Rupert Neve Designs OptoFET Dual Stage Compressor
The OptoFET is a high-end, single-channel analog compressor and wave shaper that combines a newly designed FET compressor with an optimized optical compressor in one 1U rack unit. Designed for tracking, mixing, mastering, touring, and sound design, it delivers exceptional control over dynamics and tone, from transparent leveling to aggressive harmonic shaping.
Dual Stage and Dual Band compression in one unit
OptoFET offers two powerful operating modes:
Dual Stage mode
Both compressors run in series, allowing precise control over fast transients and overall dynamics. The signal order can be flipped instantly, placing either the FET or the OPTO first in the chain.
Dual Band mode
With the crossover engaged, the signal is split into low and high frequency bands, each processed independently by one of the compressors. The crossover frequency is continuously adjustable from 50 Hz to 500 Hz, and either compressor can be assigned to either band. This enables advanced low-end control while shaping mids and highs independently.
Newly designed FET compressor with GRIT mode
The FET section features ultra-fast attack times down to 100 microseconds, selectable ratios of 4:1 or 8:1, side-chain high-pass filtering at 125 Hz, parallel blend control, and up to +20 dB of make-up gain.
The exclusive GRIT mode transforms the FET compressor into a wave shaper, adding harmonics focused on the upper frequencies. It can be used subtly to add presence or aggressively for creative distortion, especially effective when blended in parallel.
Optimized optical compressor with BLOOM mode
The OPTO section complements the FET with slower attack characteristics starting at 5 ms, smooth low-order harmonic generation, selectable ratios of 2:1 or 5:1, side-chain high-pass filtering, blend control, and +20 dB make-up gain.
The unique BLOOM mode increases low-order harmonics, adding warmth, weight, and low-end fullness. It allows tonal shaping similar to EQ, but directly within the dynamics stage.
Precision control and professional gain staging
All continuous parameters use high-quality 31-position detented potentiometers for precise recall. Global input and output trims of ±12 dB allow clean operation or intentional saturation of the internal stages while protecting the transformer-balanced output.
Two OptoFET units can be paired for dual-mono operation on stereo buses, stems, or full mixes.
Key features
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Dual compressor design with FET and optical circuits in one 1U unit
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Dual Stage and Dual Band operation with adjustable crossover
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Independent attack, release, threshold, ratio, make-up gain, blend, and side-chain HPF for each compressor
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GRIT harmonic mode on FET section
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BLOOM harmonic mode on OPTO section
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Global flip control for compressor order
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Parallel compression per stage
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Detented controls for accurate recall
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Transformer-balanced output
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Designed for studio, live, and mastering applications
Technical Specifications
Audio performance (compressor bypassed, XLR in to XLR out)
Input impedance: 10 kΩ
Output impedance: 40 Ω
Maximum input level at 1 kHz: +24 dBu
Maximum output level at 1 kHz: +24 dBu
Noise (22 Hz to 22 kHz bandwidth): -96 dBu
Frequency response
6 Hz to 70 kHz ±0.1 dB
Below 5 Hz to 183 kHz at -3 dB
THD+N at 1 kHz
0 dBu: 0.002%
+20 dBu: 0.0006%
FET compressor
Noise: -82 dBu
Attack time: 100 µs to 50 ms
Release time: 50 ms to 1.5 s
Optical compressor
Noise: -93 dBu
Attack time: 5 ms to 50 ms
Release time: 50 ms to 1.5 s
Crossover frequency range
50 Hz to 500 Hz
Dimensions
1U, 19 in width x 8.25 in depth x 1.75 in height
48.3 cm x 21 cm x 4.5 cm
Weight
Unit: 3.6 kg
Shipping: 4.1 kg
