Rupert Neve Designs 5088 User manual

5088
Fully Discrete Analogue Mixer
Operations Manual
© Rupert Neve Designs 2007

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5088: Operations Manual
Table of Contents
Introduction
Saftey Guidelines
Unpacking
Standard Parts List
Gaurding Against Interference
Connecting Audio
Connecting the Power Supply
Configuration Recomendations
Cleaning Instructions
Servicing Instructions
Dimensions
Penthouse Assembly
Meterbridge Assembly
Configuration Guide
Channel Strip: Overview, Block Diagram, Jumpers
Group Module: Overview, Block Diagram, Jumpers
Monitor Section: Overview, Block Diagram, Jumpers
Master Block Diagram
Warranty
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Introduction
Safety Guidelines
Thank you for purchasing the all-new, 5088 Fully
Discrete Analogue Mixer. We hope you enjoy using
this tool as much as we have enjoyed designing and
building it.
The 5088 is an elegant and pure design focused
on delivering the highest possible sound quality
to complex digital or analogue recording systems.
Scalable from a straightforward 16-channel console of
the highest quality to a comprehensive mixer capable
of handling very complex tracking tasks, the 5088
offers timeless sound quality with an unmatched
heritage.
It’s usual to provide a list of “do’s and don’ts” under
this heading but mostly these amount to common
sense issues. However, here are some reminders:
The 5088 uses discrete, high-voltage, “Class A”
amplifiers throughout. “Class A” is not efficient in
terms of power utilization. We have placed sonic
quality first in order of importance.
MAKE SURE CHANNEL AND GROUP MODULES ARE
PLACED IN THEIR PROPER SLOTS, FAILURE TO
DO SO COULD CAUSE SERIOUS DAMAGE TO THE
MODULE!!!
The heat generated by the 5088 and the 5088’s power
supply is radiated through ventilation holes in the case
by convection as well as silent fans. These holes
should not be covered or blocked as it may reduce
component life and operating stability!
Don’t operate your 5088 in or around water! Do not
be tempted to place drinks on the 5088 as electronic
equipment and liquids are not good friends. If any
liquid is spilled, such as soda, coffee, or alcoholic
beverage, the sugars and acids will have a very
detrimental effect. Sugar crystals act like little rectifiers
and can produce noise (crackles, etc.). SWITCH OFF
IMMEDIATELY because once current starts to flow,
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5088: Operations Manual
Unpacking
Standard Parts List
the mixture hardens (burnt toffee!) and can cause
permanent and costly damage. If the 5088 gets wet
and you suspect that good clean water may have
gotten in, immediately unplug the unit, and remove
it from the source of water. Please contact support
as soon as possible at [email protected] for
resolution.
Always power down the 5088 before removing group or
channel modules!
When you receive your 5088, remove the screws from
the lid of the crate and slide the lid off the crate. Once
open, inspect the insides for any apparent damage that
may have occurred during transit. We have taken the
utmost care in protecting the modules and chassis,
but should there be any damage, notify your freight
company to make a claim as soon as possible, and call
our support line at 512-847-3013 so that we can make
arrangements to replace any damaged components.
Once inspected, carefully unpack the modules and lay
them on a clean surface out of the way. Clear a space
large enough for the chassis and have 2-3 people lift it
out of the crate and place it down gently.
1 x 5088 Chassis
1 x 5088 Rack-mountable Autoswitching Power Supply
1 x DC Power Connection Cable
1 x 3-pin AC connection Cable
16 x 5088 Input Channel Modules
4 x 5088 Group Master Modules
1 x 5088 Monitor Master Module
Installing Modules
Before loading the chassis with modules, secure the
chassis in its intended furniture. Once loaded, a 16

5088: Operations Manual
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channel 5088 weighs approximately 256 pounds,
so it is important to position it correctly beforehand.
Unwrap each module from its packing material and
slide them into their corresponding card slot. Input
channels range from 1-16, group channels range from
17-20, and the monitor section fits in the remaining
slot on the right as you face the front of the 5088.
Once inserted into the correct card slot, turn the
thumb screws at the top and bottom of each module
clockwise to lock them into place.
Large power supplies, power transformers, computer
displays and many other devices can radiate
large interference fields that may affect the 5088’s
performance. Although the 5088’s circuitry is screened
by steel and includes an external AC-DC power supply
to reduce interference, it is not completely immune to
EMI and RFI interference. If you are having issues with
interference, it may be necessary to experiment with
different locations for certain pieces of equipment. If
these issues persist, please contact our support line so
that we may help you troubleshoot the issue
To connect audio to the 5088, we recommend you
use only very high quality balanced cabling and
connectors. The patch points on the rear panel may be
connected directly to other sources and destinations,
however we recommend that you have a professional
integrate the 5088 with a patchbay to add convenience
and avoid wear on the 5088’s connection jacks.
Channel Strip Connections(per module): 2 x XLR-F,
1 x XLR-M, 1 x TRS
Group Channel Connections(per module): 6 x TRS,
2 x XLR-M
Master Monitor: 6 x XLR-in, 9 x XLR out, 5 x TRS
Guarding Against
Interference
Connecting Audio

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5088: Operations Manual
The 4RU Power Supply included with the 5088 is
capable of powering one 5088 master and one 16
channel expansion chassis. Additional 16 channel
expansions may be added, but additional power will
be required. Although the power supply is relatively
quiet, we recommend that it be mounted in an adjacent
machine room, with at least one empty space above
and below it (Blocking the power supply vents could
cause permanent damage!).
The 5088 may be incorporated into a recording system
a number of ways. The simplest is to use a patchbay
to route mic signals into the mic in of Portico or
other external preamps and feed the output directly
to the AD converters (If needed you may insert any
processing modules you choose in between the two).
Route each DA converter channel to its corresponding
channel on the 5088 (assuming latency is acceptably
low), and create Stereo and cue mixes with channel
and group controls for both tracking and mixing.
If you wish to add the 5088’s sonic signature during
tracking, or if latency performance isn’t sufficient
for cue mixes, route the connections from your
preamplifiers to the “Line” inputs on the 5088. Next,
send the direct out (selectable pre or post fader via an
internal jumper) to the input of your AD-DA to record
the signal through the 5088, using auxes and groups
1-8 to create cue and effects sends.
To monitor the “Tape” signal while tracking through the
5088, there are two options to choose from. If you have
Back Panel
Connecting the
Power Supply
Studio
Configuration
Recommendations

5088: Operations Manual
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a sufficient quantity of input modules, you may run the
5088 as a split desk with your mic signals on one side
and individual tape returns on the other side.
If you are more limited in the total number of inputs,
you can create grouped outputs inside your DAW,
and route them to the group master line inputs and
FX line inputs for monitoring the “Tape” signal during
tracking. During mixing, you can change the mixed
group outputs in the DAW back into dedicated channel
outputs to have the final mix run through the 5088’s
mix architecture.
When cleaning the 5088, do not spray cleaning fluids
directly onto the 5088! If you must use a cleaning
solution, apply it directly to a lint free cloth and gently
wipe the surfaces which need to be cleaned.
If you have a malfunctioning module that
needs service, call 512-847-3013 or email
[email protected]. We will arrange for an RMA
and return shipping information once we have verified
the issue that is occurring.
To remove a group or channel module, power down
the 5088, disconnect the power supply, unlock the
thumbscrews at the top and bottom of the module,
and carefully slide the module out by pulling on the
thumbscrews.
Make sure the module is very safely packaged for the
return shipping, marked sensitive electronic equipment
and drop the package off with the shipper indicated on
the return label. Additional modules may be purchased
to be used as spares in case one module needs to be
serviced.
To remove the Master module, please call for
assistance first!
Cleaning
Instructions
Returning Modules
for Service

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5088: Operations Manual
Dimensions

5088: Operations Manual
9
Penthouse
Assembly
Meterbridge
Assembly
To join the penthouse to the 5088 Master, first power
down the 5088 and unplug any cords or cables
attached to the 5088. Second, remove the wood sides
from both the penthouse and the 5088 by unscrewing
the bolts that fasten them into the metal work. Next,
slide the penthouse together with the 5088 such that
the screw holes between the penthouse and the 5088
chassis align. Last, use the supplied screws to lock
the penthouse to the 5088 master on both sides.
The Meterbridge can be locked into either a penthouse
or a 5088 master. To attach or unattach a meterbridge
from a penthouse, the first step is to remove the front
face. To remove the front face, carefully remove the 10
screws on the front and have a second person support
the front face so that the internal wiring isn’t strained.
The screws that tie into the penthouse are located on
each side of the meterbridge on the inside. Once the
screws that connect the meterbridge to the penthouse
are secured, the front face can be replaced and
screwed in. Once Attached, to the frame, plug in both
the meterbridge power supply and the ribbon cables
that connect it to the 5088.

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5088: Operations Manual
Configuration Guide