Rupert Neve 5045 Primary Source Enhancer

The 5045 Primary Source Enhancer is exceptionally useful at reducing feedback without negatively impacting the sonic integrity of the source signal, effectively increasing the level a microphone can be raised before feedback occurs in a live sound environment by up to 20dB. With controls that are very simply laid out and generally require minimal adjustment, the 5045 is an invaluable tool for churches, stadiums, performance halls, or any venue where feedback is problematic.

Features:

• POWER STATUS LED - LED indicates power status.
• PROCESS ENGAGE - Illuminated push-button that engages the Primary Source Enhancer’s effect.
• TIME CONSTANT - Designed to help prevent choppiness in some situations and stop feedback in other situations, by setting how quickly the attenuation occurs in the quiet sections between words or sentences. “A” is the fastest and “F” is the slowest. “A” will quickly soften the level which can be advantageous when the singer is consistent and feedback howl is challenging. “F” is the safest in terms of slowly fading down, but might be a bit slow fading up again, and might be a bit slow for controlling some pesky feedback situations. “C” and “D” are moderate settings that should fit many situations and generally fade down slow enough so that the ends of words are not affected, yet fast enough to control feedback. Choose the most appropriate time constant that doesn’t soften the beginnings and endings of phrases, yet still diminishes the feedback and “boominess” of the signal.
• RMS / PEAK - Illuminated push-button that selects between RMS and Peak detection modes. When illuminated, the 5045 is in PEAK mode – useful for detecting faster transient peaks, and for creative dynamic envelope shaping. When not illuminated, the 5045 is in RMS mode, which utilizes a slower, more averaged response characteristic in the sidechain.
• THRESHOLD - Sets the dBu level at which the Primary Source Enhancer engages.
• PROCESS ACTIVE - This LED indicates when the 5045 is actively affecting signal – a.k.a. when the input signal has overcome the enhancement threshold. Since this LED should generally be illuminated when the desired source is present (a vocalist singing, for example) it is extremely helpful in setting up the 5045 for use.
• DEPTH - The “DEPTH” knob sets how much attenuation is applied after the signal falls below where the “THRESHOLD” is set. “0” implies zero attenuation and the 5045 won’t be doing anything. “-10 dB” is moderate attenuation and reasonably safe from accidentally chopping off a word or part of a word. “-20 dB” attenuates deeper but might be a bit choppy. Setting the “DEPTH” control so that it does not chop off bits of quietly spoken words while fighting a difficult feedback problem is the goal, especially with singers that sing quietly one moment and loudly the next while demanding loud monitors.

Specifications:

• THRESHOLD: Continuously variable from -20 dBu to 10 dBu
• DEPTH: Continuously variable from 0 dBu to 20 dBu
• TIME CONSTANTS: Time Constant data collected using 10 dB bursts.
• RMS MODE:
  • A: 50mS B: 100mS
  • C: 200mS
  • D: 750mS
  • E: 1.5S
  • F: 3S
• PEAK MODE:
• ATTACK: Fixed 20mS
• RELEASE:
  • A: 20mS
  • B: 200mS
  • C: 1S
  • D: 2S
  • E: 5S
  • F: 30S
• MAXIMUM OUTPUT LEVEL: +25 dBu
• TOTAL HARMONIC DISTORTION AND NOISE:
  • @ 1 kHz, +20 dBu output level, no load.
  • Main Output, feedback suppressor bypassed: Better than 0.002%
  • Main Output, feedback suppressor engaged: Better than 0.002%
• NOISE:
  • Measured @ Main Output, un-weighted, 22 Hz - 22k Hz, 50 Ohm terminated input. Feedback suppressor bypassed. Better than -100 dBu
  • Feedback suppressor engaged: Better than -95 dBu
• FREQUENCY RESPONSE:
  • Main Output: @ 20 Hz -3 dB, @ 150 kHz -3 dB
• CROSSTALK:
  • Measured Channel to Channel: Better than -80 dB @ 16 kHz
• POWER REQUIREMENTS: 12V DC Input, 1 Amp