Rupert Neve Designs OptoFET Dual-Stage FET/Opto Compressor

All-New FET Compressor Design

While this FET compressor has some familiar characteristics, including ultrafast attack times and common ratio settings, there are also several features that make it instantly feel like a Rupert Neve Designs product and nothing else. All variable controls for the OptoFET are via high-quality, 31-detent potentiometers, standard to most current Neve products. The FET compressor includes variable Attack (with the fastest time being a blazing 100 microseconds), Release, Threshold, +20 dB of make-up Gain, and a parallel Blend control from 0% (dry) to 100% (wet).

Ratio can be set to either 4:1 or 8:1 and the 125 Hz S/C high-pass filter can be toggled on to leave the low end of a source untouched. To further expand the OptoFET?s creative capabilities, a unique new Grit mode transforms the FET compressor into a powerful wave shaper, introducing ample harmonic distortion focused in the upper frequency range. Grit can be used to either slightly accentuate sources, so they pop in just the right way or transform them into something entirely new. Grit is also especially useful when combined with the blend control to achieve an exacting amount of distortion character for a wide range of sources.

Optimized Optical Compressor Design

The circuit in the OptoFET was developed to be the ideal complement to the faster, high-frequency focused FET compressor. In contrast, the Opto compressor generates low-order harmonics while also having much slower attack and release settings. For controls, the OPTO compressor includes variable Attack (starting at 5ms), Release, Threshold, +20 dB of make-up gain, and parallel Blend controls, arranged in the same way on the front panel as the FET section.

Ratio can be set to either 2:1 or 5:1, and it also includes a 125 Hz S/C high-pass filter. Where the FET section has its new Grit mode, the Opto section contains another unique new mode called Bloom. With Bloom engaged, the low-order harmonics increase significantly, instantly making sources warmer, rounder and more pronounced in the low end. Bloom can help make final adjustments without the use of a traditional EQ, especially when used with the Blend control.

Dual Stage or Dual Band

Some of the OptoFET?s most unique and powerful features lie in the global control section:

• The serial order of the 2 compressors can be flipped while in Dual-Stage mode.
• The OptoFET can also become a Dual-Band compressor by simply pressing the X-Over In button, which engages the Crossover filters and the corresponding Crossover variable frequency control.
• With this mode engaged, each compressor is assigned to either the low- or high-frequency band, allowing for independent processing of both bands simultaneously.
• The variable frequency selection control dials in exactly where the crossover is applied, from 50 to 500 Hz.
• The Flip button also works while in Dual-Band mode, assigning the FET or Opto to process either frequency band as desired.
• This can be especially helpful for bass sources, providing complete control over the low end while boosting the mids and highs to dial in the perfect amount of string noise and texture.

Multiple Gain Stages

The OptoFET contains several gain staging options, starting with +/- 12dB input and output trim controls, ensuring the compression stays smooth and transparent. Alternatively, they can be used to drive the compressors, bringing out novel and interesting harmonic tones without clipping the custom transformer-balanced output stage.

In addition, each compressor has its own make-up gain, with one driving into the next in Dual-Stage mode. In Dual-Band mode, the make-up gains can be used for tonal balance adjustments ranging from subtle to dramatic. As with most exceptional compressors, many of the controls and settings are gain dependent, which is why the OptoFET begs for experimentation at every turn.

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