Rupert Neve Portico II - Master Buss Processor - Manual (Page 12)

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the “knee” when the threshold knob is set quite high. Both the limiter and soft clipper are switched out
of circuit with the knob is fully clockwise. The release times are fully automatic and adjust depending
both on the average depth of limiting and the duration of the transients above the threshold. The limiters
share the same discrete, class-A gain module and VCA with the compressors, so using the Limiter does
not introduce more stages that the music would have to pass through. This combination of features
provides exceptionally transparent limiting, and often allows twice as much gain reduction compared to
other limiters before objectionable artifacts become apparent.
SILK / TEXTURE
Pushing the Silk button engages the “Silk-Red” circuit, and pushing it a second time introduces “Silk-
Blue” circuitry. “Silk” reduces the negative feedback on the output transformer, adding harmonic
content as the texture is increased. “Silk Blue” mode features more saturation in the lows and low
mids, where as “Silk Red ” accentuates the saturation in the high-mids and highs.
In the Portico II series, Both “Silk” modes are modified and fine tuned by the “Texture” control. By
manipulating the “Texture” control, the amount of “Silk” can be changed from essentially absent, to
roughly twice the amount of coloration found in “Silk” from the original Portico Series.
With silk/texture engaged, the distortion characteristic and harmonic content of the unit are very
reminiscent of many of Rupert’s class-A vintage designs. These controls add an unparalleled range of
tonal options to the Master Buss Processor and should be explored creatively with a variety of different
sources for best effect.
LINK
The link control connects the two compressor channel’s VCA signals and settings, with ch. A as the
master. With the inclusion of linked and detented controls, calibrated stereo setup for mastering is
made incredibly easy in the MBP. When using the silk circuitry in Link mode, the Silk settings must
be matched before Link is engaged. The Silk settings will cycle together when the Ch. A Silk button is
pressed in link mode, but if they are not matched before linking, they will always be mismatched.
Stereo Field Editor Controls
The stereo field editor on the MBP takes traditional M-S techniques to new heights using width, depth
and corresponding band-pass filters in concert to manipulate spacial elements.
WIDTH
The width control enables the user to increase or decrease the width of a stereo image (wide/mono) and
adjust the amount of ambience inherent in the recording. As the width control is rotated toward wide,
the amount of difference material is boosted, often resulting in more ambient material, and accentuated
stereo reverbs. Conversely, the stereo field is contracted when rotated to mono, and, if the left and right
channels are highly coherent (i.e. both channels include closely similar material that is in phase), this
mono content is enhanced. If the phase of one of the input channels is then reversed the mono content
may be virtually eliminated. Because the amount of effect the width control has is entirely dependent
on the amount of stereo information in the original source material and the interplay between the stereo
field editors other controls, listening and experimentation are essential for the best results.
DEPTH
The depth control of the MBP adjusts the spatial positioning of elements in the sound stage. Center-
panned elements like solo instrument or vocal can be brought forward in a mix, in relation to supporting