Rupert Neve Designs Shelford Channel Transformer Gain Mic Preamp Inductor EQ Diode Bridge Compressor and SILK User Manual

Rupert Neve Designs Shelford Channel Transformer Gain Mic Preamp Inductor

EQ Diode Bridge Compressor and SILK

Product Information

The Shelford Channel is a versatile audio processing unit designed for professional audio applications. It combines a Transformer Gain Mic Preamp, Inductor EQ, Diode Bridge Compressor, and SILK technology to provide high- quality sound and precise control over audio signals.

Key Features

1. Transformer Gain Mic Preamp: Provides high-gain amplification for microphones, ensuring clear and accurate audio capture.
2. Inductor EQ: Offers precise equalization control with the use of inductors, allowing for the shaping of the audio frequency response.
3. Diode Bridge Compressor: Utilizes diode bridge circuitry to compress audio signals, providing dynamic control and enhancing the overall sound.
4. SILK Technology: Adds harmonic richness and tonal shaping options to the audio signal, allowing for a warm and vintage sound.

Product Usage Instructions

1. Read the user manual carefully before operating the Shelford Channel.
2. Keep the user manual in a safe place for future reference.
3. Follow all safety instructions provided in the user manual.
4. Ensure that the Shelford Channel is not placed near water or exposed to moisture.
5. Clean the unit only with a dry cloth.
6. Do not block any ventilation openings and install the unit according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
7. Avoid installing the Shelford Channel near heat sources that may affect its performance.
8. Use only the provided polarized or grounding-type plug and consult an electrician if the plug does not fit the outlet.
9. Protect the power cord from being pinched or walked on, especially at plugs and receptacles.
10. Use only attachments and accessories specified by the manufacturer.
11. Do not make any changes or modifications to the device without explicit approval from Rupert Neve Designs LLC, as it may void the user’s authority to operate the equipment under FCC rules.
12. When using a cart or stand, exercise caution to prevent tip-over and potential injury.
13. Unplug the Shelford Channel during lightning storms or when not in use for extended periods of time.
14. If the unit has been exposed to moisture, dropped, or does not operate normally, unplug it and seek professional assistance.
15. Avoid exposing the Shelford Channel to dripping or splashing liquids.
16. Do not place objects filled with liquids near the unit.
17. Exposure to extremely high noise levels may cause permanent hearing loss, so it is important to monitor audio levels and take breaks if necessary.

Important Safety Instructions

1. Read these instructions.
2. Keep these instructions.
3. Heed all warnings.
4. Follow all instructions.
5. Do not use this apparatus near water.
6. Clean only with a dry cloth.
7. Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
8. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat.
9. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type plug. A polarized plug has two blades with one wider than the other. A grounding-type plug has two blades and a third grounding prong. The wide blade or the third prong are provided for your safety. If the provided plug does not fit into your outlet, consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet.
10. Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the apparatus.
11. Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.
12. Use only with a cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table specified by the manufacturer, or sold with the apparatus. When a cart is used, use caution when moving the cart/apparatus combination to avoid injury from tip-over.
13. Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time.
14. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as power-supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped.
15. This apparatus shall not be exposed to dripping or splashing, and no object filled with liquids, such as vases or beer glasses, shall be placed on the apparatus.
16. Do not overload wall outlets and extension cords as this can result in a risk of fire or electric shock.
17. This apparatus has been designed with Class-I construction and must be connected to a mains socket outlet with a protective ear thing connection (the third grounding prong).
18. This apparatus has been equipped with a rocker-style AC mains power switch. This switch is located on the rear panel and should remain readily accessible to the user.
19. The MAINS plug or an appliance coupler is used as the disconnect device, so the disconnect device shall remain readily operable.
    • CAUTION AVISRISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK. DO NOT OPEN RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE. NE PAS OUVRIR
    • CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK)
    • NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL
    • ATTENTION: POUR EVITER LES RISQUES DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE, NE PAS ENLEVER LE COUVERCLE. AUCUN ENTRETIEN DE PIECES INTERIEURES PAR L’USAGER. CONFIER L’ENTRETIEN AU PERSONNEL QUALIFIE.
    • AVIS: POUR EVITER LES RISQUES D’INCENDIE OU D’ELECTROCUTION, N’EXPOSEZ PAS CET ARTICLE A LA PLUIE OU A L’HUMIDITE
    • The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated “dangerous voltage” within the product’s enclosure, that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons.
    • The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user of the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the appliance.
    • This symbol indicates that this product must not be disposed of with other waste. Instead, it is your responsibility to dispose of your waste equipment by handing it over to a designated collection point for the recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment. The separate collection and recycling of your waste equipment at the time of disposal will help conserve natural resources and ensure that it is recycled in a manner that protects human health and the environment. For more information about where you can drop off your waste equipment for recycling, please contact your local city recycling office or the dealer from whom you purchased the product.
20. NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
    • Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
    • Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver.
    • Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
    • Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
    • CAUTION: Changes or modifications to this device not expressly approved by Rupert Neve Designs LLC, could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment under FCC rules.
21. This apparatus does not exceed the Class A/Class B (whichever is applicable) limits for radio noise emissions from digital apparatus as set out in the radio interference regulations of the Canadian Department of Communications.
22. Exposure to extremely high noise levels may cause permanent hearing loss. Individuals vary considerably in susceptibility to noise-induced hearing loss, but nearly everyone will lose some hearing if exposed to sufficiently intense noise for a period of time. The U.S. Government’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has specified the permissible noise level exposures shown in the following chart. According to OSHA, any exposure in excess of these permissible limits could result in some hearing loss. To ensure against potentially dangerous exposure to high sound pressure levels, it is recommended that all persons exposed to equipment capable of producing high sound pressure levels use hearing protectors while the equipment is in operation. Ear plugs or protectors in the ear canals or over the ears must be worn when operating the equipment in order to prevent permanent hearing loss if exposure is in excess of the limits set forth here:

Duration, per day in hours| Sound Level dBA, Slow

Response

| Typical Example
---|---|---
8| 90| Duo in a small club
6| 92|
4| 95| Subway Train
3| 97|
2| 100| Typical music via head phones
1.5| 102|
1| 105| Siren at 10 m distance
0.5| 110|
0.25 or less| 115| Loudest parts at a rock concert

WARNING — To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this apparatus to rain or moisture.

Rupert Neve Designs Shelford Channel

Thank you for purchasing the Rupert Neve Designs Shelford Channel. We hope you enjoy using this product as much as we have enjoyed designing and building it. The Shelford Channel features Rupert Neve’s first new tran-former-gain, Class-A Mic Pre in over 40 years, a thoughtfully refined classic 3-band inductor EQ, an updated Diode Bridge Compressor and custom Rupert Neve Designs transformer coupled outputs with variable SILK. The Shel-ford Channel maintains the soul of Rupert’s classics with new levels of versatility, delivering the distilled essence of over fifty years of Rupert Neve’s most treasured designs.

Shelford Channel Block Diagram

Shelford Channel Front Panel

Shelford Channel Rear Panel

Shelford Channel Front Panel Features

THRU

• Passive loop 1/4” output of the DI input signal.

DI

• 1/4” jack for direct injection (DI) or instrument inputs.

MIC/DI/LINE

• Push-button switch that selects the Mic/DI input or line input.

GND LIFT

• Push-button switch that separates the DI audio signal ground from chassis ground.

SIGNAL

• LED that illuminates GREEN when the signal is present and RED when near the clip point.

MIC GAIN

• 12-position rotary switch that controls the microphone preamp gain in 6dB steps.

TRIM

• The 31-detent potentiometer allows the user to adjust the preamp gain within a range of +/- 6dB.

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 input signal.

HPF

• Push-button switch that illuminates GREEN when the variable high pass filter is engaged.

FREQ

• The 31-detent potentiometer allows the user to adjust the cutoff frequency of the variable high pass filter within a range of 20 Hz to 250 Hz.

EQ IN

• Push-button switch that illuminates GREEN when the inductor EQ section is engaged.

LF

• The 31-detent potentiometer controls the amount of boost or cut for the low-frequency band within a range of +/-15dB.

LOW FREQ

• 4-position rotary switch that selects the corner (shelf) or center (peak) frequency of the low-frequency band.

LF PEAK

• Push-button switch that toggles between shelf mode (OUT) or peak mode (IN) of the low-frequency band.

MID HI Q

• Push-button switch that reduces the Q width of the mid-frequency band when pressed in.

MID

• The 31-detent potentiometer controls the amount of boost or cut for the mid-frequency band within a range of+/- 15dB.

MID FREQ

• 6-position rotary switch that selects the center (peak) frequency of the mid-frequency band.

8K/16K

• Push-button switch that selects between the two available high-frequency shelf/peak frequencies: 8kHz (OUT) and 16kHz (IN).

HF

• The 31-detent potentiometer controls the amount of boost or cut for the high-frequency band within a range of+/- 15dB.

COMP IN

• Push-button switch that illuminates GREEN when the diode bridge compressor section is engaged.

THRESHOLD

• The 31-detent potentiometer that controls the compressor threshold ranges from +20dBu to -25dBu.

RATIO

• 6-position rotary switch that adjusts the compressor ratio from 1.5:1 to 8:1.

S/C INSERT

• Push-button switch that engages the side-chain insert SEND & RETURN jacks on the rear panel for external side-chain processing (ex: EQ).

HPF TO S/C

• Push-button switch that illuminates GREEN when the compressor side-chain high pass filter is engaged.

GAIN

• The 31-detent potentiometer controls the compressor make-up gain within a range of -6dB to +20dB.

TIMING

• 6-position rotary switch that adjusts the compressor attack and release times.
• NOTE: Please refer to the ‘Diode Bridge Compressor’ section on page 10 for specific attack and release time settings.

LINK

• Push-button switch that engages stereo compressor link mode.

PRE EQ

• Push-button switch that routes the compressor section ahead of the EQ section when engaged.

BLEND %

• The 31-detent potentiometer controls the wet/dry mix of the compressed signal (wet) to the input signal (dry).

VU SELECT

• Push-button switch that toggles between metering the compressor output level (OUTPUT) and gain reduction (REDUCTION).

SILK IN

• Illuminated push-button switch that toggles through the three available SILK modes: OFF, RED, and BLUE. RED enhances harmonic content in high mid and high frequencies. BLUE enhances harmonic content in low and low mid frequencies.

TEXTURE

• The 31-detent potentiometer that controls the amount of SILK harmonics added within the transformer output stage when SILK is engaged.

PEAK

• PEAK LED warns when signal levels are peaking 3dB below the clip point.

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 and the -6dB OUT to help isolate from ground interference.

LINE OUT

• Balanced XLR output utilizing a custom Rupert Neve Designs transformer.

-6dB OUT

• Balanced XLR output utilizing the center tap of a custom Rupert Neve Designs transformer.

SIDE CHAIN SEND

• Compressor side-chain insert SEND 1/4” TS jack for connecting to the input of an external processor (ex: EQ).

SIDE CHAIN RETURN

• Compressor side-chain insert RETURN 1/4” TS jack for connecting to the output of an external processor (ex: EQ).

LINK

• 1/4” TS jacks that allow for two Shelford Channel compressors to be linked together for stereo compressor oper-ation. ONLY INTENDED FOR USE WITH OTHER SHELFORD CHANNEL LINK JACKS.

LINE IN

• Balanced XLR input that can be utilized for LINE level signals.

MIC IN

• Balanced XLR input that can be utilized for MIC-level signals.

Specifications

Note: All measurements are typical, all measurements recorded using 25ft. XLR output cables

MIC PREAMP

Input Impedance 2200 ohms

• Maximum Input Level +21.5 dBu from 150Hz to 22kHz
  • +8dBu from 20Hz to 22kHz

Noise (Un-weighted, 22Hz-22kHz, source impedance 150 Ohm balanced)

• Line Out (Unity Gain) -100.9 dBu
  • 6dB Line Out (Unity Gain) -106.6 dBu
• Line Out (+30dB Gain) -91.37 dBu
  • Line Out (+66dB Gain) -64.1 dBu
• Equivalent Input Noise -121.37 dBu
  • Frequency Response
• 17Hz to 45 kHz +/- 0.25 dB

DIRECT INPUT

• Maximum Input Level +8 dBu from 20Hz to 120kHz
• Noise (LINE OUT) -100 dBu (22Hz to 22kHz)

LINE INPUT

• Maximum Input Level +30.5 dBu from 20Hz to 30kHz
• Total Harmonic Distortion & Noise @ 1kHz, +20 dBu output level, no load: Better than 0.002%
• @ 20Hz, +20 dBu output level, no load: 0.05% typical (2nd and 3rd harmonic)
  • Noise (Un-weighted, 22Hz-22kHz, source impedance 40 Ohm balanced, no load)
• Line Out (Unity Gain) -101.1 dBu
• Frequency Response
  • <10Hz to 110 kHz +/- 0.25 dB
  • 120Hz +/- 0.32 dB
• Maximum Output Level @ 16Hz to 20kHz +26 dBu

Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise with SILK Engaged

• SILK RED MIN TEXTURE: @ 100Hz, +20 dBu output level, no load: 0.0131% typical, mostly 3rd harmonic
• MAX TEXTURE: @ 100Hz, +20 dBu output level, no load: 1.66% typical, mostly 2nd harmonic
• SILK BLUE MIN TEXTURE: @ 100Hz, +20 dBu output level, no load: 0.0079% typical, mostly 3rd harmonic
• MAX TEXTURE: @ 100Hz, +20 dBu output level, no load: 0.941% typical, mostly 2nd harmonic
• High Pass Filter (Continuously variable frequency selection from 20Hz to 250Hz)Slope 12 dB/Octave

EQ Noise

• Un-weighted, 22Hz to 22kHz -92 dBu

Signal Present

• Illuminates GREEN when input stage signal level reaches -20 dBu

Overload Indicator

• Illuminates RED when input stage signal level reaches -23 dBu

Diode Bridge Compressor Section

• Compressor Noise BW, 22Hz to 22kHz 0dB Make-up gain: -84.5 dBu +20dB Make-up gain: -64.2 dBu
• Note: Time Constant (TC) measurements taken represent the full range achievable between 1.5:1 and 8:1 ratio setting, 0 dBu I/P 1kHz burst tone used for all recorded measurements
• Fast (TC1): Attack: 180μS – 1.8mS
• Release: 100mS – 150mS
• Medium Fast (TC2): Attack : 750μS – 5.25mS
• Release: 160mS – 250mS
• Medium (TC3): Attack: 2.7mS – 18mS
• Release: 350mS – 525mS
• Medium Slow (TC4): Attack: 4.6mS – 38mS
• Release: 600mS – 1 S
• Slow (TC5): Attack: 11mS – 72.5mS
• Release: 800mS – 1.25 S
• Auto (TC6): Attack: 5.75mS – 35.5mS
• Dual Release : T1 500mS, T2 1 S
• FAST’ Mode: Speeds up all compressor time constants by 30%
• Product Dimensions (W x D x H) 19” (48.3 cm) x 10.5” (26.7 cm) x 1.75” (4.5 cm)
• Shipping Dimensions (W x D x H) 24” (61 cm) x 13” (33 cm) x 4” (10.2 cm)
• Shipping Weight 12.25 lbs. (5.5 kg)

Low-Frequency Peak Response

Low-Frequency Shelf Response

Mid-Band Low Q Frequency Response (boost)

Mid-Band Low Q Frequency Response (cut)

Mid-Band High Q Frequency Response (boost)

Mid-Band High Q Frequency Response (cut)

High-Frequency Peak

High Frequency Shelf

High Pass Filter Frequency Response

SILK Texture Frequency Response

PRODUCT WARRANTY

Rupert Neve Designs warrants this product to be free from defects in materials and workmanship for a period of three (3) years from the date of purchase and agrees to remedy any defect identified within such three-year period by, at our option, repairing or replacing the product.
LIMITATIONS AND EXCLUSIONS
This warranty, and any other express or implied warranty, does not apply to any product which has been improperly installed, subjected to usage for which the product was not designed, misused or abused, damaged during shipping, damaged by any dry cell battery, or which has been altered or modified in any way. This warranty is extended to the original end-user purchaser only. A purchase receipt or other satisfactory proof of date of original purchase is required before any warranty service will be performed. THIS EXPRESS, LIMITED WARRANTY IS IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, TO THE EXTENT ALLOWED UNDER APPLICABLE STATE LAW. IN NO EVENT SHALL RUPERT NEVE DESIGNERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES RESULTING FROM THE USE OF THIS PRODUCT. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of consequential damages or limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts, so this exclusion may not apply to you.
WARRANTY SERVICE
If you suspect a defect in this product, please contact our support staff for troubleshooting by phone (512-847-3013) or email ( service@rupertneve.com). If it is determined that the device is malfunctioning, we will issue a Return Material Authorization and provide instructions for shipping the device to our service department.

• Rupert Neve Designs PO Box 1969 Wimberley TX 78676 www.rupertneve.com tel: +1 512-847-3013 fax: +1 512-847-8869

References

• Rupert Neve Designs – The Most Trusted Name in Sound.

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