Rupert Neve Designs 500 Series 542 Tape Emulator

The ultimate "color box".
The 542 delivers a wide variety of elusive analog tones by incorporating a carefully crafted tape emulation circuit, complete with a soft-clipper that can tame the harshest sources, our unique Silk circuit with variable Texture control, and a Blend control to finalize exacting amounts of saturation.

Transformers Imitating Tape
Our analog 'tape effect' emulation circuit drives a custom interstage transformer that mimics a "record head", which is coupled to a 'replay' amplifier with the appropriate EQ curve applied. Harmonic saturation increases as more gain is applied to the "record head", and a soft clip circuit engages at higher levels, gently taming peak transients. The sound can be further modified with selectable 15 / 30 IPS modes and a pre/post-tape emulation blend control.

What is Silk?
Our exclusive Silk circuitry provides additional control over harmonic density and tonality. The Silk Red mode accentuates transformer saturation in the high and high-mid frequencies to heighten the frequency range associated with Rupert's vintage equipment, while Silk Blue accentuates saturation of the lows and low-mids to add thickness and weight to any source. Unlike traditional EQ, these Silk & Texture controls saturate the custom output transformer of the 542, adding rich, musical harmonics according to the amount of Texture applied.

Drive the 542 hard, choose your Silk flavor, and crank the Texture knob for a rich, saturated, vintage vibe - or disengage Silk entirely for a more purist, hi-fi tape effect. The choice is yours.

Features

Tape Effect In
Illuminated push-button switch that engages our 'tape' emulation circuit, which includes controls for saturation, blend and 15 / 30 IPS filter curves.

Trim
Provides +/- 12dB adjustment of level on incoming signal levels, prior to the tape circuit.

Saturation
Continuously variable control of the level being sent to the 'tape effect' circuit. Increasing Saturation levels drives the 'record' gain while simultaneously reducing the 'replay' gain so the overall output signal level remains consistent. The output signal level will decrease slightly as the Max setting is approached due to the extreme saturation and soft clipping.

Saturation also controls a low frequency compensation circuit that boosts low frequencies a little more at lower saturation levels and tapers off at higher levels. This function can be useful searching for a balance between a cleaner, boosted low end (low saturation) and a denser, more saturated low end (high saturation).

15/30 IPS
Push-button switch that toggles between 2 different frequency responses commonly found at 15 or 30 IPS tape machine speeds. The 15 IPS mode has a significant "head bump" in the low frequencies centered around 60Hz and a more pronounced roll off in the high frequencies. The 30 IPS mode is generally a flatter response altogether with a "head bump" around 120Hz.

Blend
Continuously variable control of the mix of pre and post tape effect signals. This allows for precise control over the amount of saturation, tone and soft clipping produced. As the signal gets more saturated, reducing the blend can be an effective way to impart the sound of 'tape' while maintaining detail and transparency.

Soft Clip
The soft clip circuit engages when the drive meter hits 5 (first yellow LED) and becomes more apparent at higher levels. The soft clip can be used to tame sharp transient material like drums and can be further controlled by using the blend control.

Silk / Texture
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.

Level / Drive Meters
Two eight segment LED meters are included for indicating output level and drive amount. The level meter displays the output level of the 542 before the Silk circuit, and the drive meter displays the level sent to the "record head" when the tape effect is engaged. The soft clip circuit is present at drive levels above 5.