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Rupert Neve Designs has a long legacy of industry-leading analog consoles and outboard gear, but now the storied brand is breaking into the software game. In this blog, we’ll explore the three new Rupert Neve Designs plug-ins, including the Portico II Master Buss Processor plug-in, 551 Inductor EQ plug-in, and 542 Tape Emulator plug-in.
Rupert Neve Designs Portico II Master Buss Processor Plug-In
Like all of the new Rupert Neve Designs plug-ins, the Portico II Master Buss Processor plug-in is based on the brand’s legendary analog outboard gear, with this one modeling the Portico II Master Buss Processor.
Just like the original, this thing is way more than a traditional two-channel compressor/limiter. Both channels offer multiple compression styles, making it easy to dial in the perfect sound for any track. Choose from gentle RMS or snappy Peak compression styles, classic Feed-Back or modern Feed-Forward-style compression.
The Portico II Master Buss Processor plug-in also features RND’s signature Silk Red and Silk Blue circuits, plus a dedicated texture control for adding just the right amount of weight, air, and harmonic saturation to any track. In addition to the compressor/limiter sections, the SFE section offers simple controls for controlling the width and depth of your mixes.
While all of the new Rupert Neve Designs plug-ins are faithful recreations of the original hardware, they also introduce some new features. In the case of the Portico II Master Buss Processor plug-in, that includes true M/S processing and a variable HPF for the side chain, giving you even more flexibility than the original.
Rupert Neve Designs 551 Inductor EQ Plug-In
Up next, we have the 551 Inductor EQ plug-in, based on the classic 551 500 Series Inductor EQ. Originally developed for the Shelford Channel and inspired by Rupert Neve’s most prized vintage designs, the 551 meticulously models the custom-wound inductors, transformers, and
Class A gain blocks of the original hardware design.
The low-band is based on a vintage 1064 and delivers a creamy bass response; the mid-range band is inspired by the legendary 1073 and offers a punchy, up-front sound; and the high-frequency band is modeled after the hybrid vintage / modern design of the hardware, blending inductor circuitry with capacitor-based topologies for vintage tones with modern flexibility.
Plus, there’s a dedicated high-pass filter with a 12dB/octave curve and a fixed 80 Hz frequency for further sculpting your low-end. Like the Master Buss Processor plug-in, the 551 Inductor EQ plug-in introduces a couple of new features, including true M/S processing and dedicated input/output metering.
Rupert Neve Designs 542 Tape Emulator Plug-In
Last, but certainly not least, the 542 Tape Emulator plug-in is a recreation of RND’s best-selling 542 500 Series Tape Emulator, which combines the classic sound of analog tape with the brand’s Silk Red and Blue harmonic saturation circuits.
Select either 15 or 30 IPS modes and dial in just the right amount of vintage vibe using dedicated Saturation and Blend controls. Then choose between Silk Red and Blue circuits and crank the Texture knob for a rich, saturated sound, or disengage Silk entirely for a hi-fi tape effect
Like the others, the 542 Tape Emulator plug-in introduces new M/S processing and input/output metering features.
System Requirements
The new Rupert Neve Designs plug-ins are compatible with all of today’s top DAWs, including Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Cubase, Nuendo, FL Studio, Ableton Live, LUNA, Reaper, Sonar, Studio One, and more. Best of all, they are supported on both Mac and PC, and can be activated via your favorite iLok authorization method.
Additional Reading
Want to learn more about Rupert Neve Designs analog outboard gear, like the Portico II Master Buss Processor, 551 500 Series Inductor EQ, and 542 500 Series Tape Emulator? Check out these blogs:
- Hear The Gear: Rupert Neve Master Buss Processor
- Hear The Gear: Rupert Neve Designs Portico 542 500 Series Tape Emulator
- Buyer's Guide: Rupert Neve Designs Master Buss Family
- Building A Mix Rig On A Budget With Rupert Neve Designs Gear
- Heba Kadry Talks Rupert Neve Designs MBP
- Buyer's Guide: Rupert Neve Designs
- The History of Rupert Neve Designs
