Rupert Neve Designs MBC User manual

Operations ManualOperations Manual
MBC
Master Buss Converter

1. Read these instructions.
2. Keep these instructions.
3. Heed all warnings.
4. Follow all instructions.
5. Do not use this apparatus near water.
6. Clean only with a dry cloth.
7. Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the
manufacturer’s instructions.
8. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers,
stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat.
9. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type
plug. A polarized plug has two blades with one wider than the other.
A grounding-type plug has two blades and a third grounding prong.
The wide blade or the third prong are provided for your safety. If the
provided plug does not fit into your outlet, consult an electrician for
replacement of the obsolete outlet.
10. Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at
plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the
apparatus.
11. Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.
12. Use only with a cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or
table specified by the manufacturer, or sold with
the apparatus. When a cart is used, use caution
when moving the cart/apparatus combination to
avoid injury from tip-over.
13. Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or
when unused for long periods of time.
14. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required
when the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as power-
supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have
fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or
moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped.
15. This apparatus shall not be exposed to dripping or splashing, and no
object filled with liquids, such as vases or beer glasses, shall be placed
on the apparatus.
16. Do not overload wall outlets and extension cords as this can result in a
risk of fire or electric shock.
17. This apparatus has been designed with Class-I construction and must
be connected to a mains socket outlet with a protective earthing
connection (the third grounding prong).
18. This apparatus has been equipped with a rocker-style AC mains power
switch. This switch is located on the rear panel and should remain
readily accessible to the user.
19. The MAINS plug or an appliance coupler is used as the disconnect
device, so the disconnect device shall remain readily operable.
20. NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the
limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules.
These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against
harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment
generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not
installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause
harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no
guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation.
If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television
reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment o and
on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or
more of the following measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and the
receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from
that to which the receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for
help.
CAUTION: Changes or modifications to this device not expressly
approved by Rupert Neve Designs LLC, could void the user's authority to
operate the equipment under FCC rules.
21. This apparatus does not exceed the Class A/Class B (whichever is
applicable) limits for radio noise emissions from digital apparatus as
set out in the radio interference regulations of the Canadian Department
of Communications.
ATTENTION — Le présent appareil numérique n’émet pas de bruits
radioélectriques dépassant las limites applicables aux appareils
numériques de class A/de class B (selon le cas) prescrites dans le
réglement sur le brouillage radioélectrique édicté par les ministere des
communications du Canada.
22. Exposure to extremely high noise levels may cause permanent hearing
loss. Individuals vary considerably in susceptibility to noise-induced
hearing loss, but nearly everyone will lose some hearing if exposed to
sufficiently intense noise for a period of time. The U.S. Government’s
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has specified
the permissible noise level exposures shown in the following chart.
According to OSHA, any exposure in excess of these permissible limits
could result in some hearing loss. To ensure against potentially
dangerous exposure to high sound pressure levels, it is recommended
that all persons exposed to equipment capable of producing high
sound pressure levels use hearing protectors while the equipment
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
permanent hearing loss if exposure is in excess of the limits set forth
here:
Important Safety Instructions
CAUTION AVIS
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK. DO NOT OPEN
RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE. NE PAS OUVRIR
CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK)
NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL
ATTENTION: POUR EVITER LES RISQUES DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE, NE PAS ENLEVER LE COUVERCLE.
AUCUN ENTRETIEN DE PIECES INTERIEURES PAR L'USAGER.
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 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 persons.
Le symbole éclair avec point de flèche à l'intérieur d'un triangle équilatéral
est utilisé pour alerter l'utilisateur de la présence à l'intérieur du coffret de
"voltage dangereux" 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 presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing)
instructions in the literature accompanying the appliance.
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 l'entretien (service) dans le livret d'instruction
accompagnant l'appareil. WARNING — To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not
expose this apparatus to rain or moisture.
Duration,
per day in
hours
Sound Level
dBA, Slow
Response
Typical Example
8 90 Duo in small club
6 92
4 95 Subway Train
3 97
2 100 Typical music via head phones
1.5 102
1 105 Siren at 10 m distance
0.5 110
0.25 or less 115 Loudest parts at a rock concert
PORTABLE CART
WARNING

Table of Contents
Introduction
Block Diagram
Front Panel
Rear Panel
MBC Features
Specications
Limited Warranty
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2
3
4
6
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Rupert Neve Designs MBC: Master Buss Converter
Thank you for purchasing the Rupert Neve Designs Master Buss Converter. We hope you enjoy using this product as
much as we have enjoyed designing and building it. The MBC features TLA line inputs, Class-A analog signal paths, a
stereo VCA limiter and AKM Analog-to-Digital conversion.
1
MBC Block Diagram
+ +
2
3
VCA
RMS
+ +
CW
GND
-
GND
ADC CAL LIMITER IN
LINK
AES3 OUTPUT 1-2
CH 1 RELEASE
CH 1 THRESHOLD
+
-
GND
IN+ IN-
-
-
TRANSFORMER IN
CH 1 LINE IN
TRANSFORMER
CW
SILK
+
CH 1 GAIN
+
+
GND
+
GND
+
CH 1 S/C HPF
DIT
+ +
2
3
CH 2 LINE IN
+
GND
+
VCA
RMS
GND
+
CH 2 S/C HPF
+
-
CH 2 THRESHOLD
+ +
CW
GND
CH 2 RELEASE
+
-
GND
IN+ IN-
-
-
TRANSFORMER
CW
CH 2 GAIN
+
GND
ADC ADC
COAXIAL S/PDIF
OPTICAL S/PDIF
1
2
1
2
WORD CLOCK IN
WORD CLOCK OUT
GNDD
-14 dBFS
-16 dBFS
-18 dBFS
-20 dBFS
+ +
CH 1 LVL MTR
CH 2 GR MTR
CH 1 GR MTR
VCC VCC
CH 2 LVL MTR

MBC Front Panel
2
GAIN
0dB +20dB
THRESHOLD
-14 OVER
RELEASE
50mS 1S
0dBFs-12
-6-6
5 4 3 2 14.5 3.5 2.5 1.5 0.5 050 30 15 71060 40 20 12 8 6
LEVEL GR
10 6 2 0.514 8 4 1
CHANNEL B
- dBFS
FREQ GAIN
20Hz 250Hz 0dB +20dB
S/C HPF
THRESHOLD
-14 OVER
RELEASE
50mS 1S
0 dBFs-12
5 4 3 2 14.5 3.5 2.5 1.5 0.5 050 30 15 71060 40 20 12 8 6
LEVEL GR
10 6 2 0.514 8 4 1
CHANNEL A
- dBFS
dB dB
44.1 kHz
48 kHz
88.2 kHz
96 kHz
176.4 kHz
192 kHz
SYNC
SAMPLE RATE
WORD CLOCK FREQ
20Hz 250Hz
S/C HPFSILK
RED / BLUE
TEXTURE
MIN MAX
LINK
ADC CAL
REF = +4dBu
LIMITER IN
TRANSFORMER IN
-20 dBFS -18 dBFS -16 dBFS -14 dBFS
S/C HPF
Illuminated tactile switch
that engages the limiter
side-chain high pass lter LEVEL (-dBFS)
22-segment LED meter indicating level
in dBFS scaling
Sample Rate Indication
LED indication for selected digital output sample rate
SAMPLE RATE
Illuminated tactile switch that toggles through
all six available digital output sample rates
Digital Reference Standard Indication
LED indication for the selected ADC reference standards
ADC CAL Toggles through the four digital reference standards. Selected digital reference standard = +4dBu
TRANSFORMER IN Illuminated tactile switch that engages the custom Rupert Neve Designs transformer path
SILK Illuminated tactile switch that toggles through transformer SILK modes: OFF, RED, BLUE
FREQ
31-detent potentiometer that
controls the limiter side-chain
high pass lter within a range of
20Hz to 250Hz
GAIN
31-detent potentiometer that controls
the limiter gain from 0dB to +20dB
THRESHOLD
31-detent potentiometer that controls
the level at which limiting begins
GR 8-segment LED meter indicating limiter gain reduction in dB scaling
RELEASE 31-detent potentiometer that controls the limiter Release time constant within a
range of 50mS to 1S
SYNC
LED that indicates
when Word Clock
is locked
WORD CLOCK Illuminated tactile switch that enables Word Clock In and Out on the rear-panel BNC jacks
LIMITER IN
Illuminated tactile
switch that engages
the stereo limiter
LINK Illuminated tactile switch that engages stereo linking mode
within the limiter
TEXTURE 31-detent potentiometer that controls the amount of SILK when transformer mode is engaged
Brightness Recessed trimmer that allows the user to adjust the overall brightness of the front panel LEDs

MBC Rear Panel
3
DIGITAL AUDIO OUTPUTS LINE INPUTS
CHANNEL 1CHANNEL 2
METER PEAK HOLD
ON
OFF
1 SEC 3 SEC
AES3
COAX
OPTICAL
WORD CLOCK
IN OUT
CAUTION
Risk of Electric Shock
Disconnect from
outlet before
removing cover
POWER
100-240 VAC
50/60Hz
45 Watts
MADE IN USA
Rupert Neve Designs, LLC
Model MBC
S/PDIF
75Ω TERMINATED
MBC-00001
Rupert Neve Designs, LLC
POWER
AC Power Inlet
100-240 VAC 50/60Hz
45 W Max power consumption
WORD CLOCK IN
Word Clock Input for external
clock synchronization
75 ohm terminated
WORD CLOCK OUT Word Clock Output for utilizing the MBC as Clock Master or as part of a daisy chain
AES3 DIGITAL OUT
Balanced AES3 digital output
ZOUT=110Ω
OPTICAL Optical S/PDIF digital output
COAX
Coaxial S/PDIF digital output
LINE INPUTS TLA (Transformer-like amplier) balanced line inputs
METER PEAK HOLD Toggles the meter peak hold function ON/OFF and selects the level meter peak hold time interval.

4
MBC Front-Panel Features
Sample Rate
This illuminated tactile switch toggles through the MBC’s available digital output sample rates: 44.1kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2kHz,
96kHz, 176.4kHz, and 192kHz at 24-bit depth resolution. In addition, there are six corresponding front-panel LEDs that
illuminate when their corresponding sample rate is selected.
Sync
The SYNC LED will illuminate when Word Clock is enabled and a valid Word Clock signal is detected at the WORD CLOCK
IN BNC on the MBC’s rear panel.
Word Clock
This illuminated tactile switch enables the WORD CLOCK IN and WORD CLOCK OUT BNC jacks on the MBC rear-panel.
When a valid word clock signal is present at the word clock input jack, the SYNC LED will illuminate, the sample rate LED
status will update to reect the incoming word clock rate, and a buered version of the word clock input signal will be
provided at the word clock output BNC jack for word clock daisy-chaining.
ADC Calibration (ADC CAL)
This illuminated tactile switch toggles through the MBC’s available digital reference calibration standards: -14dBFS,
-16dBFS, -18dBFS, and -20dBFS. Each of these digital levels are referenced to +4dBu in the analog domain. In addition,
there are four corresponding LEDs that illuminate when their respective reference level is selected.
Transformer In
This illuminated tactile switch engages the custom Rupert Neve Designs inter-stage transformer within the MBC’s ana-
log signal path. The transformer path is designed to add harmonic character and tonality to the audio path, while still
maintaining wide bandwidth, low distortion, and high signal to noise ratio. If more color and transformer saturation is
desired, the user can engage the SILK feature.
Silk
This illuminated tactile switch toggles through the available SILK transformer saturation modes: OFF, RED, and BLUE.
Red Silk adds transformer saturation to the audio path with a high frequency pre-emphasis. Blue Silk adds transformer
saturation to the audio path with a low frequency pre-emphasis.
Texture
This 31-detent potentiometer controls the amount of SILK transformer saturation added to the analog signal path when
TRANSFORMER IN is selected.
Limiter In
This illuminated tactile switch engages both channels of the limiter. This enables the user to AB the compressed
and uncompressed signal while dialing in the proper compression characteristic for the given source material.
Link
This illuminated tactile switch engages limiter stereo link mode. In stereo link mode, the limiter channel that is actively
limiting the input signal the most will control the other channel in order to maintain a properly balanced stereo image.
Side-chain High Pass Filter (S/C HPF)
The limiter side-chain has a fully-variable 31-detent potentiometer that controls the 12 dB/octave sallen-key high-pass
lter. This allows the user to de-emphasize the amount of limiting that takes place on low frequency energy in the
source material. The full range of the limiter side-chain high-pass lter is 20Hz to 250Hz.

MBC Front-Panel Features
Gain
The 31-detent limiter GAIN control allows the user to increase the gain of the input signal until it reaches the level at
which the threshold is currently set. If gain is increased beyond the threshold level, the limiter output level will increase
at the limiter’s xed ratio of 10:1 (for every +10dB increase is input level, only +1dB increase in limiter output level).
Threshold
The 31-detent THRESHOLD potentiometer controls the level at which limiting begins in -dBFS scaling. The full range
of the threshold control is from -14 dBFS (fully CCW) to OVER (fully CW). The OVER position allows the user to have the
limiter engaged without incurring any limiting. This way, the user can more precisely control the point at which limiting
occurs as they bring the limiter threshold down to the desired ceiling level below 0 dBFS.
Release
This 31-detent potentiometer controls the limiter RELEASE time within a range of 50mS (fully CCW) to 1S (fully CW). The
limiter’s attack time is xed at 500μS.
Power
IEC standard 3-pin grounded AC power inlet with power switch. 100-240VAC 50/60Hz input range with a maximum
power consumption of 45W.
Line Inputs
The MBC has two balanced Transformer-Like-Amplifer (TLA) inputs made available on Neutrik XLR Combo jacks. The
TLA input topology is designed to provide excellent Common Mode Rejection and a constant input impedance regard-
less of whether they are fed from a balanced or unbalanced source.
Digital Audio Outputs
The MBC has three available digital output connections: AES3 Balanced, Optical S/PDIF, and Coaxial S/PDIF. All three
outputs can be connected simultaneously if needed. The digital output sample rates will follow the sample rate indi-
cated on the MBC front panel.
Word Clock In
This 75 Ω terminated Word Clock Input BNC jack is made available for synchronizing the MBC to an external Master
Clock. When a valid Word Clock signal is connected and the front panel WORD CLOCK switch is selected, the MBC will
sync to the incoming rate and adjust its digital outputs accordingly.
Word Clock Out
When the WORD CLOCK front-panel switch is enabled, the MBC will provide a buered version of the Word Clock Input
signal on the Word Clock Output BNC jack. If there is no valid Word Clock Input signal, but the WORD CLOCK front-panel
switch is engaged, then the MBC will provide its own internal Master Clock at the Word Clock Output BNC jack. If the
WORD CLOCK front-panel switch is not engaged, then there will be no Word Clock Ouput signal.
Meter Peak Hold
This dual dipswitch allows the user to adjust the MBC’s meter Peak Hold feature. The left switch turns the Peak Hold
feature ON (Up) and OFF (Down), and the right switch toggles between a 1S (Up) and 3S (Down) peak hold time.
5
MBC Rear-Panel Features

XLR Line Input to AES3 Digital Output (Limiter Bypassed) ZSOURCE= 40 Ω Balanced
Input Impedance 9.9 kΩ
Common Mode Rejection @ 1 kHz 105 dB typical
Transformer-less Path
Frequency Response (20 Hz to 70 kHz) +/- 0.025 dB typical
THD+N @1 kHz @ -2 dBFS (10 Hz - 22 kHz BW) 0.0009% typical
Noise (BW 10 Hz - 22 kHz) -108 dBFS typical
Transformer Path
Transformer Frequency Response (20 Hz to 70 kHz) +/- 0.1 dB typical
THD+N @1 kHz @ -2 dBFS (10 Hz - 22 kHz BW) 0.002% typical
Noise (BW 10 Hz - 22 kHz) -114 dBFS typical
Limiter Specications (Transformer-less Path Selected) ZSOURCE= 40 Ω Balanced
Frequency Response (20 Hz to 70 kHz) +/- 0.1 dB typical
Noise @ 0 dB Make-Up Gain (10 Hz - 22 kHz BW) -107 dBFS typical
Noise @ +20 dB Make-Up Gain (10 Hz - 22 kHz BW) -97 dBFS typical
Product Dimensions (W x D x H) 19” (48.3 cm) x 9” (22.9 cm) x 1.65” (4.2 cm)
Shipping Dimensions (L x W x H) 24” (61 cm) x 13” (33 cm) x 4” (10.2 cm)
Shipping Weight 10 lbs. (4.5 kg)
6
MBC Specications

7
MBC Frequency Response - Transformer-less vs. Transformer (192kHz SR)

8
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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 one (1)
year from date of purchase, and agrees to remedy any defect identied within such one 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 modied 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, LIMITEDWARRANTY IS IN LIEU OF ALL OTHERWARRANTIES,
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 call us at 512-847-3013 or email us at ser[email protected] to discuss
the suggested defect (it is possible that a suspected defect could be due to improper usage) and to obtain a return
authorization number. It shall be your responsibility to pay for shipping the product to us, and, if the product is
determined to be defective, our responsibility to pay for shipping the product back to you.
Rupert Neve Designs
PO Box 1969
Wimberley TX 78676
www.rupertneve.com
tel: [phone]
fax: [phone]-00039 Rev A
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