Portico 5042 Emulates Tape Sound for Digital Recordings
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July 27, 2005
Rupert Neve Designs has launched the
Portico 5042 Two-Channel "True Tape" Emulation and Line Driver, the
second in an ever-expanding series of all-analog products designed to be
used either individually or as one of the principal sound control elements
of an integrated Portico system. The Portico 5042 is a two-channel, 1U
half-rack unit that provides a simulation of true tape sound
through the inclusion of genuine tape drive circuitry. When the Tape circuit
is not engaged, the 5042 may be used as a full, transformer-coupled,
high-performance line amplifier that includes a gain range of + and -12 dB.
The Portico 5042 Duo Tape Channel/Line Amp unit's emulation circuit provides
the nostalgic rounding and compression usually only achieved by the use of
tape. This typically offsets the harshness often found in digital
recordings. The Portico 5042 incorporates an actual tape drive circuit that
feeds a tiny magnetic "head" which, in turn, is coupled to a correctly
equalized replay amplifier. The only thing missing is the tape itself and
the cost.
"Record" and "Replay" controls are counter-ganged to keep overall
input-to-output level approximately constant; it only changes as it would in
a real tape recorder, with changing drive levels to the circuit, eventually
resulting in saturation.
The frequency response and distortion performance of the Portico 5042's tape
circuitry is tailored to that of a typical analog tape recorder. And users
should beware: The dynamic range of a classic tape recorder is a lot less
than that of the high-performance Portico circuit in which it nests.
Transformer-coupled input and output stages, very short signal paths,
minimal negative feedback and effectively single-sided amplifiers form the
essential building blocks of the new Rupert Neve Designs Portico product
range. The Portico 5042, in company with other Portico modules, uses a new
Input Transformer that accepts high signal levels at very low distortion and
an Output Transformer fed from a single-sided amplifier, completely
precluding the possibility of crossover distortion.
Each of the unit's two channels is equipped with Input Level control, "Tape
Saturation" level control, a 7.5 ips/15 ips switch, and an independent
Bypass switch that toggles between the "TAPE" and "LINE AMPLIFIER" function,
the Input Level Control remaining in circuit. An 8-LED meter displays Input
or Drive Level to the Tape Circuit.
The Portico 5042 Duo Tape Channel/Line Amp is now shipping.
The second of an integrated series of Portico products, the 5042 Duo Tape
Channel/Line Amp joins the 5012 Duo Mic Pre Module. Projected Portico Modules include the
Portico 5032 Microphone/Line Preamp and Equalizer, the Portico 5043 Stereo
Compressor/Limiter, and the Portico 5014 MS-Stereo Buss mix and Stereofield
module. Further, all analog, assignment, mixing and monitoring equipment,
together with an innovative DI, are planned for the months ahead.
For more information, visit their web site at www.rupertneve.com. | 
