User guide

RC 500 Owner’s Manual
OverviewResources Tutorial Hookup Overview
1
1 Overview
1.1 Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the PreSonus® RC 500. PreSonus Audio Electronics, Inc.,
has designed the RC 500 utilizing high-grade components to ensure optimum
performance that will last a lifetime. The RC 500 is a professional channel strip that
includes a Class A solid-state preamplifier with a unique hybrid design that combines
the latest generation of low-distortion operational amplifiers and low-noise, discrete
transistors. This design maintains the sonic qualities of Class A circuitry and benefits
from the operational amplifier’s characteristic repeatability in performance.
The Class A preamp is combined with the same FET-based compressor and
semi-parametric equalizer circuits found in the PreSonus ADL 700, making
the RC 500 an excellent choice for professional studio applications. Great for
use with all types of microphones and instruments, the RC 500 has the sonic
power and flexibility to achieve luscious vocals, crystal-clear acoustic guitars,
fat bass guitars, dynamic acoustic piano, cracking snares, and much more.
We encourage you to contact us with questions or comments regarding
this product. You can reach us by email at [e-mail] or call us
at 1-225-216-7887 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. U.S. Central Time. PreSonus
Audio Electronics is committed to constant product improvement, and we
value your suggestions highly. We believe the best way to achieve our goal
of constant product improvement is by listening to the real experts: our
valued customers. We appreciate the support you have shown us through the
purchase of this product and are confident that you will enjoy your RC 500!
ABOUT THIS MANUAL: We suggest that you use this manual to familiarize
yourself with the features, applications, and correct connection procedures
for the RC 500 before connecting it to the rest of your studio gear. This
will help you avoid problems during installation and setup.
Throughout this manual you will find Power User Tips that can help make
you an RC 500 expert. In addition, tutorials covering the basics of dynamics
processing and equalization can be found in Section 3 of this manual.
1.2 Summary of RC 500 Features
• Transformer-coupled, high-gain microphone preamp
• Class A hybrid design with minimal signal path
• Unbalanced ¼” TS Instrument input on front panel
• Balanced XLR Microphone and Line inputs on rear panel
• Input Select switch
• FET based compressor using hybrid detection methods,
with switching relays for hard bypass
• 3-band semi-parametric equalizer with switching relays for hard bypass
• +48V phantom power, 80 Hz rolloff, and -20 dB pad
• High-grade components
• Film capacitors
• 1% tolerance resistors
• Low-distortion op amps