Anybody here own the Neve Portico 5042 Tape Simulator?

RIZ Records · 3rd March 2007

Just wondering if anybody here owns the Neve Portico 5042 Tape Simulator?

I was thinking about picking one of these up, but im uunable to demo it for myself and dont want to make a bad purchase as im really strapped for cash right now. I mean is it worth the money?

Ive tried to do a search on it here, but only got feedback from the Rock "N" Roll dudes. Id like to hear what the hip-hop dudes have to say about it.

I already own a Aurora Audio GTQ2, API 512c, Alan Smart,ect, so im wondering if this thing actually sounds like tape, and if it would compliment my gear nicely.

Any info would be appreciated.

Thx!

woomanmoomin · 3rd March 2007

Does it cost more than an actual tape unit...?

JuelzB · 5th March 2007

I have the 5042 for quite a while now and I love it on the Vox Bus. It gives it that "shine" and crisp sound. If it actually sounds like tape... I dunno cause I have no reference. But in my opinion it makes a lot of stuff sound, more like a record. (like we are used to from hi-end productions).

Hope this helps a bit.

okailla · 5th March 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by woomanmoomin

Does it cost more than an actual tape unit...?

yeah, why the f#!k spend more on a `true tape emulation´ (see that paradoxon) when you can have the real deal ?!
There are a lot of decent machines on the used market and maintainence, servicing etc is no rocket science - plus, recording with a real reel to reel is way more fun

khameln · 5th March 2007

True, remember that 'cost' isn't fixed in this case though. I think we have to consider what it's being used for and how much it's being used. Not saying either way is right or wrong, but you can use an emulation box as many times as you want with consistent sound and no loss of quality... If you want to do that with a reel to reel, you will have to buy tape. Good tape is expensive and seems to be becoming more and more scarce.

Not to mention, it's harder to be consistent with tape, considering that as you change tapes and calibration etc. the sound will change as well.

I still like tape, but lets also be realistic. An 'initial cost vs. initial cost' judgement just isn't applicable in this case, because they are two different things.

modistylee · 5th March 2007

I'd be curious to know if anyone has done a shoot out with this vs. the Fatso. I understand the Fatso offers more compression features but is a bit more $$. I am mostly looking for tape saturation for the 2mix bus.

RIZ Records · 6th March 2007

JuelzB, thanks for letting me know i appreciate it.

Is there anyway i can post a drum loop, and could you process it though the portico, saturate and drive it,ect, and post the results?

Basically i want to use it for individual drums while tracking, and mabye some synths,ect. Also on the 2 buss after the C2

Im looking to add saturation, colour, and some added warmth and thickness.

Thx!

JuelzB · 6th March 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by RIZ Records

JuelzB, thanks for letting me know i appreciate it.

Is there anyway i can post a drum loop, and could you process it though the portico, saturate and drive it,ect, and post the results?

Basically i want to use it for individual drums while tracking, and mabye some synths,ect. Also on the 2 buss after the C2

Im looking to add saturation, colour, and some added warmth and thickness.

Thx!

Yeah sure, go ahead an post it. I will process it with the portico.

RIZ Records · 6th March 2007

JuelzB, thanks a lot i appreciate it. I'd love to hear how this thing saturates and adds weight to the sound.

But for some stupid reason i cant post the file, it keeps failing and its under the max file size it allows. I tried a bunch of different sizes and times and it just wont let me post it.

Can you pm me your e-mail adress or something and i'll e-mail you the 8 bar loop? Id really love to hear how the portico sounds.

Thx!

Ben-G · 7th March 2007

Rupert NEVE Portice 5042 Tape Emulator

RIZ Records · 7th March 2007

Hey JuelzB, i got it to work, so i posted the drum loop!.

Thanks again i really appreciate it. I cant wait to hear how the portico saturates and adds weight to the sound. I'll definetly know if its worth getting on my low budget, so that really helps me out.

Like i was saying i heard some reviews over at the rock forum, and i looked at that thread Ben-G posted, but that was rock stuff and that drum loop that guy had was pretty crappy to begin with so i dont think that example did it justice. Id love to hear how it sounds with some hip-hop drums and a hip-hop producer tweaking it!

Thx!

JuelzB · 8th March 2007

Yo RIZ, I uploaded them files into a .rar on my server. You can download them here: www.rekord-records.de/TEST.rar (I´ll keep them up for a couple of days)

I made three versions, two with the VU meters hitting the yellow lights and with 15 ips and 7,5 Ips and a third one with lower saturation (lights not hitting the yellow LEDs) at 7,5 IPS .

Note that the differences are quite subtle. More drastic changes can be achieved, but I don´t like em.

Hope this helps you out.
Juelz

cramseur · 9th March 2007

I'll add to what JuelzB said.

The 5042 effect is subtle, but I find it more useful on a whole mix.

chester · 9th March 2007

thumbsup

RIZ Records · 10th March 2007

JuelzB, thanks a lot man i really appreciate you putting the loops through the portico for me, that was real cool of you and you saved me some money!.

The effects are deifnetly subtle, but it does add a bit of thickness and punch to the sound, it adds a bit more energy.

On my budget right now i dont think the effect is enough for me, but mabye when i have some money to spend i'll pick one up.

Thanks again man!

JuelzB · 10th March 2007

Yeah you´re welcome!

3rd March 2007	#1
RIZ Records Lives for gear Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 845 Thread Starter	Anybody here own the Neve Portico 5042 Tape Simulator? Just wondering if anybody here owns the Neve Portico 5042 Tape Simulator? I was thinking about picking one of these up, but im uunable to demo it for myself and dont want to make a bad purchase as im really strapped for cash right now. I mean is it worth the money? Ive tried to do a search on it here, but only got feedback from the Rock "N" Roll dudes. Id like to hear what the hip-hop dudes have to say about it. I already own a Aurora Audio GTQ2, API 512c, Alan Smart,ect, so im wondering if this thing actually sounds like tape, and if it would compliment my gear nicely. Any info would be appreciated. Thx!

5th March 2007	#5
khameln Lives for gear Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 665	True, remember that 'cost' isn't fixed in this case though. I think we have to consider what it's being used for and how much it's being used. Not saying either way is right or wrong, but you can use an emulation box as many times as you want with consistent sound and no loss of quality... If you want to do that with a reel to reel, you will have to buy tape. Good tape is expensive and seems to be becoming more and more scarce. Not to mention, it's harder to be consistent with tape, considering that as you change tapes and calibration etc. the sound will change as well. I still like tape, but lets also be realistic. An 'initial cost vs. initial cost' judgement just isn't applicable in this case, because they are two different things. __________________ http://www.soundclick.com/codexlf http://www.myspace.com/khamelprod

9th March 2007	#13
cramseur Lives for gear Joined: Nov 2005 Location: Cedarhurst, NY USA Posts: 1,144	I'll add to what JuelzB said. The 5042 effect is subtle, but I find it more useful on a whole mix. __________________ :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: "I am the source." - The Real MC Powerman has spoken!

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3rd March 2007	#2
woomanmoomin Lives for gear Joined: Jan 2007 Location: London, England Posts: 1,021	Does it cost more than an actual tape unit...?

5th March 2007	#3
JuelzB Gear nut Joined: Mar 2007 Location: Berlin Posts: 91	I have the 5042 for quite a while now and I love it on the Vox Bus. It gives it that "shine" and crisp sound. If it actually sounds like tape... I dunno cause I have no reference. But in my opinion it makes a lot of stuff sound, more like a record. (like we are used to from hi-end productions). Hope this helps a bit.

5th March 2007	#6
modistylee Gear nut Joined: Jan 2007 Location: Brooklyn Posts: 144	I'd be curious to know if anyone has done a shoot out with this vs. the Fatso. I understand the Fatso offers more compression features but is a bit more $$. I am mostly looking for tape saturation for the 2mix bus.

6th March 2007	#7
RIZ Records Lives for gear Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 845 Thread Starter	JuelzB, thanks for letting me know i appreciate it. Is there anyway i can post a drum loop, and could you process it though the portico, saturate and drive it,ect, and post the results? Basically i want to use it for individual drums while tracking, and mabye some synths,ect. Also on the 2 buss after the C2 Im looking to add saturation, colour, and some added warmth and thickness. Thx!

7th March 2007	#10
Ben-G Gear interested Joined: Aug 2005 Location: Norway Posts: 27	Rupert NEVE Portice 5042 Tape Emulator

8th March 2007	#12
JuelzB Gear nut Joined: Mar 2007 Location: Berlin Posts: 91	Yo RIZ, I uploaded them files into a .rar on my server. You can download them here: www.rekord-records.de/TEST.rar (I´ll keep them up for a couple of days) I made three versions, two with the VU meters hitting the yellow lights and with 15 ips and 7,5 Ips and a third one with lower saturation (lights not hitting the yellow LEDs) at 7,5 IPS . Note that the differences are quite subtle. More drastic changes can be achieved, but I don´t like em. Hope this helps you out. Juelz

9th March 2007	#14
chester Gear addict Joined: Aug 2005 Location: the whole world Posts: 369	thumbsup

10th March 2007	#15
RIZ Records Lives for gear Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 845 Thread Starter	JuelzB, thanks a lot man i really appreciate you putting the loops through the portico for me, that was real cool of you and you saved me some money!. The effects are deifnetly subtle, but it does add a bit of thickness and punch to the sound, it adds a bit more energy. On my budget right now i dont think the effect is enough for me, but mabye when i have some money to spend i'll pick one up. Thanks again man!