[NAMM] Rupert Neve unveils his mystery products

The Portico 511 Mic Pre with Silk incorporates the same preamp circuitry as the one in the 517 module, the sweepable high-pass filter from the 5012, and the power of a variable Silk circuit derived from the flagship Portico II Channel. The 511 can be used for either mic or line sources thanks to a 48V Fantom Power switch. The 12 dB/octave swept high-pass filter can be dialed-in to remove rumble or control proximity effect in close-mic’d vocals or other sources. the Silk Red mode can be engaged to add more thickness and saturate the signal as the Texture level is increased.

List Price : $649

The second new module, the Portico 542 Tape Saturator, is a follow-up to the Portico 5042. As such, it delivers a simulation of classic tape sound through the inclusion of tape drive circuitry. 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 IPS modes, 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 Red and Blue modes.

List Price : $895