Wes Audio _Rhea 500-Series Stereo Vari-Mu Tube Compressor with Digital Recall

Wes Audio _Rhea 500-Series Stereo Vari-Mu Tube Compressor with Digital Recall

The Wes Audio _Rhea is a stereo vari-mu valve compressor in 500-series format, with a fully analogue signal path and digital recall of every control. Gain reduction happens in the valve circuit itself, giving the smooth, musical feedback-style compression vari-mu designs are known for, while high-voltage valve operation and Carnhill interstage transformers add weight and a fuller low end.

_Rhea works in any standard 500-series rack, with plugin control available through the front-panel mini USB socket. Fitted in a Wes Audio _Titan ng500 chassis, it can be controlled alongside other ng500 modules over a single USB or Ethernet connection. Input and output level controls, a Mix knob for parallel compression and a two-position THD switch give plenty of ways to shape the sound, and the front-panel A/B button lets you compare two settings even with no computer attached.

Key Features:

• True stereo vari-mu compression:
  Gain reduction is produced directly by the valve stage, with high-voltage operation and +24dBu of headroom.
• Carnhill interstage transformers:
  Match modern levels to the valves while smoothing the signal and adding low-end depth.
• Input and output controls:
  Set how hard you drive the valve circuit and the level leaving the module.
• Mix control:
  Parallel compression on board, fully automatable from the DAW.
• THD switch:
  Medium and High settings add analogue harmonic colour.
• Sidechain high-pass filter:
  60, 90 or 150Hz to stop low frequencies driving the compression.
• 500 and ng500 compatible:
  Works in standard 500-series racks, with extended control in the Wes Audio _Titan chassis.
• Total recall and automation:
  Plugin control in VST2, VST3, AU, AAX and AAX DSP formats, with four touch-sensitive encoders (Threshold, Mix, Input and Output) for recording automation.
• Metering and bypass:
  Analogue gain reduction meter mirrored in the plugin, plus true bypass.
• Ongoing updates:
  Free software and firmware updates from Wes Audio.

In the Box:

• Wes Audio _Rhea 500-series module
• Mini USB-B cable

Specifications:

• Attack: 0.5, 1, 3, 10, 20, 50ms
• Release: 0.1, 0.3, 0.6, 0.9, 1.8, 3.6s
• Sidechain filter: 60, 90, 150Hz
• THD: 1% (Medium), 3% (High)
• Frequency response: 10Hz to 150kHz (-3dB)
• THD+N: <0.03% (1kHz, 0dBu, no compression); ≥1% at maximum compression
• Crosstalk: <-80dB
• Maximum signal level: +24dBu
• Impedance: 20kΩ input, <100Ω output
• Power consumption: 190mA per rail
• Format: double-width 500-series module, 76 x 133 x 158mm
• Unit weight: 0.95kg
• Shipping weight: 1.2kg

Requires a 500-series rack with two free slots (not included).