Rupert Neve Designs5254 Dual Diode Bridge Compressor

Rupert Neve Designs 5254

Capturing the soul of vintage compressors with the technology of today, the 5254 Dual Diode Bridge Compressor from Rupert Neve Designs is a stereo compressor that makes anything you throw at it sound great. It's based around the highly-acclaimed Shelford Channel's dynamics circuit and provides stereo or dual mono compression.

Unlike some of Neve's VCA compressors, the 5254 was made for character over precision, imparting a rich tone to your drums, instruments, or vocals that brings them to the forefront of the mix. The ratio has six selectable options from 1.5:1 to 8:1, which sets the compression curve and attenuation. Add up to +20dB of gain to your input signals and set the threshold level between -25dBu to +20dBU. Tailor the high frequency content of your input signals using the sweepable high pass filter which is a 12dB/oct high pass filter with a range between 20–250Hz.

Special care has been put into the timing modes. These can make all the difference in your sound, and range from fast response for quick transients to slow release with nonlinear release times. Generally, faster times will cause a higher peak-to-peak control voltage ripple, causing additional harmonics to be added to the sound. Slower times, on the other hand, are generally smoother and more transparent.

Side chain signals against the compressor using the SC Insert which can be used to add effects into the signal path or duck the compressor using an external source such as a kick drum. Neve included a blend control, which blends from the dry signal to the compressed signal, useful for dialing in subtle changes to your signals.

The two sides of the compressor can be linked together as a stereo pair, or used as dual mono. The controls are detented, letting you accurately and easily set and recall settings. Get huge results and great sounding mixes with this compressor with the soul of vintage gear and the control of modern technology.

5254 Features

• Dual channel compressor
• Vintage sound and character
• Advanced timing controls
• Class-A amplifier
• Custom transformers
• Six selectable ratio settings
• Up to +20dB of gain
• Dual mono or stereo operation
• Side chain insert effect
• Sweepable high pass filter
• Detented controls to dial in and recall your settings
• Blend knob from dry to wet
• Full wave sidechain detection
• 10Hz–20kHz frequency response