Rupert Neve Designs Portico 5032 Product Features
The Portico
5032 is a single channel Mic Pre/EQ having an independent transformer coupled
Line level input for the EQ section. It includes a full-featured Mic Pre
identical to the 5012 with the addition of a flexible 3 band Equalizer in the
Mr. Rupert Neve tradition. The 5032 is equipped with high and low frequency
shelving curves and a Parametric Mid Band covering 80Hz-8kHz in two ranges.
The Rupert
Neve Designs 5032 module is a half rack width, 1.75 (1U) module in the now
well-known Portico style. The 5032 is ideal for both tracking and mixing
applications with selectable mic or line inputs. Both paths have full access to
the EQ, phase, silk and mute making it the ideal choice for either standalone
operation, or forming the core of a larger mixing system. As with the entire
Portico range, the construction is a heavy and robust steel shell that provides
total magnetic screening and exceptional mechanical stability. The front panel
is machined from a solid 1/8-inch aluminum plate with a steel sub panel behind
it.
Alternative
front panel layouts are available providing a choice of vertical or horizontal
mounting. When the horizontal front panel is chosen, a single 5032 can sit
firmly on a bench or desktop on its detachable rubber feet. Two 5032s can be
joined with the optional Horizontal Joining Kit (Model # 5221-RM) and mounted
across a standard 19 rack. When the vertical option is chosen, up to Eight
5032s can be mounted in the optional Vertical Frame. This leaves a 3 wide
space that can be used to house a Power Supply or monitor unit. The Vertical
Frame assembly is designed for rack mounting and includes basic rear cable
management. Blank panels are available to fill any unused spaces when the full
complement of eight modules is not fitted into the optional Vertical Frame.
The Portico
5032 module comprises a single microphone pre-amplifier identical with those
found in the Portico 5012, and a new 3-band Equalizer.
The output
stage is identical with that of the Portico 5012, using single-sided circuitry,
driving a carefully configured output transformer that can deliver a full +
25dBu from the balanced and ground-free secondary winding.
THE
EQUALIZER
The
subtleties of audio circuit design as relating to sonic performance are
becoming more clearly understood by designers and professional users. For
example, it is evident that frequencies above 20 kHz and incredibly small
distortion and non-harmonic artifacts, affect the way that humans perceive
sound. Specifications and measurements do not fully disclose these sonic
qualities that are important to sound engineers and musicians. There is no
substitute for hours of patient listening and experimental bench work that
results in the sweet and silky sound of my classic designs.
LOW SHELF
and HIGH SHELF
The Portico
5032 Equalizer makes use of both a High Frequency and Low Frequency shelving
characteristic that provide steeply rising or falling curve shapes. Such
curves, when used aggressively, enable second and even third harmonics to be
varied in relation to a fundamental, allowing the natural sound of a musical
instrument to be varied. Used less aggressively, bands of frequencies above or
below the turnover frequency can be adjusted to desired levels.
These
sections each provide EQ curves that approximate to 6 dB/Octave with a boost or
cut of up to 15 dB and a true Flat response at the center of the control
track. Frequencies chosen for these turnover points are the result of
critical listening and follow traditional equalizer patterns.
PEAK EQ
(MID-BAND)
This
section provides a very wide range of frequencies in two bands with a powerful
Q or bandwidth control. The range of boost or cut is +/-15 dB with a true
Flat response at the center of the control track. The steepness of the actual
curve slopes can exceed 6 dB/Octave which results in a powerful chisel type of
tool. The Q control offers completely variable bandwidth, from very narrow to
super wide, having a range of Q = 0.6 to Q = 3.0. The base band covers 80
Hz to 800 Hz, which is important when dealing with the body of a spectrum or
for thinning a muddy acoustic environment. A x10 button multiplies the
frequency of the base band by x10 (i.e. it provides continuity from 800 Hz to
8.0 kHz).
Mic/Line
Inputs
Sepreate
mic and line inputs may be selected. With both inputs, phase, silk, hpf, and
the 3 bands of eq are available for use.
Low Shelf
Fixed 150Hz
frequency with continously variable gain of +/-15dB
Mid
Parametric Band
Continuously
variable frequency in two ranges from 80 Hz to 800 Hz and 800Hz to 8KHz,
selected with the 10X push button; continuously variable Q; continuously
variable gain of +/- 15 dB
High Shelf
Fixed 8Khz
and 16Khz frequencies selected with the 8K/16K push button; continuously
variable gain of +/- 15 dB
Eq In
Engages all
three bands of EQ
Silk
Much could
be written about this feature, suffice to say, that it gives a subtle option to
enhance sound quality in the direction of vintage modules. The Silk button
reduces negative feedback and adjusts the frequency spectrum to provide a very
sweet and musical performance. We suggest you try it and make your own
judgment.
Level Meter
-30 dBu to
+22 dBu With reference to the output
Mute
Cuts of the
output signal post metering and pre Buss Output. Be sure to mute the outputs
before engaging phantom power.
High
Pass Filter
The High
pass filter is a valuable aid in any signal chain but particularly so in a
microphone preamplifier. Signals between 20 and 250 Hz can be attenuated,
leaving the range above this unaffected. This gets rid of building rumble, air
handling motor hum etc.
Phantom
Power
Provides
48V phantom power to microphones
Buss Output
The To Buss
output is unbalanced and has a high impedance output. It is intended for use
with the Portico Buss Amp/Monitoring modules. A TRS patch cord is used to
connect the 5012 Buss output to one of these bussing modules. The Monitor
connection is derived pre mute on the 5012 and will produce a signal at the
output of the buss modules that is equal in level to that at the 5012 output.
The Monitor output cannot be used for any other purpose.
Phase Inverts
Flips the
phase of an incoming source 180 degrees
Rupert Neve Designs Portico 5032 Tech Specifications
- Frequency Response: Main Output, no load, 0.2 dB @ 10
Hz 3 dB @ 160 kHz
- Noise: Measured at Main Output,
unweighted, 22Hz-22kHz, Terminated 150 Ohms. With gain at unity better than
100 dBu. With gain at 66 dB better than 62 dBu Equivalent Input Noise better
than 128 dBu
-
High
Pass Filters: Continuously
variable swept frequency from 20 Hz to 250 Hz.
- Slope: 12
dB/Octave
- Gain: Unity to +66dB in 6 dB steps, Trim
continuously adjustable from 6dB to +6dB
- Buss Output: Output is designed to feed a
Buss-mix Amplifier (ie. Buss inputs on 5043) at the internal system level of
-2.5 dBu.
- Maximum Output Level: Maximum output from 20 Hz to 40 kHz
is +25 dBu.
- Mute: Mutes
Main Output only.
- Total Harmonic Distortion and
Noise:
- @ 1kHz, +20
dBu output:
- Main
Output: Better than 0.001% @ 20Hz, +20 dBu output:
- Main
Output: Better than 0.002%
- Silk
Engaged: Better than 0.2% Second harmonic
- Equalization:
- Low Shelving
EQ: +/- 15dB boost or cut. Corner frequency 160Hz
- High
Shelving EQ: +/- 15dB boost or cut. Corner frequency 8kHz 16kHz switch
selectable
- Mid Peak
EQ: +/- 15dB boost or cut. Continously variable frequency, 80 to 800Hz or 800Hz
to 8000Hz switchable
- Phantom Power: +48 Volts DC +/- 1%
- Power requirements:
- Voltage
range: 9 to 18 Volts DC
- Current
consumption:
- @ 9VDC
Current is 910 mA typical: Power = 11.7W
- @ 12VDC
Current is 670 mA typical: Power = 12.0 watts
- @ 15VDC
Current is 530 mA typical: Power = 12.0 watts
- @ 18VDC
Current is 450 mA typical: Power = 11.7 watts
- Connector:
5.5mm X 2.1mm DC jack, Center Positive