Rupert Neve MBC Portico II Master Buss A/D Converter/Limiter

Whether you’re tracking, printing mixes or mastering, the Master Buss Converter is a revelation in quality and functionality of A-D conversion technology. The analog drive circuitry allows the MBC’s converter to be fed by either a class-A transformerless path for maximum transparency, or by custom interstage audio transformers with variable Silk for a wide variety of tonal enhancements. Coupled with an astonishingly musical limiter, the MBC is always the best choice to capture your analog signals with breathtakingly three-dimensional accuracy.

From the ground up, the MBC was designed for reference performance regardless of genre or desired sonic character, and the key to this lies in the quality and adaptability of the analog drive circuitry. No matter what sonic character you’re seeking, the MBC can provide it at the push of a button.

The precision­ controlled internal clock’s minimal jitter and phase noise allow the converters to capture the complete performance of your music with a great degree of accuracy – simply put, the MBC creates an uncanny digital representation of your analog signals.

To connect into your interface or digital console, the MBC is equipped with AES, S/PDIF and TOSLINK outputs capable of simultaneous output to multiple destinations. The word clock output allows the MBC to act as high-end master clock for your entire setup, and the word clock input allows external sync to a separate master clock if desired. To seamlessly integrate the MBC into a multichannel conversion environment, four standard levels from -14dBFS to -20dBFS can be selected to accurately match your other converters.

A pair of 22-segment meters provide extremely precise level metering of the input to the converter stage, utilizing a new design that represents high resolution LED metering. For monitoring of the limiter’s gain reduction, there are 8-segment gain reduction meters designed to display transient reductions with a superb degree of accuracy. The level meters can be further customized with a 1-second or 3-second peak hold option.

Rupert Neve MBC Portico II Features

• Selectable analog drive paths
• Transformer path with silk/texture
• Class A transformer-less path
• Compound active release limiter
• Side chain HPF
• 24-bit/192kHz reference conversion
• Multistand connectivity
• Precision clocking
• Dual path analog design
• Compound Active Release Analog Limiter

• MBC Portico II master buss A/D converter/limiter1

• Frequency Response (Compressor and SFE Bypassed, Unloaded)5 Hz to 100 kHz: +/- 0.5dB typical; 120 kHz: -3dB typical
• Max. Output Level (Compressor and SFE Bypassed, Unloaded)20 Hz to 40 kHz: +25 dBu typical
• THD and Noise
  • 1 kHz, +20 dBu: Less than 0.003% typical
  • 20Hz, +20 dBu: Less than 0.10% typical
  • 20 kHz, +20 dBu output: Less than 0.010% typical
• Compressor
  • Threshold: -30 dBu to +20 dBu
  • Ratio: 1.1:1 to 40:1
  • Blend: 0% to 100% Compressor
  • Gain: 0 dB to +20 dB
  • Attack: 20 mS to 80 mS
  • Release: 100 mS to 3.0 S
• AC Power Consumption85 watts max.
• Fuse5 x 20mm Bussman type GDA 2.5A, Fast Acting, Ceramic
• Dimensions (HxWxD)3.5x19x12"