Recording - June 2020 - 35

is redesigned as an aluminum-capped,
controls-all, pushbutton rotary encoder. As
with the UA plugin version, we have a mix/
blend control. Lastly, there's a USB C port
on the front panel for firmware updates.
The bit-for-bit code lives on a SHARC
chip (as does the UA plugin). It uses
32-bit DSP with a 100dB dynamic range
and +22dBu of headroom. Analog Devices designed the new 24-bit/48kHz
converters. To get back to the 12- to18bit sound of the classic box, the new unit
makes use of modeled circuits. All 18
algorithms are included!

Sound and use

All functions of the new unit are spot on
recreations-even on the quirky keypad!
For instance, Delay program algorithms allow selection and setting of dual independent delay lines using the A and B buttons.
Tweaking programs is uber simple.
Pre-delay and decay time control the
size of the 'verb regarding time, while
the filters control the illusion of depth.
Sonically, this reverb cares little for 'fool the
ear reality'. Instead, legend has it that each algorithm was ear-tuned for musicality, and you
can hear it. These reverbs are lush, dense,

and swimmy. At long decay times, you can
discern a pleasant modulated pulsing.
My favorite of the 'normal' reverbs, the
ambiance algorithm, is much thicker, creamier, and imposing than the more gentle and
real room-emulating ambiances of modern
reverb tools. The plates and halls are wonderfully lush, and interestingly, the rooms,
when pushed, get oddly metallic and ringy.

The effects verb

The magic of the AMS RMX16 500
is, of course, the nonlin reverbs-these
breathing, gated-sounding reverbs that
grace the1980s drums and percussion
sounds as per the above examples.
When hand-timed to the groove of a
song, they are just as wonderful in 2020.
Does it sound like the original? The algorithms and 'verbs are spot-on. I wasn't
able to get my hands on a vintage original, but note that the new 500 Series
unit specs out much cleaner, with more
headroom and a lower noise floor.

Realtime, out of the box

Plugin vs. hardware? I was able to match
the two very closely, with a slight difference
in I/O levels. It's easy to trick the ears into

thinking that hardware is more 'open' or
'dimensional' when wires and converters
are used. In a mix, I could hear little difference. At $1,200 for the hardware vs.
$250 for the plugin, you might think the
plugin the better choice, and if you're the
owner of a Powered Plug-in ready device,
it makes sense. If you're not nested in the
UAD ecosystem then financially it's more
of a wash, and a strong argument for the
versatility of standalone hardware is easy
to make. I very much enjoyed the instant,
tactile, intuitive control of the device, and
found it inspiring and refreshing while tracking synths, drum machines and percussion
live through the hardware. Despite having
the plugin, I liked the ease of fine tuning the
hardware effect during mixdown.

Wrap-up

It was a classic, it is a classic, and the
magic tones of the original are back 100%
with the AMS RMX16 500, and it's about
1/3 the price of a functioning original,
not as fragile, and sonically cleaner. Well
done, AMS Neve, well done indeed.
Price: $1295
More from: AMS-Neve.com

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Recording - June 2020

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