Portico II: Master Buss Processor is a stereo bus compression and limiting plug-in from Rupert Neve Designs, modeled on its 2011 hardware unit. It is available in VST3, AU and AAX formats for Windows and macOS.
Portico II: Master Buss Processor is a 2-channel dynamics plug-in built for the stereo bus. Rupert Neve Designs based it on its 2011 hardware unit and added features such as true M/S processing and a variable high-pass filter in the side chain. The developer says it has been used by mix engineers, tracking engineers and live sound engineers, and that it suits material ranging from bass-heavy EDM to chamber ensemble masters. It was originally designed for mastering but is also aimed at mixes, stems and individual tracks.
The compressor offers RMS or Peak detection and Feed-Forward or Feed-Back topologies, with advanced side-chain controls. You can run it in Dual Mono, Stereo or M/S mode, which lets you treat the center and sides of a mix separately.
The SFE section gives detailed control over the stereo field. Because the same processing is available in M/S mode, the plug-in can be used for tasks such as tightening low end while widening the top of a mix.
The Silk Red and Silk Blue circuits, combined with the Texture control, add harmonic content to a signal. Each circuit is described as a different flavor of coloration, so you can choose the character that suits the material.
The developer positions these circuits as a way to add warmth and presence to full mixes, stems or single tracks, not only to finished masters.
Formats, systems and requirements as listed by Plugin Boutique. Missing details are left out, not guessed.
| Developer | Rupert Neve Designs |
|---|---|
| Type | Plugin |
| Category | Mastering |
| Formats | VST3, AU, AAX |
| Operating systems | Windows, macOS |
| Free trial | Yes |
Portico II is available in VST3, AU and AAX formats. It runs on Windows 10 and 11 and on macOS from 10.13 High Sierra through 26.x Tahoe. macOS 10.12 Sierra may work but is not officially supported.
You need an iLok2 or iLok3 USB Smart Key, or an iLok License Manager account with an iLok Cloud session for authorization. Each plug-in includes two activations per authorization. A free iLok License Manager account is required to use the plug-in.
The plug-in is compatible with Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Cubase, Nuendo, FL Studio, Ableton Live, LUNA, Reaper, Sonar, Studio One and other DAWs that support AAX, AU or VST3. It runs natively on Intel and Apple silicon processors.
Yes, a trial is available for Portico II.
FREE TRIAL
FREE TRIAL
FREE TRIAL