RUPERT NEVE DESIGNS PORTICO II CHANNEL 2-channel strip

2-Channel Channel Strip

The RUPERT NEVE DESIGN PORTICO II CHANNEL is a 2-channel channel strip created using the 5088’s high voltage topologies to create a channel strip with the highest sound quality. Comprised of a full-featured microphone preamplifier, 4-band EQ, compressor/limiter, "texture" control, and level metering, the RUPERT NEVE DESIGN PORTICO II CHANNEL includes a host of new features including; variable Silk with Texture control, fully tunable de-esser, multiple filtering and VCA detection options, transient-optimized sliding HPF, and parallel compression blending. With its simple yet powerful topologies and extensive feature set, every element of the RUPERT NEVE DESIGN PORTICO II CHANNEL is geared towards empowering recording artists.

Input Section

Input signals can be derived from any of three sources; Microphone, Line, or DI. The microphone input has a non-reactive input impedance of 10K Ohms that handles a full 26dBu signal without the need for a pad. A primary Gain control provides 66dB of gain in 6dB increments for easy recall with a +/- 6dB Trim for fine adjustment. A 20-250 Hz transient-optimized variable HPF is included. In addition, a 48 V Phantom Power switch, Phase Inversion, Signal Present indicator and a Mute switch are included. The preamplifier is a non-reactive TLA design that precludes the loading of microphones with limited driving capability and maintains a noise of 2 dB over a wide range.
Inserting a connector into the DI input selects a discrete 3M Ohm FET DI circuit with a transformed-coupled topography that optimizes both the microphone and DI inputs, allowing low-impedance microphones and high-impedance sources such as guitars and basses to sound their best. The Primary Gain and Trim controls are fully operational. A "Thru" jack on the front panel that duplicates the unaffected source signal allows for the use of an external amplifier, if needed. A "Line" switch selects the non-reactive input circuit of the XLR Line which includes the HPF and Level Trim controls.

Texture

One of the key functions in the RUPERT NEVE DESIGN PORTICO II CHANNEL is the Texture section. Building on the "Silk" mode found in the original Portico mic preamps, Texture is designed to adjust the effective amount of musical harmonic content from the source material, effectively offering countless tonal options in a single device. The texture section can range from barely audible to dramatic, all controlled by a single knob. This always ensures the musical integrity of the source material itself so that it is not compromised by these harmonic controls.
As with the original Portico modules, the blue Silk mode works by reducing negative feedback on the output transformer and adjusting the frequency response more like Mr. Rupert Neve's vintage designs. This blue mode tends to affect harmonics generated by the low and mid-low frequencies of the source material, filling the sound from the bottom up. The red "Silk +" mode provides a different level of control, enhancing harmonics generated by the mid-high frequencies of the source material, adding a harmonic "sparkle" to the original signal.

Equalizer

The EQ topologies in the RUPERT NEVE DESIGN PORTICO II CHANNEL's 4-band equalizer combine the beloved sound of several classic models, but are also capable of extremely fine surgical adjustments and spectacular boosts or cuts. By default, the EQ section follows the mic preamp and HPF and precedes the compressor, but this sequence can be inverted by activating the Post Comp switch.
The Low Shelf has an independent engage switch, Classic-Peak/Accelerated-shelf selection, with a +/- 12 dB level adjustment and selectable turnover frequencies of 35, 60, 100, and 220 Hz. The fully parametric LMF and HMF bands have a joint engage switch, providing a +/- 12 dB level adjustment, a continuously variable "Q" from 0.7 to 5, and continuously variable frequency ranges from 70 to 1.4 kHz and from 700 Hz to 14 kHz. In addition to its standard capabilities, the HMF band can also be used to fine-tune the new De-Esser circuit.
The De-Esser can be varied from off to full effect and uses Frequency and "Q" controls to tame harsh sibilance in vocals and instruments with an independent high-mid limiter. Even when the De-Esser is active, the EQ level can still be used. The high frequency shelf has an independent engage switch, classic-peak/accelerated-shelf selection, a +/- 12 dB level adjustment and selectable turnover frequencies of 4.7, 6.8, 12, and 25 kHz.

Compressor

The RUPERT NEVE DESIGN PORTICO II CHANNEL compressor section is exceptionally flexible. Like the Portico 5043, the VCA compressor has a choice of Feed-Forward/Feed-Back modes, providing a transparent modern response (FF) or a smoother, more vintage response (FB). In addition to FF/FB modes, there are also ratio controls from 1:1 to 40:1 and threshold from -30dBu to +20dBu, along with Attack from 20 to 75ms (.1 ms in Peak mode), Release from 100ms to 2.5s and Make-Up Gain from 0 to 20 dB. A link switch is provided to link the compressor action to that of an additional RUPERT NEVE DESIGN PORTICO II CHANNEL connected for stereo processing.
The Portico II compressor incorporates a host of new ways to tame and enhance dynamics. "HPF to SC" inserts the high-pass filter into the sidechain to handle intense low frequencies that might tilt the VCA's response with certain tracks and instruments. The "Peak" switch alters the compressor's attack to react to transients with a response time of approximately 1ms. When "Peak" is off, the compressor responds to the RMS signal along with the attack and release settings.
"Blend" acts by creating a parallel mix between compressed and dry signals. By blending compressed and dry signals, you can increase the volume of quieter elements in the source material (e.g., the delicate snare drum on a track with much louder hits), while maintaining a natural dynamic feel for the louder elements.
To further control the sidechain, there is also a "send" and "return" insert that can be coupled with an external equalizer or other filters for further manipulation. The "return" can also be used as a "key" input to duck one signal under another. By connecting the "link" jack on the back of the RUPERT NEVE DESIGN PORTICO II CHANNEL to another Portico II link jack and activating the Link buttons, the compressor section can be used for stereo material.

Specifications

• Texture Control for fine tuning harmonic ratio and timbre
• Post Comp moves the EQ downstream of the compressor
• Multi-variable De-Esser to soften harsh sibilance in vocals and instruments
• Blend gives continuously variable control to blend compressed and uncompressed signals
• FF/FB changes VCA detection from a feed forward to a feedback design
• Super Fast overrides attack settings, using a combination of Peak and RMS detection below 1ms
• Side Chain Send / Return
• External compressor side chain on 2 x TRS jacks
• Dual 16-segment peak meters display compressor gain reduction and output levels
• Continuously adjustable high-pass filter from 20-250Hz
• HPF to Side Chain uses the HPF in the compressor side-chain
• Gain provides 66dB in 6dB steps
• Trim: Continuous +/- 6dB level control
• All In EQ: Activates all EQ bands
• Comp In: Activates the compressor section
• Phase Inversion
• Phantom Power: Selectable 48V
• DI: Discrete FET input for hi-Z instruments
• Line input: Selectable plus 4 balanced inputs
• Dimensions: Rack, 2U