Tomorrow is the opening day of the AES Convention, and like most manufacturers, Rupert Neve can't wait another day to spill the beans on his new product. The Rupert Neve Designs Portico II Channel is the first in a series of rackmounting modules based on the high-voltage, single-sided op-amps developed for the 5088 mixer, with a new range of dedicated transformers and tonal controls.

According to Neve, the Portico II is a self-powered 2U Channel module comprised of a mic preamp, 4-band EQ, compressor-limiter, "texture" control (we will explain this later), and level metering. Features new to this module but not found in the previous release include Variable Silk / Silk+ Texture control, a fully tunable de-esser, multiple VCA filtering and detection options, a transient-optimized swept HPF, and parallel compression blending.

The Texture section builds upon the soft, shiny features of Silk mode found in the Portico Series of mic preamps. Like Silk mode, Texture mode allows you to adjust the amount of harmonic music content from the source material and change the tone of the original audio. It reduces negative feedback on the output transformer and adjusts the frequency response to more closely resemble Neve's vintage designs. Cool. The knobs better be soft.

The Portico II's compressor section gives you a choice of Forward - Feed (FF) mode or Return - Feed (FB) modes, for either a transparent "modern" response, or a smoother, more musical "vintage" response. Likewise, the unit's other sections provide a means to fine-tune everything from dynamics and side chain to effects and resonance.

As for inputs and such, the Portico II has Microphone, Line, and DI inputs; primary Gain and Trim controls; and 48V Phantom Power switch, Phase Inversion, Signal Present indicator; and a Mute switch; and on the front panel, a ¼-inch Thru jack and Line switch. More information will likely be available when it is officially announced at AES.