The Portico 5016 is a half rack, 1U module that embodies a Microphone Preamplifier and a DI, which can be used separately or together to provide an innovative and powerful approach to the recording of musical instruments.

Both channels of the 5016 are transformer coupled which greatly assists with the avoidance of hum loops and ensures the classic musical sweetness for which Portico modules are well-known and the DI includes a powerful new Phase-Rotate control that allows the Direct Input to be manually phase aligned in relation to the microphone signal!

The 5016 may be racked in the control room or placed out on the studio floor. It includes a full-featured, transformer coupled microphone preamplifier identical to the 5012 with Silk, a swept High Pass Filter from 20-250Hz, 48V Phantom, Phase Reverse and a total of 72 dB of Gain. The independent DI channel provides selectable Instrument or Line level inputs, with up to 35dB of gain for the instrument input.

Direct Input Amplifier
The DI channel accepts either Instrument or Line level signals via a balanced TRS jack on the front faceplate. When Instrument level is selected, the input impedance is 3 Megohms and the gain range is +20dB to +40dB.
When the Line Input is selected the input impedance is 10K, and the gain range is from 10dB to +10dB, better suited for keyboards or instruments with on-board electronics. This input can also be used to monitor playback when comparing phase adjustments.

The use of transformers greatly reduces grounding issues when using unbalanced equipment, however a ground lift switch is available on the front panel if ground loops cannot otherwise be avoided. A thru output is also provided on the front faceplate enabling a buffered and unbalanced unity gain signal to be sent to an external amplifier.

Phase Adjust
Acoustically derived signals from a microphone can never be exactly phase-coherent when combining signals from a stringed instrument pickup or an electronic keyboard. When the loudspeaker of a guitar amplifier is used with a microphone, further phase inconsistencies arise.

It is also commonplace to use both a direct signal and at least one microphone signal to capture the best essence of the instrument in addition to the desired level of ambience.

The 5016 Variable Phase feature allows phase to be rotated over a very wide range. When combined with the Phase Reverse switch on the Microphone channel, very powerful control over musical instrument recording is available.

Microphone Amplifier Section
The microphone input is identical with the Portico 5012. It uses a balanced but not floating, transformer configuration. The microphone is presented with a very high input impedance that is protected with a Toroidal Common Mode Rejection Low Pass Filter to exclude frequencies above 150 kHz. The Microphone preamplifier thus uniquely permits a full +25 dBu input signal to be handled at unity gain without an input pad over the whole audio spectrum. The advantages of both an Electronically Balanced and true transformer input are obtained without the noise trade-off of the usual pad solution.

When the Phantom voltage is switched off, the Microphone input serves as a very high quality line input with an impedance of 10,000 ohms.


DI Gain
DI : +20dB to +40dB
Line: -10dB to +10dB

Vari-Phase
Rotates the phase of the DI channel. This allows a user to combine signals without cancellations or use phase cancellations to create new sounds

Thru
Sends a buffered and unbalanced unity gain signal to be sent to an external amplifier. The Thru signal is not affected by the level or phase control.

Mic Gain
+72dB of extremely quiet gain, with 66dB in 6dB stepped increments and +/-6dB Trim for fine adjustments

Silk
Much could be written about this feature, suffice to say, that it gives a subtle option to enhance sound quality in the direction of vintage modules. The Silk button reduces negative feedback and adjusts the frequency spectrum to provide a very sweet and musical performance. We suggest you try it and make your own judgment.

Phase Inverts
Flips the phase of an incoming source 180 degrees on the Mic Pre channel

Mute
Cuts of the output signal post metering and pre Buss Output. Be sure to mute the outputs before engaging phantom power.

High Pass Filter
The High pass filter is a valuable aid in any signal chain but particularly so in a microphone preamplifier. Signals between 20 and 250 Hz can be attenuated, leaving the range above this unaffected. This gets rid of building rumble, air handling motor hum etc.

Level Meter
-30 dBu to +22 dBu With reference to the output

Phantom Power
Provides 48V phantom power to microphones

Ground Lift
Lifts the connection to ground on the DI channel

Buss Output
The To Buss output is balanced and has a high impedance output. It is intended for use with the Portico mixers and signal processing modules. The Monitor connection is derived pre mute and will produce a signal at the output of the buss modules that is equal in level. The Monitor output cannot be used for any other purpose.