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It's rare to find a truly outstanding solid-state channel strip that can deliver a vintage vibe reminiscent of classic high-end products, yet employs a thoroughly modern design. There is one channel strip that delivers the goods without the big tab: the PreSonus RC 500
$599.95
Retail: $799.95
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The RC 500 solid-state microphone preamp features a Class A hybrid input stage with discrete transistors and the latest-generation, low-distortion operational amplifiers. The design maintains the sonic qualities of Class A and benefits from the repeatability in performance of the operational amplifier.
Power amplifiers are classified primarily by the design of the output stage and are designated Class A, B, AB, D, G, or H. In a Class A preamp, the output circuits are always on for the entire cycle of signal swing or the bias current flows at all times. As a result, Class A preamps have the most linear design, with no crossover distortion, and they deliver purer, clearer, and more musical results than the Class AB designs that are found in many preamps.
Compared to a tube preamp, the RC 500’s solid-state preamp offers better definition at the edges of its frequency response range. High frequencies are crisper and low frequencies are tighter, producing a transparent, musical signal that retains the “airiness” of a room and provides a more three-dimensional result than a tube mic preamp can deliver
The RC 500’s FET (Field-Effect Transistor) compressor includes fully variable attack, release, and threshold controls, as well as bypass controls. The compression ratio is fixed at 3:1
FET-based compressors such as the one in the RC 500 use transistors to emulate a triode tube’s operation and sound. This type of compressor generally provides a faster attack time and better repeatability than the optical compressors that are more commonly found in channel strips in this price class.
The RC 500’s 3-band semi-parametric EQ was designed by Robert Creel to match the preamp and compressor. It combines isolated filters and optimized, per-band Q to provide subtle signal-shaping without harsh artifacts.
All three bands have Gain (±16 dB) and Frequency controls and fixed Q (0.5), and the mid and high bands have overlapping frequency ranges. The low and high bands are switchable between shelving and peak. The EQ can also be hard-bypassed.
In addition to all of the aforementioned features, the RC 500 provides a -12 dB/octave highpass filter with a frequency threshold set at 80 Hz. Use this filter, instead of the equalizer, to remove unwanted low frequencies from your source signal. For example, the 80 Hz filter can be used to reduce the “boominess” or “muddiness” of a vocal and to improve the overall clarity of the signal.
A large, backlit, dual-mode analog VU metering enables monitoring of output and gain-reduction levels. A master level control adjusts the overall output from -80 to +10 dB.
It's easy to make connections with the RC 500, too. Rear-panel XLR mic and line inputs and a front-panel ¼” instrument input accept a variety of sound sources, managed by a handy Input Select switch. You get balanced outputs on XLR and ¼” TRS connectors as well as a balanced analog insert to patch in your favorite boutique processor to get a different sonic flavor.
Input Impedance |
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Microphone | 1500Ω |
Line | 1 kΩ |
Instrument | 1 MΩ |
Maximum Input Level |
|
Microphone (-20 dB Pad out) | 0 dBu |
Microphone (-20 dB Pad in) | +20 dBu |
Balanced Line | +18 dBu |
Instrument | 0 dBu |
Gain Range |
|
Microphone (-20 dB Pad out) | +20 dB to +70 dB |
Line | -20 dB to +15 dB |
Instrument | +5 dB to +50 dB |
Performance |
|
Noise Floor (all inputs, minimum gain) | -102 dBu (A-weighted) |
Microphone Equivalent Input Noise (EIN; 20 Hz - 20 kHz) | -125 dBu (A-weighted) |
Frequency Response | 10 Hz to 25 kHz, ±1 dB |
Maximum Output Level | +24 dBu |
Output Impedance | 50Ω |
EQ |
|
Type | 2nd-order shelving filter |
Q | 0.5 |
Low Band (Low-pass or Bandpass) | 20 Hz to 400 Hz, ±16 dB |
Mid Band | 400 Hz to 5 kHz, ±16 dB |
High Band (High-pass or Bandpass) | 2 kHz to 20 kHz, ±16 dB |
Compressor |
|
Type | FET VCA with RMS-based control |
Threshold (Variable) | -25 dBu to +20 dBu |
Ratio (Fixed) | 3:1 |
Attack Time (Variable) | Fast (0.5 ms) to Slow (10 ms) |
Release Time (Variable) | Fast (30 ms) to Slow (500 ms) |
Curve Type | Soft knee |
Power |
|
Internal supply, standard IEC connector | 100/120/230/240 VAC, 12W |
Physical |
|
Dimensions | 1U rackmount |
Height | 1.72” (43.7 mm) |
Depth | 7.69" (195.3 mm) |
Width | 19” (482.6 mm) |
Weight | 7 lb. 3 oz. (3.26 kg) |