Rupert Neve Designs 542 500 Series True Tape Emulator with Texture As a follow up to the Portico 5042, the 542 delivers a remarkable simulation of true tape sound through the inclusion of genuine tape drive circuitry while also incorporating a number of new methods for adding analogue color to individual tracks and mixes. TAPE In Sends the signal through the “True Tape” circuitry, which is affected by the saturation, blend and 15 / 30 IPS controls. TRIM Provides +/– 12dB adjustment of level on incoming signal levels, prior to the tape circuit. SATURATION Controls the signal level being sent to the magnetic Tape Head. As the saturation level increases the level on the “record” head rises, and the replay gain is reduced so that the overall output signal level remains more or less constant. In a real tape recorder, you would adjust the record and replay gain controls separately, however in the 542 the record and replay gain controls are coupled so that the overall signal level only varies as the “Tape” saturation level changes. As you approach maximum saturation setting, the output signal level will drop due to the effect of extreme saturation and soft clip. 15/30 IPS Selects the pre-emphasis / de-emphasis, record / replay tape characteristic. The 15IPS mode has a significant “head bump” in the low frequencies centered around 60Hz, as well as a more pronounced roll of in the high frequencies. The 30 IPS mode is generally a flatter response through the high-end wi