Rupert Neve Designs 500 Series Channel Strip R6 Chassis with 511, 535, 551 Modules

For a limited time RND in bundling the R6 6-slot 500 series rack chassis loaded with one 511 mic preamp, one 551 inductor EQ, and one 535 diode bridge compression module creating the Rupert Neve Designs Channel Strip. Act now - offer ends December 5th, 2022!

R6 6-SLOT 500 SERIES RACK

With abundant power and versatile connections, the R6 delivers peace of mind for engineers who demand a higher degree of confidence in their 500 series racks. Power-wise, the R6 has more than 150% the required current for a 6-space chassis to prevent the power rails from failing under a higher-than-expected load. To help monitor and troubleshoot problematic modules, the R6 is equipped with LED current metering to show how much power is being used. The internal power supply itself has been carefully designed and double-shielded to avoid significant magnetic induction in any of the channel positions. With such attention to providing and monitoring power, the R6 helps your modules realize their fullest potential.

CONNECT LIKE NEVER BEFORE

With a plethora of connections available, the R6 backpanel is practically a patchbay on its own. The R6 features 8 channels of balanced I/O options including DB-25, XLR and TRS that may be used interchangeably. This versatility is especially handy when you are taking the R6 with you to another environment where you are unsure of the cables available, or if you need to convert DB-25, XLR or TRS connections to another format using the THRU functionality on channels 7-8.

SOLID STEEL CONSTRUCTION

The chassis is comprised of solid steel with bumpers to support the unit in both horizontal and vertical configurations and features a collapsible handle for portability. All connectors and fittings are of the highest quality to ensure that the R6 will hold up to many years of use.

A NEW LEVEL OF CONFIDENCE IN THE 500 SERIES

Because the R6 is built to 500 series specifications, it will work flawlessly with any properly designed 500 series module you wish to include in it. To help accommodate modules that are slightly out of spec, the R6 has variable-position screw holes to make the installation process go more smoothly. The 500 series link function can be enabled in pairs on the R6 using the link jumpers on Channels 1-2, 3-4, or 5-6. Matching blank panels are also available to cover any empty slots.

511 500 SERIES MICROPHONE PREAMP

The 511 Mic Pre combines some of the best features of leading Neve channels, including the 517 preamp, and the 5012’s sweepable High-Pass Filter. The Portico 511 is a great addition to any recording studio's 500 series rack, an extremely versatile preamplifier that is suitable for any application.

This transformer based, Class-A preamp can have up to 66 dB of dynamic range, each click of the preamp is in 6 dB increments for easy recall. The 511 is a TLA non-reactive design that precludes the loading of microphones with limited driving capability, this gives the 511 its signature Neve sound quality with very musical harmonic distortion. With the 511, the Texture control allows the preamp to be pushed even further, adding about 10 times the desirable THD of the original signal. A trim pot is included on the front panel for the perfect input to the preamp.

535 500 SERIES DIODE BRIDGE COMPRESSOR

Originally developed for the dynamics circuit of the acclaimed Shelford Channel, the 535 Diode Bridge Compressor captures the soul of Rupert Neve’s original 2254 compressor while providing modern updates including advanced timing control, significantly lower noise, fully stepped controls throughout, and internal parallel processing capabilities.

Where the VCA compressor found in the Master Buss Processor provides unmatched clarity, the weighty, harmonically rich tonality of diode bridge compression can be essential in pushing key sources like vocals, electric guitars, bass and drums to the forefront of a mix.

By understanding the limitations of vintage units like the legendary 2254, painstaking effort was taken to reproduce the unique tone of these classics while improving the noise floor & accuracy, expanding inflexible time constants, adding full wave sidechain detection for improved dynamic response, and widening the range of threshold and ratio controls.

551 500 SERIES INDUCTOR EQ

The 551 is the only equalizer for the 500 Series actually designed by Rupert Neve. Featuring 3 bands of EQ inspired by Mr. Neve’s most prized vintage designs, along with custom-wound inductors, transformers and class-A gain blocks, the 551 brings the thick, powerful lows and sweet highs of Rupert’s classics to the 500-Series format.

The 551’s 3-band, custom-tapped inductor EQ was inspired by our favorite elements of Rupert’s vintage EQ designs. The low frequency band is designed to produce a creamy, resonant bass response similar to a vintage 1064 – but unlike the vintage modules, the LF band on the 551 can be used as either a shelf or a peak filter, adding punch, dimension, and control to your low end.

The midrange band is based on that of the 1073, ideal for sweetening vocals and instruments while bringing them forward in a mix, and its proportional “Q” response makes it well-suited for minimizing problematic frequencies. The high frequency band is a hybrid vintage / modern design, blending inductor circuitry with capacitor-based topologies to achieve vintage tones with enhanced control. The High Pass filter is a 12dB/octave design with a fixed 80Hz frequency, and can be used in tandem with the low frequency EQ to add low-end presence without clouding the source material.

As with Rupert’s most prized classic designs, each EQ section uses low-feedback, class-A discrete electronics to prevent low-level artifacts and harshness from detracting from the tonal shaping. However, this new circuit is a decidedly modern design with updated techniques and components that were simply not available 50 years ago, and is definitely not a “clone”.