Dual-channel mic preamp bringing dramatic updates to the original 5012 including a Variable Silk, custom output transformer of the Shelford series and a new +/-21V power rails.
Simple and elegant, the 5211 is the natural evolution of what is arguably the most famous gear in audio recording history: Rupert Neve’s microphone preamps.
With two channels of the classic tone you know and love, 72dB of gain, sweepable high-pass filters for precise control, and the power of Mr. Rupert Neve’s dual-tap transformers with variable Silk saturation, the 5211 delivers a versatile, flattering, and uncompromising front end for any signal path. In short, it’s everything a mic preamp should be.
What is Silk?
One of the key features of the 5211 is the Silk / Texture control. The Silk circuit was initially developed for the original Portico series mic preamplifiers, and was only a single switch – on or off – that added a specified amount of musical, pleasing harmonic saturation to the unit’s output stage.
Taking this concept one step further, the Texture knob is designed to adjust the actual amount of harmonic content from the source material.
So how does it work? By reducing negative feedback across the output transformer and adjusting this feedback’s frequency response, the Silk / Texture circuit provides the sweet, musical saturation found in Rupert’s legendary vintage designs – but with complete & precise control over the amount of classic tone you want. And when the level is driven to the edge of its headroom, the Silk effect is multiplied.
Custom Transformer Outputs
The 5211 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 5211 to achieve more transformer harmonics without clipping the next device in the chain. Both outputs are active and can be used concurrently.
Level Meter
An eight-segment LED bar-graph meter displays output level (pre-Silk) from -10 dBu to +22 dBu.
Polarity
Reverses the polarity of the input signal.
High Pass Filter
Continuously variable from 20Hz to 250 Hz, and engaged with the HPF button.
Phantom Power
Provides 48V phantom power to microphones.
MAIN OUT
Balanced XLR output utilizing a custom Rupert Neve Designs transformer.
-6dB Output
Balanced XLR output utilizing a lower level, secondary output on the custom Rupert Neve Designs transformer.
MAXIMUM INPUT LEVEL
@ 1 kHz: +26 dBu
NOISE
Un-weighted, 22 Hz - 22 kHz, 150 Ohm input termination
Line Out (Unity Gain): -104 dBV, -101.9 dBu
-6 dB Line Out (Unity Gain): -109 dBV, -107 dBu
Line Out (+30 dB Gain): -98 dBV, -96 dBu
Line Out (+66 dB Gain): -66 dBV, -64 dBu
EQUIVALENT INPUT NOISE (EIN)
-128 dBV, -126 dBu
FREQUENCY RESPONSE
-0.2 dB at 10Hz, -2.9 dB at 120kHz
MAXIMUM OUTPUT LEVEL
1 kHz: +26.5 dBu
20 Hz to 30kHz +26 dBu
TOTAL HARMONIC DISTORTION AND NOISE (WITHOUT SILK)
1 kHz, +20 dBu O/P level, no load 0.0015%, typical
20 Hz, +20 dBu O/P level, no load less than 0.02%, typical
TOTAL HARMONIC DISTORTION AND NOISE (WITH SILK ENGAGED)
TEXTURE @ min, 100 Hz, +20 dBu O/P level, no load: 0.03%, mostly 3rd harmonic
TEXTURE @ max, 100 Hz, +20 dBu O/P level, no load: 1.5%, mostly 2nd harmonic
POWER CONSUMPTION
35 W (Max)'
PRODUCT DIMENSIONS
19” W x 1.75” H x 7 ⅝” D
SHIPPING WEIGHT
11 lbs. (5 kg)
SHIPPING DIMENSIONS
23” W x 15” D x 7” H (58.4cm W x 38.1cm D x 17.8cm H)
| Manufacturer | Rupert Neve Designs |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer SKU | 5211 |