Rupert Neve Designs 5254 Dual Diode Bridge Compressor Reviews
Fat, punchy, and versatile, Rupert Neve Designs’ 5254 Diode Bridge Compressor is based on the topologies found in the legendary vintage Neve 2254 80 Series console module, updated and optimized for the modern studio. Whether you’re tracking, mixing, or mastering, you’ll be amazed and delighted by what the 5254 does for your music. Equipped with RND custom transformers and Class A output amplifiers, this two-channel dynamics powerhouse captures the soul of the classic 2254 to deliver the attitude-packed, in-your-face sound that has pumped up countless hit records, but with modern precision and flexibility (including full sidechain, parallel processing, and stereo link functionality) that make it ideal on any source, whether individual tracks, stems, or stereo masters. As a master bus compressor, Rupert Neve Designs’ 5254 infuses your mixes with glue and punch, crystallizing them into professional, radio-ready product that blasts right out of the speakers.
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Highest Rated Reviews
Worth the Price!
I have a small home studio. I love audio and creating recordings and mixes I am proud of. I do occasionall film projects, but don't do this full time for a living. I have bought and sold a lot of gear. I settled on a pair of U87ai's and a DPA 4011 I use these for all recordings. I have a apogee symphony desktop that I use with the Rupert Neve 5211 preamp. I am a bit of a perfectionist and it takes a lot to impress me. I love that Rupert Neve products are not like everyone else trying to redo vintage products. It is 2021! Audio gear should be evolving past vintage stuff. I do everything all in the box, but have learned one good preamp and a good compressor can be indispensable in making mixing easier and definitely for inspiration during tracking. I was considering buying a pair of distressors, but settled on this based on my prior Rupert Neve purchase. I am very happy with it! It is very versatile, low noise, and just sounds musical. Great glue to any mix. I do what the prior person stated and use a little during tracking to catch big peaks and then use this on my final bus during mixing. Ruper Neve products are like the Bugatti of Audio world. You always get quality built and great sound
Magic for Hip-Hop Vocals
Disclaimer. I haven't used other hardware compressors. For the longest, I've been using the UAD compressors plugins such as the 1176 and LA2A. I was getting good results but when I learned how to use this compressor, the game changed. I know a lot of people rave about the Hardware LA2A and the CL1B, which I've never used but I'll put this compressor up against those any day. Last I night I spent about an hour messing with this compressor and dialing in settings for a Hip-Hop vocal and was blown away. The vocal was so smooth, warm, and sat perfectly in the mix.
For vocals, track with it using light compression and then mix with it to add more compression to the vocal chain. I wish I could own five of these to use on my background vocals. I can't go back to using software compressors for my main vocals. The only other thing I would add for the vocal chain is a hardware Pulteq style eq. If you can, get you one. It's magic, like a Disney movie.
