Rupert Neve Designs Portico II Master Buss Processor (Demo and Overview)

[@davidmarais1048]

Outstanding demo video, my friend. So tempted to pick this up!

[@LesVegasMusic]

@davidmaraid1058 Thank you! Oh yeah. It's a good one. Thanks for watching and for your message. I really appreciate it.

[@DragonBiscuit]

I love mine - always improves the source in some magical way even when used in a subtle manner - just wish I had both red and blue silk simultaneously available right on the MBP - I’ve got a pair of the portico ii channel strips, tape modules, 5033 EQs, 5043 compressors, and the dual bus summing mixer as well - just incredible pieces of gear. RIP Rupert

[@LesVegasMusic]

@DragonBiscuit Yeah man! It's excellent! Thanks for watching and for taking the time to leave a comment. They incorporated the ability to use the red and blue silk modes simultaneously on the new Master Bus Transformer www.zzounds.com/a--3979429/item--RNDMBT. I think you're going to want that one. I wish they would incorporate the 542 tape modules in something like the MBP or MBT.

[@NOLASkaGuitarist]

The MBT is the answer if you want to have Red and Blue silk simultaneously. The amount knobs for each type as well as a harmonics knob controlling the drive is just icing on the cake.

[@LesVegasMusic]

@NOLASkaGuitarist thanks for watching and for your message. Absolutely! I have an MBT on the way as we speak! That will be my next video. I can't wait to give it a try. I think I'm really gonna love it!

[@maxborosiuk3570]

WOOOOOOOW This is the sound! You made a great shout-out of the processor, it's really showing off the real work of the unit. And also important to mention - your video work (light, frame, eq-nt) and you as a host - are nice to watch. I wish you great success with this format and your channel! CHEERS Les!!! 🍻🍻🍻😎

[@LesVegasMusic]

@maxborosiuk3570 Hi Max! Thanks for watching and for your kind words. I really appreciate that!

[@Northwood_Studio]

Picking this up for Christmas. Great review :)

[@LesVegasMusic]

Oh, man! Awesome! Please stay in touch and let us know how you like it.

[@Abovegroundmedia]

Nice work here. I’ve been eyeballing this box for a while….lots to love. The Peak/RMS switch is a great touch. I wish the internal side chain had an adjustable frequency. I also would have loved to see an adjustable hpf on the input. I love the idea of the SFE, but imagine it’s really easy to overdo and cause audible phase shift.

[@LesVegasMusic]

@Charles-mv6qe you have some really good ideas for this box and yes, it's very easy to overdo the SFE. It's a good one for sure, but maybe something you buy from a dealer that gives you a good 30-45 days to try it out and see if it's worth the $$$ for how you'll use it. I wouldn't want you to get stuck with a $4k box that you don't use for anything but the silk circuits. I say that because I see so many end up using it just for one feature like the silk circuits or the width/depth control. I feel like it ends up being too expensive if you find yourself using it primarily for one of those functions.

[@audiokemestry]

Great video. I wasn't expecting such a dramatic difference between linked/unlinked modes...even with very little compression. The stereo image in unlinked mode sounded a lot better, much more open.

[@yoyomaniac01]

he didn't do a direct comparison with linked/unlinked. if you look closely as soon as he engages unlinked he also adds "SFE to COMP" which completely changes the m/s weighting. it would've been really helpful to have that direct comparison before adding the SFE. overall a fantastic demo since the mix is good. Thank you Les!

[@jahborn]

Never saw such a straight-forward, in-depth tutorial on the MBP - this is how it's done my friend. I'm going to try some of these combinations on mine tomorrow. Have you tried the RND MBT yet? If Zzounds can get you one to review, I'd love to see you do a video using that beauty.

[@LesVegasMusic]

@jahborn Thanks so much! So glad it was helpful. I haven't tried the MBT yet, but I think they're back in stock at zzounds and they'll be getting one to me very soon. Maybe even this week!🤞🏼I'm very interested to hear what I can do with it. I think I'm going to love it!

[@KLOVOrecords]

Amazing review, amazing device, amazing reviewer! The device is missing some good tune to work with, and I guess this will be figured out

[@turtlefeet7722]

Finally someone who explains it in detail. Can you use compressor and limiter at the same time? It doesn’t sound like it would make sense. Thanks

[@LesVegasMusic]

@turtlefeet7722 Thanks! Well, it's all compression. But once you're limiting, you're at the maximum, or the limit of compression. 🙂

[@turtlefeet7722]

Thanks man, great channel. Does the compressor/attack release ratio affect the limiting section? How is the signal chain anyway? My digital plugin limiter has only gain knob and ceiling knob and compressor the typical ratio, threshold attack/release etc. knobs. When I send the compressed signal to my limiter to increase after compression the overall volume seems to be different here if I only have one gain knob.

[@brysava]

The great combination is the Master Buss Transformer paired with the MBP. The MBT adds punch, sheen and clarity, and then the MBP takes over to add more width, depth, and smoothness. Either one is great but you have to hear them together!

[@officiallysir]

Great video breakdown. I have one as well and I love it. I’d love to see a follow up video of your entire mix and master process and how and when you incorporate your mbp. Cheers my friend I’m subscribing 🤝🏽

[@LesVegasMusic]

@officiallysir Thanks so much! You know, I'm pretty much 100% in the box when it comes to mixing. I love the limiter on the MBP for mastering and I use the depth and width controls on either the mix bus or in mastering. I don't really use the compressor because I have others I like better. But if I didn't, I'd be happy to have the compressor on the MBT. It's very precise and easy to use.

[@barneyrubble8255]

@@LesVegasMusic What compressor do you use, i only have mbp so im happy with it, but i see guys that have been in audio for a long time and have lots of money to spend in audio, prefer the even more expensive stereo compressors for their mix bus.

[@bachelorgamer8001]

great video. can you make a video on the limiter please ?

[@MR_Cellarpop]

MBP is great, thanks for the video

[@LesVegasMusic]

@MR_Cellarpop Yeah man! It is. You're welcome! Thank you for watching and for your message. I can't wait to hear what the new Master Bus Transformer can do!

[@MR_Cellarpop]

@@LesVegasMusic MBT is very good, I bought it some months ago.

[@lucillefrancoeur8235]

I love the sound! Has a lot to offer for the money I think!

[@АлексейВискалов-и6х]

thanks for the important video! happiness to you!

[@johnnyvegas2015]

great content, thanks for sharing....cheers

[@LesVegasMusic]

@johnnyvegas2015 Thanks for watching and for your comment. I really appreciate that!

[@АлексейВискалов-и6х]

thank you so much for this video!

[@LesVegasMusic]

@user-nr9ln8go8r You're welcome! Thanks so much for watching!

[@b.hornetiii.6771]

Nice, I don't know why, but as soon as you engaged SC 125HZ, the low frequency warm, big foundation of the mix was going out of the window; I would not press that button for this song, I like it fat, hahaha.

[@eyesintheskies]

Can you use the insert with the mid/side in the depth \ width section?

[@johnisrael5183]

This thing can be heaven or hell on a mix....I got mixed feeling about it.... I think doing something like the WA G Comp, with a Stereo Opto, with a Silver Bullet and a Drawmer Parametric EQ will give you way more control over your master...but the same vibe..thats my final mastering chain im gona build.....Id rather have more control over the Compression, EQing and Saturation Seperately instead all coming from the same Color Box

[@LesVegasMusic]

@johnisrael5183 Thanks for watching and for taking the time to share your thoughts. Agreed. I like the depth, width and limiter on this thing though!

[@johnisrael5183]

@@LesVegasMusic i agree with you I just made a Portico Using Acustica Audio nebula Plugins I used 4 Alex B Engineering Plugins that are all Live analog sampled Pres Colors and Saturation on RND Silk Red Mode with the Neve 88rs Channel Console and the Neve 88rs Line Out Channel with the Neve 88rs Comp, with Acustica Audio Ash using the Prism A/D Converter Clipper all that totaled is $300 sounds Identical to Your Portico II ITB all the Same Componants from the Portico Live analog Sampled....

[@LesVegasMusic]

Wow! Sounds awesome! It's a good idea too. I'd like to sample the new RND Master Bus Transformer, the stereo field editor and limiter from the MBP, and add a pair of 542's for the ultimate RND bus processor. I'd like a good dedicated EQ too.

[@NOLASkaGuitarist]

I'm planning on using the WA Bus Comp in unison with the Neve MBT (backordered), which is different from the MBP in the video. The Warm is not going to add much "vibe", as VCA's are usually very low on distortion. Just some glue and taming the transients as the attack is on the faster side, though can be set to let transients through as well. The compressor in the MBT is much more of a colored style compression being optical/slower. The only rack that would make me think twice about purchasing an MBT is a RN 500 series 10-slot loaded with SSL UltraViolet EQ, SSL G-Comp, RND 542's, and the SPL Big. Even have two slots to spare. But that would cost a good bit more.

[@LesVegasMusic]

@NOLASkaGuitarist Yeah man. That should be a great combination. I like your idea of putting together something similar with 500 series modules. You have some really good picks there! It would be cool to compare the results of the MBT to the comparable 500 series rack you're suggesting. They would definitely be different! I might just try that shootout. I would be interested in knowing which I prefer. Good thinking!

[@Sunmoonstars1]

Hey Les I have the RN MBP is this MBT worth adding with MBP? I hear everyone says yes. What do you think? Ty

[@LesVegasMusic]

@Sunmoonstars1 You know, I tried the MBT and had really high hopes for it but I ended up sending it back. I was going to do a video on it but decided against it. It was one of those situations like our Mom's would always say "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all." I just couldn't get it to improve any of my mixes. It's definitely an excellent piece of gear and you know who I think it's really good for? People who work 100% ITB and don't use any plugins on their mix or master bus. It will 100% make their stuff sound better, and by a lot. But I already use plugins on my master bus and I couldn't get it to improve what I already had. It just made everything sound worse no matter what I tried. And I tried a few times with proper gain staging the whole way through. When I took all the plugins off my master bus and re-mixed the tunes mixing into the MBT, I could get a great sounding final mix. However, when comparing the mixes I did with the MBT to the mixes I did with plugins on the master bus, I preferred the mixes using plugins a lot more. There wasn't even a question which I preferred. The results were very clear. So I'd say if you haven't landed on master bus chain you like yet, then give the MBT a try. You'll probably be floored by how it improves your sound. But if you already like the sound you're getting but think this may bring it up a notch, I don't know. I'm not sure it will be the answer you're looking for.

[@Sunmoonstars1]

@@LesVegasMusic wow really this is a bit shocking to hear cause everybody else on KZbin like Dom, a professional mixer, mastering guy and several others swear by the MBT even when you own the MBP they all feel adding the MBT works really well with the MBP EXCEPT FOR THAT ONE GUY WHO HAD THE MBP FOR YEARS IS THINKING ABOUT SELLING THE MBP BECAUSE HE SAYS ALL YOU NEED IS THE MBT - I wish I could hear the MBT in person linked up to the MBP so I could really see if it’s worth it or not. Yes there’s times I get great results using mastering plug-ins too for me personally and I know this is an argument that will go onto the end of time lol I always feel Hardware sounds at least 10% better when it comes to hardware versus plug-ins, thank you for your reply

[@Sunmoonstars1]

@@LesVegasMusic just to share with you and of course we’re all entitled to agree to disagree and I respect your decision that you made for your own reasons but I spoke to someone who not named for reals is one of the probably top five or six literally legendary mastering people in the world and I asked him if he you know got the MBT and he said he did and he actually likes it for certain things he said the MBP has other advantages over the MBT which I agree but the fact that he likes it I know the gear that he has and he’s created his own original gear as well and he’s got plug-ins for giving his presets to the major companies. I just know I really trust his opinion and advice so Hearing you’re the opposite of what he thinks is really surprising, but I wish you all the best

[@LesVegasMusic]

@@Sunmoonstars1 I take no offense to what you're sharing here and to answer your question more directly, the answer is yes the MBT is worth adding to your MBP as it compliments it very well. That's what it was essentially designed to do and why they look and are named so similarly. They're part of the same family and go together perfectly. Like I said, the MBT is very good, it just wasn't improving my own stuff. I'm certain if I was working on other peoples stuff all the time, I could find some great uses for it. Keep in mind, mixing and mastering engineers are handed work of all sort that may need one thing, but not the other. When you primarily work on your own stuff like me, you end up developing a style and having a process. After trying it on my own stuff, I realized my process already got me everything the MPT was giving me and wasn't enhancing it any further. Again, I'm not saying it's a bad piece of gear. Have you seen these two videos where the guys talk about and demo how they work and sound in conjunction with one another? kzbin.info/www/bejne/aZ26aJhvea9lrposi=PKKmd9c248tP8KXn&t=236 and kzbin.info/www/bejne/qX3YfJ-JpbqNm5osi=L7KNa72cyqkxwIQk&t=667. Hope that helps. You should just get it and try it out with your MBP. If you don't think it's worth it, send it back. If you end up giving it a try, come back to this comment thread and let me know how it went!

[@Sunmoonstars1]

@@LesVegasMusic I just got a great deal on MBT so yeah, I’m gonna try it out and hope everyone’s right that it compliments to MBP because if it doesn’t, I’ll be definitely returning it and I totally feel for where you’re coming from. Everybody’s got their ways, they taste their approach, so it’s all good thank you

[@ScantlessBeatz]

Great detail break down my friend has this and it dose wonders to a mix. Respectfully your energy seems forced like your making yourself smile to seem more upbeat and positive just be yourself as who you are the camera will allways point out anything we try to froce. Most people will not tell you constructive criticism. I do not mean to be rude or disrespectful thank you for your video break down.

[@LesVegasMusic]

@ScantlessBeatz Thanks for watching and for your feedback. I will continue trying my best to be as natural as possible on camera. I guess I'm still trying to find a good balance. It's not easy!

[@jahborn]

@LesVegasMusic - I think you did just fine and seem consistent with how you present in your other videos. Everyone is different and have their own style and delivery. Only someone who actually knows you, can truly tell if you're being yourself or not. Keep doing your thing and ALWAYS be yourself.

[@laboratorio7133]

Q calidad como suena

[@LesVegasMusic]

@laboratorio7133 💯! Gracias por ver!

[@joeyf808]

I had one, for the price, not vibey enough. sold it.

[@LesVegasMusic]

@joeyf808 Thanks for watching and for your comment. I'm loving the limiter and stereo field editor! Do you have the RND 542 tape emulators? I'm wondering how you feel about the vibe of those.

[@familymandex]

It's mastering! People just love talking out of their ass! It's insane! Vibey he said...oh my!

[@barneyrubble8255]

What compressor did you replace mbp with?

[@MuslimShortanov]

when I do this - can I then pass the track to mastering engineer? I believe NO, because it will be already overdone.

[@LesVegasMusic]

@MuslimShortanov Thanks for watching and for your question. If you use the MBP on your mix bus and it's part of your sound, it's fine to leave it on and send it to the mastering engineer. You may just want to not use the limiter because the mastering engineer will use a limiter to bring up the level to a competitive volume. But any gentle mix bus compression and stereo field processing is fine to do and leave on if you have it dialed just the way you like.

[@MuslimShortanov]

@@LesVegasMusic thank you for your prompt and kind answer! I agree.

[@MrGreekBlade]

When the desk is more expensive from your speakers,something is wrong.

[@LesVegasMusic]

@MrGreekBlade Haha 😂 What could be wrong?! I can't help it if desks cost more than speakers. 🙂 You should know that when it comes to gear, it's not how expensive it is, it's if you know how to use it. This is especially true for speakers. I could have $10,000 speakers, but if they're not right for the room, they're not going to produce good results. Besides, the speakers you see, are not what I mix and master on. You're not seeing $2,600 worth of headphones that I currently prefer referencing on over any speakers, in any room I've tried. I get excellent results that compete with any mixes and masters in the charts today. With that said however, I'm upgrading my monitors to the Dutch and Dutch 8Cs. What desk and monitors do you have?

[@MrGreekBlade]

@@LesVegasMusic Its not personal at all ,but as producer too , i still believe is wrong for everyone to pay expensive desk or high class hardware like neve Portico ,eqs and compressors of thousands dollars and then buy a shithole monitor like yours yamaha to work with this super expensive hardware...Your monitors at the moment is good for chicken house maybe,sorry if you hear it frst time dude...i am glad you use top quality headphones,that will be a big plus for your sound... i work with Genelecs 1032 many years now,a mid+ class monitor, and looking to move one class upper on a 3way system to a price level 5k-6k

[@LesVegasMusic]

@MrGreekBlade Right. It's not personal at all. It's not the gear, it's the ear! How many hit records were mixed on passive NS-10's that cost a couple hundred dollars?! The Yamaha HS line of speakers actually sound quite good! I just wouldn't count on them for any sort of accuracy when it comes to mixing and mastering. I use to like those Genelec's you have, but there are just so many better options today. Something with DSP helps. When upgrading, I was considering the ATC SCM25A's and SCM45A's, but ultimately I went with the Dutch & Dutch 8C's because of the DSP. Good luck on those speakers! Let's hear some of the mixes and masters you've done on them. Feel free to share your links here.

[@MrGreekBlade]

@@LesVegasMusic You say the half truth...you can buy a 5 inche monitor like your yamaha to fit on your room with 8k price and not 450$,come on man ...Yes is the room sound and the knowledge of your hardware but at the end always you need a high detailed monitor for critical works...so you made a good choice to replace your yamaha,that is nice....i work for hollywood industry as composer writing additional and trailer music for blockbusters/games/tv shows at many huge networks. I am not a mixing or master engineer but i have lots of knowleadge and experience on the field ,but still i dont master my mixes...always a master guy do that for me.i prefer stay and do only what i know well.

[@LesVegasMusic]

@MrGreekBlade Hmmm. I think you're misunderstanding. No half truths here. Of course you can buy expensive small 5" monitors. My point was NS-10's sold new for $375 a pair in 1998, and so many hit records were mixed on them so, expensive speakers don't equal better mixes. That's for sure! Oh! Very good! Yes, good to focus on what you're best at. Sounds like you're more of a musician than a sound guy. I'm more of a sound guy, than a musician. So honestly, it's not too hard for me to get great sounding mixes and masters using nearly any monitoring system. When you have as many years of experience working in sound as I do, you know what to listen for and what tools to use for correction if needed.