Rupert Neve Designs 542 (B-stock)

The Rupert Neve Designs 542 is a single-channel 500-series module, offering a compact version of the immensely popular Portico 5042 Tape Emulator. Its primary purpose is to infuse your audio with the rich, musical characteristics typically associated with analogue tape.

The Rupert Neve Designs 542 incorporates a "true tape" circuitry that accentuates 3rd-order harmonics and replicates the subtle rounding and compression qualities intrinsic to tape-based recording. This module perfectly complements your digital recording setup, effectively injecting warmth and smoothing out the harshness often found in digital audio. The "true tape" circuit mimics the behaviour of actual tape by utilizing a small magnetic "record head" in tandem with a properly calibrated replay amplifier. Similar to analogue tape, as the voltage on the "record head" increases, so does the saturation. A soft-clipping circuit is also included to enhance 2nd-order harmonics, smoothing out sharp peak transients, making it suitable for refining and taming harsh sound sources.

The RND 542 is incredibly versatile and offers numerous sound-shaping options. It features a 15/30 IPS switch, allowing you to emulate the sonic characteristics of different tape speeds – from the punchy low end of 15 IPS to the pristine clarity of 30 IPS. The pre/post-tape blend control allows you to adjust the level of tape distortion applied. At the same time, the variable Silk/texture circuitry, borrowed from the Portico II series, enables precise tuning of harmonic character and tonality. This imparts a tonal quality reminiscent of early Neve equipment's vintage class-A designs.

• Single-slot mono 500-series Tape Emulator
• Line Amp Noise Measurements with tape circuit disengaged): Measured at Main Output, un-weighted, 20Hz-22kHz, Input Terminated 40 Ohms. Unity Gain Better than -100dBu
• Frequency Response: Measured at +10dBu, trim at unity. Main Output +/- 0.25dB from 5Hz to 60Khz -2dB @ 120KHz, Maximum Output Level 23.25dBu
• Total Harmonic Distortion and Noise:@ 1kHz, +20dBu output level Better than 0.0025% @ 20Hz, +20dBu output level 0.07% Typical (2nd and 3rd harmonic)
• Tape FX Noise: Measured at Main Output, un-weighted, 20Hz-22kHz, Input Terminated 40 Ohms. Saturation @ minimum Better than -100dBu Saturation @ maximum Better than -100dBu
• Tape FX Frequency Response:
  
  • 15 IPS, Input @ -0 dBu -3dBu @ 28kHz Saturation @ minimum 0dBu @ 10Hz +5dBu Peak @ 60Hz
  • Saturation @ maximum -3dBu @ 20kHz -3dBu @ 12.5Hz +2.4dBu Peak @ 60Hz
  • 30 IPS, Input @ -0 dBu -3dBu @ 120kHz Saturation @ minimum -3dBu @ 10Hz +3.15dBu Peak @ 125Hz
  • Saturation @ maximum -3dBu @ 100kHz -3dBu @ 12.5Hz +1.3dBu Peak @ 110Hz
• Total Harmonic Distortion and Noise
  
  • Refer to sweeps on page10 15 IPS, Input @ -0 dBu 0.4% @ 3kHz to 1% @ 175Hz typical
  • Saturation @ minimum Greater than 1% below 175Hz typical
  • Saturation @ maximum 1% at 6kHz typical 0.3% @ 1kHz to 3% @ 50Hz typical
  • 30 IPS, Input @ -0 dBu 1% at 1kHz typical
  • Saturation @ minimum 0.6% @ 400Hz 5% @ 20Hz typical
  • Saturation @ maximum 1.5% @ 20kHz to 0.4% @ 1kHz typical 0.4% @ 1kHz to 2 %@ 50Hz typical
• Power requirements: Supplied by 500 series rack with 110-125 mA @ +/- 16V DC

This item, like everything we supply, comes with the complete support of our expert team. Our excellent technicians have been specifying, building and supporting studios for over twenty years. If you have any problems with installation, setup or everyday use, they’re never more than a click away, and always happy to help.

You can contact them here.