Neve Portico 542 Tape Emulator - Test + Opinion

[@SickFX1]

For those not understanding this thing, so be it. It's my secret weapon and is one of the main reasons my tracks sound thick. On vocals...the best of all. best 800 i ever spent, in the front end chain with my Lawsons mic and api pre amp is just perfection for my ears. So happy with my front end, i cannot recommend this enough.

[@bikesnbeerz]

Thanks

[@goldmindstudios6887]

Where on the vocal chain as far as order goes are you applying it?

[@experiment0003]

@@goldmindstudios6887 has to be after the mic pre, obviously. Mic > API preamp :> Portico 542 > Interface.

[@8068]

Thanks. I own four (4). Worth every penny I spent.

[@alejandroestrella69]

The lower meter is barely showing anything meaning you are not pushing the output transformer, hence the silk effect will be very subtle.

[@onethousandtwonortheast8848]

Neve, vintage or new, require pushing the transformers (both input and output) to get saturation of the transformer’s core’s to happen. Other wise, you have a more transparent sound.

[@alejandroestrella69]

You need to push the input. Do not be scared of that trim otherwise you will not hear the effect to its fullest.

[@onethousandtwonortheast8848]

Yeah. Kinda gotta not be afraid of the red clipping LEDs.

[@iamcookbook]

It's the perfect saturation. It seems to compress it a tiny bit in a very subtle and musical way. It also helps that you're going into a $900 73 style pre. It's a nice sound to begin with.

[@DanielS10291]

Genuine question here but doesn’t tape always compress things? I thought it worked a bit like a guitar amp, which obviously when overdriven compresses the sound

[@onethousandtwonortheast8848]

I use this thing always. Love it. My chain is as follows: Vintage Neve 1064 pre/eq > RND Portico II channel > RND 542 > RND MPB. Things are nice over here.

[@preciseaudioblog]

Both, guitar and bass sound awesome with that!

[@kurtralske4026]

Thanks for this test. But maybe making saturation / tone decisions on each track in solo is not ideal? I was a little underwhelmed by the final mix differences. When you were tweaking each track, I heard a few settings midway that made me think "That would slay in the context of a mix" but that's not where you landed.

[@alejandroestrella69]

If do not push the input with the trim, you will not get the best of it.

[@PuRe_AdDicT]

Alejandro Estrella crank the input and blend it back = money

[@onethousandtwonortheast8848]

@@PuRe_AdDicTsometimes, regardless of the trim setting, its about how hot you enter the 542, as well.

[@zanem9022]

Is 542 good for tracking vocals or is it a better mixing tool?

[@thomaswithdollars]

more for mixing i would say i have a pair for the mix bus and it really shines

[@Velociraptarus]

I didn't understand, at 4:00 the 542 is active on the master bus and on every track or what?

[@PaulBds]

Nope, just a mix of the previously recorded track

[@matt23nyc]

Got a link to the song at the end?

[@preciseaudioblog]

How have that bento worked for you in terms of power? Thanks!

[@MadebyMiike]

Great, never had any problems with it whatsoever

[@preciseaudioblog]

@@MadebyMiike Awesome!

[@preciseaudioblog]

Oh my lord... that’s sweet!!

[@nyestudio]

Great!!

[@producermind9030]

I want to love it but… I have a problem with no output control. It’s adding up to 3db of gain. So yeah. It should sound better. I got other things that add nice harmonic saturation. Thanks for the vid.

[@kierenmoore3236]

Gee, how did anyone make a hit album, before this $800, barely noticeable box was invented ... Is it worth it?! XD

[@MadebyMiike]

Haha, short answer: nope ;-)

[@kierenmoore3236]

Maybe it was broken?!!!

[@MadebyMiike]

No no, it just a very, veeeery subtle effect!

[@outlawedbeats]

I actually thought it sounded worth it

[@kierenmoore3236]

Outlawed Beats - Who are you here to support, then? :)

[@ottomanmuzic5744]

Sounds like a thickener rather than tape. 800 way too much. Should be like 300 at most

[@MadebyMiike]

I totally agree!

[@LightWthoutTheStatic]

I don't think Rupert Neve has ever sold anything for $300.

[@stingcarlsson7988]

@@LightWthoutTheStatic yes, neve products are highly marketed ones. Neve gear reached legendary status, now it works for them!

[@zanem9022]

@@LightWthoutTheStatic but classic neve was all hand made. New stuff is cheap smt (surface mount), way overpriced. Sound skulptor is about 500 i think