Comprised of a rugged, portable chassis with world-class preamp, compressor and DI circuits as well as two channel operation, Vari-phase, Silk and DI/mic blending capabilities, the Portico 5017 is an innovative and powerful tool for recording or live performance.
“...the most versatile and portable piece of gear I have, not to mention it sounds amazing in addition to the practicality.”
— ADRIAN QUESADA / BLACK PUMAS
Two Distinct Channels
The 5017 provides two preamps: one tailored for Mic/Line sources, and the other for Instrument level sources. Each channel has a dedicated line output, allowing for the 5017 to be used in a multitude of ways. From having full control over a vocal mic + an acoustic guitar to capturing a guitar/bass DI and mic’d amplifier simultaneously, the 5017 gives the power to the artist.
Add an optical compressor and our Silk harmonics circuit to the equation and the versatility of the 5017 is undeniable.
The BLEND & VARI-PHASE Controls
Perhaps the most powerful features on the 5017 are the ‘BLEND’ and ‘VARI-PHASE’ controls. These controls work in tandem to dial in the ideal blend of a DI and Mic of the same source. Adjusting the ‘VARI-PHASE’ control once both preamps are set ensure no strange phase cancellation is working against you while blending 2 versions of the same source together.
These controls can also be used to create a quick mix of a vocal and guitar without a mixing console, which is handy in either a live performance or live recording situation. And since the Mic Input also accepts line level sources, these features can be used to ‘re-amp’ sources that have already been recorded with the stellar instrument input. So many possibilities in such a compact box!
TWO CHANNEL OPERATION : With two transformer coupled outputs, the 5017 has separate line outputs for the DI/Blend and Mic signals when the blend control is set to fully DI. The mic output is always independent.
SILK : Pushing the Silk button engages the Silk circuit, which enhances the source’s harmonic content in a manner very reminiscent of many of Rupert’s class-A vintage designs.
MIC GAIN : A 12-way precision rotary switch covering Line (0) and Mic from 0 to 66 dB in 6 dB steps.
INST GAIN : Continuous gain control from 0dB to 30dB.
THRU & INST 1/4” PHONE JACKS : Balanced or unbalanced Hi-Z input for instruments, with a THRU output to send signal to an amplifier.
+48V PHANTOM POWER : Provides 48V phantom power to microphones. Controlled by a switch on the back of the unit.
HIGH PASS FILTER : The high pass filter is a valuable aid in any signal chain, but particularly so in a microphone preamplifier. Signals below 80Hz can be attenuated at a rate of 12db / octave, getting rid of building rumble, motor hum, etc.
POLARITY : Push button inverts the polarity of the mic input signal path. The symbol “Ø” is often used to denote opposite polarity.
VARI-PHASE : When engaged, the VARI-PHASE control rotates the phase incrementally, allowing two signals with the same source to be phase aligned. This control is most apparent when the signals being combined are at roughly equal levels, and is generally used when blending an instrument’s direct signal with its amplified signal, as captured by a microphone.
THE COMPRESSOR : Based around a new LDR (light dependent resister) design, the 5017’s opto-coupler compressor has been simplified to a single threshold control with auto make up gain. By default, the compressor is set to a fixed 2:1 ratio with fixed attack and release. To set the compressor, simply dial the threshold control down until the desired amount of compression is achieved. An LED light indicates when the compressor is active.
INDICATORS : Indicators on the 5017 denote signal presence and clipping on both DI and mic signals, as well as compressor activation.
INTERNAL JUMPERS : Two internal jumpers in the 5017 can be set to change the compressor from the mic channel to the DI / blend channel, and to change the compressor time constant from standard to fast.
SPECIFICATIONS & DOWNLOADS
FREQUENCY RESPONSE
Main Output, no load.
-0.2 dB @ 10 Hz
-3 dB @ 160 kHz
NOISE
Measured at Main Output, unweighted, 22 Hz - 22 kHz. Terminated 150 Ohm.
With gain at unity better than -100 dBu
With gain at 66 dB better than -62 dBu
Equivalent Input Noise better than -128 dBu
NOISE FACTOR
1.5 dB
HIGH PASS FILTER
80 Hz, 12 dB/Octave Bessel
MAXIMUM OUTPUT LEVEL
Maximum output from 20 Hz to 40 kHz is +23 dBu
TOTAL HARMONIC DISTORTION AND NOISE
@ 1 kHz, +20 dBu output: Main Output: Better than 0.001%
@ 20 Hz, +20 dBu output: Main Output: Better than 0.002%
SILK ENGAGED
Better than 0.2% Second harmonic
COMPRESSOR
THRESHOLD
Continuously Variable from -20 dBu to +10 dBu
RATIO
Fixed at 2:1
ATTACK & RELEASE
FAST MODE: Attack 40ms , Release 40ms
SLOW MODE: Attack 100ms , Release 350ms
PHANTOM POWER
+48 Volts DC +/- 1%
POWER REQUIREMENTS
12VDC is optimal voltage, but 9-15VDC is acceptable
CURRENT CONSUMPTION
@ 9VDC Current is 1.3 A typical: Power = 11.7W
@ 12VDC Current is 1.0 A typical: Power = 12.0 watts
@ 15VDC Current is 800 mA typical: Power = 12.0 watts
