Ruper Neve Portico II Master Buss Processor Black

Ruper Neve Portico II Master Buss Processor

Based on the Class A signal paths made famous in the 5088 Mixer and the Portico II channel, the Ruper Neve Portico II Master Buss Processor is a creative tool that redefines the limits and constraints of traditional 2-channel compression and limiting. While the MBP was originally developed for controlling applications, it has quickly become a favorite of mixing 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 – regardless of use or genre.

With input and output transformers designed and implemented by Mr. Rupert Neve, the high voltage 72V topology in the Master Buss processor will integrate flawlessly with virtually any system. In addition, the Master Buss Processor includes mastering-grade pots to fine-tune the revolutionary dynamics, tone and stereo field controls.
This new topology is a major evolution of Mr. Rupert Neve’s classic designs with significant advantages in headroom, dynamic range, distortion, noise, slew-rate, bandwidth and accuracy, while still providing the sweet, musical performance that is part of countless recordings.

The compressor

The two compressor sections of the Ruper Neve Portico II Master Buss Processor offer virtually unlimited dynamics capabilities for dual mono or stereo sources, with controls for ratio, threshold, attack, release, blend, side chain HPF, limit and make-up gain. When enabled, the compressor section can be used in both feed-forward and feed-back modes to provide a transparent modern response (feed-forward) or a smoother, more musical vintage response (feedback).

Peak mode changes the attack of the compressor to respond to peak transients with a response time of approximately 0.1 ms. When the Peak switch is turned off, the compressor responds to the RMS signal in conjunction with the attack and release settings. SC HPF adds a 125 Hz high-pass filter in the side chain to deal with intense low frequencies that can distort the response of the VCA on certain songs and instruments. “Blend” creates a parallel mix between the compressed and dry signals.

By mixing the compressed and dry signals, it is possible to increase the volume of quieter elements in the source material (e.g. delicate snare brushing on a track with much harder hits), while maintaining a natural dynamic feel to the louder elements.

the limiter

The Ruper Neve Portico II Master Buss Processor also features an extremely versatile, transparent and musical limiter. At first glance, you might scoff at the one-button control, but this limiter is extremely intelligent and knows how to respond appropriately to the various signals presented to it.

Our new Adaptive Release technology is behind this revolutionary achievement. Using a mix of release time constants, this limiter simultaneously responds quickly to transient material (like the ‘click’ of a snare drum) and slow to slower signals (like a bass guitar).

This configuration allows the limiter to grab a transient and release it moments later, while also dealing with more constant signals in a slower, more musical way. In this way,

Usually there is a trade-off between how quickly a limiter can respond and the amount of modulation distortion in the lower frequencies. This is because the lower frequencies find their way into the side-chain signal, causing the compressor to cycle on and off very quickly, modulating the overall signal. This is interesting to look at with sine waves, but sounds rather undesirable with music.

The Ruper Neve Portico II Master Buss Processor does not have this trade-off, and one can have the best of both worlds: fast, punchy response while maintaining the integrity and smoothness of the bass. In addition to adaptive time-constant switching, the release time is also varied with the position of the knob. Turning the knob counterclockwise increases the release time accordingly, as one would typically want a longer release time with a greater degree of reduction.

Features Ruper Neve Portico II Master Buss Processor ( Black)

Compression
For signals below the set “threshold level,” a compressor provides a linear path through which signals can be amplified without adjusting the gain in any way. If signals exceed the “threshold” level, the gain is reduced in a controlled manner, depending on the ratio set.

Gain
The GAIN range provided is from 0dB to +20 dB. When compression has occurred, the gain control is required to increase the overall gain to restore the program level.

Limiter
Musically transparent brick-wall limiter activated when the signal reaches the limiter threshold. The attack time is 0.03 mS to attenuate the first half of a 20 kHz waveform across the threshold, with serial adaptive delivery.

Bypass
Hardwire bypass for MBP, including the input and output transformers

Texture
Continuously variable control for Silk and 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 & release) to a feedback design (smoother, more musical response)

Selection of peak / RMS compression
When enabled, the MBP compressor uses a combination of peak and RMS detection (average) to trigger the VCA set below 1 ms. When disabled, it only follows RMS.

SC HPF
Introduces an HPF at 125Hz for the VCA side-chain signal. This allows the compressor to ignore sustained low-frequency content.

Ratio
Range from 1: 1 to LIMIT (ie 40: 1)

Threshold
Range from -30dBu to + 20dBU

Attack time
Range from 20 mS to 75 mS.

Release / recovery time
The range of the RELEASE time is 100 mS to 2.5 seconds.

Stereo control
When the LINK switch is on, channel A becomes the master control and any gain reduction occurs simultaneously in both channels, Ruper Neve Portico II Master Buss Processor

LED METERS
There are four Peak LED METERS that display stereo output levels and gain reduction.

Output level meter covers the range from -10 to +22 dBu and above that is considered overload.

The reduction is calibrated in dB with a range of 1 to 22 dBu, from top to bottom

Sidechain send/return
External compressor sidechain send and return on 2 x TRS jacks. The send is always active and normalized to the return (NOTE: if the send and return are connected to a patchbay, the send must be normalized or connected to the return by default, as the compressor will not trigger if the return has no signal) Ruper Neve Portico II Master Buss Processor