Rupert Neve Designs 542 Tape Emulator
The Rupert Neve Designs 542 Tape Emulator is a single-channel 500 series rack module that simulates the sound of analog tape, and adds texture to your audio.
OVERVIEW
The Portico 542 Tape Emulator from Rupert Neve Designs is a single-channel 500 series rack module that simulates the sound of analog tape, and adds texture to your audio with its dedicated Silk circuitry. The emulation of tape is achieved with analog hardware, as opposed to digital processing. The 542 features a "True Tape" circuit, which utilizes an authentic magnetic record head and a replay amplifier, giving the applied audio the warmth of tape compression. Texture can be added by pushing the Silk button, selecting Red or Blue mode, and adjusting a knob. This adds harmonic content that's reminiscent of vintage Neve equipment.
Tape Effects can be added in by pressing an illuminated button. A Saturation knob enables you to dial in the amount of effects, and a Blend knob lets you mix the pre and post signals. A 15 / 30 IPS button lets you select between the emulations of those two tape-based characteristics. Two eight-segment LED meters are on the face of the 542, one dedicated to Drive, the other to Level. When your signal hits the yellow LED in the Drive meter, a Soft Clip functionality kicks in, protecting your signal from peaking. A 500-Series power supply/rack is required for operation.
| Function | Tape Emulator |
| Number of Channels | Single |
| Inputs | 1x XLR |
| Outputs | 1x XLR |
| Controls | 1x Trim knob, +/- 12 dB 1x Saturation knob 1x Blend knob 1x Texture knob 1x Tape Effect In button 1x 15/30 IPS button 1x Silk button |
| Maximum Output Level | 23.25dBu |
| Frequency Response | Line amp specifications, with tape circuit disengaged: Measured at +10dBu, trim at unity Main Output +/- 0.25 dB from 5 Hz to 60 Khz -2 dB @ 120 kHz Tape FX specifications: 15 IPS, Input @ -0 dBu -3dBu @ 28 kHz Saturation @ minimum 0dBu @ 10 Hz +5dBu Peak @ 60 Hz Saturation @ maximum -3dBu @ 20 kHz -3dBu @ 12.5 Hz +2.4dBu Peak @ 60 Hz 30 IPS, Input @ -0 dBu -3dBu @ 120 kHz Saturation @ minimum -3dBu @ 10 Hz +3.15dBu Peak @ 125 Hz Saturation @ maximum -3dBu @ 100 kHz -3dBu @ 12.5 Hz +1.3dBu Peak @ 110 Hz |
| Noise | Line amp specifications, with tape circuit disengaged: Measured at Main Output, un-weighted, 20 Hz - 22 kHz, Input Terminated 40 Ohms Unity Gain: better than -100dBu Tape FX specifications: Measured at Main Output, un-weighted, 20 Hz - 22 kHz, Input Terminated 40 Ohms Saturation @ minimum: better than -100dBu Saturation @ maximum: better than -100dBu |
| Total Harmonic Distortion/Noise | Line amp specifications, with tape circuit disengaged: @ 1 kHz, +20dBu output level: better than 0.0025% @ 20 Hz, +20dBu output level 0.07% Typical (2nd and 3rd harmonic) Tape FX specifications: 15 IPS, Input @ -0 dBu 0.4% @ 3 kHz to 1% @ 175Hz typical Saturation @ minimum greater than 1% below 175 Hz typical Saturation @ maximum 1% at 6 kHz typical 0.3% @ 1 kHz to 3% @ 50 Hz typical 30 IPS, Input @ -0 dBu 1% at 1 kHz typical Saturation @ minimum 0.6% @ 400 Hz 5% @ 20 Hz typical Saturation @ maximum 1.5% @ 20 kHz to 0.4% @ 1 kHz typical 0.4% @ 1 kHz to 2 %@ 50 Hz typical |
| Meters | 1x 8-segment Level meter 1x 8-segment Drive meter |
| Power Requirements | Supplied by 500 series rack with 110-125 mA @ +/- 16V DC |
| Dimensions | Not specified by manufacturer |
| Weight | Not specified by manufacturer |