RUPERT NEVE DESIGNS 5034 Newton Channel

Introduction
The Newton Channel is a powerful modern channel strip born from a legendary sonic lineage. Its intuitive
design provides classic sound on demand, with all the instantly-recognizable character, musical toneshaping abilities, and proven reliability that define a Rupert Neve Designs product. The Newton is equally
well-suited for a project studio, large-scale commercial facility or live sound rig – giving more engineers,
producers, and artists a chance to join the RND family than ever before.
The name originates with Rupert’s birthplace – Newton Abbot, England – and reflects the sonic journeys
of his life: from Newton Abbot to Wimberley, vintage to modern, and everything in between. This is a truly
versatile, world-class channel strip capable of bringing any source to life with the classic sound of Rupert
Neve Designs.


Overview
The Newton Channel includes a fully Class-A mic preamp, a musical, 3-band discrete EQ section, a fast
& flexible VCA compressor, and custom Rupert Neve Designs transformer-coupled outputs with our
revolutionary harmonic color stage: variable Silk Red & Blue.

The Input Stage & Mic Preamp
The Newton’s microphone preamplifier contains all the tone and musicality expected from a Rupert Neve
Designs piece. This preamp makes it incredibly easy to quickly dial in a tight, clean and detailed sound;
and with a robust 72dB of gain including 6dB of fine trim control, the Newton is ideally suited for a wide
variety of sources.
While the input stage is tailored to be an ideal match for standard microphone source impedance, it is
equally happy being driven by line levels – so a pair of Newtons can also be put to use as a high-end
mixing tool for any studio. The Newton also includes our distinctive variable high-pass filter with a
comprehensive frequency range adjustment and independent bypass switch, allowing the engineer to
quickly eliminate unwanted noise, rumble or other low frequency build-up in the source signal.

The Equalizer
The EQ section in the Newton is optimized for speed & flexibility with a simplified set of controls. The low
and high frequency shelf bands are controllable with accurate 31-detent potentiometers that provide up to
12dB of gain boost/cut, providing the ability to dial in either subtle or extreme settings as desired.
The parametric mid-band of the Newton EQ section includes another 31-detent potentiometer and a wide
range of mid frequencies to boost or cut, switchable from 220Hz to 7kHz. This makes the MF band
particularly flexible, allowing for taming low-mid muddiness, boosting mid frequency presence, or
removing any harshness in the upper midrange. The carefully-chosen fixed Q setting maintains a healthy
balance of musicality and precision – just wide enough for brush-stroke equalization without adversely
affecting neighboring frequencies.
As with every section of the Newton Channel, the EQ has an independent bypass button for doublechecking settings every step of the way.

The Compressor
The Newton Channel also contains the latest iteration of Rupert Neve Designs’ ultra-smooth VCA
compressor, with +20dB of make-up gain and ample control for any amount of needed compression while
maintaining an effortless sound. Also included is a helpful ‘pre EQ/post EQ’ push button to place the
compressor either before or after the EQ section, plus an independent bypass button.

Variable Silk
At the end of the Newton’s signal path is the unique & highly coveted variable Silk circuit, providing the
power & control to amplify 2nd and 3rd order harmonics by saturating our custom Rupert Neve Designs
output transformers for a vintage tonality.
With the variable Texture knob, the engineer is able to precisely dial in the desired amount of harmonic
density – with Silk Red mode highlighting harmonics in the highs and upper mid frequencies, and Blue
mode accentuating harmonics in the lows and low mids. From a subtle transformer tonality without Silk, to
significantly more color than vintage modules with the Silk / Texture circuit fully pushed, the Newton’s
output stage can fill out tracks with enhanced power and sparkle.

Custom Transformer Outputs
The Newton Channel has a custom transformer output stage with a balanced MAIN standard line level
output. Additionally, a separate -6dBu XLR output can compensate for high levels of input and Silk
harmonic saturation, enabling engineers to fully drive the Newton to achieve more transformer harmonics
without clipping the next device in the chain. Both outputs are active and can be used concurrently.


Newton Front Panel Features
Mic Gain
12-position rotary switch that controls the microphone preamp gain in 6dB steps. For line level input
signals, set the Mic Gain to the “0dB” position.
48V
Push-button switch that illuminates RED when +48V Phantom Power is engaged.
(Polarity)
Push-button switch that illuminates AMBER when engaged and inverts the phase of the preamp signal.
TRIM
31-detent potentiometer that allows the user to adjust the preamp gain within a range of +/- 6dB.
HPF
Push-button switch that illuminates GREEN when the high pass filter is engaged.
FREQ
31-detent potentiometer that allows the user to adjust the cutoff frequency of the Sallen-Key high pass
filter within a range of 20Hz to 250Hz.
EQ IN
Push-button switch that illuminates GREEN when the EQ section is engaged.
LF
31-detent potentiometer that controls the amount of boost or cut for the low frequency shelf within a range
of +/- 12dB.
60/150
Push-button switch that selects between the two available low frequency shelf frequencies: 60Hz (OUT)
and 150Hz (IN).
MID FREQ
31-detent potentiometer that controls the frequency of the midband peaking EQ within a range of 220Hz
to 7kHz.
MID
31-detent potentiometer that controls the amount of boost or cut for the MID FREQ peaking EQ within a
range of +/- 12dB.
8K/16K
Push-button switch that selects between the two available high frequency shelf frequencies: 8kHz (OUT)
and 16kHz (IN).
HF
31-detent potentiometer that controls the amount of boost or cut for the high frequency shelf within a
range of +/- 12dB.
COMP IN
Push-button switch that illuminates GREEN when the compressor section is engaged.
THRESHOLD
31-detent potentiometer that controls the compressor threshold range from +20dBu to -30dBu. When the
input signal rises above the set threshold level, compression begins with a soft-knee at a 2:1 ratio.
RELEASE
31-detent potentiometer that controls the compressor release time. The overall timing range available is
50mS (FAST) to 500mS (SLOW).
GAIN
31-detent potentiometer that controls the compressor make-up gain within a range of -6dB to +20dB.
PRE EQ
Push-button switch that routes the compressor section ahead of the EQ section when engaged.
SILK
Illuminated push-button switch that toggles through the three available SILK modes: OFF, RED, and
BLUE.
TEXTURE
31-detent potentiometer that controls the amount of SILK harmonics added within the transformer output
stage when SILK is engaged.
GR and OUT Metering
8-segment LED meters that indicate compressor gain reduction (dB) and output level (dBu).
POWER
LED that illuminates GREEN when the Newton Channel is powered ON.
Newton Rear Panel Features
POWER
IEC AC power inlet with integrated power switch. 100-240VAC at 50/60Hz. 35 Watts maximum AC power
consumption.
GROUND LIFT
Slide switch that lifts XLR Pin 1 from chassis ground on the MAIN OUT as well as the -6dB OUT to help
isolate from ground interference.
-6dB OUT
Balanced XLR output utilizing a lower level, secondary output on the custom Rupert Neve Designs
transformer.
MAIN OUT
Balanced XLR output utilizing a custom Rupert Neve Designs transformer.
LINK
1/4” TRS jack that allows two Newton Channel compressors to be linked together for stereo compressor
operation. *Only intended for use with other Newton Channel LINK jacks.
INPUT
Balanced XLR-1/4” TRS combo jack input that can be used for MIC or LINE level signals.

FEATURES

• Classic Rupert Neve Mic Pre Tone
• Get the punchy, larger-than-life sound heard on countless hit records for the last 50 years.
• Custom Transformers and Class-A Line Amplifiers
• Vintage character meets the improved headroom and precision of Rupert Neve Designs’ updated transformer-coupled line stages.
• Comprehensive 3-Band EQ
• Flexible, intuitive EQ section with fully sweepable mid-band, specially designed for the Newton Channel.
• Fast & Smooth VCA Compressor
• Gently tame transients or apply heavy yet smooth compression with the latest iteration of our esteemed VCA compressor circuit. Also includes a pre/post EQ switch for even greater flexibility.
• Silk Red & Blue Saturation
• Dial in subtle richness or over-the-top vintage-style harmonic saturation using a simple set of controls.
• 31-Position Detented Controls
• Accurately recall and match your settings with speed & precision.
• Stereo Link Switch
• Link the gain reduction of two Newton compressors for powerful stereo bus processing.
• Internal Universal Power Supply
• IEC connection for world-wide AC power from 90-240V located in the 1U rack-mountable chassis.

SPECIFICATIONS
Note: All measurements typical; all measurements recorded using 25ft. XLR output cables

Input Impedance: 8900 Ohms
Input to Line Output (No Features Engaged, Un-weighted)
Maximum Input Level: +23.6dBu

Noise (Un-weighted)
Line Out (Unity Gain): -102dBu
-6dB Line Out (Unity Gain): -107dBu
Line Out (+30dB Gain): -95dBu
Equivalent Input Noise @ +30dB Gain (EIN): -125dBu
Maximum Output Level @ 1kHz: +23.6dBu

Frequency Response
<10Hz to 30kHz: +/- 0.1dB
<5Hz to 70kHz: +/- 0.25dB
<5Hz to 140kHz: -3dB

THD+N, BW (<10Hz to 22kHz)
0dBu at 1 kHz: 0.0013%
+20dBu at 1 kHz: 0.0007%

Input to Line Output (Equalizer Engaged)
Noise (BW <10Hz to 22kHz): -90dBu
THD+N @ 0dBu (EQ Flat): 0.003%

Input to Line Output (Compressor Engaged)
Noise @ 0dB Make-Up Gain (BW <10Hz to 22kHz): -91dBu
THD+N @ 0dBu (EQ Flat): 0.005%

WEIGHTS & DIMENSIONS
Product Dimensions (W x D x H):  48.3 cm x 20.63 cm x 4.5 cm