Portico vs Distressor

In Tune Audio · 1st February 2007, 03:31 PM

So I really need a new higher end out board compressor. Right now it's between the Portico 5043 and the Distressor.

I know the Portico is two channels but I've always been fascinated by the distressor.

Heard the distressor quite a bit, but haven't heard the Portico. It would mainly be (but not exclusively) for vocals of all styles.

Any thoughts on these two units or educated opinions on which you would choose would be appreciated. Also, any other units that I'm missing in and around the same price range would be appreciated.

PhilE · 1st February 2007, 04:48 PM

I dont know the Portico... BUT

I think it is worth getting a Distressor- they are a modern classic and hugely versatile.
Do you have and 1176? If not thats one for the pot but the distressor should still probablly come first for versatility and its ability to do things nothing else does.

Does anyone know about the Araura (GeofT) comp- wasnt there a new thing coming from that camp that peopl were getting excited about?

anyway- its not really what you asked but still worth saying

A440 · 1st February 2007, 06:07 PM

Don't know about the distressor but the portico sounds great on vocals (and bass guitar too)...and it's a truly sublime buss compressor. It's just really musical.

Wiggum, Ralph · 1st February 2007, 06:19 PM

Not trying to hijack this thread, but I'm currently also interested in purchasing one of these units. It seems the distressor strengths and weaknesses are well documented, but only a few have thus commented on the 5043. I've read all the nice things a 5043 can do on a buss while in feedback, but Im interested in what users say about it's in feedforward mode. How would users rate it as a tracking compressor.

And as In Tune Audio stated, if there are any other good compressors in the same price range, I would like to know also

A440 · 2nd February 2007, 09:34 PM

All I can say is that I really love the Portico as a tracking compressor...sweet and musical, without being too overbearing. Tend to use it in feedback mode, however tried it the other day on a vocal in feedforward mode with very pleasing results..

Its a tough decision I know as there's a quite a few excellent options at this price level : e.g.

Distressor, Purple MC77, Buzz SOC, Drawmer 1968 ME, Portico 5043

The reason I went for the Portico was that I needed a buss compressor too..and thought that if if it didnt work out for tracking I'd get the Purple too...I don't feel the need to get the Purple now. Portico is just great for me.

Tell a lie...maybe I will get the Purple one day too (after all, you can never have to many compressors!)..

Oldone · 3rd February 2007, 04:03 AM

I agree completely with the above. The Portico does double duty as a tracking and buss compressor. It's round and lovely for tracking but not aggressive like the Distressor. If you're doing cleaner types of music then Portico. Agressive music will benefit with the Distressor for tracking and mixing but as stated above, not on the main buss very often.

pigpen · 3rd February 2007, 06:25 AM

portico any day of the week....the proverbial twice on Sunday

JonCraig · 3rd February 2007, 06:56 AM

they're completely different animals. if you're looking for great tone & flexibility, as well as fidelity, go with the portico. if you want a distortion stompbox, go with the distressor.

seriously, though... they're drastically different boxes, you should try out both and see what you like.

--jon

In Tune Audio · 4th February 2007, 10:21 PM

pigpen · 4th February 2007, 10:35 PM

OK, so buy the Portico, if you don't think it rules....I'll give you a Distressor for it straight up!!!!

Seriously, The Protico is super cool and so is the Distressor. For what you said you wanted to use the compressor for, I just think the Portico fits the mold better and as you have stated, is 2 channels.

I will personally buy another Portico before another Distressor FWIW...and then another Distressor....

In Tune Audio · 5th February 2007, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pigpen

OK, so buy the Portico, if you don't think it rules....I'll give you a Distressor for it straight up!!!!

Seriously, The Protico is super cool and so is the Distressor. For what you said you wanted to use the compressor for, I just think the Portico fits the mold better and as you have stated, is 2 channels.

I will personally buy another Portico before another Distressor FWIW...and then another Distressor....

Hey pigpen! I might take you up on that deal HAHA

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1st February 2007, 03:31 PM	#1
In Tune Audio Gear interested Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 28	Portico vs Distressor So I really need a new higher end out board compressor. Right now it's between the Portico 5043 and the Distressor. I know the Portico is two channels but I've always been fascinated by the distressor. Heard the distressor quite a bit, but haven't heard the Portico. It would mainly be (but not exclusively) for vocals of all styles. Any thoughts on these two units or educated opinions on which you would choose would be appreciated. Also, any other units that I'm missing in and around the same price range would be appreciated.

3rd February 2007, 06:25 AM	#7
pigpen Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Athens, GA- US Posts: 2,227	portico any day of the week....the proverbial twice on Sunday __________________ Me- "You know he's not playing in key right?" Unnamed Producer A- "Really?....Uh, Does that matter?" Me- sigh...."In all other cases, Yes, in this one...I guess not so much." http://pigpenstudios.net http://www.myspace.com/pigpenstudios

3rd February 2007, 06:56 AM	#8
JonCraig Lives for gear Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 1,801	they're completely different animals. if you're looking for great tone & flexibility, as well as fidelity, go with the portico. if you want a distortion stompbox, go with the distressor. seriously, though... they're drastically different boxes, you should try out both and see what you like. --jon __________________ "my job is to make music sound great and to not whine too much." --george massenburg Learn PT Techniques from Multi-Platinum Engineers. Click Me. Pro Tools "Tip of the Day" Widget. Click Me.

4th February 2007, 10:21 PM	#9
In Tune Audio Gear interested Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 28	bump

1st February 2007, 04:48 PM	#2
PhilE Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: UK Posts: 1,213	I dont know the Portico... BUT I think it is worth getting a Distressor- they are a modern classic and hugely versatile. Do you have and 1176? If not thats one for the pot but the distressor should still probablly come first for versatility and its ability to do things nothing else does. Does anyone know about the Araura (GeofT) comp- wasnt there a new thing coming from that camp that peopl were getting excited about? anyway- its not really what you asked but still worth saying

1st February 2007, 06:07 PM	#3
A440 Gear addict Join Date: May 2006 Location: London Posts: 471	Don't know about the distressor but the portico sounds great on vocals (and bass guitar too)...and it's a truly sublime buss compressor. It's just really musical.

1st February 2007, 06:19 PM	#4
Wiggum, Ralph Gear maniac Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: South Florida Posts: 210	Not trying to hijack this thread, but I'm currently also interested in purchasing one of these units. It seems the distressor strengths and weaknesses are well documented, but only a few have thus commented on the 5043. I've read all the nice things a 5043 can do on a buss while in feedback, but Im interested in what users say about it's in feedforward mode. How would users rate it as a tracking compressor. And as In Tune Audio stated, if there are any other good compressors in the same price range, I would like to know also

2nd February 2007, 09:34 PM	#5
A440 Gear addict Join Date: May 2006 Location: London Posts: 471	All I can say is that I really love the Portico as a tracking compressor...sweet and musical, without being too overbearing. Tend to use it in feedback mode, however tried it the other day on a vocal in feedforward mode with very pleasing results.. Its a tough decision I know as there's a quite a few excellent options at this price level : e.g. Distressor, Purple MC77, Buzz SOC, Drawmer 1968 ME, Portico 5043 The reason I went for the Portico was that I needed a buss compressor too..and thought that if if it didnt work out for tracking I'd get the Purple too...I don't feel the need to get the Purple now. Portico is just great for me. Tell a lie...maybe I will get the Purple one day too (after all, you can never have to many compressors!)..

3rd February 2007, 04:03 AM	#6
Oldone Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mission Viejo, CA Posts: 696	I agree completely with the above. The Portico does double duty as a tracking and buss compressor. It's round and lovely for tracking but not aggressive like the Distressor. If you're doing cleaner types of music then Portico. Agressive music will benefit with the Distressor for tracking and mixing but as stated above, not on the main buss very often.

4th February 2007, 10:35 PM	#10
pigpen Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Athens, GA- US Posts: 2,227	OK, so buy the Portico, if you don't think it rules....I'll give you a Distressor for it straight up!!!! Seriously, The Protico is super cool and so is the Distressor. For what you said you wanted to use the compressor for, I just think the Portico fits the mold better and as you have stated, is 2 channels. I will personally buy another Portico before another Distressor FWIW...and then another Distressor.... __________________ Me- "You know he's not playing in key right?" Unnamed Producer A- "Really?....Uh, Does that matter?" Me- sigh...."In all other cases, Yes, in this one...I guess not so much." http://pigpenstudios.net http://www.myspace.com/pigpenstudios

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