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Rupert Neve Designs

Description

The Rupert Neve Designs Portico 511 500-Series Mic Preamp module provides an unparalleled level of control and sonic versatility for professional studios and home recordists alike. Building on the pristine sound of RND's acclaimed 5017 preamp and combining it with a sweepable high-pass filter and transformer-based "Texture" circuit derived from their flagship Portico II Channel, the 511 offers a wealth of tonal options in a single-space 500-series module.

A Powerful Preamp at the Core

At the heart of the 511 lies a transformer-coupled preamp based on RND's 5017 design that provides up to 66 dB of gain in precise 6 dB increments. With a wide gain range, high headroom and low noise floor, the 511 can handle a variety of microphone and line level signals with ease.

Shape Your Sound with Variable Texture Control

One of the 511's most unique features is its Texture control, which allows you to adjust the amount of musical harmonic content in the signal by reducing negative feedback in the output transformer. At its maximum setting, Texture adds roughly 10 times the harmonic distortion of RND's original Silk circuit, providing a range of tonal options from pristine and clean to warm and saturated.

Tailor the Low End with a Sweepable High-Pass Filter

The 511 incorporates a high-pass filter from RND's 5012 module, allowing you to filter out unwanted low frequencies below the selected cutoff point. With a sweep range of 20 to 250 Hz, the high-pass filter gives you precise control over the low end to tighten up your sound.

A Module for Every Application

Whether you need a transparent preamp for vocals and acoustic instruments or a harmonically rich preamp to drive electric guitars and keyboards, the Rupert Neve Designs Portico 511 has you covered. With a versatile feature set and signature RND sound quality, the 511 is a must-have module for any professional or home studio.

Rupert Neve Designs Portico 511 500-Series Mic Preamp with Texture Control
Rupert Neve Designs Portico 511 500-Series Mic Preamp with Texture Control

Features

  • 12-way precision rotary switch controls gain from 0 to 66 dB in 6 dB steps
  • Continuously variable +/-6 dB level control
  • Silk circuit, reduces negative feedback, adding harmonic content as needed
  • Red Silk accentuates the saturation in the mid and high frequencies
  • Same presence and sweetness found in standard Portico Series modules

Specs

  • Noise: Measured at Main Output, un-weighted, 22Hz-22kHz, source impedance 150 Ohms balanced. Noise performance can vary depending on the 500 series and / or interference from stray magnetic fields.
  • Unity Gain Better than -103dBV
  • With Gain @ +66dB Better than -60dBV
  • Equivalent Input Noise -125dB
  • Frequency Response
  • Main output, no load Main Output +/- 0.1dBu from 10Hz to 31.5kHz -2.6dB @ 120kHz
  • Maximum Output Level +23dBu
  • Total Harmonic Distortion and Noise @ 1kHz, +20dBu output level, no load. Better than 0.0025% @ 20Hz, +20dBu output level, no load. 0.025% Typical (2nd and 3rd harmonic)
  • Total Harmonic Distortion and Noise with SILK engaged TEXTURE @ min
  • @ 100Hz, +20dBu input level, no load 0.015%, mostly 3rd harmonic (typical)
  • TEXTURE @ max
  • @ 100Hz, +20dBu input level, no load 2%, mostly 2rd harmonic (typical)
  • Gain Unity up to +66dB in 6dB steps. Trim continuously adjustable from -6dB to +6dB.
  • Phantom Power Supplied by the 500 series rack power supply. Switch selectable on faceplate.
  • High Pass Filter Continuously variable swept frequency from 20Hz to 250Hz.
  • Slope: 12dB/Octave
  • Power Requirements @ +/-16VDC 100mA

Featured Articles

Reviews

5

4 Reviews

100%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend

Ideal Preamp, Super Versatile, Excellent Value
Filters
Best Uses
  1. Home Studio3
  2. Professional Recording3
  3. Amateur Recording1
Describe Yourself
  1. Experienced3
Pros
  1. Good Audio2
  2. Easy To Use1
  3. Fantastic on guitars, vocals and bass1
  4. Good Power Output1
  5. Ideal first step for your hardware setup1

Reviewed by 4 customers

  • Ideal Preamp, Super Versatile, Excellent Value

    5

    Staff Reviewer

    submitted4 years ago

    byFred

    fromLA area

    Just added a pair of these Rupert Neve 511 preamps to expand my hardware input channels. So far I've used these 511's to track stereo acoustic guitars. Signal chain is a pair of Shure SM81's into the 511's then into a pair of DBX160A's, then into an Apogee Element 88 interface. Overall extremely happy with the 511's. The variable high-pass filter works beautifully to clean up the low-end, The SILK control adds a very musical character to the source. These 511's are FANTASTIC ON VOCALS, plenty of clean gain. Also AMAZING ON BASS. Strongly recommend buying a pair of these preamps as a top-shelf first step to your hardware setup. Then build out your channel strip with an EQ and compressor when your budget allows. Buy these Rupert Neve 511 preamps and you'll be set. Buy the good stuff the first time and you will not regret it.

  • Nice preamp for the price.

    5

    submitted6 years ago

    byeigentone

    fromThe Bay State

    This pre is pro level gear, with good sound and build quality. I also like the feature set. If anything, it has more features than it really needs; Silk and HPF are not features I use daily. I co-owned a recording studio for several years. While the 511 is not the best pre I have ever used (if memory serves), it is my favorite 500 series pre in its price bracket. And that is why I own multiple. They get daily use and I intend to buy a few more down the road. From RND, I own the R10 (500 chassis), some 500 modules, DI, headphone amp and I am quite pleased with the company's offerings. No, it's not cheap gear but if the equipment lasts a long time and sounds great then I will look back without regret that I bought these items. The pre is pretty clean but it is not a clinical/sterile clean. There is some color/iron. Great for all purpose use without too much coloration but some character.

  • I own two and plan on buying more!

    5

    Verified Buyer

    submitted8 years ago

    byJavier

    fromGilbert Arizona

    I'm making the transition from a Safire Pro 40 to the 500 series and the Neve 511 gave my sound more depth. It's subtle but when I go back to the Pro 40, the 511's impact becomes more noticeable. I'm a huge fan of the 75 dB of clean gain. Cheap interfaces hit their noise floor quick and hard. With the Neve 511, that's not an issue. Even with ribbons recording an intimate guitar, it's noise floor sits below the guitar. If you're looking to use ribbons it's a good pre amp but I'd highly recommend the AEA RPQ500. The Neve 511 has a nice thick yet clear sound to it. I use it mostly with dynamic microphones and they become more rich as dynamic microphones are more mid heavy. When I'm tracking drums, the kit comes alive.

  • Yes

    5

    Verified Buyer

    submitted8 years ago

    bySCOTTIE

    fromundisclosed

    This pre amp is outstanding buy this now

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