Rupert Neve Designs 500 Series Tape Emulator Instruction Manual
- May 15, 2024
- Rupert Neve Designs
Table of Contents
Rupert Neve Designs 500 Series Tape Emulator
Important Safety Instructions
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Read these instructions.
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Keep these instructions.
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Heed all warnings.
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Follow all instructions.
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Do not use this apparatus near water.
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Clean only with a dry cloth.
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Do not block any ventilation openings. Install by the manufacturer’s instructions.
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Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat.
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Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type plug. A polarized plug has two blades one wider than the other.
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A grounding-type plug has two blades and a third grounding prong.
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The wide blade or the third prong is provided for your safety. If the provided plug does not fit into your outlet, consult an electrician for the replacement of the obsolete outlet.
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Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the apparatus.
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Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.
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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.
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Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods.
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Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as a power supply cord or plug being damaged, liquid having been spilled or objects having fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus having been exposed to rain or moisture, not operating normally, or having been dropped.
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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.
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Do not overload wall outlets and extension cords as this can result in a risk of fire or electric shock.
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This apparatus has been designed with Class-I construction and must be connected to a main socket outlet with a protective earthing connection (the third grounding prong).
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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.
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The MAINS plug or an appliance coupler is used as the disconnect device, so the disconnect device shall remain readily operable.
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NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, under 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 by 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 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 to 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.
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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.
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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 some 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 over 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 to prevent permanent hearing loss if exposure is more than the limits set forth here:
WARNING
To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this apparatus to
rain or moisture.
CAUTION
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT REMOVE THE 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. 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.
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.
Rupert Neve Designs 542: Tape Emulator
Thank you for purchasing the Rupert Neve Designs 542 Tape Emulator. We hope
you enjoy using this product as much as we have enjoyed designing and building
it. The 542 is designed to emulate the unmistakable harmonic saturation of
analog tape. Utilizing a custom RND interstage transformer to simulate a
‘record head’ in tandem with a ‘replay’ amplifier, 2 ‘IPS’ ‘tape’ speed
settings and our acclaimed SILK saturation circuit, the 542 provides many ways
to introduce pleasing harmonics to any source.
542 Front Panel
542 Front Panel Features
POWER
LED that illuminates BLUE to indicate the Power Status of the 542.
TRIM
Continuously variable +/- 12dB ‘pre-tape effect’ level control.
SATURATION
Continuously variable control of the level being sent to the ‘tape effect’
circuit. As the Saturation level is increased, saturation on the ‘record head’
rises and the ‘replay’ amplifier gain reduces so the output signal remains at
a consistent level.
TAPE EFFECT IN
Illuminated push-button switch that engages the ‘tape effect’ circuit.
DRIVE METER
8-segment LED meter that indicates the level sent to the ‘record head’. The
Soft Clip Circuit will become active once the ‘Drive’ level has exceeded 5 **
BLEND
Continuously variable control of the blend between the pre-’tape’ (0%) and
post-’tape’ (100%) signals.
IPS
Push-button switch that toggles between two different ‘tape’ speed frequency
responses.
LEVEL METER
8-segment LED meter that indicates the output level. This meter displays the
output level Pre-SILK.
SILK RED/BLUE
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 continuously variable potentiometer controls the amount of SILK harmonics
when SILK is engaged.
542 Specifications
TAPE EFFECT DISENGAGED
Total Harmonic Distortion and Noise (NO SILK)
- 1 kHz, +20 dBu Output Level Better than 0.0025%
- 20 Hz, +20 dBu Output Level 0.07% typical (2nd & 3rd order harmonics)
- Noise (Measured at the main output, Un-weighted, 20 Hz – 22 kHz, 40-ohm balanced source)
- Unity Gain Better than -100 dBu
Frequency Response
- (Main Output, no load)
- 5 Hz – 60kHz +/- 0.25 dB
- 120 kHz -2 dB
TAPE EFFECT ENGAGED
- Total Harmonic Distortion and Noise (NO SILK)
- 15 IPS, Input @ 0dB, Saturation @ MIN 0.4 % @ 3 kHz typical 1 % @ 175 Hz typical
- 15 IPS, Input @ 0dB, Saturation @ MAX 1 % @ 6 kHz typical
- 0.3 % @ 1 kHz to 3 % @ 50 Hz typical
- 30 IPS, Input @ 0dB, Saturation @ MIN 1 % @ 1 kHz typical
- 0.6 % @ 400 Hz to 5 % @ 20 Hz typical
- 30 IPS, Input @ 0dB, Saturation @ MAX 1.5 % @ 20 kHz to 0.4 % @ 1 kHz typical
- 2 % @ 50 Hz typical
Frequency Response
- 15 IPS, Input @ 0dB, Saturation @ MIN -3 dBu @ 28 kHz
- 0 dB @ 10 Hz
- +5 dBu Peak @ 60 Hz
- 15 IPS, Input @ 0dB, Saturation @ MAX -3 dBu @ 20 kHz
- -3 dB @ 12.5 Hz
- +2.4 dBu Peak @ 60 Hz
Frequency Response (continued)
- 30 IPS, Input @ 0dB, Saturation @ MIN -3 dBu @ 120 kHz -3 dB @ 10 Hz
- +3.15 dBu Peak @ 125 Hz
- 30 IPS, Input @ 0dB, Saturation @ MAX -3 dBu @ 100 kHz
- -3 dB @ 12.5 Hz +1.3 dBu Peak @ 110 Hz
- Noise (Measured at the main output, Un-weighted, 20 Hz – 22 kHz, 40-ohm balanced source)
- Saturation @ MIN Better than -100 dBu
- Saturation @ MAX Better than -100 dBu
- Power Consumption (+/-16 VDC) 110-125 mA
- Shipping Dimensions 7.75“ (19.7 cm) x 10” (25.4 cm) x 3” (7.62 cm)
- Shipping Weight 3 lbs, 1.4 kg
542 Frequency Response: Tape Effect Disengaged
542 Frequency Response: Tape Effect Engaged @ 15 IPS
42 Frequency Response: Tape Effect Engaged @ 30 IPS
42 Total Harmonic Distortion by Saturation Level
PRODUCT WARRANTY
Rupert Neve Designs warrants this product to be free from defects in materials and workmanship for 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 that 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 DESIGNS 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
([email protected]). 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