Rupert Neve Designs Portico II Master Buss Processor (Black)

Rupert Neve Designs Portico II Master Buss Processor (Black)

EAN: 752423657001

Offered here with a black faceplate, the Rupert Neve Designs Portico II Master Buss Processor is more than a stereo VCA compressor: it s a multifaceted machine that can add weight, density, glue, transparent gain, subtle harmonics, grit, width, low-end emphasis, limiting, and more to your program material. As such, it is an ideal unit for mastering engineers, or high-end mixers looking for something to take their stereo-buss work to the next level.

At the core of the Master Buss Processor is an exceedingly versatile VCA compressor with standard attack, release, threshold, and ratio controls. Use it in feedback mode for a more relaxed sound, or clamp down harder and faster with feedforward circuitry. This feature, combined with a selectable high-pass filter and a PEAK/RMS switch for the detector circuit, allows you to tailor the compressor to your exact needs.

After compression, drive the signal hard with makeup gain and feed the one-knob limiter, which can help you achieve desired loudness out of the box without clipping your A/D as hard. You can also use a lighter touch: because of a mix knob, you can dial the effect back into the dry signal, using parallel compression to transparently reign in levels. The choice is yours.

Apart from the compressor, you ll find Rupert Neve Design s customary silk circuit, a useful tool for adding harmonic distortion. Switch between red and blue modes for different flavors. Blue is more dense, and red is more crisp, favoring the high-end. You can dial in the amount of distortion with a dedicated knob.

One must pay attention to the Stereo Field Editor, which is an incredibly euphonic way of shaping the stereo spread of program material. A click or two of the width knob can add the width you re often looking for in mastering without deleterious results. Use the effect in broadband, or focus it on the lows, low mids, high mids, or highs for a targeted response. The depth knob affects the center, and it too has frequency controls. Often you can bring out a kick, bass, or vocal part with a touch of this control. If you choose, the Stereo Field Editor section can be fed into the compressor itself, giving you truly useful mid-side compression.

This is a stereo compressor with independent controls. A handy link switch lets you manipulate a stereo signal with ease, or you can work in dual-mono if you choose, which can be useful for recording as well as mixing or mastering. Side chain inputs as well as the customary XLR I/O are located on the rear of the unit.

High-Quality Signal Path

Based around the high voltage, discrete, and class-A signal paths made famous in the 5088 Mixer and the Portico II Channel, the Portico II Master Buss Processor has a fancy signal path indeed. With input and output transformers designed and implemented by Rupert Neve, the high-voltage 72V topology found in the Master Buss Processor integrates well with virtually any system. Additionally, the unit incorporates mastering-grade detented pots throughout to fine-tune each control.

Gain Controls

Gain range provided is from 0 to +20 dB. When compression has taken place, the gain control is necessary to increase the overall gain to restore the program level. The gain control is placed before the limiter in the signal path.

Limiter

Musically transparent brick-wall limiting activated when the signal reaches the limiter threshold. Attack time is .03 ms in order to reduce the first half of a 20 kHz waveform over the threshold, with Serial Adaptive Release.

Hardwire Bypass

A hardwire bypass means just what it says, defeating the signal path entirely, including the input and output transformers.

Texture

Continuously variable control for the Silk modes allows the engineer to fine tune the harmonic ratio and tonality of each channel.

FF/FB

Changes the VCA Detection from a forward-feed design (fast, more accurate attack and release) to a feedback design (smoother, more musical response)

Peak/RMS Switch

When engaged, the MBP compressor uses a combination of peak and RMS (average) detection to trigger the VCA set below 1 ms. When disengaged, it follows RMS alone.

Selectable Sidechaining

Introduce a HPF at 125 Hz to the VCA side chain signal, or input your own over the rear connections.

LED Meters

Four Peak LED meters are provided that show stereo output levels and gain reduction. Output level meter covers the range from -10 to +22 dBu and above, which is regarded as overload. The reduction is calibrated in dB covering the range 1 to 22 dBu, reading from top to bottom.

Stereo Field Editor Controls

The stereo field editor on the MBP takes traditional M-S techniques to new heights using width, depth, and corresponding band-pass filters in concert to manipulate spacial elements. The width control enables the user to increase or decrease the perceived width of the stereo image (Wide/Mono), while adjusting the amount of ambience heard in the recording. The depth control of the MBP adjusts the spatial positioning of elements in the sound stage. Center-panned elements like solo instruments or vocals can be brought forward in a mix in relation to the supporting instruments. In many cases, these same elements may be virtually eliminated without adversely affecting any sonic information.

Selectable, Useful M/S Compression

With the SFE to Comp button, users can route the Mid and Side signals to the Channel A and Channel B compressors, respectively. The Depth and Width changes are routed through the compressors, allowing the user to utilize the compressor features while manipulating the Mid and Side information. With these controls, it is possible to not only increase the side information, but to utilize the compressor to bring up some of the low-level side information, or allow the user to tame an overly expressive lead singer in the mids. With the addition of using the EQ section on the Depth and Width, a wide range of tools is available to the engineer.