The Input Stage and Mic Preamp The Newton’s microphone preamplifier contains all the tone and musicality expected from a Rupert Neve Designs piece. This preamp makes it incredibly easy to quickly dial in a tight, clean, and detailed sound, and with a robust 72 dB of gain, including 6 dB of fine trim control, the Newton is ideally suited for a wide variety of sources. While the input stage is tailored to be an ideal match for standard microphone source impedance, it is equally happy being driven by line levels – so a pair of Newtons can also be put to use as a high-end mixing tool for any studio. The Newton also includes our distinctive variable high-pass filter with a comprehensive frequency range adjustment and independent bypass switch, allowing the engineer to quickly eliminate unwanted noise, rumble, or other low-frequency build-up in the source signal. THE EQUALIZER The EQ section in the Newton is optimized for speed & flexibility with a simplified set of controls. The low and high frequency shelf bands are controllable with accurate 31-detent potentiometers that provide up to 12dB of gain boost/cut, providing the ability to dial in either subtle or extreme settings as desired. The parametric mid-band of the Newton EQ section includes another 31-detent potentiometer and a wide range of mid frequencies to boost or cut, switchable from 220Hz to 7kHz. This makes the MF band particularly flexible, allowing for taming low-mid muddiness, boosting mid frequency presence, or removing any harshness in the upper midrange. The carefully-chosen fixed Q setting maintains a healthy balance of musicality and precision – just wide enough for brush-stroke equalization without adversely affecting neighboring frequencies. As with every section of the Newton Channel, the EQ has an independent bypass button for double- checking settings every step of the way. THE COMPRESSOR The Newton Channel also contains the latest iteration of Rupert Neve Designs’ ultra-smooth VCA compressor, with 20dB of make-up gain and ample control for any amount of needed compression while maintaining an effortless sound. Also included is a helpful ‘pre EQ/post EQ’ push button to place the compressor either before or after the EQ section, plus an independent bypass button. CUSTOM TRANSFORMER OUTPUTS The Newton Channel has a custom transformer output stage with a balanced MAIN standard line level output. Additionally, a separate -6dBu XLR output can compensate for high levels of input and Silk harmonic saturation, enabling engineers to fully drive the Newton to achieve more transformer harmonics without clipping the next device in the chain. Both outputs are active and can be used concurrently.
