517

500 Series Mic Preamp, DI and Compressor with SILK

Operations Manual
Important Safety Instructions
1. Read these instructions. 20. NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the
2. Keep these instructions. limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules.
3. Heed all warnings. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against
4. Follow all instructions. harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment
5. Do not use this apparatus near water. generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not
6. Clean only with a dry cloth. installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause
7. Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no
manufacturer’s instructions. guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation.
8. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television
stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat. reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and
9. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or
plug. A polarized plug has two blades with one wider than the other. more of the following measures:
A grounding-type plug has two blades and a third grounding prong. • Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
The wide blade or the third prong are provided for your safety. If the • Increase the separation between the equipment and the
provided plug does not fit into your outlet, consult an electrician for receiver.
replacement of the obsolete outlet. • Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from
10. Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at that to which the receiver is connected.
plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the • Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for
apparatus. help.
11. Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer. CAUTION: Changes or modifications to this device not expressly
12. Use only with a cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or PORTABLE CART
approved by Rupert Neve Designs LLC, could void the user's authority to
table specified by the manufacturer, or sold with WARNING operate the equipment under FCC rules.
the apparatus. When a cart is used, use caution 21. This apparatus does not exceed the Class A/Class B (whichever is
when moving the cart/apparatus combination to applicable) limits for radio noise emissions from digital apparatus as
avoid injury from tip-over. set out in the radio interference regulations of the Canadian Department
13. Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or of Communications.
when unused for long periods of time. ATTENTION — Le présent appareil numérique n’émet pas de bruits
14. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required radioélectriques dépassant las limites applicables aux appareils
when the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as power- numériques de class A/de class B (selon le cas) prescrites dans le
supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have réglement sur le brouillage radioélectrique édicté par les ministere des
fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or communications du Canada.
moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped. 22. Exposure to extremely high noise levels may cause permanent hearing
15. This apparatus shall not be exposed to dripping or splashing, and no loss. Individuals vary considerably in susceptibility to noise-induced
object filled with liquids, such as vases or beer glasses, shall be placed hearing loss, but nearly everyone will lose some hearing if exposed to
on the apparatus. sufficiently intense noise for a period of time. The U.S. Government’s
16. Do not overload wall outlets and extension cords as this can result in a Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has specified
risk of fire or electric shock. the permissible noise level exposures shown in the following chart.
17. This apparatus has been designed with Class-I construction and must According to OSHA, any exposure in excess of these permissible limits
be connected to a mains socket outlet with a protective earthing could result in some hearing loss. To ensure against potentially
connection (the third grounding prong). dangerous exposure to high sound pressure levels, it is recommended
18. This apparatus has been equipped with a rocker-style AC mains power that all persons exposed to equipment capable of producing high
switch. This switch is located on the rear panel and should remain sound pressure levels use hearing protectors while the equipment
readily accessible to the user. is in operation. Ear plugs or protectors in the ear canals or over the
ears must be worn when operating the equipment in order to prevent
19. The MAINS plug or an appliance coupler is used as the disconnect permanent hearing loss if exposure is in excess of the limits set forth
device, so the disconnect device shall remain readily operable. here:
CAUTION AVIS
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK. DO NOT OPEN RISQUE DE
CHOC ELECTRIQUE. NE PAS OUVRIR Duration, Sound Level Typical Example
CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK)
NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL per day in dBA, Slow
ATTENTION: POUR EVITER LES RISQUES DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE, NE PAS ENLEVER LE COUVERCLE. AUCUN
ENTRETIEN DE PIECES INTERIEURES PAR L'USAGER. hours Response
8 90 Duo in small club
CONFIER L'ENTRETIEN AU PERSONNEL QUALIFIE.
AVIS: POUR EVITER LES RISQUES D'INCENDIE OU D'ELECTROCUTION, N'EXPOSEZ PAS CET ARTICLE A LA PLUIE
OU A L'HUMIDITE

The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol within an equilateral triangle is intended to 6 92
alert the user to the presence of uninsulated "dangerous voltage" within the product's
enclosure, that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to
4 95 Subway Train
persons.
Le symbole éclair avec point de flèche à l'intérieur d'un triangle équilatéral est utilisé
3 97
pour alerter l'utilisateur de la présence à l'intérieur du coffret de "voltage dangereux" 2 100 Typical music via head phones
non isolé d'ampleur suffisante pour constituer un risque d'éléctrocution.
The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user of the
1.5 102
presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the
literature accompanying the appliance.
1 105 Siren at 10 m distance
Le point d'exclamation à l'intérieur d'un triangle équilatéral est employé pour alerter
les utilisateurs de la présence d'instructions importantes pour le fonctionnement et 0.5 110
l'entretien (service) dans le livret d'instruction accompagnant l'appareil.
0.25 or less 115 Loudest parts at a rock concert
This symbol indicates that this product must not be disposed of with other waste.
Instead, it is your responsibility to dispose of your waste equipment by handing it
over to a designated collection point for the recycling of waste electrical and
electronic equipment. The separate collection and recycling of your waste equipment
at the time of disposal will help conserve natural resources and ensure that it is WARNING — To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not
recycled in a manner that protects human health and the environment. For more
information about where you can drop off your waste equipment for recycling, please expose this apparatus to rain or moisture.
contact your local city recycling office or the dealer from whom you purchased the
product.
Table of Contents

Introduction 1

Block Diagram 1

Front Panel 2

517 Features 3

Specifications 5

Limited Warranty 6
 Rupert Neve Designs 517: Mic Pre, DI & Compressor
Thank you for purchasing the Rupert Neve Designs 517 Mic Preamp, DI & Compressor. We hope you enjoy us-
ing this product as much as we have enjoyed designing and building it. The 517 is designed to provide unpar-
alleled sonic performance in an accessible single-slot 500 series format. The 517 combines a world-class mic
preamp with a one-knob opto compressor, instrument/DI input with Vari-phase control, SILK saturation and a
MIC/INST blend control.
517 Block Diagram

1
517 Front Panel

Silk screen color : PMS 295U

Rupert Neve
Designs 517
MIC GAIN
30 36 42 48V
48v Push-button switch that engages 48V
24 48
MIC GAIN Phantom Power
18 54
12 position rotary switch that controls POLARITY
the microphone preamp gain in 6dB 12 60
Push-button switch that inverts the
steps 6
0dB
66
phase of the microphone preamp signal
+3dB

IN
IN/ACTIVE COMPRESSOR
Push-button switch that illuminates BLUE Continuous control for the threshold of
to indicate gain reduction when signal ACTIVE the opto compressor
crosses the set threshold -20 +10
COMPRESSOR O/L METER
O/L
LED that illuminates RED when signal
BLEND approaches the clip point
Continuous control that creates a blend
between the MIC and INST signals SILK
INST MIC
SILK
BLEND Push-button switch that enhances the input
signal’s harmonic content when engaged
VARI-PHASE IN
Push-button switch that engages the IN
VARI-PHASE
VARI-PHASE control Continuous control that rotates the phase
INST GAIN MIN
+15
MAX of the INST input signal
VARI-PHASE

INST GAIN GND GND LIFT

Continuous GAIN control for the INST LIFT Push-button switch that separates the INST
input from 0-30dB input signal ground from chassis ground
0 +30

THRU INST
Passive loop ¼” output of the INST input ¼” input jack for direct injection (DI) or
signal instrument inputs
THRU INST

Silkscreen Artwork: drawing p/n 710-00011 Drawn by: DA

12/17/2010
for model 517 Faceplate: p/n 430-00040 Rev: C

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517 Front Panel Features
GAIN
12-position rotary switch that controls the microphone preamp gain in 6dB steps. This input can also accept line
level sources when the GAIN control is set to 0dB.

48V
Push-button switch that engages 48V phantom power supplied by the 500 series rack.

** LINE LEVEL INPUTS: Please confirm the 48V phantom power button is disengaged before connecting a line
level input. 48V should never be engaged when a line level input is connected. **

POLARITY
Push-button switch that inverts the phase of the microphone preamp signal.

COMPRESSOR
Continuous control of the threshold of the opto compressor when engaged. Compression at a 2:1 ratio is applied
when the input signal exceeds the set threshold level. Auto make-up gain is applied after gain reduction occurs.

IN/ACTIVE
Push-button switch that illuminates BLUE when the compressor is engaged. This BLUE LED also indicates when
gain reduction is occuring once the input signal exceeds the set threshold level.

BLEND
Continuous control that creates a blend between the MIC and INST input signals to achieved the desired tonal
balance.

O/L METER
LED that illuminates RED when the signal is approaching the clip point.

SILK
Push-button switch that enhances the input signal’s harmonic content when engaged.

VARI-PHASE IN
Push-button switch that engages the VARI-PHASE control to phase align the Mic and INST input signals.

VARI-PHASE
Continuous control that rotates the phase of the INST input signal.

INST GAIN
Continuous GAIN control for the INST input from 0-30dB.

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517 Front Panel Features (continued)
GND LIFT
Push-button switch that separates the INST input signal ground from chassis ground.

INST
¼” input jack for direct injection (DI) or instrument inputs.

THRU
Passive loop ¼” output of the INST input signal.

4
517 Specifications
Maximum Output Level +23 dBu

Total Harmonic Distortion and Noise (NO SILK)

1 kHz, +20 dBu Output Level, no load Better than 0.001%
20 Hz, +20 dBu Output Level, no load Better than 0.002%
With SILK engaged Better than 0.2% (2nd order harmonics)

Noise (Measured at main output, Un-weighted, 22 Hz - 22 kHz, 150 ohm balanced source)
Unity Gain Better than -100 dBu
Gain @ +66 dB Better than -60.5 dBu
Equivalent Input Noise -125 dB
INST Input @ Unity Gain Better than -100 dBu
INST Input Gain @ +66 dB Better than -75 dBu
** Noise specifications may vary depending on which type of 500 series chassis is being used **

Frequency Response
(Mic Pre Main Output, no load)
10 Hz +/- 0.1 dB
120 kHz -1 dB
(INST Main Output, no load)
10 Hz +/- 0.1 dB
120 kHz -1 dB

Microphone Input Impedance 10,000 Ohms

Instrument Input Impedance 1.6 Mega Ohms, 3.3 Mega Ohms (balanced)

Variphase @ 100 Hz: 2.9° to 57.4°

@ 1 kHz: 33.5° to 156°
@ 10 kHz: 149° to -175°
Compressor Attack & Release Values 5 mS/50 mS

Power Consumption (+/-16 VDC) 100 mA

Shipping Dimensions 7.75“ (19.7 cm) x 10” (25.4 cm) x 3” (7.62 cm)
Shipping Weight 3 lbs, 1.4 kg
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PRODUCT WARRANTY
Rupert Neve Designs warrants this product to be free from defects in materials and workmanship for a period of
three (3) years from date of purchase, and agrees to remedy any defect identified within such three year period
by, at our option, repairing or replacing the product.

LIMITATIONS AND EXCLUSIONS

This warranty, and any other express or implied warranty, does not apply to any product which has been improperly
installed, subjected to usage for which the product was not designed, misused or abused, damaged during
shipping, damaged by any dry cell battery, or which has been altered or modified in any way. This warranty is
extended to the original end user purchaser only. A purchase receipt or other satisfactory proof of date of original
purchase is required before any warranty service will be performed. THIS EXPRESS, LIMITED WARRANTY IS IN
LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, TO THE EXTEND ALLOWED UNDER APPLICABLE
STATE LAW. IN NO EVENT SHALL RUPERT NEVE DESIGNS BE LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES RESULTING FROM THE USE OF THIS PRODUCT. Some states do not allow the
exclusion or limitation of consequential damages or limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts, so this
exclusion may not apply to you.

WARRANTY SERVICE
If you suspect a defect in this product, please contact our support staff for troubleshooting by phone (512-847-
3013) or email ([email protected]). If it is determined that the device is malfunctioning, we will issue a
Return Material Authorization and provide instructions for shipping the device to our service department.

Rupert Neve Designs

PO Box 1969
Wimberley TX 78676
www.rupertneve.com
tel: +1 512-847-3013
775-00007 Rev D4
fax: +1 512-847-8869
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