Rupert Neve Designs Master Bus Transformer: The SSL Fusion Killer? · Source: Rupert Neve Designs
The Rupert Neve Designs Master Bus Transformer is a versatile bus processing unit overflowing with tasty analogue goodness. 240v To 110v Transformer
Software-based processing dominates recorded and live music workflows these days, so it makes sense for a prestigious hardware manufacturer like RND to create a solution that makes analogue signal processing count.
A simple design sidechain or mid-side processing circuit, the MBT combines 4 main processing sections into one 2U masterpiece of 19-inch rack gear.
From the left of the unit, you have the input stage, with a variable high-pass filter for isolating your signal, which is especially useful for doing parallel processing.
Next, you have a variable 2-band shelving filter section, followed by the Color Comp with its own variable sidechain high-pass filter and a wet/dry blend control for parallel compression.
There is yet another variable high-pass filter within the stereo-width processor, before we arrive at the Super Silk section. Here, we can blend the Red and Blue Silk circuits and introduce harmonics with the Zener drive, which makes the MBT very versatile.
Overall, the MBT’s design oozes musicality through its lack of “complicated features”. Mixing and mastering engineers are going to really enjoy the tonal range and the flexibility of the Color Comp and Super Silk features.
Is it comparable to the SSL Fusion? Not exactly, the MBT is a far more high-end analogue unit with a different set of tools. In fact, you’ll probably end up finding them racked up right above one another in many studios.
The RND Master Bus Transformer is currently available for order from Thomann.
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