Rupert Neve Designs 5017 Microphone Preamp/DI/Compressor
RM7,892.00
Available on backorder
*Special Order
“The Portico 5017 was a Swiss army knife of audio solutions, making both acoustic and electric guitars sound better. The Compressor and Silk controls were icing on the cake; the Blend feature is perfect for guitarists who know the magic of microphones.” - Vintage Guitar
“The Portico 5017 is the most versatile and portable piece of gear I have, not to mention it sounds amazing in addition to the practicality. Even better is it doesn’t hurt the wallet.” - Adrian Quesada, Black Pumas, Groupo Fantasma
“This thing sounds really good! It saved my a$$ a bunch of times on a recent European tour.” - Jim Devito
“For novices seeking their first quality piece, I recommend this little, humble utilitarian over a rack full of brittle mic pres and mushy compressors…. For high-fidelity loving, traveling musician/self-recordists, the 5017 is a must have.” - Rob Tavaglione
Classic Tone and Control, Anywhere You Go
Housed in a rugged, portable chassis, the Portico 5017 combines a world-class preamp, compressor, and DI with versatile features like dual-channel operation, Vari-phase, Silk enhancement, and DI/mic blending. This innovative and powerful tool is perfect for both recording and live performance applications.
Two Distinct Channels
The Portico 5017 features two high-quality preamps: one optimized for Mic/Line sources and the other for Instrument-level inputs. Each channel includes its own dedicated line output, enabling unparalleled flexibility. Whether you’re balancing a vocal mic with an acoustic guitar or simultaneously capturing a guitar/bass DI alongside a mic’d amplifier, the 5017 puts creative control in your hands.
With the addition of an optical compressor and the signature Silk harmonics circuit, the 5017’s versatility becomes truly unmatched, making it an indispensable tool for artists and engineers alike.
The BLEND & VARI-PHASE Controls
The Portico 5017’s standout features are its innovative BLEND and VARI-PHASE controls, which work together to achieve the perfect balance between a DI and mic signal of the same source. Once the preamps are set, the VARI-PHASE control ensures precise phase alignment, eliminating any unwanted phase cancellation when combining the two signals.
These features also shine in other applications. They allow you to create a quick mix of vocals and guitar without the need for a mixing console—ideal for live performances or on-the-spot recordings. Additionally, the mic input’s ability to handle line-level signals enables seamless re-amping of pre-recorded tracks through the exceptional instrument input. With such versatile functionality packed into a compact unit, the possibilities are endless!
Features
TWO CHANNEL OPERATION
With two transformer coupled outputs, the 5017 has separate line outputs for the DI/Blend and Mic signals when the blend control is set to fully DI. The mic output is always independent.
SILK
Pushing the Silk button engages the Silk circuit, which enhances the source’s harmonic content in a manner very reminiscent of many of Rupert’s class-A vintage designs.
MIC GAIN
A 12-way precision rotary switch covering Line (0) and Mic from 0 to 66 dB in 6 dB steps.
INST GAIN
Continuous gain control from 0dB to 30dB.
THRU & INST 1/4” PHONE JACKS
Balanced or unbalanced Hi-Z input for instruments, with a THRU output to send signal to an amplifier.
+48V PHANTOM POWER
Provides 48V phantom power to microphones. Controlled by a switch on the back of the unit.
HIGH PASS FILTER
The high pass filter is a valuable aid in any signal chain, but particularly so in a microphone preamplifier. Signals below 80Hz can be attenuated at a rate of 12db / octave, getting rid of building rumble, motor hum, etc.
POLARITY
Push button inverts the polarity of the mic input signal path. The symbol “Ø” is often used to denote opposite polarity.
VARI-PHASE
When engaged, the VARI-PHASE control rotates the phase incrementally, allowing two signals with the same source to be phase aligned. This control is most apparent when the signals being combined are at roughly equal levels, and is generally used when blending an instrument’s direct signal with its amplified signal, as captured by a microphone.
THE COMPRESSOR
Based around a new LDR (light dependent resister) design, the 5017’s opto-coupler compressor has been simplified to a single threshold control with auto make up gain. By default, the compressor is set to a fixed 2:1 ratio with fixed attack and release. To set the compressor, simply dial the threshold control down until the desired amount of compression is achieved. An LED light indicates when the compressor is active.
INDICATORS
Indicators on the 5017 denote signal presence and clipping on both DI and mic signals, as well as compressor activation.
INTERNAL JUMPERS
Two internal jumpers in the 5017 can be set to change the compressor from the mic channel to the DI / blend channel, and to change the compressor time constant from standard to fast.
Specifications
FREQUENCY RESPONSE
Main Output, no load.
-0.2 dB @ 10 Hz
-3 dB @ 160 kHz
NOISE
Measured at Main Output, unweighted, 22 Hz - 22 kHz. Terminated 150 Ohm.
With gain at unity better than -100 dBu
With gain at 66 dB better than -62 dBu
Equivalent Input Noise better than -128 dBu
NOISE FACTOR
1.5 dB
HIGH PASS FILTER
80 Hz, 12 dB/Octave Bessel
MAXIMUM OUTPUT LEVEL
Maximum output from 20 Hz to 40 kHz is +23 dBu
TOTAL HARMONIC DISTORTION AND NOISE
@ 1 kHz, +20 dBu output: Main Output: Better than 0.001%
@ 20 Hz, +20 dBu output: Main Output: Better than 0.002%
SILK ENGAGED
Better than 0.2% Second harmonic
COMPRESSOR
THRESHOLD
Continuously Variable from -20 dBu to +10 dBu
RATIO
Fixed at 2:1
ATTACK & RELEASE
FAST MODE: Attack 40ms , Release 40ms
SLOW MODE: Attack 100ms , Release 350ms
DIMENSIONS
7.5″ (deep) x 6.5″ (wide) x 2″ (high)