Steinberg's Neve Portico Plugins

Steinberg has released the RND Portico series plugins which consist of a 5033 equalizer and a 5043 compressor. I've used the analog hardware so I'm anxious to see if they were able to capture the Neve Portico sound.

From the Website:

"The Rupert Neve Designs Portico plugins brings the legendary Neve sound to the world of digital music production. Utilizing Yamaha’s unique VCM technology, these plug-in exactly reproduces the analog warmth and sonic finesse of its acclaimed hardware counterpart."

RND PORTICO 5033

FEATURES

• Parametrical equalizer with graphical control over frequency and gain
• Five bands including low and high shelf filters and three bands with filter-width regulation
• Exact digital copy of the renowned Portico 5033 EQ
• Based on VCM technology for capturing all the subtle details and acoustic nuances of the hardware original 
• Exclusively approved by Rupert Neve
• Available in VST 3, VST 2.4 and AU format for multi-instance use within DAW hosts like Cubase or Nuendo

Specification:

Low frequency band:
30 Hz to 300 Hz, +/- 12dB

Low-mid frequency band:
50 Hz to 400 Hz, +/- 12dB, filter width (Q) 0.7 to 5

Mid-frequency band:
300 Hz to 2.5 kHz, +/- 12dB, filter width (Q) 0.7 to 5

High-mid frequency band:
1.8 kHz to 16 kHz, +/- 12dB, filter width (Q) 0.7 to 5

High-frequency band:
2.5 kHz to 25 kHz, +/- 12dB

RND PORTICO 5043

FEATURES:

• High-quality compressor with input and gain reduction metering
• Feed-Forward and Feed-Back mode for two entirely different compression characteristics
• Based on the widely-acclaimed Portico 5043 Compressor / Limiter Duo
• VCM technology allows the exact reproduction of all the subtle details and acoustic nuances of the hardware original
• Exclusively approved by Rupert Neve
• Available in VST 3, VST 2.4 and AU format for multi-instance use within DAW hosts like Cubase or Nuendo

Specification:

Threshold: -50 dB to 0 dB
Ratio: 1.1:1 to Limit (more than 8:1)
Attack: 20ms to 75ms
Release: 100ms to 2.5s
Gain: -6dB to +20 dB

A 30 day trial version is available from Steinberg but requires a $27.99 USB E-Licenser   

If you already use Steinberg products such as Cubase or Nuendo you can use the same dongle.

Cost: $799.99 for the bundle at Steinberg's Online Store

I posted previously about the RND 5032 Channelstrip.

You can read the post here.

Neve Portico II Stereo Buss Processor

"The new Portico II Stereo Buss Processor is far more than a standard stereo compressor & mastering limiter. Outfitted with the highest grade detented switches, high-voltage discrete signal paths, in addition to an all new stereo field editor design with band-filtered width and depth, the Portico II: SBP is an unprecedented creative tool that can add new dimension and dynamic control to virtually any source material."

     " It has two separate channel sections (A and B) each with the same controls, among which include attack, relaxation, ratio, threshold, as well as advanced texture controls, limiter, gain and blend. The third section is observed on the right side corresponds to an enhanced stereo field editor, offering dedicated controls for depth and breadth, each with dedicated filter options and various types of filters to choose from (HF, HM, LM, LF) . "

Rupert Neve Designs Portico 543 Compressor/Limiter

The Portico 543 Compressor is the latest entry to the 500 series format from RND. I'm quite sure it will live up to my expectations. I plan to put it through its paces shortly and give a more in-depth review. In the meantime, here is some info on the the 543:

From the RND website:
"The Portico 543 Mono Compressor features a fully controllable compressor-limiter with feed-forward/feedback modes, Peak/RMS detection and a built in side chain high pass filter. With an unrivaled heritage and a tremendous feature set, the 543 yields a combination of rich warmth, flexibility and precision that is sure to resonate in the ears of sound engineers the world over."
"Built around Mr. Rupert Neve’s custom transformer designs, each 543 module has individually controllable threshold, attack, release, makeup gain, ratio, side chain HPF, Feed-Forward/Feed-back selection and Peak/RMS detection modes. With the compressor inactive, the 543 may be used as a transformer-coupled, high-performance line amplifier, and two 543 may be linked for stereo operation as well. The chassis is built to standard 500 series specifications, with power and I/O provided by the rack."
$995 at Sweetwater Sound

Neve 5032 Mic Pre / Equalizer

The Neve 5032 is a mic pre / equalizer from the Neve Portico series of modules. It is a well built unit with a great sound and can be mounted horizontally or vertically in the optional frame. It retails for approximately $1800 and is worth every penny. I had the pleasure of working with the 5032 while working with Amy Winehouse and Salaam Remi at GeeJam Studios on the island of Jamaica. I had access to 16 channels of the 5032 that was housed in a Neve Portico 5088 console. Which is a great sounding console with tons of headroom. I used the 5032 to record drums, percussion, live bass, piano, vocals and both electric and acoustic guitar. The 5032 came through with flying colours no matter what I threw at it. I also used the equalizer section on mix down and even though its only a 3 band (low and high shelving with a variable mid-band) I was able to enhance the signal in a pleasing way. The unit is fairly easy to use and I especially like the silk function that seems to add a subtle vintage sheen to the signal.
Many thanks to the GeeJam www.geejamstudios.com staff especially Jon Baker (owner/general manager), Dale "Dizzle" Virgo  (producer/engineer) and Tandra (engineer) for showing me a great time.

For further info check the website http://rupertneve.com/products/portico-5032/
The 5032 can be purchased at Sweetwater Sound for $1795 http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/5032PreEQH/

Rupert Neve's 542 Tape Emulator and 511 MicPre announced for NAMM 2013

RND (Rupert Neve Designs) recently revealed their new 500 series line with the 511 Microphone preamplifier and 542 Tape Emulator that will be showcased at NAMM 2013(Jan. 24-27). I like their Portico series and I'm excited to see it now available in the 500 series format. The units are reasonably priced at $895 for the 542 and $649 for the 511.

From their website:

"For the 2013 NAMM show, Rupert Neve Designs is announcing two new 500 Series modules: the 511 Mic Pre with Silk, and the 542 True Tape Emulator with Texture. As two of the only 500 Series modules actually designed by Mr. Rupert Neve, the 511 and 542 combine the classic tone and versatility expected from a Rupert Neve design with the form factor and value of the 500 Series format."

"The 542’s “True Tape” emulation circuit provides the nostalgic rounding and compression typically achieved only through the use of tape, and can offset the harshness often found in digital recordings. Unlike digital emulations, the “True Tape” drive circuit works by feeding a tiny magnetic “record head,” which in turn is coupled to a correctly-equalized replay amplifier. As the voltage rises on the “record head,” saturation increases, and a soft-clip circuit engages at higher levels to round off harsh peak transients. The sound of the tape circuit can be further modified with selectable 15 and 30 ipsmodes, providing a “saturation equalization” of sorts, and a pre/post-tape blend control. In addition to the tape circuit, the 542 also includes the variable Silk/Texture circuitry found in the Portico II series of modules (with both much-loved Red and Blue modes), which allows the engineer to fine-tune the harmonic ratio and tonality of the output transformer."

"The 511 can be used for either mic or line sources, and pairs perfectly with any ribbon, dynamic, condenser or tube microphone. A polarity reverse switch is available to conquer phase issues when using multiple microphones. The 12 dB/octave swept high-pass filter can be dialed-in to remove rumble with minimal artifacts, and also to control proximity effect in close-mic’d vocals or other sources. To coax more rich harmonic content from the output transformer, the Silk Red mode can be engaged to add more thickness and sparkle in the high end as the Texture level is increased. While a little Silk Red can sound great on nearly any source, it is especially useful on dynamic and ribbon microphones that are inherently lacking in high-frequency energy and excitement."

Get more details on RND's 542 and 511 500 series modules at http://rupertneve.com.