Rupert Neve Design Portico II MBP

Based around the high voltage, discrete and class-A signal paths made famous in the 5088 Mixer, the Portico II Master Buss Processor is a creative tool that redefines the boundaries and limitations of traditional 2-channel compression and limiting. Though originally developed for mastering applications, the MBP quickly became a favorite of mix engineers, tracking engineers, and even FOH engineers. From mixing bass-heavy EDM to a delicate master of a chamber ensemble, it has something to offer everyone – no matter the use or genre.

Features:

• Threshold - This 31-detent potentiometer adjusts the level at which the compressor begins to attenuate the signal and is fully variable within a signal level range of +20dBu to -30 dBu. If the compressor input signal level exceeds the set threshold level, compression will occur.
• Ratio - This 31-detent potentiometer adjusts the compressor slope between 1:1 to 40:1.
• Blend - This 31-detent potentiometer adjusts the mix ratio of uncompressed (dry) signal with the compressed (wet) signal. When Blend is fully counter-clockwise (CCW), only the uncompressed signal is audible. When Blend is fully clockwise (CW), only the compressed signal is audible. Setting Blend anywhere between 0% and 100% achieves parallel compression.
• Comp In - This illuminated push-button switch engages the compressor-limiter section on its respective channel. Engaging or disengaging the “Comp In” button never affects SILK status and will not affect SFE status unless SFE to COMP is engaged.
• Bypass All - This illuminated push-button switch toggles the PIIMB’s hard-wire bypass on both channels.
• FF/FB - This illuminated push-button switch toggles between two different compression modes: Feed Forward and Feed Back. The distinction between these two types of compression is that the side-chain detector of a feed-forward compressor is fed from the compressor input, before the gain control element, while the side-chain detector of a feed-back compressor is fed from the compressor output, after the gain control element.
• Gain - This 31-detent potentiometer provides two different functions. When used with the compressor, the Gain control acts as standard Make-Up Gain, allowing the user to add gain to the compressed signal to match the bypassed signal level. When used in the context of the PIIMB limiter, the Gain control allows the user to set the desired “ceiling” of their mix (in dBu) with the “Limit” potentiometer. Once the Limit potentiometer is set to the desired maximum level, the user can increase the Gain until the average mix level hits the desired loudness. The Gain control will drive the level of the mix up to the set Limiter threshold, but will not exceed it.
• Attack - This 31-detent potentiometer sets how quickly the compressor will attenuate to the input signal once it exceeds the set threshold. When set to its fastest setting (20 ms), the compressor can attenuate the leading edge of a transient, like the initial strike of a drum stick on a snare drum. By compressing the inital strike, the overall compression result will increase the emphasis of the snare’s decay or resonance. When set to slower attack settings, the compressor will ignore most of the initial transient and attenuate the drum’s decay instead, thereby increasing the emphasis of the drum stick hitting the snare drum.
• Release - This 31-detent potentiometer adjusts how fast the compressor will return to unity gain after the signal level crosses below the threshold. Generally, slower release times will minimize compression artifacts, especially when combined with slower attack times. Faster release times can be utilized to maximize apparent loudness.
• S/C 125 Hz - This illuminated push-button switch engages a 125Hz 12dB/octave Sallen Key High Pass Filter into the compressor-limiter side-chain. Removing low frequency information from the compressor-limiter side-chain detector can help to minimize compressor pumping and over-compression of the rhythmic dynamic information that tends to reside in the lower frequency range: kick drums, bass guitar, etc. This usually results in a smoother compression characteristic.
• RMS / PEAK - This illuminated push-button switch modifies the compressor side-chain detection. The default detection response is RMS (Root Mean Square) averaged, which better mimics the way our ears perceive loudness. PEAK mode detection responds more directly to the incoming compressor audio signal, which can be used to prevent clipping and maximize overall loudness.
• Link - The link control sums the side-chain information from both compressor-limiter channels, enabling Channel A’s controls as MASTER. While linked, both channels are directly controlled by Channel A’s controls.
• Limit - This 31-detent potentiometer controls the threshold of the soft-clip limiter section. The limiter is disengaged until the user rotates the Limit potentiometer past the 3rd detent (+24dBu) from the fully clock-wise (OFF) position. As the user rotates the threshold control counter clock-wise, the limiter’s release time gradually increases. This creates a smoother dynamic response as the amount of limiting increases. The limiter side-chain features a compound timing network that allows the limiter to respond equally well to quick transient material as it does to less dynamic program material. The limiter can be utilized as a maximizer by setting the Limit potentiometer to the desired maximum level in dBu, then increasing the amount of Gain until the desired program loudness is achieved.
• Depth (engaged / disengaged with the ‘Depth In’ switch) - This 31-detent potentiometer adjusts the overall level of the center (mid) information within the SFE’s M-S encoding. The MIN (fully CCW) position will de-emphasize the center information within the stereo image, whereas the MAX (fully CW) position will emphasize the center information. If the Depth control is at the 12 o’clock “0” position, no Depth processing will be audible.
• Width (engaged / disengaged with the ‘Width In’ switch) - This 31-detent potentiometer adjusts the overall level of the side information within the SFE’s M-S encoding. The MIN (fully CCW) position will de-emphasize the side information within the stereo image, whereas the MAX (fully CW) position will emphasize the side information. If the Width control is at the 12 o’clock “0” position, no Width processing will be audible.
• Depth EQ - This illuminated push-button switch engages the 4-position rotary switch that allows the user to select between four different EQ settings for Depth processing: Low Frequency (LF), Low Mid (LM), High Mid (HM), and High Frequency (HF).
• Width EQ - This illuminated push-button switch engages the 4-position rotary switch that allows the user to select between four different EQ settings for Width processing: Low Frequency (LF), Low Mid (LM), High Mid (HM), and High Frequency (HF).
• SFE to Comp - This illuminated push-button switch routes the Depth and Width information to Channel A and Channel B compressor paths, respectively, allowing the user to manipulate the dynamic content of the Mid and Side information. When engaged, the width and depth controls allow the user to blend the amount of compressed Mid and Side information that is mixed back into the audio path. While SFE to Comp is engaged, the stereo compressor is only available for SFE dynamic processing and is not operational within the main audio path.
• Silk - This illuminated push-button switch toggles through the available SILK transformer harmonic saturation modes: OFF, RED, and BLUE. Red Silk has a high frequency emphasis associated with the transformer harmonics, while Blue Silk has a low frequency emphasis associated with the transformer harmonics.
• Texture - This 31-detent potentiometer allows the user to adjust the amount of Silk transformer saturation added to the signal path when Silk Red or Blue modes are engaged.
• Gain Reduction Meter - This 16 segment LED bar-graph meter indicates compressor-limiter gain reduction, indicated in dB. After 4 dB of attenuation, the LEDs turn to amber and after 8 dB, the LEDs turn red.
• Output Meter - This 16-segment LED bar-graph meter indicates output level, indicated in dBu. The top-most red LED is calibrated to illuminate at +25dBu, corresponding to the maximum output level of the Master Buss Processor.
• Side Chain Send/Return - External compressor side chain send and return on 2 x TRS jacks. The send is always active and normalled to the return. NOTE: If the send and return are connected to a patchbay, the send should be normalled or connected to the return by default, as the compressor will not trigger if the return has no signal.
• Internal Universal Power Supply - EIC connection for world-wide AC power from 100-240V embedded in the 2U rack-mountable chassis.

Specifications:

• Frequency Response (Compressor and SFE Bypassed, Unloaded):
  • 5 Hz to 100 kHz: +/- 0.5dB typical
  • 120 kHz: -3dB typical
• Maximum Output Level (Compressor and SFE Bypassed, Unloaded): 20 Hz to 40 kHz: +25 dBu typical
• Total Harmonic Distortion and Noise:
  • 1 kHz, +20 dBu: Less than 0.003% typical
  • 20Hz, +20 dBu: Less than 0.10% typical
  • 20 kHz, +20 dBu output: Less than 0.010% typical
• COMPRESSOR:
  • Threshold: -30 dBu to +20 dBu
  • Ratio: 1.1:1 to 40:1
  • Blend: 0% to 100% Compressor
  • Gain: 0 dB to +20 dB
  • Attack: 20 mS to 80 mS
  • Release: 100 mS to 3.0 S
• AC Power Consumption: 85 Watts Max
• Fuse: 5 x 20mm Bussman type GDA 2.5A, Fast Acting, Ceramic
• Product Dimensions (H x W x D): 3.5” (8.9 cm), 19” (48.3 cm), 12” (30.5 cm)
• Shipping Dimensions (H x W x D): 5” (12.7 cm), 23” (58.5 cm), 12” (31 cm)
• Shipping Weight: 20 lbs. (9.1 kg)