WesAudio RHEA NG500 500 Series Stereo Vari-Mu Tube Compressor w/ Titan 10-Slot Chassis

WesAudio RHEA NG500 500 Series Stereo Vari-Mu Tube Compressor Module

Rhea

Fully analog, stereo vari-mu tube compressor with digital recall.

Since digital footprint became part of the modern age, analog flavor was demanded more than ever. It is hard to imagine more musical and rich sounding compression than vari-mu desgin. This time ng500 line presents _RHEA – most noble of all, where modern age meets vintage, literally.

Regardless its digital control features, _RHEA is fully analog unit.

Audio signal is processed only via analog components!

Features

• 100% analog device with +24dBu of headroom
• True stereo tube “vari-mu” style compressor
• High voltage tube operation
• Interstage CARNHILL transformers
• Input and output level control for maximum flexibility
• Mix knob for parallel compression
• THD – harmonic distortion with two modes (Medium & High)
• SIDE CHAIN FILTERS – 3 high pass filters at 60,90 and 150 Hz
• 500 series and ng500 (e.g. _TITAN) series compatible
• Total Recall and plugin control compatible with most DAWs.
• Analog automation in DAW
  
  

ANALOG SOUND, DIGITAL CONTROL

Regardless its digital control features, _RHEA is fully analog unit.

True tube compression

_RHEA is true tube compressor, where gain reduction is literally implemented via tube circuit. As vari-mu design is feed backward compression, its behavior is known for amazing musical results!

Interstage transformers

To properly integrate tubes into modern audio levels, just before signal is passed to the tubes, transformers are doing its magic! And that strongly emphasize the low end!

Mix knob for parallel compression

With MIX knob at your disposal, parallel compression has never been simpler to achieve!

With _RHEA your MIX setting can be automated in your DAW. Did You ever wanted to push your compressor harder in chorus? Nothing simpler! Just record automation using touch sensitive encoder, or draw your automation lines in DAW!

THD – add color to your mixes

THD stands for “Total harmonic distortion” and it allows to saturate your signal with beautiful analog color.

Side chain filters

_RHEA Side chain filter functionality allows to modify signal going into the compressor’s detector.

It includes 3 high pass filters at 60,90 and 150 Hz.

500 series and ng500 series compatible

Regardless its extensions, _RHEA is fully compatible unit with 500 series standard (*). Digital features can be enabled through front panel mini USB socket.

ng500 – Next Generation 500 series is a physical extension to 500 series, which makes _RHEA fully compatible with _TITAN frame – this allows to control all devices in chassis through one USB/Ethernet cable.

Hardware A/B

Even using _RHEA as pure analog signal processor you can easily switch between two parallel settings with a magic of a simple buttons.

Total recall and plugin control

Along with classic analog compressor You receive most demanded feature in audio industry – TOTAL RECALL.

Full plugin control through VST2/VST3/AU/AAX/AAX DSP – makes _RHEA compatible with most, if not all major DAWs.

Total integration with your beloved DAW will change your workflow forever!

Analog automation

I’m sure all of us wanted to use different device settings based on song section. Now it is possible! Just draw automation lines in your DAW and your analog device will follow!

And remember, you can use four touch sensitive encoders to record automation TO your DAW!

features summary:

• 100% analog device with +24dBu of headroom
• True stereo tube “vari-mu” style compressor
• High voltage tube operation
• Interstage CARNHILL transformers
• Input and output level control for maximum flexibility
• Mix knob for parallel compression
• THD – harmonic distortion with two modes (Medium & High)
• SIDE CHAIN FILTERS – 3 high pass filters at 60,90 and 150 Hz
• 500 series and ng500 (e.g. _TITAN) series compatible
• Total Recall and plugin control compatible with most DAWs.
• Analog automation in DAW
  
  

Other features:

• Fully digitally controlled and isolated analog circuit,
• Digital recall can be acheived by connecting unit directly through front panel mini USB socket, or using it inside _TITAN chassis,
• 4 touch sensitive encoders allow record automation of particular parameters (Threshold, Mix, Input, Output) in DAW,
  True bypass,
• Accurate analogue GR meter and its precise simulation implemented in the plug-in itself,
• Free software and firmware upgrades.
  
  

WesAudio TITAN 10-slot NG500 Recall Chassis

TITAN is complete recall system designed to provide total integration with your beloved analogue equipment. It extends 500 series connector with additional pins where modules can be designed to support digital recall or any other vendor specific functionalities. This extension is part of new open standard “ng500” – “Next Generation 500 series” which allows other manufacturers to design and implement digitally controlled analog devices.

MAIN FEATURES

HIGH END LINEAR POWER SUPLY

Linear power supply capable to deliver 5A of power will bring sound of your units to the next level!

10 SLOTS FOR 500-SERIES or ng500-SERIES MODULES(*)

_TITAN can host standarized 500 series module (Please read Important Note below).

Of course it was designed to recall up to 10 units with signle USB or Ethernet connection!

(*)Important note about 500 series extension : ng500

CONTROL ALL MODULES THROUGH ONE CONNECTION!

• TITAN allows to control/recall all hosted modules through one connection:
• 1) USB – for direct connection with your workstation.
• 2) Ethernet – dedicated LAN connection to access all devices in your local network.
  
  

REMOTELY CONTROLED STEREO LINKS

TITAN provides simple standalone application to change status of stereo links between modules.

No more problems with accessing your chassis configuration!

IAC – INTERNAL AUDIO CONNECTOR

At slot number 10, _TITAN implements special connector, which routes all audio signals from and to, slots 1 – 8.

This allows future integration with audio interface modules, analog summing modules or patchbays.

INPUT source for any slot is implemented through analog relays, and it is configurable through standalone application. This prevents two different signal sources to be routed to the same module.

Features summary:

• 10 SLOTS FOR 500-SERIES or ng500-SERIES MODULES(*),
• HIGH END LINEAR POWER SUPLY capable to deliver 5A of power,
• CONTROL/RECALL ALL MODULES THROUGH ONE CONNECTION,
• OPEN SPECIFICATION (**) – documentation and software framework including communication drivers for
  any Vendor that would like to adopt to this standard,
• REMOTELY CONTROLED STEREO LINKS through standalone application,
• IAC – INTERNAL AUDIO CONNECTOR – for future integration with audio interface, summing modules or patchbays
  
  

Features:

• Stereo links are integrated with modules, and pressing “Link” button on modules which supports GCon protocol (e.g. _Mimas) sets stereo link on the _Titan.
• Remote firmware upgrade – _Titan & all modules inside can be upgraded remotely through USB or Ethernet connection.
• XLR sockets in/out for each slot.
• Internal stereo link switches which can be also managed through GConManager standalone application.
• Power mode switch – 115V/230V.