RUPERT NEVE DESIGNS PORTICO II CHANNEL 2-channel strip

2-Channel Channel Strip

RUPERT NEVE DESIGN PORTICO II CHANNEL is a 2-channel strip created using the high-voltage topologies of the 5088 to create a channel strip with maximum sound quality. Comprised of a full-featured microphone preamplifier, 4-band EQ, compressor limiter, "Texture" control and level metering, RUPERT NEVE DESIGN PORTICO II CHANNEL includes a range of new features including; Variable Silk with Texture control, fully tunable de-esser, multiple filtering options and VCA detection, transient-optimized HPF and parallel compression mixing. With its simple yet powerful topologies and extensive feature set, every element of RUPERT NEVE DESIGN PORTICO II CHANNEL is oriented toward 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 Ohm 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 Trim +/- 6dB for fine adjustment. An included variable HPF optimized for transients from 20-250 Hz. Additionally, included are a 48V Phantom Power switch, Phase Inversion, Signal Present indicator and a Mute switch. The preamplifier is a non-reactive TLA design that precludes loading microphones with limited driving capacity and maintains a noise floor of 2 dB across a wide range.
Inserting a connector into the DI input selects a discrete 3M Ohm FET DI circuit with a transformer-coupled topology that optimizes both 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 Line XLR input circuit that includes HPF and Level Trim controls.

Texture

One of the key functions in RUPERT NEVE DESIGN PORTICO II CHANNEL is the Texture section. Building on the "Silk" mode found in the original Portico microphone preamplifiers, Texture is designed to adjust the actual 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 Silk blue mode works by reducing negative feedback on the output transformer and adjusting the frequency response in a manner more similar to Mr. Rupert Neve's vintage designs. This blue mode tends to influence the harmonics generated from the low and low-mid frequencies of the source material, filling out the sound from the bottom up. The red "Silk +" mode provides a different level of control, enhancing the harmonics generated from the high-mid frequencies of the source material, adding a harmonic "sparkle" to the original signal.

Equalizer

The EQ topologies in the 4-band Equalizer of the RUPERT NEVE DESIGN PORTICO II CHANNEL combine the most beloved sound of various classic models, while also being able to perform extremely fine surgical adjustments and spectacular boosts or cuts. By default, the EQ section follows the microphone preamplifier and HPF and precedes the compressor, but this sequence can be inverted by engaging the Post Comp switch.
The Low Shelf has an independent engage switch, Classic-Peak/Accelerated-shelf selection, with a level adjustment of +/- 12 dB 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 level adjustment of +/- 12 dB, a continuous variable "Q" from 0.7 to 5, and continuously variable frequency ranges from 70 to 1.4 kHz and 700 Hz to 14 kHz. Beyond its standard capabilities, the HMF band can also be used to precisely adjust the new De-Esser circuit.
The De-Esser can be varied from off to full effect and uses the 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 level adjustment of +/- 12 dB, and selectable turnover frequencies of 4.7, 6.8, 12, and 25 kHz.

Compressor

The compressor section of the RUPERT NEVE DESIGN PORTICO II CHANNEL is exceptionally flexible. Like the Portico 5043, the VCA compressor has a choice of Feed-Forward/Feed-Back modes, which provide a transparent modern response (FF) or a smoother, more vintage response (FB). Beyond the FF/FB modes, there are also ratio controls from 1:1 to 40:1 and threshold from -30 dBu to +20 dBu, along with Attack from 20 to 75 ms (.1 ms in Peak mode), Release from 100 ms to 2.5 s, 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 series of new ways to tame and enhance dynamics. "HPF to SC" inserts the high-pass filter into the side chain to manage intense bass frequencies that could skew the VCA 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 disabled, the compressor responds to the RMS signal along with the attack and release settings.
"Blend" works by creating a parallel mix between compressed and dry signals. By mixing compressed and dry signals, you can increase the volume of quieter elements in the source material (for example, the delicate snare on a track with much louder hits), while maintaining a natural dynamic feel for the louder elements.
To further control the side chain, there is also a "send" and "return" insert that can be paired with an external equalizer or other filters for additional manipulation. The "return" can also be used as a "key" input to duck one signal below 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 of harmonic ratio and timbre
• Post Comp shifts the EQ downstream of the compressor
• Multi-variable De-Esser to soften harsh sibilants in vocals and instruments
• Blend provides variable control in a continuous manner to mix compressed and uncompressed signals
• FF/FB switches VCA detection from a feed-forward design to a feedback design
• Super Fast overrides the attack setting, using a combination of Peak and RMS detection below 1 ms
• Side Chain Send / Return
• External compressor side chain on 2 x TRS jack
• Dual 16-segment peak-meter displays compressor gain reduction and output levels
• Adjustable high-pass filter with continuous range from 20-250Hz
• HPF to Side Chain uses the HPF in the compressor's side-chain
• Gain provides 66dB in 6dB steps
• Trim: Continuous level control +/- 6dB
• All In EQ: Activates all EQ bands
• Comp In: Activates the compressor section
• Phase inversion
• Phantom Power: 48V selectable
• DI: Discrete FET input for hi-Z instruments
• Line Input: selectable plus 4 balanced inputs
• Dimensions: Rack, 2U