New Rupert Neve Compressor

Rupert Neve Designs has introduced the OptoFET, which they describe as an analog compressor and wave shaper combining a newly-designed FET compression circuit with an optimized Optical compression circuit in a single rack space, plus several unique controls that provide the ability to implement both circuits in various creative ways. Here's the details direct from the company...

Intended for tracking, touring, mixing, mastering & sound design, the OptoFET has two primary compression modes: in Dual Stage mode, the FET and OPTO compressors are used in series "for complete dynamic control over critical sources, accomplishing a common recording & mixing technique with ease." In Dual Band mode, each compressor is assigned to either a low or high frequency band which can then be processed independently, greatly expanding the OptoFET's dynamic control and tonal shaping abilities.

"From transparent vocal smoothing to extreme envelope shaping with massive harmonic texture, the OptoFET offers seemingly infinite creative control," says Rupert Neve Designs. Each compressor offers fully variable attack, release, threshold, make-up gain and parallel blend controls, plus side-chain high pass filters and special 'GRIT' and 'BLOOM' harmonic modes. Additionally, the OptoFET includes global controls to flip the order of the two compressors in Dual Stage mode – FET into Opto vs. Opto into FET – plus a unique variable crossover control to fine-tune the compression across upper and lower frequency bands while in Dual Band mode. "For example, this allows a user to gently smooth the upper frequencies of a drum kit with the Optical circuit while using the FET to aggressively control the low-end – there are many possible combinations, and we encourage creative experimentation." The company adds, "Though it is a single-channel unit, a pair of OptoFETs in dual mono – with 31-position fully detented controls – can add massive impact to stereo stems, groups, or even full mixes."

While the new GRIT and BLOOM modes may bring to mind the company's well-known SILK circuitry, the RND team says they are actually quite different. "With SILK, we have always relied on our custom-designed transformers to generate musical harmonics. With GRIT & BLOOM, harmonics are generated by the FET and Opto compression circuits themselves, specifically in how they interact with the side chain. This gives GRIT & BLOOM a sonic character that is noticeably different from SILK, but equally useful in a variety of ways."

Pricing and Availability:
The OptoFET is now shipping worldwide, with a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $1999 USD / €1799 EUR / £1549 GBP (all prices exclude local taxes).

More information:

• RND

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