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Rupert Neve Designs Portico II Master Buss Processor - Black

2-channel Compressor/Limiter/Stereo Field Processor - Black
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Definitive Rupert Neve Mastering Dynamics/Stereo Field Processor

The Rupert Neve Designs Portico II Master Bus Processor lets you enhance, reshape, and polish your sound to perfection. Whether you want to add finishing touches to your master bus, level out a stereo group, or add new life to mono sound sources, the Portico II Master Bus Processor gives you the compression, limiting, and stereo field manipulation you need. Featuring custom input and output transformers designed by Rupert Neve, the Portico II Master Bus Processor implements the same ultra-smooth Class A signal processing made famous by the 5088 console and the Portico II Channel, as well as 72V topology, which gives it enormous headroom while allowing it to integrate seamlessly with virtually any system. If you’re serious about your sound, then it’s time to ask your Sales Engineer about the Rupert Neve Designs Portico II Master Bus Processor!

Powerful and flexible compression

Both channels of the Portico II Master Bus Processor feature one of Rupert Neve Designs’ most versatile compressors to date. Whether you want to add punch to your mix or smooth out your vocal subgroup, the Portico II Master Bus Processor has the compression you need. Controls for ratio, threshold, attack, release, blend, sidechain highpass filter, limiting, and makeup gain let you dial in the perfect dynamics quickly and easily. Use the two compressors independently, or instantly link them with the push of a button. Variable Silk Red/Blue Texture controls let you add classic Neve harmonic warmth; while a blend control lets you dial in the dry signal for instant parallel processing, so you can get all of the compression you want without losing transients. In addition, the Portico II Master Bus Processor gives you a choice of either vintage-flavored feed-back or modern-sounding feed-forward compression modes.

Transparent, musical limiter that’s effortless to use

Often overlooked at first glance, the Portico II Master Bus Processor’s 1-knob limiter is a powerful, flexible, and remarkably easy-to-use tool that lets you get the most out of the Portico II Master Bus Processor’s compression section. Rupert Neve Designs’ Adaptive Release Technology gives this limiter its unique ability to grab onto fast transients, without smothering the rest of the signal. Plus, you have the option to blend compressed and dry signals together for parallel processing that maintains natural-sounding dynamics without clipping. This gracious behavior means you can set it and forget it, with the added security of knowing your masters will be free from clipping and broadcast-ready.

Sidechain inserts for creative ducking

Every dynamics processor has a sidechain circuit that examines the signal and determines how much the VCA will reduce gain — but not every unit provides access to its sidechain. In compressors without a separate sidechain input, your main input signal is, essentially, compressing itself. With compressors like the one in the RND Portico II Master Bus Processor, you can insert external processing on the sidechain — or introduce a different signal that determines the compression action on the main signal. It’s an incredibly useful feature that lets you, for instance, automatically duck a track to make space for another (very popular for that EDM mix pumping effect). Combined with the sidechain HP filter, it gives you an impressive amount of tonal versatility.

Amazing Stereo Field Editor

Although the Rupert Neve Designs Portico II Master Bus Processor functions wonderfully as a dual-mono processor, it really shines in stereo mode. That’s thanks to its unique Stereo Field Editor. The Stereo Field Editor uses advanced Mid/Side stereo manipulation techniques, allowing you to adjust your stereo bus’s width, depth, and ambience. Beyond widening your stereo image, the Portico II Master Bus Processor can actually bring center-panned instruments out in your mix. That makes the Portico II Master Bus Processor an invaluable tool for mastering, as well as defining the spread of your subgroups during mixdown.

The legend continues

Rupert Neve’s 80 Series consoles had a huge, punchy, and authoritative sound that defined the sound of ’70s rock. From London to New York to Los Angeles and beyond, top studios were installing Neve boards as fast as they could. By 1977, with the introduction of the NECAM automation system, 80 Series boards were the main component of the success formula for any recording studio with world-class aspirations. Mr. Neve’s current company, Rupert Neve Designs, continues to advance the state of the art with cutting-edge products that sound incredible and intelligently address the challenges of the digital age. With your Rupert Neve Designs Portico II Master Bus Processor from Sweetwater, the legend continues.

Rupert Neve Designs Portico II Master Bus Processor Features:

  • Powerful 2-channel compressor/limiter/stereo field manipulator
  • Custom input and output transformers designed by Rupert Neve
  • Full compression sections for both channels, including attack, release, ratio, and threshold controls
  • Sidechain inserts and highpass filters for both compressors
  • Feed-back/Feed-forward switch lets you select between vintage-style and modern compression modes
  • Silk Texture control with Red/Blue modes for classic Neve harmonic warmth
  • Blend controls allow you to mix dry signal back into your compression, preserving transients while adding punch
  • Simple and highly musical 1-knob limiter with Adaptive Release Technology allows for brickwall limiting that doesn’t distort or affect signal under the threshold
  • Stereo Field Editor section includes independent level and EQ for width and depth, allowing you to dial in the perfect stereo field

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Tech Specs

  • Type: Compressor/Limiter/Stereo Field Processor
  • Number of Channels: 2-channel, Stereo (link switch)
  • Controls: Threshold, Ratio, Attack, Release
  • Threshold: -30dB to +20dB
  • Ratio: 1:1 to 40:1
  • Inputs: 2 x XLR
  • Outputs: 2 x XLR
  • Sidechain I/O: 4 x 1/4" (send, return)
  • Side Chain Inserts: Sidechain Highpass Filter
  • Rack Spaces: 2U
  • Power Source: Standard IEC AC cable
  • Depth: 13"
  • Width: 19"
  • Weight: 20 lbs.
  • Manufacturer Part Number: P2MB Black

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Customer Reviews

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Rated 5/5

The NOT so secret...Secret Weapon!

I'd give this thing 10 stars if I could. I have had this for two years and recently added it to another mix and thought I would write a review. I was never a big believer in "glue" I figured it was a sales pitch but after hearing this on a video I decided to try it out for myself and now, it's a piece of forever gear!

Technical-ish: So here's the cool part if you're a nerd like me... As much as I like the SFE I love the depth and how you can drive certain sounds out of this box with very subtle changes. The HPF works amazingly well, it's practically surgical with its compression and the addition of silk. The coolest thing I've been able to do is dial in some pumping effects to some electronic mixes that would take me considerably longer to do with software.

Conclusion:
I see now they've come up with newer stuff that has Red and Blue silk to mix but, I think I'll stick to one or the other for years to come. Worth the money, glad I bought it when I did though!!!
Music background: Recording Artist/Engineer
Rated 5/5

Beautiful!!!

first and foremost I want to thank my sales rep! He is an awesome guy that is very patient with all the million questions I throw at him prior to a purchase haha. Ive had my Portico ii for about 4 months now. tested it on my mix busses and for mastering. all I can say is that you will never look back after using one of these! being able to EQ the Mid and side through the SFE section is amazing! the Compressor can be very transparent or give you beautiful color when engaging the silk blue or red. and it has a limiter! its an awesome piece of gear that I cannot work without now.
Rated 5/5

Amazing

After months of research and debating if I should spend my life's savings :).... I decided to pull the trigger. Have to say it sure does give your master chain a colorful sound not found with plugins along with a wider/richer feeling to the synths and vocals. The unit is solid and is easy to learn.

Big thanks to my sales engineer Rob for helping me get this lovely unit.
Rated 5/5

Absolute Workhorse

This unit is an absolute workhorse. I use it on my Master Bus, Drum Bus, Bass Tracks, Horns, Percussion, I basically use it on everything. It delivers the goods as a compressor/limiter with dynamic compression ratios from 1:1 to 40:1, Stereo Width from about 60hz all the way up to 18khz, and a depth boost which allows me to fine tune the high and low ends of a mix. I love how you can link the mix, or unlink a mix and mix the Depth and Width channels in mono. It's not as aggressive as a Distressor, but it's way more versatile than an LA2A, and way cheaper than a Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor. Oh and Silk…love the Blue Silk for funk and Beat tracks, Red Silk for Rock and Metal.

As a Master Bus Processor, it gives you compression and volume without sounding like compression. The whole mix comes alive and you hear transients clearly.
Music background: Producer, Engineer, Musician, Composer
Rated 5/5

Neve Portico II Master Buss Processor

Almost impossible to describe how beautiful this sounds and how easy it was to setup and begin to use. Even with no tweaking everything sounds better. But the options you have to improve tracks - whether solo mono tracks, stereo or full 2-buss tracking - this tools is exactly what you need. Highly recommended.
Music background: Engineer, mixer, voice actor
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