WesAudio Rhea

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.

TRUE TUBE COMPRESSION

_RHEA is true tube compressor, where gain reduction is literally implemented via tube circuit. As variable-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 the signal is passed to the tubes, transformers are doing its magic! And that strongly emphasizes 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 want 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 the 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 of its extensions, _RHEA is fully compatible unit with 500 series standard (*). Digital features can be enabled through the 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 the most demanded feature in the 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

• 100% analog device with +24dBu of headroom
• True stereo tube “variable-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

Specifications

• Frequency response: 10Hz-150kHz (-3dB)
• THD+N < 0.03% (1kHz,0dBu) – no compression
• THD+N >= 1% – at maximum compression level
• Input impedance: 20kohm
• Output impedance: < 100ohm
• Max signal level: +24dBu
• Crosstalk:< -80dB
• THD (MID switch): 1%
• THD (HIGH switch): 3%
• Attack: 0.5,1,3,10,30,50 (ms)
• Release: 0.1,0.3,0.6,0.9,1.8,3.6 (s)
• SC Filter: 60,90,150 Hz
• Power consumption: 190mA per rail
• Dimensions : 76x133x158mm