.
The diode bridge compressor section offers bold tonality and harmonic richness that’s great for pushing a track to the front of a mix. With six timing options (actually 12 with the “Fast” switch), a sidechain high-pass filter, pre/post EQ switch, and Blend knob, this versatile compressor adds a ton of value to this already impressive unit.
Last but not least, the output stage features RND’s signature Silk saturation circuit with variable Texture and two different modes: Red for high-end sizzle and Blue for low-end richness. The custom transformer output features a standard line-level output and another at -6 dB for more versatility.
If you want the iconic sound of Rupert Neve preamps but have no need for additional EQ or dynamics, the 5025 is two channels of the acclaimed Shelford mic preamp in one rack space with Variable Silk.
Like the Shelford Channel’s preamp, the 5025 utilizes a custom step-up transformer to provide the first 15 dB of gain and a bold, mid-forward character to anything that runs through it. This stage is carefully integrated into the Class A preamp circuitry, which provides up to 66 dB of gain, as well as individual phantom power and polarity controls per channel.
After the main amplification stage, the 5025 gives you several more options for fine-tuning your sound and imparting additional sonic character. A Trim knob provides +/- 6 dB adjustments, while a togglable high-pass filter lets you roll off the low-end starting anywhere from 20-250 Hz.
Finally, the variable Texture circuit offers RND’s signature Silk saturation in Red or Blue modes, making it possible to dial in just the right type and strength of harmonic distortion to make any track pop.
Rupert Neve’s preamps and EQs usually get most of the attention, but the Shelford Diode Bridge Compressor has a magic of its own. Unlike the smoother and more transparent VCA compression of the mastering-grade Portico II Master Buss Processor, the Shelford delivers a more aggressive punch and richer, weightier tone. However, it’s nearly as versatile as its counterpart, with plenty of options for dialing in just the right gain reduction, response time, and parallel compression via the Blend knob.
The Shelford Diode Bridge Compressor provides two channels of mono or linked stereo compression, making it a great choice for thickening vocals and instruments, punching up kick and snare drums, or controlling dynamics on drum and mix busses. The Threshold can be set anywhere from -25 to +20 dB, and the Ratio knob provides six settings ranging from 1.5:1 to 8:1. The Timing control governs the attack and release speeds, offering six options and a “Fast” button for anything from sub-millisecond attack to more gradual action and an Auto mode. All controls are stepped for quick and easy recall.
Beyond the standard compressor controls, the unit features a handy sidechain circuit that can be fed from an external insert or an internal high-pass filter that excludes frequencies anywhere from 20 to 250 Hz from the detector circuit for smoother performance on bass-heavy signals. The Blend knob allows you to dial in parallel compression at any percentage, perfect for preserving some of the original character and transient qualities of the signal. The VU meters can be switched to monitor output or gain reduction, and Peak LEDs on each channel let you know when you’re getting close to the point of clipping.
The RND 5052 and 5051 are vertical modules sized for the upper slots (or “penthouse section”) of the RND 5088 console, but they can also be mounted in the outboard Shelford dual-channel vertical rack.
The RND 5052 packs a 1073-style preamp and EQ section for a classic Rupert Neve front-end, while the RND 5051 combines the same EQ circuit with a versatile VCA compressor. Like the 5088 itself, both modules operate at nearly twice the voltage of their vintage counterparts, which allows them to play nicely with modern gear.
The 5052 delivers the bold front-end sound you expect from a Rupert Neve design with classic-sounding amplification, an extremely musical three-band EQ, and a couple of modern touches.
The preamp section offers up to 72 dB of discrete, Class A gain with a robust tone thanks to its custom square-core transformers. Features include a mic/line switch, phantom power, polarity control, and a high-pass filter that’s adjustable from 20-250 Hz. The “To EQ” button routes the preamp output directly to the EQ, and the rear panel features XLR patch points for each stage.
The 5052’s three-band inductor EQ is similar to that of the Shelford Channel with one small difference: the Mid band has a slightly smaller range of 200 Hz - 6 kHz. Other than that, the features are almost identical, with a Low band spanning 35-200 Hz and a High band with 8 and 16 kHz settings (both can be switched from shelf to peak mode). The Silk circuit features Red and Blue modes with variable Texture for a maximum of 4-5% Total Harmonic Distortion when pushed to its limits.
The RND 5051 forgoes a preamp section, instead combining the Shelford inductor EQ with a Portico-style VCA compressor. Once again, the EQ differs slightly from the Shelford Channel: the frequency bands are identical to the 5052, but this version includes a simpler high-pass filter with only 60 and 120 Hz settings.
Notably, this module features two line inputs, which you can select with the “Line 1/2” switch. There’s also a “Pre/Post” switch for swapping the order of the EQ and compressor stages.
Unlike the Shelford Series products with diode bridge compression, the 5051 features a VCA compressor based on the Portico II, offering impressive dynamic control while imparting almost no tonal coloration.
The compressor can operate in traditional “Feed-Back” mode for a relaxed, musical response or switched to “Feed-Forward” mode for faster action. The controls all offer a generous range, including a maximum ratio of 40:1 and up to 20 dB of makeup gain. A sidechain circuit with a high-pass filter and stereo-linking capability makes this an extremely versatile compressor for the tiny amount of space it takes up.
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