The Neve Portico Tape-Emulator

[Dr ZEE]

Yep. More lows and rounder highs with the 7.5 mode. The modes have a nice distinction.

huh! cool
Does anybody know how exactly the modes are being implemented in the unit... I mean, since there's no tape - there's no such thing as 'speed' , dohhh .... so how did mr.Neve achieve the 'desired effect'? Maybe there's an article somewhere or a doc./pdf? if anybody find something, pls, drop a note ....
/respects

 

[bleyrad]

I think it said something about changing the distortion characteristics and (gasp) some EQ.

 

[Dr ZEE]

I think it said something about changing the distortion characteristics and (gasp) some EQ.

Yeah.

Now, here are some brain poking thoughts,
Neve's gear are serious professional tools, not toys. Right?
Right. .... sure! we all know that. who would question that? Right?
Right.
okey
Now, top pros who use Nave's gear , of course, know what they are doing. I mean, they must know.... they are top pros. Right?
Right.
And such professional will be sure damn happy with the switch. I mean... this is serious stuff we are talking about. Push the switch and you've got more or less bass (or what have you) ...WOW! It works (sounds, that is) just like with tape, when you switch speed from 7.5 to 15ips! And it does it very accurately. WOW! Cool!

Hey!, Mr. Neve! I have a question for you... a dumb question (as expected from an uneducated non-professional freak, like myself):
How about adding a funky multi-pot/knob to your unit and naming it Pitch/Speed Control. I mean, c'mon, that would really blow some of your users' minds.
Of course, you could name buttons and knobs on your gear as what they really are (by their actual function) .... , but, I understand, then it may look silly...., or may be somewhat confusing for your users... or? or? maybe it will be too revealing!???
Or what? Just don't say, you are trying to cut cost of your gear, by saving on pots and few extra leads..., cos that will not sound like you, Mr. Neve


/respects

 

[Good Friend]

tape sounds

Tape emulation will work wonders for people who dont want to deal with tape machines, and who believe or who have been told that tape sounds better. But for people who really love analog it will be mostly uninteresting and somewhat irritating. Theres nothing worse than dedicating your life to something that someone comes along and makes a cheesy simulator of. But people will get excited over anything new. Anything that they believe will finally push them into the realm of genius. I am more about finding a way to make things more authentic, but some people want simulated authenticity. I just hope for all this crazy nonsense that involves the nitpicking of every strand of possibilities someone is actually making good music.

 

[Seeker of Rock]

I agree with above. A lot of the inner details is nitpicking. Two main areas of digital and analog as I see it:
1) the difference of sound between recording onto a hard disk unit

2) the way you mix and produce your music (in the box with single mouse clicks or hands-on)

The two can be intertwined, but the end question is what YOU think sounds right. All else is lip service. If you like the sound of tape, wouldn't it make sense to buy a tape machine? If you like the convenience of hard disk digital wouldn't it make sense to buy a hard disk recorder? If you like the convenience of one and the sound of another, wouldn't it make sense to intertwine to suit your needs?
But DON't try and pimp a product that claims to capture the essence of something it is not, because in the end, it IS NOT.
Seems so simple in the "meat and potatoes" way of looking at it.

 

[Chris Shaeffer]

I was telling my brother (non-audio guy but very perceptive) about this today. His response?

"Yeah, artificial sweetener never really tastes like sugar, does it?"

 

[Dr ZEE]

may i suggest...

May I suggest an alternative "unit" to Neve's box-of-wonders,
One thing for sure - the tape will be missing
couple it with a cassette deck. then be creative. add couple cheap equalizers) - equalize it "correctly" or incorrectly ... sweetn it your way, that is