Rupert Neve Designs Shelford Channel

Over fifty years in the making, the Rupert Neve Designs Shelford Channel is the definitive evolution of the original technologies in Rupert’s classic console modules like the 1073, 1064, 1081 & 2254, thoughtfully advanced and refined for the 21st century studio. The Shelford Channel is built around Rupert Neve’s first new transformer-gain, Class-A microphone preamplifier in over 40 years, the “best-of-the-classics” inductor EQ section from the Shelford 5052, a tone-packed Diode bridge compressor, the analog power of variable Silk saturation, a new dual-tap transformer output stage for maintaining headroom or allowing the full driving of the Channel Strip without clipping standard converters, and twice the operating voltage of vintage designs.

With richly-colored tonal options for making bold statements with your music, and precisely-engineered detented controls for recall, the vintage-inspired Shelford Channel maintains the soul of Rupert’s classic designs with new levels of versatility, delivering what can only be described as the combined essence of fifty years of Rupert Neve’s designs.

The Input Stage and Transformer Gain Mic Preamp

Like Rupert’s designs from his time in Little Shelford, the Shelford Channel’s preamplifier uses a directly-coupled transformer input with gain provided by the custom transformer itself - a first in over 40 years for Rupert Neve. This new custom-designed input transformer, along with its careful integration with the surrounding circuitry, is critical to the Channel’s bold and instantly recognizable character.

With this classic topology, the input transformer design is extraordinarily challenging, and the RN4012 transformer utilized in the Channel went through many generations before Mr. Rupert Neve was satisfied. This transformer provides the first 15 dB of gain, with the rest of the 72 dB of gain provided by the discrete, Class-A amplifier blocks controlled by a stepped attenuator and precision trim pot. Whereas Rupert’s more modern designs (e.g. the Portico Series) utilize a combination of TLAs (Transformer-Like Amplifiers) followed by an input transformer for pristine low & high frequency detail and galvanic isolation (see comparing input topologies notes), the Shelford Channel’s design directly couples the input transformer to the microphone line. When this new transformer is combined with its surrounding class-A input amplifiers, the result is the unmistakably smooth high and low frequencies of the most famous vintage modules in the world, yet with incredibly low noise and superior isolation. The mic preamp section also includes a sweepable 20-250 Hz high-pass filter, Mic / Line selection, 48 V phantom power, and polarity reverse.

The Dual Tap Transformer Output with Variable Silk

Similarly to the input stage, the new output stage is designed to provide the texture and power of Rupert’s classics while allowing for significantly more versatility in tone.

The dual-tap output for the Channel’s RN2042 square-core output transformer creates both high and low headroom outputs without compromising the channel’s performance. The high headroom tap is designed capture a more pristine sound at high levels, avoiding non-linear coloration of the output stage and taking full advantage of the Shelford’s higher voltage design. The low headroom tap however is optimized to allow an engineer to drive the full voltage range of the Channel Strip - adding dynamic tone with these same non-linear “colorations” - without clipping most professional interfaces. On drums, vocals, guitars and other instruments, this output lets you easily hit the transformer’s “sweet-spot” of non-linear harmonic content, which can bring a recorded performance to life in a way that other effects can’t.

Another advantage of the output stage versus vintage modules is the addition of the variable Silk circuitry, which allows complete control over the harmonic content and saturation of the output transformer. With Silk disengaged, the output is modern and pristine, yet still retains Rupert’s signature larger-than-life transformer sound. When engaged, the harmonic content - predominantly 2nd order and 3rd order with no high order distortion - can be dialed up to several times beyond that found in his vintage units like the 1073. This is further controlled with Silk Red and Blue modes, which emphasize harmonic content generated by the source’s high frequencies (Red) or low frequencies (Blue).

The Direct Input

The Hi-Z front panel input uses the same discrete class-A FET with transformer topology as the Rupert Neve Designs RNDI, but it utilizes the new RN4012 input transformer directly into the microphone preamp for gain. This pro audio design, made world-famous by the best-selling RNDI, delivers unmatched clarity to high-Z sources, with a substantial low-end presence and incredibly smooth high frequencies. The DI also includes a passive THRU output to feed a separate amplifier.

The “Best Of The Classics” EQ

The 3-band, custom-tapped inductor EQ on the Shelford Channel was inspired by our favorite portions of Rupert’s vintage EQ designs. The low frequency band is primarily based on the 1064 - renowned for its creamy, resonant bass. Unlike the 1064 however, the LF band on the Channel Strip can be used as either a shelf or a peak filter; adding punch, dimension, and immense control to your low end.

The Shelford Channel’s inductor midrange band is based on Rupert’s 1073, ideal for sweetening vocals and instruments while bringing them ever-so-slightly forward in a mix. Additionally, the mid frequency band’s proportional “Q” response makes it well-suited for minimizing problematic frequencies in a source.

The Channel’s high frequency band is a hybrid vintage / modern design, using capacitor-based topologies to achieve a richer tone with enhanced control, perfect for pro audio studios. As Rupert originally intended with his most prized classic designs, each EQ section uses low-feedback, class-A electronics to prevent low-level artifacts and harshness from detracting from the tonal shaping. The EQ circuit itself, however, is a decidedly modern design using techniques and components that were simply not available 40 years ago, and should not be considered a “clone”.

The Diode Bridge Compressor

Like the Inductor EQ and Transformer Gain mic preamp, the diode bridge compressor in the Shelford Channel is based on the same topologies found in Rupert’s vintage designs - such as the 2254 - but it expands on these early design by incorporating full-wave rectification and a slew of new control features.

While Rupert’s vintage diode bridge compressors have a uniquely punchy and warm response, they were also quite limited by inflexible attack times, high noise, low headroom, & imprecise controls. With the Super Diode Bridge Compressor, Rupert Neve Designs is able to recapture the vibe-filled, “in your face” sound of those classics with a new level of precision and flexibility, allowing the compressor to be fully utilized on virtually any source. Where the VCA compressor found in the Portico II Master Buss Processor delivers unrivaled transparency, the Shelford Channel’s Super Diode Bridge Design is all about making a statement with compression.

The compressor includes controls for TIMING, THRESHOLD, RATIO, BLEND, MAKE UP GAIN, FAST (attack-release modifier), HPF to Side Chain, Pre-EQ, Bypass, Side Chain Insert, and Stereo Link for the new high-performance diode bridge.

TIMING is a six-position switch that affects both attack & release settings for Auto, Fast, Medium Fast, Medium, Medium Slow, Slow (here is a chart of applicable times). The FAST button speeds up the attack for every setting - highly useful when it becomes vital to clamp down on transients. These settings provide a vast range of attack / release combinations, all with easy auditioning & recall.

The RATIO control has 6 steps between 1.5:1 to 8:1 to achieve subtle or extreme reductions, and the THRESHOLD control has 31 steps dented between -25dBU and +20dBU for a wide variety of input levels. MAKE UP GAIN has 31 steps from -6dB to +20dB, and is affected by the blend setting - more on that later. The HPF to SC button moves the Swept HPF in the mic pre to the compressor side chain, reducing the impact of low frequencies in the compressor’s response. The SC INSERT allows more elaborate equalization of the side-chain signal, accessible via TS I/O on the rear panel.

The BLEND control is incredibly useful on the Diode bridge compressor, because it allows an extremely colored compressor sound and massive amounts of gain reduction to be gradually mixed into the signal - giving the compressor a potential for subtlety and precision not found in its predecessors.

Double Voltage Power

The Shelford Channel uses an internal power supply with +/- 24V rails using a standard IEC cable input versus a single 24V rail in Rupert’s vintage design. This extra voltage helps improve dynamic range and noise performance for improved sonic detail. The power supply is auto-switching for reliable performance anywhere in the world from 100 to 240VAC, 50-60Hz.

Transformer Gain Mic Input

Like Rupert’s classic designs, the Shelford Channel’s mic input uses direct transformer coupling with 15dB of gain in the transformer itself. This extremely sensitive design utilizes the new RN4012 transformer, which spent years in development. The resulting sonic performance allows the mic pre to capture the more forward mid’s and slightly rounded off high and low frequencies of vintage designs like the 1073.

Direct Input

The Hi-Z front panel input uses the same discrete class-A FET with transformer topology as the Rupert Neve Designs RNDI, but it utilizes the new RN4012 input transformer directly into the mic preamp for gain. This design delivers exceptional clarity to high-Z sources, with a substantial low-end presence and incredibly smooth high frequencies. The DI also includes a passive THRU output to feed a separate amplifier.

Dual Tap Output

The dual-tap output for the Channel’s RN2042 square-core output transformer creates both high and low headroom outputs without compromising the channel’s performance. The high headroom tap is designed to capture a more pristine sound at high levels, avoiding non-linear coloration of the output stage and taking full advantage of the Shelford’s higher voltage design. The low headroom tap however is optimized to allow an engineer to drive the full voltage range of the Channel - adding dynamic tone with these same nonlinear “colorations” - without clipping most professional interfaces (Max output level +19dBU). On drums, vocals, guitars and other instruments, this output lets you easily hit the transformer’s “sweet-spot” of non-linear harmonic content, which can bring a recorded performance to life in a way that other effects can’t.

Silk & Texture

Another advantage of the Shelford Channels’ transformer balanced output stage versus vintage modules is the addition of the variable Silk & Texture circuitry, which allows complete control over the harmonic content and saturation of the output transformer. With Silk disengaged, the output is modern and pristine, yet still retains Rupert’s signature larger-than-life transformer sound. When engaged, the harmonic content - predominantly 2nd order and 3rd order with no high order distortion - can be dialed up to several times beyond that found in his vintage units like the 1073. This is further controlled with Silk Red and Blue modes, which emphasize harmonic content generated by the source’s high frequencies (Red) or low frequencies (Blue).

Mic Pre Controls

• MIC/DI/LIN - Switches between microphone/direct injection input (button out) or line input (button in).
• Gnd Lift - This switch separates the direct connection from audio signal ground to chassis earth.
• Signal Present LED - This LED is dual function. When green, it indicates “Signal Presence” (a signal level of -20dBu). When red, it indicates 2-3dB below input stage clipping of the Mic/Line stage (+23 dBu while the pre actually clips at +25 dBu).
• Mic Gain - This 12-way precision rotary switch controls gain from 0 to 66 dB in 6 dB steps.
• Trim - This rotary switch provides further continuous gain adjustment over a range of ±6 dB.
• 48 V - This push button switch engages phantom power on the microphone input. Please remember to press the mute button or turn down monitors and headphone sends or the channel the Shelford Channel is plugged into before toggling “+48” (and be especially cautious if you use pre-fader aux sends for headphones). Most engineers follow the basic rule of keeping +48V off until all mics are plugged in and verify that faders and/or monitor volume controls are down before switching +48V on. Most dynamic mics, ribbon mics and tube condenser mics do not need +48V but some newer ones do or they will not work. Most condenser mics require +48V Phantom power or they will not function.
• Phase - This push button switch inverts the polarity of the signal path. It illuminates when engaged. (The symbol “Ø” is often used to denote opposite polarity.)
• HPF - The HPF switch engages a 12dB per octave high pass filter. The HPF potentiometer is variable from 20Hz to 250Hz, and can be used to filter out unwanted low frequencies, or in conjunction with the EQ to help shape source material. Note that engaging the HPF to S/C switch moves the HPF from the primary signal path to the compressor side-chain signal path.
• HPF Freq - This control selects the frequency at which the filter begins (-3db) to roll off low frequency signals. It is a 12 dB per octave Bessel filter designed to musically preserve important timing information while cutting low frequency noise and garbage like air conditioning rumble. While recording that the lowest practical setting is generally the safest because it is difficult to try to recover lows with an EQ (6 dB/oct) that may have been chopped off with a filter (12 dB/Oct).

Inductor EQ Controls

• EQ In - This switch engages all EQ frequency bands except the HPF.
• LF - Adjusts up to 15 dB of boost or cut at the selected low frequencies. Cut can be used as a variable, and perhaps a more gentle alternative to using the HPF. Remember to reduce the signal level at the source to minimize the potential for distortion when any of the 3 bands are boosted significantly.
• Low Freq - The LOW FREQ rotary switch has 4 positions for selecting one of four corner or center frequencies for the low band EQ section. The frequencies are 35 Hz, 60 Hz, 100 Hz and 220 Hz.
• LF Peak - When the button is out, the low frequency band operates in shelf mode, boosting or cutting below the corner frequency. Above the corner frequency the amount of boost or cut gradually diminishes at approximately 6 dB/octave. With the HI PEAK button pressed the low frequency band changes to peak mode with a bell shaped boost or cut curve. Between the LF PEAK button and LF FREQ rotary switch, an engineer has 8 tonal variations of EQ shapes to finesse the bottom end, plus the high pass filter can be introduced for further tightening and manipulation.
• Mid Hi Q - The resonance or Q of the mid band at maximum boost is typically 2 when the button is out. When the MID HI Q is pressed at maximum boost, the Q narrows to approximately 3.5. The Q widens nicely with less boost or cut as is typical for passive EQ circuits. The Q tends to be slightly wider when the frequency is set lower, and slightly higher for higher frequency selections. The Q is also narrower for cuts than it is for boosts and the mid band is non-symmetrical by design.
• Mid - Adjusts up to 15 dB of boost or cut at the selected mid frequencies. Remember to reduce the signal level at the source to minimize the potential for distortion when any of the 3 bands are boosted significantly.
• Mid Freq - The MID FREQ rotary switch has 6 positions to select the center frequency of the mid band EQ stage. This circuit utilizes an inductor and capacitors to shape the EQ curve, the same way as Rupert Neve’s console designs of the 70’s. The frequencies chosen are 200 Hz, 400 Hz, 900 Hz, 1.8 kHz, 3.5 kHz and 7.5 kHz. 200 Hz is especially useful for cuts on individual tracks within a dense mix.
• HF Peak - When the button is out, the high frequency band operates in shelf mode, boosting or cutting above the corner frequency at approximately 6 dB/octave. Below the corner frequency the amount of boost or cut gradually diminishes. With the HI PEAK button pressed, the high frequency band changes to peak mode with a bell shaped boost or cut curve. The Peak mode utilizes an inductor and capacitor circuit to create the bell-shaped curve.
• 8k/16k - With the switch out, the center or corner frequency of the high band is 8 kHz. With the button pressed, the center or corner frequency changes to 16 kHz. Between this switch and the HI PEAK switch, you have 4 different EQ curves to finesse the high frequency content.
• HF - Adjusts up to 15 dB of boost or cut at selected high frequencies.

Diode Bridge Compressor Controls

• THE SIDE CHAIN INSERT JACKS - These pairs of jacks are only used to perform some fine tuning of the compressor operation. The audio that normally controls the compressor is available on the “SIDECHAIN SEND” jack. One can take this audio and pass it through an external equalizer then return it back to the “SIDECHAIN RETURN” jack. Now changes on the external EQ affect the sensitivity of the compressor. For example, if you cut some low frequencies on the external EQ, then the compressor will tend to not want to reduce the gain as much on bass notes. This is not the same thing as simply boosting lows on an equalizer, because the latter changes the frequency response while the former changes levels. Similarly, one could boost highs (6kHz for example) on the external EQ and cause the compressor to be extra-sensitive to that part of the spectrum which happens to correspond with sibilance (esses). This can act as one type of a de-esser that pulls down the volume of the whole signal if it senses an “ess.”
• Comp In - The compressor-limiter section is engaged with this button in. This may be the most useful control on the compressor because it is there for “confidence checks.” In particular, exercise it in both the quietest and the loudest sections of the song. Watch out for the compressor exaggerating noise and room sound in the quiet sections and chopping off transients and consonants in the loud sections, either of which suggest maybe too much compressor “action.” Conversely, losing quiet phrases or inadvertent clipping might suggest that a little more compression is warranted keeping in mind that you can always do a bit more in the mix but undoing over-compression is not fun and often not even possible.
• Threshold - Sets level where the compressor may begin to react from -25 dB to +20 dB. Minimal or no compression is with this control fully clockwise and it gets more sensitive and tends to cause more gain reduction as the knob is rotated counter-clockwise (which may be counter-intuitive to some).
• Ratio - Sets the “slope” of the compression from 1.5:1 (minimal) to 8:1 (significant). For example if this knob is set for 3:1 then if the signal goes 15 dB over the threshold then it attenuates 10 dB and allows the output to rise 5 dB. In general, low ratios can not damage the music as much as high ratios but high ratios may be more useful to minimize clipping and OL lights in the recorder. When setting the Threshold and Ratio it is useful to use the VU meter. However even more importantly, you should rely on your ears and use the COMP IN button to perform confidence checks.
• SC Insert - This control inserts an external device into the side-chain signal path via the rear panel side-chain insert jacks.
• HPF to S/C - This routes the High Pass Filter into the circuit that the compressor uses to determine level, commonly referred to as “the side-chain.” Note that the rest of the circuit and output will not have those lows filtered out. This function tends to be very useful because typical sounds often have more energy in the low octaves and can cause excessive compression. Our ears may tend to associate loudness with mids or high mids for some sounds and one may be wanting the compressor to regulate and smooth perceived loudness. Removing some amount of low frequencies that the compressor “sees” can help especially if one is compressing deeply (-8 dB or more).
• Gain - Often referred to as Make Up Gain. Considering the compressor is generally being forced to attenuate louder signals, some method of returning the average level to a volume comparable with the compressor bypassed is desirable. The GAIN control is mostly used for this purpose especially for those of us that depend on comparing compression to bypass. GAIN is often pushed for even more level than “bypass” because it is understood that the compressor should be providing some effective headroom (besides “louder is better” being the oldest trick in the book).
• Timing - This six-position control adjusts the attack/release speed of the compressor. See the “Timing” section in the Compressor specifications page for timing values.
• Link - Links the side-chain control of multiple units for ganged operation, such as would be used in stereo compression.
• Pre EQ - Pushing this button changes the order of where the Compressor is in the circuit. Normally the Compressor follows the EQ so that the Compressor responds to significant tonal changes caused by the EQ. This is generally advisable but has a down-side when making large changes to the EQ. You will also probably need to adjust compression thresholds to maintain consistent amounts of gain reduction. Pushing the Pre EQ button puts the compressor first and the EQ follows after. Here the down-side is that significant EQ now has more effect of changing record levels and metering and the compressor is less useful at maintaining a consistent metering or audible level. Different engineers have different preferences and it is your choice. Perhaps the choice is best left on a case-by-case basis armed with the knowledge that as you switch you may need to adjust the compressor threshold slightly and maybe tweak the HMF if the compressor seems to be affecting transient peaks.
• Blend - This just mixes the dry or raw, uncompressed signal and the compressed signal. Fully counterclockwise is uncompressed and is very similar to not having the “COMP IN” button pushed in. Fully clockwise is 100% compressor-limiter path, and one can “blend” or mix how much compressed-limited signal vs. dry signal. This control is not found on vintage compressors and has gained popularity in recent years. Why? Compressors generally attenuate the louder signals and leave the quiet bits untouched, which might be re-worded as compressors tend to reduce transient peaks. If one then mixes in some dry signal, peaks and all, with the compressor (usually with the Threshold lowish, Ratio steepish and “GAIN” turned up to compensate) then the “blend” will be mostly dry for the loud bits and compressor for the quiet bits, which can likewise be re-worded to the quiet stuff became louder or the room reverb increased. Obviously one has a fair amount more control over the entire dynamic range given this control and it should be mentioned less likelihood of damage to parts of the music, because “blending” implies not 100% compression electronics and there is important musical information in those transient peaks (like the hit of drums and percussion where a lot of the groove lives).
• Fast - When pressed, alters the speeds up both the attack and release of the selected time constant of the compressor. You can generally regard a compressor as a semi-automatic volume control and be aware of the kinds of artifacts that you would get moving a fader quickly. You can also listen for changes in tone that are probably due to altering the relative strength of transient hits and plosives that often contain more high mid and highs.
• VU Meter - The VU Meter is calibrated to display both average (RMS) output level and compressor gain reductionShort Description: