Working inside the box? Rupert Neve Designs' 5059 Satellite Summing Mixer is for you.
OVERVIEW
The Rupert Neve Designs 5059 Satellite 16 x 2+2 Summing Mixer is an analog mixer with 16 inputs over two 25-pin D-sub cables and dual stereo XLR outputs housed in a 2U rack-mountable chassis. The mixer features class-A amplifiers and a custom transformer circuit design by renowned electronics engineer Rupert Neve.
Stereo outputs 1 and 2 both feature continuously variable control of the sound's texture by engaging a button which toggles between the silk blue, silk red, and bypass circuits. By turning the master texture knob you can saturate the custom transformers to add sparkle, thickness, color, and warmth to your sound.
With this mixer, you can adjust the signal level, panning position, and insert sends to outboard analog equipment for all 16 channels. You can also use the stereo outputs to sum channels into stem mixes, add harmonics, and send the stem to outboard analog equipment for processing. For example, channels 1 through 8 could be summed and sent as a stem mix to stereo 2 output, then sent through an outboard analog compressor, and then patched in as a stereo input on channels 15 and 16. This would enable you to apply the same processing to all eight tracks as a cohesive group, such as when recording a drum kit with multiple microphones.
The stem on channels 15 and 16 could then be sent through stereo output 1 to a tape recorder or an analog to digital converter (ADC) connected to a digital audio workstation (DAW).
Utilizing the send and return 25-pin D-sub connections, multiple summing mixers can be connected together to add more channels and open up additional routing possibilities.
- Channel Controls
- Each of the 16 channels on the mixer features one rotary knob for changing the channel level between -∞ and +10 dB, one rotary knob for adjusting the panning with a 3 dB pan law, one insert button to route the channel through the send and return circuit, and one stereo 2 button for sending the channel to stereo 2 output for stem summing
- Output Controls
- Stereo 1 and stereo 2 both feature a button for toggling between the silk blue, silk red, and bypass circuits, a rotary knob for adjusting the texture, and a rotary knob for adjusting the stereo output level between -infinity and 0 dB
- Silk Texture Control
- Both Stereo 1 and stereo 2 outputs each have their own silk harmonic texture circuit. Pressing the silk button once engages the red silk circuitry, which removes negative feedback from the transformers and adds harmonic sparkle to the mids and highs. It can be used to add brightness and presence to vocals and guitars. Pressing the silk button again engages the blue silk circuitry which removes negative feedback and adds harmonic warmth and thickness to the lows and low mids. It can be used to add weight and boominess to the bass and kick drum. Pressing the button a third time bypasses the silk texture circuitry
- Channel Insert Send and Return
- By engaging the insert button, the insert send and return signal is switched in for the regular input signal. This allows you to patch outboard analog equipment such as a compressor into the signal chain
- Signal Presence and Clip Indicator LED
- Green LEDS illuminate to indicate the presence of a signal and red LEDs illuminate when the stereo buss is within 3 dB of clipping
- Ground Lift Switch
- The ground lift switch separates the signal ground from the chassis ground for removing ground loop noise from the signal
Front Panel Controls | 16 x channel level rotary knob 16 x channel pan rotary knob 16 x insert send/return push button 16 x stereo 2 send push button 2 x silk blue, silk red, bypass Button 2 x stereo output texture rotary knob 2 x stereo output level rotary knob |
Back Panel I/O Ports | 1 x 25-pin D-sub line inputs 1 through 8 connection 1 x 25-pin D-sub line inputs 9 through 16 connection 1 x 25-pin D-sub insert send 1 through 8 connection 1 x 25-pin D-sub insert send 9 through 16 connection 1 x 25-pin D-sub insert return 1 through 8 connection 1 x 25-pin D-sub insert return 9 through 16 connection 2 x balanced XLR pairs stereo 1 and stereo 2 |
Frequency Response | 100 K load, ±0.1 dB from 20 to 20,000 Hz -3 dB @ 3.5/185,000 Hz |
Noise | IEC-A-Weighted Buss outputs: -106 dBV Single channel assigned @ -∞: -104 dBV Single channel assigned @ unity: -103 dBV Un-weighted, 22 to 22,000 Hz: Single channel assigned @ +10 dB: -100dBV |
Outputs | Buss Single channel assigned @ -∞: -101 dBV Single channel assigned @ unity: -100 dBV Single channel assigned @ +10dB: -97 dBV |
Signal-to-noise | +20 dBu output un-weighted, 22 to 22,000 Hz: 116 dB +20 dBu output, IEC A weighted: 119 dB +4 dBu output un-weighted, 22 to 22,000 Hz: 100 dB +4 dBu output, IEC A weighted: 103 dB |
Output Level | Summing busses to XLR outputs, maximum output level, 20 to 40,000 Hz: +26 dBu Single channel to buss, maximum output level, 20 to 40,000 Hz: +24.5 dBu |
Total Harmonic Distortion/Noise | 1 k Hz @ +20 dBu output: better than 0.003% 20 Hz @ +20 dBu output: better than 0.005% |
Total Harmonic Distortion | Silk Engaged Blue Silk: 100 Hz @ +20 dBu output, texture control 12 o'clock: 0.2% typical Blue Silk: 100 Hz @ +20 dBu output, texture control fully CW: 0.65% typical Red Silk: 100 Hz @ +20 dBu output, texture control 12 o'clock: 0.1% typical Red Silk: 100 Hz @ +20 dBu output, texture control fully CW: 0.35% typical |
Slew Rate | 4 V/μs |
Crosstalk | Buss 1 to Buss 2 1 kHz: Better than -90 dB 10 kHz: Better than -70 dB |
General | |
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Power / Consumption | AC mains, 100 to 240 VAC 50/60 Hz 45 W |
Fuse | 85 W |
Rack Size | 2U |
Dimensions (H x W x D) | 3.5 x 19 x 8" (8.9 x 48.3 x 20 cm) |
Weight | 23 lb (10.4 kg) |
Packaging Info | |
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Package Weight | 18.5 lb |
Box Dimensions (LxWxH) | 21.7 x 14.2 x 8.9" |
Rupert Neve Designs 5059 Satellite Summing Mixer Shelford Edition Features:
- Classic Neve: Class A, all transformer-balanced, and awesome-sounding
- Zero crossover distortion and unmatched purity
- Custom transformers provide galvanic isolation and serve up "larger than life" sound
- Sets a standard for rackmountable summing mixers
- 16 inputs/channels (with level controls, pans, and inserts); 2 stereo buses
- Send any input to stereo bus 1 or 2, each with variable Silk/Silk+ Texture
- Dual Stereo Outputs let you split the input channels into 2 stems for further processing and mixing
- Stereo buss 1 and 2 each has its own XLR outs
- DB-25 line input, insert send/return connectors
- Rugged 2U fan-cooled chassis, clad in classic Shelford livery
Classic Neve Sound and Impressive Flexibility
Working inside the box? Sweetwater would like to recommend a summing mixer that will seriously up your game: the Rupert Neve Designs 5059 Satellite Shelford Edition. If you record and mix entirely within your DAW, you’re hampered by the inability to leverage the sonic advantages of high-quality analog outboard gear. Enter the 5059 Satellite. The 5059 gives you 16 channels — each with individual level and pan, plus insert and bus-2 send buttons. You get two stereo buses with RND’s proprietary Silk Texture controls, giving you effortless integration with outboard equipment, total control for two separate stem mixes, and the facility to dial in harmonic enhancement in two distinct flavors.
Related Videos: 5059 Satellite Summing Mixer - Shelford Edition
It’s a Neve
In serious audio circles, Rupert Neve needs no introduction. Large-format Neve consoles from the 1970s are considered by many to be the pinnacle of analog mixer design. Boasting the same design heritage and sonic perfectionism that went into the boards used to record countless hit records, the 5059 Satellite Summing Mixer graces your tracks with legendary Rupert Neve warmth, punch, and presence. With 16 channels of Rupert Neve designed Class A alchemy and flexible tonal and routing options, the Rupert Neve Designs 5059 Satellite Summing Mixer will take your DAW-based studio’s sound to a whole new level.


Dial in the Silk
The Rupert Neve Designs’ 5059 Satellite Summing Mixer’s continuously variable Texture controls with Silk and Silk+ modes let you fine-tune the harmonic ratio and tonality of each of 5059’s stereo buses. The Silk mode adds sparkle to your tracks by introducing alluringly airy transformer saturation in the high frequencies. Silk+ mode accentuates saturation in the low frequencies, adding density and thickness to the source — particularly desirable when you’ve got a dry, lackluster mix. Distinctly different sounding from equalization, Texture saturates the output transformers, adding sweet, musical even-order harmonics to your source material for authoritative, radio-ready mixes that blast right out of the speakers.
Flexibility: it’s a beautiful thing
The dual stereo outputs of the Rupert Neve Designs 5059 Satellite Summing Mixer are perfect for creating stem mixes, which you can enhance using the 5059’s Silk/Texture controls, then process through bus compressors or other devices via the inserts, finally feeding into the inputs of another mixer or your interface. You can send any input to stereo bus 1 or 2, and create two very different-sounding mixes from the same 16 channels. These are just some examples of the amazing flexibility you’ll enjoy when integrating the 5059 into your recording rig. Smartly attired in classic Shelford livery, the Rupert Neve Designs 5059 Satellite Summing Mixer is housed in a rugged, fan-cooled 2U steel chassis for dependable, no-compromise professional performance year after year, in the studio or on the road.

The legend continues
Rupert Neve’s 80-series consoles had a huge, punchy, and authoritative sound that defined the sound of ’70s rock. From London to New York to Los Angeles and beyond, top studios were installing Neve boards as fast as they could. By 1977, with the introduction of the NECAM automation system, 80-series boards were the main component of the success formula for any recording studio with world-class aspirations. Mr. Neve’s current company, Rupert Neve Designs, continues to advance the state of the art with cutting-edge products that sound incredible and intelligently address the challenges of the digital age. With your Rupert Neve Designs 5059 Satellite Shelford Edition from Sweetwater, the legend continue