Hey All,

I'm about to start mixing an LP I engineered/produced, and my studio just got a new piece of gear: the Neve Portico ii MBP. I've auditioned it a bit here and there just to get the general sense of what it can do, and so far I'm impressed. Here's my workflow/my question:

When I mix I run a hybrid setup (probably 70% plugs/30% outboard). For the outboard on individual tracks, I mainly use compressors (most of my EQ is done with plugins for more accurate frequency adjustments) -- although for something super surgical I tend to turn to my EL Labs Lil FrEQ pair. Anyway, I tend to cycle between 3 different compressors for individual tracks: the Daking FET III for a more natural, open feeling, an 1176 stereo pair for aggression and drive, and an SSL XLogic Bus Compressor for fatness and a thick low end. Depends on the track what I actually end up using, obviously. However, I often use all 3 on the mix bus. Sometimes together, sometimes one or two, but usually as a chain: Daking -> 1176 pair -> SSL. I just finished a track using all 3 where each one had about -0.5 to -1.0dB of compression. Sounded great. Now, as most engineers do, I mix into those compressors from the get-go rather than slapping them on at the end. With the Neve, do you guys feel I should use the same approach? For some reason my gut is telling me to stick to my typical mix structure and then apply the MBP at the end (minus the limiter, since I'm not mastering the tracks). I don't know why my instinct after auditioning the MBP is to use it as a "finesse" tool. The LP I'm working on now is mostly indie-folk/indie-rock, so it needs to feel open and airy, not tight and aggressive. Honestly, I feel like most of the compression on the MBP will be very slight, with more focus given to the texture, silk, FB/FF settings, and most of all, the SFE settings. The question is: does anyone have experience using the MBP as a mixing tool rather than a mastering tool -- and do you feel like utilizing the MBP is best from the start of the mix, or have you had better results getting your mix where you like it, and then, for lack of a better term, "polishing it up" with the MBP to finish the mix?

Very curious to hear what ya'll have to say!

In the way you're doing things, don't be scared to just throw the MBP on the mix alone and compress it. The beauty of the MBP is that is so transparent with the compression. You can really crunch it down with compression and get little to no artifacts. I personally like to bring it in at the end and then work the settings to get that sound/result I'm looking for. For sure just experiment with it and you'll find is one of the best all-around mastering compressor on the market, IMO.

[QUOTE=TheDawg;12729597]In the way you're doing things, don't be scared to just throw the MBP on the mix alone and compress it. The beauty of the MBP is that is so transparent with the compression. You can really crunch it down with compression and get little to no artifacts. I personally like to bring it in at the end and then work the settings to get that sound/result I'm looking for. For sure just experiment with it and you'll find is one of the best all-around mastering compressor on the market

I mix and then bring it on the mix buss toward the end as well. Basically when I feel the mix is essentially done. It almost always adds something special without being too intrusive or changing the mix significantly. I find myself adding a little red silk to most things (I mostly deal with aggressive Rock). Always seems to add a touch of magic to the mix.

agreed

I have the mbp for couple days now although it's great and very transparent but I'm kinda underwhelm with it, coz for 4grand I wouldnt expect it just to add final touch to a mix, and that's kinda what I'm feeling with it so far...since I own a silverbullet which already have that neve flavor, I decided to get an sb4001 to pair with silver bullet, then I'll shoot that chain against the mbp on 2buss, I'll report back...

I got the MBP for the review I've seen every one is raving about it, but that's not really the case with me here or I'm doing something wrong, don't get me wrong it's an awesome peace of gear to have but I'm trying to justify the cost of it.
If I'll like what sb4001 plus silver bullet on my 2buss better I'll return the mbp for sure.

It is a great, pretty versatile box, but no magic box (there is none). I have it and use it on 50% of projects. There are also cases where it doesn't work, but it is obe of those boxes that works more often than other. But due to its many features (RME/Peak compression, FF/FB, blend and limiter mode it requires some learning period to get the most out of it. It is not just "plug and go on" type of units.

It's still one the best pieces of outboard I own, hands down. It does take some time to get familiar with, but for me it's certainly a "magic box"!

Fair assessment. If your looking for a major sonic footprint I wouldn't reach for it. I would say that adding the final touch to a mix though is exactly what it does. In fact it's biggest strength is that you can push the hell out of it from a compression or gain standpoint and it won't destroy the mix. I would also argue that if you start getting heavy on the silk knob it can really color your sound too. Very Very versatile once you dive in deeper.

Sorry, can't buy the above from beckmule. I think that he needs more time with the MBP in order to discover its special qualities. How about when one sets the unit to fatten your program material like no other? How about when you choose to massively limit the program without hearing the limiting taking place?

What about when you widen the program material and open a new window vista onto your stereo picture?

What about when you instantiate the sound to a vintage Neve compressor by tweaking the RED / BLUE settings?

Going Thick with Girth, shaving "over-ing" peaks without losing treble, compressing lightly so that program is glued, compressing heavy and big time without artifacts.

All these are possible and I don't see poster's report on any of that.

Good news for beckmule, he's only had it a couple of days. There is much to discover that he will like, my prediction. Thanks for everyone else's contributions, great ideas.

Agreed here. You just got it bro...take some time and really try different things. Feel like you're rushing it and may regret later.

I was trying mixing with it on my 2bus, but it seems like you guys bring it later,
Any more tips? Kinda feel terrible that I'm that guy that's not really digging this unit like the rest of you.
Also I still need more time with it for sure, lots of options with it kinda overwhelming really

Have you tried using it on the SB's inserts?

Not on its insert, I had the mbp after the silver bullet, it was just for a quick run to see what the mbp is all about, with some common setting first(2:1 ratio slowest attack,fastest release)
Couldn't hear the compression with 6 to 8 db of GR.(that was my first impression) I haven't try the depth and width and everything else on it,
but I'm planning on having a proper test this weekend

Don't feel pressured to like it bc others do...if you don't, you don't. You can certainly mix with it on the mixbus. I'd shoot for 4:1, slow attack, med fast release and set levels so that you're getting around 2-3db reduction during loudest parts. Toy around with FB/FF and Peak/RMS to see which settings give you the results you want. Don't forget to try the SFE stuff...I love the widening knob! Remember that its very transparent compression so regardless of the gain reduction you won't hear it coloring the material. You should be hearing things be pushed together for a more "glued" sound. Use the Silk for color.

[QUOTE=TheDawg;12735255]Don't feel pressured to like it bc others do...if you don't, you don't.

I have to say this the best comment ever.
Much respect to you sir.

It's time to report back,
First, what I didn't know at first was how long the attack was until couple days later, but every thing changed after that.
Neve mbp for the ****in win, I would sell everything and keep this one and my silver bullet. holly crap, for the first time I feel my mix sound as I have it in my head, the smoothness, punch, detail, glue...
My mix sound louder than ever before(****in good old Rupert neve never dispoint)

The sb4001 that I bought along with the mbp didn't even compete on 2buss duty, what was I thinking, now I don't know if I should return it or try to find a use of it, its nice on drums buss but abit too clean.

I'm glad you got it going on. It took me a while before I got used it. The true test is the bypass button. The MBP just brings the mix up so nicely.

Not surprised that it took more than an initial audition to get attuned to what the MBP offers. It packs in a lot more than 'meets the eye'.

Good to hear that you found settings that reveal it's merits!

Glad you are finding it useful! It's the last piece of outboard I would ever part with for mixing.

There you go man...told you. Playing around with it was key. I've said this over and over but it's arguable the best all-around mastering compressor on the market. Enjoy it...

if you have time to report back, i'm curious about impressions between MBP and SB, especially for imparting that silky smooth neve color.

otherwise, generally i try to go very easy on master bus, 2-3db max of compression, slight EQ for lows and highs, and slight drive, so my main interest is about how the tone compares between the two boxes.

I don’t hear enough owners talk about the SFE to Comp setting, which for me, I will credit as having been the difference between sounding like an upper tier quality home studio mix and that of sounding like it has the depth and natural energy of something mixed on a real console in a professional studio. Being able to separately control mid-side dynamics has been a godsend for me, probably because i’ve only been doing this for a few years and still lack the experience to have made better decisions earlier on; so I can’t vouch for this being useful to everyone.

Another thing I recommend trying if you haven’t is to try mixing into the MBP, rather than just slapping it on at the end. Although not everyone would agree, it’s my understanding that i’m not the only one who can’t seem to get most pieces to work that way. I have to mix into everything, and I don’t recall ever being able to use a mix bus piece in any other way. I would start with really subtle settings and mess around with the controls more as I go along. I just try to get a feel for it and using what I know about the features of the gear, and what i’m trying to accomplish for the project to determine where I take it from there.

This box has a lot going on; I was somewhat prepared and had a good idea what to expect from owning a Portico II Channel and my pre-purchase research. I also have an api 2500, Drawmer 1973, EL8-X, UA 1176LN, and SSL G Comp for hardware compressors, and I have to say the MBP is my most prized piece out of those.

I don’t really look at the MBP as being anything of a character piece, despite what you can achieve with Silk and Silk+. I have other things for that. I love it at the end of my chain for it’s control, more than anything. Of course, I try to get things right earlier, but I like that i’m able to mix in confidence knowing the MBP is there.

But as always, YMMV.

I have had it for a couple years now and I pretty much only use it on the 2 bus, however, I use it almost always. It took me a while to understand the capabilities and characteristics of this box and I am sure there is much I have yet to uncover/learn. With that said, I feel it always has something to add to the mix because it does so much in one box. My go to chain is: RND 5059 (summing&silk) --->RND MBP---->Chandler Limited Curve Bender (can't make it sound bad...ever)----->BURL B2 (recently switch from UA2192 and I love it)---->back into the box. Enjoy your MBP. I don't think I have ever heard of someone who has spent a reasonable amount of time working with it who has not fallen in love with it.

@ IamJohnGalt I've got the 5059, the MBP and I've got my eye on the Curve Bender next... seems like the power trio!

Talking about Neve MBP, I wish Mr. Rupert Neve all the best for his Birthday!!!

Ive had my MBP for about a yr now, great piece of gear just not my vibe.
I bought it for my 2bus but only had real success with mono sources by manipulating the sfe Width/Depth.

Just ordered the bettermaker limiter, selling the mbp

Yep. Now 91, still going strong. The man is an inspiration!

Oh I just got the Curve Bender about 2 wks ago....whether I go into my MBP or shadow hills Master Comp, it's sounds like the lights of heaven descend upon you and angels begin singing. Lol

Seriously, it's a fantastic EQ.

Had opportunity to test one at AES.

It blew my mind... once I got my settings right. The things it did to the mix were unreal. Can't wait to grab one!