Rupert Neve Designs' first announcement of 2026 introduces an innovative new hardware compressor that brings together a pair of distinct compression circuits. As its name suggests, the OptoFET includes both optical and FET-based compressors, and allows users to combine them in series, or assign them each to different frequency bands.
The new design occupies 1U of rack space, with each compressor kitted out with its own set of dedicated front-panel controls. both circuits feature fully variable attack, release, threshold, make-up gain and parallel blend controls, along with side-chain high pass filters and special Grit and Bloom harmonic modes for the optical and FET circuits respectively.
When set to Dual Stage mode, the unit places the two compression circuits in series, offering detailed dynamic control over incoming signals, allowing for everything from subtle control of vocals and instruments to more extreme, envelope-shaping effects; a Flip switch allows users to select the order of the two sections in the signal chain. Interestingly, the unit also features a Dual Band mode, where each of the compressors is assigned to either a low- or high-frequency band, allowing them to be processed independently of each other. a Crossover control in the centre of the front panel makes it possible to set the split frequency between 50 and 500 Hz.
Although the OptoFET is a single-channel unit, it features 31-position detented controls, making it simple to match two units for stereo operation.
Pricing & Availability
The OptoFET is available now, priced at $1999£1858.80 including VAT / €1799.
