Rupert Neve Designs MBT

The Rupert Neve Designs Master Bus Transformer (MBT) is an elite-grade processor crafted to bring out the rich, musical tone revered in analog circuitry. Loaded with custom transformers and refined signal shaping tools, the MBT is purpose-built for audio engineers and producers seeking vibrant, dynamic sonic character on mixes, groups, stems, or individual tracks. Whether used subtly to enhance clarity or driven to add vintage-style color and width, the MBT is designed to inspire creativity with deep yet intuitive tonal control.

At its core, the MBT features four transformative processing modules: a smooth, minimal-phase 2-band Shelf EQ; the "Color Comp," a custom optical compressor designed for tonal saturation; a wide stereo field enhancer with precise low-end control; and the all-new "Super Silk" harmonic shaping suite. Super Silk introduces independent control over RED and BLUE harmonic content, a Harmonics enhancer, and Zener Drive for soft clipping-making it a powerhouse for sonic coloration. All modules can be used independently or in tandem, offering endless tonal sculpting possibilities while maintaining signal integrity thanks to its premium analog path and transformer-balanced I/O.

• Tone Shaping with Custom Transformers: Uses Rupert Neve's bespoke transformers to enhance and color audio with warmth, depth, and character.

• Elegant Shelf EQ: Smooth 2-band shelf EQ for adding clarity or weight, with broad frequency ranges and gentle curves.

• Colorful Optical Compression: Adds harmonic richness and dynamic control with blendable compression and sidechain high-pass filtering.

• Stereo Image Enhancer: Widens the stereo field while keeping low frequencies focused, with adjustable width and HPF controls.

• Advanced Harmonic Control with Super Silk: Fine-tune harmonic content using Red and Blue Silk modes, plus Harmonics and Zener Drive for added edge.

• Flexible Routing and Control: Each processing section can be independently engaged, encouraging creative sound shaping and experimentation.

• High-Quality Metering and I/O: LED input/output meters, detented controls, and XLR combo inputs with output transformers for robust performance.

GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS:

• Application: Analog tone shaping and harmonic enhancement for mixbus, stems, or individual tracks

• Input Impedance: 10 k ohm

• Max Input Level: +25.5 dBu @ 1 kHz

• Output: Balanced XLR with custom RND transformers, +25.5 dBu @ 1 kHz max

• Input: Balanced XLR combo jack

• Frequency Response: <5 Hz - 30 kHz: +/-0.1 dB, <5 Hz - 60 kHz: +/-0.25 dB, <5 Hz - 180 kHz: -3 dB

• Crosstalk: Better than -95 dB @ 1 kHz

• Power Input: 100"240 VAC, 70W max, IEC connector

• Ground Lift: Slide switch for XLR Pin 1

• Product Dimensions: 19" x 10.125" x 3.5" (48.3 x 25.7 x 8.9 cm)

• Shipping Dimensions: 22" x 18" x 8.7" (55.9 x 45.7 x 22.1 cm)

• Shipping Weight: 17 lbs (7.7 kg)

NOISE AND DISTORTION (THD+N, 22 HZ - 22 KHZ):

• No Features Engaged: < -95 dBu, THD+N @ 0 dBu: < 0.004%, @ +20 dBu: < 0.002%

• HPF Engaged: Noise < -95 dBu, THD+N < 0.002%

• EQ Engaged: Noise < -93 dBu, THD+N < 0.002%

• Compressor Engaged: Noise < -92 dBu, THD+N < 0.002%

• Width Engaged: Noise < -88 dBu, THD+N < 0.002%

• Silk Engaged: Noise < -95 dBu, THD+N < 0.003%

SHELF EQ SECTION:

• Type: 2-band with gentle slopes and low phase shift

• LF Gain: +/-9 dB

• LF Frequency Range: 30 Hz to 240 Hz

• HF Gain: +/-9 dB

• HF Frequency Range: 3 kHz to 24 kHz

• EQ In/Out: Push-button switch with green LED

HIGH-PASS FILTER:

• Slope: 6 dB/octave

• Frequency Range: 15 Hz to 100 Hz

• Engage Switch: Green LED indicator

COLOR COMP SECTION:

• Compressor Type: Optical

• Ratios: LO = 2:1, HI = 5:1

• Threshold: 0 dBu to +24 dBu

• Release Time: 100 ms to 1.5 s

• Side-Chain HPF: 20 Hz to 350 Hz

• Blend Control: 0% (dry) to 100% (wet)

• Make-up Gain: 0 to +20 dB Class-A

• Gain Reduction LED: Green indicator

• Engage Switch: Green LED

WIDTH SECTION:

• Width Control: Additive stereo widening

• HPF Range: 50 Hz to 800 Hz

• Engage Switch: Green LED

SUPER SILK SECTION:

• Silk Red: Upper mids/highs harmonic emphasis

• Silk Blue: Low/low mids harmonic emphasis

• Harmonics: Overall harmonic content control

• Zener Drive: Diode-based soft clipping (Amber LED)

• Engage Switch: Purple LED

FRONT PANEL CONTROLS:

• Input Trim: +/-12 dB

• Output Trim: +/-12 dB

• Output Meters: Stereo 16-segment LED

• Input Level LEDs: Green @ -20 dBu, Red @ +23 dBu

• Drive LEDs: Red indicators show optimal transformer harmonic level

• Bypass All: True hard-wire bypass, Red LED