Rupert Neve Designs (RND) 542 Portico Tape Emulator Pair - 500 Series -

In great shape, only used in my smoke free studio.

The Rupert Neve Designs Portico 542 is a single-channel tape emulator for 500 series racks. In addition to simulating the sound of analog tape, the module is also features Rupert Neve’s renowned Silk circuitry, which is capable of adding harmonics to a signal for a distinctly vintage tone. 

Where most tape emulators utilize digital processing to achieve some kind of result, the 542 utilizes all-analog hardware to accomplish this goal. Internally, the 542 features a “true tape” circuit with a magnetic record head and replay amplifier. Users can easily apply texture by pushing the silk button, selecting one of two modes, and adjusting the knob accordingly. Doing so applies the harmonics described in the preceding paragraph for a characteristically vintage sound that its manufacturer is renowned for. This sound can then be combined with one of two tape characteristics: either 15 or 30 IPS.

Portico 542 Features

• Single Channel
• True Tape Circuitry
• 15 / 30 IPS Tape Characteristics
• Blend Between Pre and Post Signals
• Red and Blue Silk Circuit Adds Texture
• For 500 Series Racks

Product Details

• Function: Tape Emulator
• Number of Channels: Single
• Inputs: 1x XLR
• Outputs: 1x XLR

Controls

• 1x Trim knob, +/- 12 dB
• 1x Saturation knob
• 1x Blend knob
• 1x Texture knob
• 1x Tape Effect In button
• 1x 15/30 IPS button
• 1x Silk button
• Maximum Output Level: 23.25dBu

Frequency Response

• Line amp specifications, with tape circuit disengaged
• Measured at +10dBu, trim at unity
• Main Output +/- 0.25 dB from 5 Hz to 60 Khz -2 dB @ 120 kHz

Tape FX specifications

• 15 IPS, Input @ -0 dBu -3dBu @ 28 kHz Saturation @ minimum 0dBu @ 10 Hz +5dBu Peak @ 60 Hz
• Saturation @ maximum -3dBu @ 20 kHz -3dBu @ 12.5 Hz +2.4dBu Peak @ 60 Hz
• 30 IPS, Input @ -0 dBu -3dBu @ 120 kHz Saturation @ minimum -3dBu @ 10 Hz +3.15dBu Peak @ 125 Hz
• Saturation @ maximum -3dBu @ 100 kHz -3dBu @ 12.5 Hz
• +1.3dBu Peak @ 110 Hz

Noise

• Line amp specifications, with tape circuit disengaged
• Measured at Main Output, un-weighted, 20 Hz - 22 kHz, Input Terminated 40 Ohms
• Unity Gain: better than -100dBu

Tape FX Specifications

• Measured at Main Output, un-weighted, 20 Hz - 22 kHz, Input Terminated 40 Ohms
• Saturation @ minimum: better than -100dBu Saturation @ maximum: better than -100dBu
• Total Harmonic Distortion/Noise: Line amp specifications, with tape circuit disengaged:
• @ 1 kHz, +20dBu output level: better than 0.0025% @ 20 Hz, +20dBu output level 0.07% Typical (2nd and 3rd harmonic)

Tape FX Specifications

• 15 IPS, Input @ -0 dBu 0.4% @ 3 kHz to 1% @ 175Hz typical
• Saturation @ minimum greater than 1% below 175 Hz typical
• Saturation @ maximum 1% at 6 kHz typical 0.3% @ 1 kHz to 3% @ 50 Hz typical
• 30 IPS, Input @ -0 dBu 1% at 1 kHz typical
• Saturation @ minimum 0.6% @ 400 Hz 5% @ 20 Hz typical
• Saturation @ maximum 1.5% @ 20 kHz to 0.4% @ 1 kHz typical 0.4% @ 1 kHz to 2 %@ 50 Hz typical

Meters

• 1x 8-segment Level meter
• 1x 8-segment Drive meter
• Power Requirements: Supplied by 500 series rack with 110-125 mA @ +/- 16V DC