Rupert Neve Designs Portico 5033 Five Band EQ

[JoshRND]

Portico 5033: Five Band EQ

The Portico 5033 Five Band EQ and high performance line driver is a new equalizer with the performance, features and musicality expected from Rupert Neve, the designer. The 5033 features Mr. Rupert Neve’s custom input and output transformer designs, five bands of EQ based on his traditional curves, -/+12dB input level adjustment, five filter bypasses and comes available in either horizontal or vertical formats.


Low Frequency and High Frequency Shelving Filters

For extremes of the audio spectrum there are two separate shelving filters which are both engaged or disengaged using the same LED pushbutton. Each shelving filter allows for a boost or cut of up to 12 db, providing steeply rising or falling curve shapes in accordance with Mr. Neve’s traditional filter desings. When these curves are boosted or cut aggressively, they enable the second and even third harmonic to be varied in relation to their fundamental, allowing the natural sound of a musical instrument to be varied. When used less aggressively, one can attenuate bands of frequencies above or below the “turnover” point to their desired levels. These sections each provide EQ curves that approximate to 6 dB/octave and give a true “Flat” response when this section is engaged but not boosted or attenuated.

The Low Frequency (LF) shelving filter is continuously variable from 30Hz to 300 Hz, allowing for a wide range of applications, from filtering out low rumbles caused by air conditioning units to taming an instrument with too much low end or even adding a little bit of “oomph” to a thin mix.

The High Frequency (HF) shelving filter is continuously variable from 2.5 kHz to 25 kHz. Whether you want to really bring out the presence and breath to a vocal add some “air” to overall mix, or tame high frequency harshness and noise.

Mid Range Parametric Filters

To cover the mid-range, the 5033 comes with three bands of fully parametric EQ for the meticulous sculpting of audio signals. Each section is separately engaged and has a true “flat” response when engaged but not boosted or attenuated. The three mid-band filters are also capable of +/- 12 dB of gain and have an additional fully variable “Q” control from a broad 0.7 and narrow 5 that allow for ultra-hyper critical adjustments to the filter bandwidth.

The Low Mid Frequency (LMF) Section is variable from 50 Hz to 400 Hz. The Mid Frequency (MF) Section is variable from 330 Hz to 2.5 kHz. The High Mid Frequency (HMF) Section is variable from 2 kHz to 16 kHz. Each section has been carefully designed to overlap neighboring ranges, allowing for a very fine range of possible adjustments.

High Performance Line Driver

The 5033 also can serve as a high performance, transformer coupled line driver with continuously variable +/-12dB trim for optimal gain staging and level matching between processed and unprocessed signals. Like many of Mr. Rupert Neve’s classic modules, the line driving circuit adds sweetness, warmth and presence that can greatly benefit signals that are somewhat brittle and lifeless.

Stereo Operation

The 5033 is also extremely well suited for stereo buss work. Simply rack two 5033's with a 5221 RM and set the controls to match.

www.rupertneve.com
512-847-3013 ext.208

[Jenre]

They're really hitting the market hard with this range at the moment.

[TEMAS]

That has to be the most fully-featured single 1/2 rack-space unit ever made. And that alone deserves credit.

Can't wait to hear reviews of this piece. Though, with a pair costing more than an eq-2nv, it had better be damn good!!

Can you bypass each frequency?

[funka]

Yes, those buttons can be seen on the faceplate...look at it more in detail...

[~ufo~]

aaahhhh this could be interesting for me.

I never use my console's LF on kickdrums for it has no bell switch.

the portico adds a third MF parametric which lets me use the LF on it as a low cut and use the LMF as the low boost..... but keeping two mid bands plus a high shelve free.
nice1, may just be the ticket. of course I'll prolly want to get a few in the end, since nice EQs are addictive.....

damn, another one or few to my list

[TEMAS]

Not wanting to take the wind out of the 5033's sails, but I'd love to know how it compares to the ADT 5-band eq.

[funka]

me too...
The price is way less with the ADT ToolMod frames...and expandable...

[TheSweetener]

The Toolmod stuff sounds nice!
And it's not even 1/2 a rack space so ADT won the "most stuff in no space" competition.

[GPl]

Originally Posted by TEMAS

Not wanting to take the wind out of the 5033's sails, but I'd love to know how it compares to the ADT 5-band eq.

Where's the pic?? Nothing there bro

[not_so_new]

Originally Posted by GPl

Where's the pic?? Nothing there bro

It was there earlier. Something is up with the GS update that is causing the page load to not render some photos... it is happening all over the site.

[Tim Farrant]

Originally Posted by funka

me too...
The price is way less with the ADT ToolMod frames...and expandable...

Yeah but does the ADT have input/ouput transformers?

[TonyBelmont]

Is it just me, or does it look like it's going to be a pain in the ass to turn the knobs the way it's laid out?

[Improv]

Originally Posted by TonyBelmont

Is it just me, or does it look like it's going to be a pain in the ass to turn the knobs the way it's laid out?

Yup... "point and smear" all the way.

[TheSweetener]

Originally Posted by Tim Farrant

Yeah but does the ADT have input/ouput transformers?

No! The Integrator series has optional input/output tranformers

[TheSweetener]

Originally Posted by TonyBelmont

it's going to be a pain in the ass to turn the knobs the way it's laid out?

Yes, that's one thing that Portico and ADT have in common.

[mr.gefell]

the v700 series from adt look very nice

[TheSweetener]

Originally Posted by mr.gefell

the v700 series from adt look very nice

...and very expensive! As far as I know the design of Toolmod and V700 is the same (EQs, Preamps, Compresors). The difference is only in the completely balanced layout and the transformers.
Sorry, don't wanna hijack!

[musicsound-2]

Josh,

.... of course it is more flexible, but does the 5033 sounds basically similar / the same than the EQ from the 5032 ?

[Benmrx]

Originally Posted by ArtGarceau

A little bird told me that Rupert Neve is also coming out with a line mixer somewhat like the Lilo. Its pretty much a mixing console with nothing more than faders, pan knobs, and module slots.....he wasn't being clever with this half rack business.

You'll be able to a la carte a Neve console!

I don't understand why more companies havn't gone this route. I've always wondered why companies that make products for the API500 series racks didn't come out with a little 4 channel mixer, or other little utility units that could eventually create a custom sidecar with modules for monitoring, routing, etc.

I would be all over something like this, just give me 16 faders, some panning, and room for modules of my choice, and a simple master section.

I know Tonelux is doing this type of thing, but why hasn't anyone come out with something for the API500 series that's just an affordable frame with 16 channels/faders each with 2 open slots for modules and a way to sum all 16 channels to stereo......maybe using a Folcrom or somthing.

[AnalogBob]

Too true......I would welcome integrated sidecars with modules that you can upgrade

[Benmrx]

I'd be on it "like flys on a rib roast"

[murp]

The blurb for this says +/- 12db, but the picture clearly shows -12 / +6 on the trim knob.

Which is it?

[GPl]

Yes, you're right. Take a look at the company site under products. The picture shows +6 but the graphic below it shows +12. Very strange indeed.

[chriscoleman]

Originally Posted by murp

The blurb for this says +/- 12db, but the picture clearly shows -12 / +6 on the trim knob.

Which is it?

That's what the input gain trim reads, but the gain knobs for each band read +/-12.

[murp]

Originally Posted by chriscoleman

That's what the input gain trim reads, but the gain knobs for each band read +/-12.

Originally Posted by RND Blurb

-/+12dB input level adjustment

I read that as contradictory to what is labeled on the unit. It's not a biggie, I was just wanting clarification.

[HudHudson]

I think the "input level adjustment" RND refers to is the boost/cut range per band, not the trim. I agree it's cornfusing. Nice sounding EQ, though, same as on the 5032 but with two more bands.

[GPl]

Here's what I was talking about. It does say this is the " transformer coupled line driver with continuously variable +/-12dB trim for optimal gain staging and level matching ".

Looking forward to trying one out which should be soon.

[JoshRND]

It's +/-12db. The photo shows a prototype overlay that was misprinted (they got the font wrong too compared to the other Portico units, sorry).
We plan on shipping the first units next week, and the initial batch will be signed by Rupert!

Josh
www.rupertneve.com

[theom]

street price for this unit is what?
Any early bird specials this time?

[Zwinter]

Originally Posted by theom

street price for this unit is what?
Any early bird specials this time?

So I used the EQ this weekend on a male vocal and was thoroughly impressed. I had been working with this person for about three weeks with a variety of pre-amps, EQ's and compressors. I hadn’t really found a combination that I was totally happy with. I was trying to get a vocal that had some sparkle without being harsh or sibilant. Plus, the vocalist naturally had a harsh mid-range that needed to be cleaned up.

So I immediately went after the mid-range and was impressed how well the 5033 got rid of this unpleasant 500 to 600 Hz thing the vocalist had. Then I went after the top end. At first I got a little carried away and boosted the S$%T out of things. After a couple of minutes I backed things off and was able to add a nice top end, which was subtle yet effective. All in all I was extremely impressed.

It is true the first units are signed by Mr. Rubert Neve himself. Plus, you can also get a free tee shirt. The price for the 5033 is $1650.