AudioChainsDB
Rupert Neve Designs

5024 Quad Mic Pre

intermediate

$3,299

Used market: $2,705*

Manufacturer datasheet

Specifications

3 of 8 values have a recorded source
Type
outboard_preamp·
Added Gain dB
66
Input Connector
4x 3-Pin XLR Mic + 4x 1/4" TS Instrument (front)·
Output Connector
4x 3-Pin XLR Line·
Expert Description
En: Four channels of the Portico-generation transformer preamp. A 12-way precision rotary switch sets gain from 0 to 66 dB in 6 dB steps, with per-channel phase, mute, +48 V, a variable high-pass and the Silk/texture circuit that re-introduces transformer harmonics on demand. Equivalent input noise is better than -128 dBu and maximum output is +26 dBu from 20 Hz to 40 kHz. · Uk: Чотири канали трансформаторного преампа покоління Portico. Дванадцятипозиційний прецизійний перемикач ставить підсилення від 0 до 66 дБ кроками по 6 дБ; на кожен канал є фаза, mute, +48 В, змінний фільтр низьких частот і схема Silk, що на вимогу повертає гармоніки трансформатора. Еквівалентний вхідний шум кращий за -128 dBu, максимальний вихід +26 dBu у смузі 20 Гц — 40 кГц.·
Provides Phantom Power
yes
Requires Phantom Power
no
Updated At
2026-08-05T22:03:05.170Z·

Expert Audio Engineering Commentary

Gain Staging Advice

Gain moves in 6 dB steps and nothing else on the channel trims level, so the fine adjustment has to happen at the converter. Plan the chain that way: the 5024 sets the transformer's working point, the interface sets the last few decibels.

Production Warning

The Silk switch is not an EQ and not a bypassable colour: it changes how hard the output transformer is worked. On a bright condenser it can add exactly the top-end grain you were trying to avoid.

What the datasheet actually says

Quoted verbatim from the manufacturer’s own page, with the date we checked it. We state what is printed, not what anyone intended by it.

The maker’s own documents disagree
««In addition to 72dB of gain, the 5024's mic preamps include individually selectable phase, mute, phantom power…» проти «MIC GAIN — A 12-way precision rotary switch controls gain from 0 to 66 dB in 6 dB steps.»»

Two places on the same product page give two different maxima for the same preamp: 72 dB in the descriptive paragraph, 66 dB in the controls section that describes the actual gain switch. The catalogue records the switch figure, 66 dB, because that is the one tied to a named control; where the extra 6 dB in the prose comes from the page never says.

checked 8/5/2026

* Estimated with the depreciation fallback (~82% retained value). · checked on 8/5/2026