Rupert Neve Designs/Portico Console? If It Existed Would You Buy/Use One?

[Rob G]

All,

Rupert Neve Designs/Portico Console? If It Existed Would You Buy/Use One?

I would. With enough requests this might happen.

Rob G..

[84K]

the word "Console" is not enough information to make a decision.

I'd prefer a side car anyway. . .

Doesn't seem like many people want a console outside of:

1) SSL, ( G+ for me please )
2) ICON, and
3) Vintage Neve.

Would I buy a side car by Mr. Neve's latest endeavour?

If. . .

1) it was built well and
2) if it sounded great,
3) if it was priced like his line is priced (but with better/different knobs)

I could see a client mistaking the Portico stuff for Mackie (because of the knobs). That is not cool. Then you have a Neve Side Car that is visually/psychologically put in the same arena as a Mackie to a client!!

[AnalogBob]

Word on the street is that a console of some sort is part of their strategy...after all this is Rupert Neve...... I agree that the the look of the unit particularly in console land is almost as important as whats inside.... Maybee not for the engineer but for the clients...

[djui5]

Who's next to jump on this "mini console" bandwagon?

[u b k]

uh oh, someone's jealous! maybe rupert will come out with a console plugin for you itb cats, it won't do anything but it will put a nice graphic of a desk up, complete with dancing meters and flying faders .

wait, all the daws already have that standard. RIMSHOT!

seriously though, there's the loudness bandwagon, and that one sucks. the mini console bandwagon? that one's all about better sound and improved functionality for people... why begrudge that?

truly, i do recognize the many many hassles that are eliminated when working itb. don't you miss some of the sonics of a 9000 or 80x8 or 2488, just a teensy tiny bit?


gregoire
del ubik

[Igotsoul4u]

I would buy a portico 16ch summing system in a second.

[cdog]

Originally Posted by u b i k

truly, i do recognize the many many hassles that are eliminated when working itb. don't you miss some of the sonics of a 9000 or 80x8 or 2488, just a teensy tiny bit?


gregoire
del ubik

I miss the smell of tape more than the big boards.

But yes, there is a longing sometimes for antiquated machinery.

Its more emotional than technical.

Professional results are obtainable on either, for me its a matter of convenience.

[AdamJay]

If portico made a console similar to the forthcoming Malcolm Toft board, for under $6G's, i'd grab it.

chances are i'll just wait for the Toft though

[Rob G]

All,

Forget what it looks like. With Rupert Neve's reputation I just want one, or want to use one. And a large-format as well as small-format/summing version as well. I do work in both realms.

Rob G.. thumbsup thumbsup thumbsup

[3rd world order]

Originally Posted by cdog

But yes, there is a longing sometimes for antiquated machinery. Its more emotional than technical. Professional results are obtainable on either, for me its a matter of convenience.

antiquated is such a loaded word... does it ever mean "good"?

more emotional than technical.. hmm.. another subtle value judgment.

"professional" just means whoring yourself out for money. the ***** generally doesn't care what the buyer wants... just that they get paid for smiling along with it.

convenience is almost always the enemy. a more positive word is efficiency.

digital is perfect for the worker bee mentality but it has nothing to do with art.

[superburtm]

Originally Posted by 84K

the word "Console" is not enough information to make a decision.

I'd prefer a side car anyway. . .

Doesn't seem like many people want a console outside of:

1) SSL, ( G+ for me please )
2) ICON, and
3) Vintage Neve.

Would I buy a side car by Mr. Neve's latest endeavour?

If. . .

1) it was built well and
2) if it sounded great,
3) if it was priced like his line is priced (but with better/different knobs)

I could see a client mistaking the Portico stuff for Mackie (because of the knobs). That is not cool. Then you have a Neve Side Car that is visually/psychologically put in the same arena as a Mackie to a client!!

I agree with the fact that the portico looks cheap.

[De chromium cob]

No, I wouldn't buy one based on my experience with the Portico....
I had a pair and both had problems, not to mention they don't live up to the sound of the classic Neves like the 1073s, 1081s ect.... In testing them side by side with the older Neve modules they didn't have the sense of depth of the classics and would start to impart distortion on the top end even before the level reached the yellow lights on the meter.... At lower levels they sounded pretty good, but most sources needed the high pass filter adjusted to sound natural and not have an exaggerated low end.
The boa style power supply gets very warm and seems kinda cheap- And the front knobs would wiggle quite a bit on one of the units I had... Overall they didn't seem like they would stand the test of time. Maybe I'm spoiled by the classics, but they didn't inspire confidence in form, fit or function...
I really wanted to like them, but sent them back.

I would suggest that anyone interested do what I did, put them on a credit card, try them out in your own studio, and decide for yourself...Because based on all the rave reviews I read here, I was shocked that I didn't like them more.

[Rep]

With the great sound and price per value from him lately....
I would defiantly give it a shot.
thumbsup

[Steffmo]

<<The boa style power supply gets very warm and seems kinda cheap- And the front knobs would wiggle quite a bit on one of the units I had... Overall they didn't seem like they would stand the test of time. Maybe I'm spoiled by the classics, but they didn't inspire confidence in form, fit or function...
I really wanted to like them, but sent them back.

I would suggest that anyone interested do what I did, put them on a credit card, try them out in your own studio, and decide for yourself...Because based on all the rave reviews I read here, I was shocked that I didn't like them more.[/QUOTE]



Just spent a few minutes at AES with them....and I have to agree that the general fit and finish is a bit scary. By the same token, the price point is quite reasonable....so I guess if i loved the way they sounded it it would make sense that you pay for the design and if the fit suffers a bit...ok maybe. But I have to wonder how these things are going to hold up under day in day out use.

As to consoles..I don't really see the point anymore...I would just as soon cherry pick the right components to improve the sound of a workstation. I have a perfectly good analog console that sounds very good. I'll either keep it in the room or go no console.

Saw the Toft thing...talked to Hyatt. Its pretty much what is in the silver boxes. I don't think the pre is enough to really interest me....but who knows until they ship some.

[Reptil]

hey steffmo, something weird is going on, your avatar is REALLY BIG (see picture)

as for the portico console, did any of you guys consider the "Masterpiece"?
It seems like a sortof mastering grade portico..
so it exists sortof.

I'd like to get my greedy paws on the tapesim, the whole Masterpiece is a bit too much for me, but I could imagine other people integrate that, even when not doing mastering, just mixing, in their setup; also mucho dinero... $$$

[TheSweetener]

To be honest, I think most of the slutz nowadays are used to total recall, so the first company that comes with a little analog console (perhaps modular) that has total recall, wins! Be it Rupert, AMS, Api or anyone else...
Everything else is just an analog console liek we've had it for years, boring!

[thethrillfactor]

Originally Posted by TheSweetener

To be honest, I think most of the slutz nowadays are used to total recall,!

Is that the slutz or the clients?

Originally Posted by TheSweetener

so the first company that comes with a little analog console (perhaps modular) that has total recall, wins! Be it Rupert, AMS, Api or anyone else...
Everything else is just an analog console liek we've had it for years, boring!

Its been done already.

AWS 900 with Total Recall.

And Total Recall is not even instant reset which most DAW's use.

The problem here is not that it can't be done, but that people are to frugal(read cheap) to pay for it.

Its an expensive system to implement on any size console.

[TheSweetener]

And that's why it should be modular, so you can expand it slowly. SSL have done the first step with their new X-Rack.

[Rob G]

All,

Several options. Do large scale console with dynamic reset(Euphonx CS series was like this). Also do small scale console with dynamic reset. Do a console with a frame, & have modules that can be configured physically in the order, & increment you'd like them. I think API did something like this a while back.

Rob G..

[Rob G]

djui5,

Quote: "Who's next to jump on this "mini console" bandwagon?"

djui5


Why not jump on it. Alot of console manufacturer's jumped on the inline console bandwagon. Many software/hardware manufacturer's jumped on the DAW bandwagon.
What. Is it now communism running the pro audio industry. Or can we have a choice.

Rob G..

[thethrillfactor]

Originally Posted by TheSweetener

And that's why it should be modular, so you can expand it slowly. SSL have done the first step with their new X-Rack.

If the base system itself was $50K(half of the price of the AWS 900) with no modules it still would probably be too much for the "mini console" dreamers around here.

Everyone wants these super based modular consoles with all the feautures and want to pay peanuts.

Look at the Speck Lilo.

People were crying for something like this for years and now its built and no one is buying it.

The point is its not cost effective to build an instant reset modular analog console and the people who demand it could never afford it.

The truth is people have been spoiled by DAW and digital mixers already.

Instead of trying to reverse engineer new products they should just focus on making their Digital based systems better and leave the analog stuff for those who can really afford it.

[Rob G]

thrillfactor,

When I listed this thread my question was'nt about whether, or not you think others would buy such a console but about if you as an individual would buy such a console. Would you buy one if the price structure was right?

Rob G..

[themaidsroom]

saw the portico today at aes, and its maker nearby.....lots of camcorders around him....
i hope it sounds really good, cuz i would agree that it's
got a mackie feel to the knobs......



i'd have to agree with thrillfactor about the reality check needed on this magical
little console that can do everything well, be modular, have automation
and cost not so much..........it used to be that's why people went to
studios..........


be well


- jack

[thethrillfactor]

Originally Posted by Rob G

thrillfactor,

When I listed this thread my question was'nt about whether, or not you think others would buy such a console but about if you as an individual would buy such a console. Would you buy one if the price structure was right?

Rob G..

No.

I got an SSL 48 channel 6000E already.

I like working on big consoles.

I like the feel of sitting behind something that would take 8 guys to move instead of something that anybody can pick up and carry away the moment i turn my back.

I'll leave you guys to drive the Hyundais...

and I'll stick with driving my Mercedes Benz.

[Oldone]

TapeOp just gave the Portico 5012 a raving review stating that it easily competes with the 1073. Slightly different but not any less in sound according to Mike Caffery at MonsterIslands.com

I am so confused. I wonder if De Chromium had a bad unit.

The Neve Portico is already modular in design so you can build your own console a little at a time. His summing buss is planned for the future which ties all the modules together.

[raal]

Originally Posted by TheSweetener

To be honest, I think most of the slutz nowadays are used to total recall, so the first company that comes with a little analog console (perhaps modular) that has total recall, wins! Be it Rupert, AMS, Api or anyone else...
Everything else is just an analog console like we've had it for years, boring!

well at the oram/trident booth i saw an analog board with instant reSET. you obviously can't tell from a listen at AES but when i played with the EQ it was reminiscent of two trident 80Bs we used to have, and it comes with compressors p/channel (they sounded very punchy - both opto and vca style, no gates), so when analog boards start going this route i'll be truly excited. as sweetener pointed out, i think we're too used to instant reset to let that feature go now.

there's talk of daking doing a resetable board, and at the neve booth i was told they'd have an expandable AWS type console by next march. by next AES i think we should see some very interesting stuff, but a year seems like an awful long time to wait...

oh, and to not be OT if rupert came out with a reSETable console/DAW controller, i'd have to be crazy not to check it out.

[AdamJay]

Originally Posted by raal

well at the oram/trident booth i saw an analog board with instant reSET. you obviously can't tell from a listen at AES but when i played with the EQ it was reminiscent of two trident 80Bs we used to have, and it comes with compressors p/channel (they sounded very punchy - both opto and vca style, no gates), so when analog boards start going this route i'll be truly excited. as sweetener pointed out, i think we're too used to instant reset to let that feature go now.

did they have an MSRP$ to share on that?

[raal]

Originally Posted by AdamJay

did they have an MSRP$ to share on that?

it didn't even have a center section yet, so no price, but it sure made my head turn! they did make a point of saying it would be affordable for what it does.

[thethrillfactor]

Originally Posted by raal

it didn't even have a center section yet, so no price, but it sure made my head turn! they did make a point of saying it would be affordable for what it does.

The name Oram and affordable do not go together.

His last console had instant reset and it was very expensive.

[abit]

If I have a budget, I'd buy anything and everything Sr. Rupert Neve ever did.
Because he is not just a currency and voltage flaw guru,
but has a Culture of the Sound.

I'm buying it!