Rupert Neve Designs Newton Channel

Modern Precision Meets Timeless Analogue Character

The Rupert Neve Designs Newton Channel is an all-in-one Class-A channel strip engineered for tracking engineers, mixing professionals, broadcast creators and front-of-house operators. Fusing an ultra-clean microphone preamplifier, a flexible three-band equalizer, an effortless VCA compressor, and a custom transformer output stage with variable Silk texture, the Newton delivers world-class sound sculptability in a streamlined 1U rackmount chassis.

Ultra-Clean Class-A Preamplifier with Massive Headroom
The Newton input stage features an electronically balanced Class-A microphone preamplifier delivering 72 dB of pristine gain with an exceptionally high 8,900 Ohm input impedance. By omitting transformer loading on the input, the preamp preserves ultra-fast transient response and ruler-flat frequency performance, placing the natural tone of your microphone front and centre while effortlessly handling line-level signals up to +23.6 dBu.

Musical Three-Band EQ and Intuitive VCA Compression
Engineered for rapid workflow, the three-band state-variable EQ offers +/-12 dB of boost or cut across switchable low-shelf (60 Hz / 150 Hz) and high-shelf (8 kHz / 16 kHz) frequencies, alongside a sweepable mid-band spanning 220 Hz to 7 kHz. The integrated VCA feedback compressor provides smooth, musical dynamic control with a fixed 20 ms attack, soft-knee 2:1 ratio, and variable release, complete with a Pre-EQ switch to adapt to any signal chain.

Custom Transformer Output with Red & Blue Silk Saturation
At the end of the signal path sits a custom Rupert Neve Designs output transformer paired with the coveted Silk harmonic-enhancement circuit. Silk Red mode adds top-end sparkle and presence to vocals and acoustic instruments, while Silk Blue beefs up low-end warmth for bass, kick drums, and synthesizers. Dual concurrent XLR outputs (Main and -6 dB) allow engineers to drive the transformer heavily for vintage harmonic richness without overloading downstream A/D converters.

Main features:

• Custom Class-A microphone preamplifier delivering 72 dB of clean gain
• Sallen-Key continuously variable high-pass filter from 20 Hz to 250 Hz
• Discrete 3-band state-variable equalizer with independent bypass control
• Flexible mid-frequency parametric EQ sweep spanning 220 Hz to 7 kHz
• Smooth feedback VCA compressor with variable release and pre/post EQ routing
• Variable Red and Blue Silk texture control for transformer harmonic saturation
• Custom transformer output stage with simultaneous Main and -6 dB XLR outputs
• 31-detent potentiometers throughout for precise setting recall and stereo matching
• Balanced combo XLR-1/4" TRS input accepting microphone and line-level signals
• Dedicated 1/4" TRS link jack for stereo compressor operation across two units

Tech Specs:

• Preamplifier Type: Class-A electronically balanced
• Gain Range: 0 dB to +66 dB (6 dB steps) + ±6 dB fine TRIM (72 dB total)
• Input Impedance: 8,900 Ω
• Maximum Input Level: +23.6 dBu
• Frequency Response: 10 Hz – 30 kHz (±0.1 dB), 5 Hz – 140 kHz (-3 dB)
• Equivalent Input Noise (EIN): -125 dBu (at +30 dB gain, 150 Ω source)
• Total Harmonic Distortion (THD+N): 0.0013% at 0 dBu (1 kHz), 0.0007% at +20 dBu (1 kHz)
• High-Pass Filter: 12 dB/octave Sallen-Key, variable 20 Hz to 250 Hz
• Equalizer Type: 3-Band State-Variable (±12 dB boost/cut)
• LF Shelf Frequency: Switchable 60 Hz / 150 Hz
• Mid Band Frequency: Parametric sweep 220 Hz to 7 kHz (fixed Q)
• HF Shelf Frequency: Switchable 8 kHz / 16 kHz
• Compressor Type: Feedback VCA (soft-knee 2:1 ratio, fixed 20 ms attack)
• Compressor Controls & Routing: Threshold (+20 to -30 dBu), Release (50 to 500 ms), Make-up Gain (-6 to +20 dB), Pre/Post-EQ switch
• Output Transformer & Processing: Custom RND-2042 transformer with Variable Silk (Red/Blue) & Texture control
• Audio Outputs: Balanced XLR Main Out (+23.6 dBu max) and -6 dB XLR Out (+17.6 dBu max)
• Stereo Linking: 1/4" TRS compressor link jack
• Form Factor & Dimensions: 1U 19" Rackmount | 48.3 cm x 20.6 cm x 4.5 cm
• Weight: 3.4 kg (Shipping: 4.1 kg)
• Power Consumption: 100–240 VAC, 50/60 Hz, 35 W max
• Discover Rupert Neve Designs Newton Channel: https://rupertneve.com/products/newton-channel