Craig Ross: Comparing the Portico II and Shelford Channels

Musician, Engineer, and Producer Craig Ross (Spoon, Patty Griffen) gets a first impression of the Shelford Channel and compares it to the Portico II Channel with a vocal and acoustic guitar recording of musician Jaimee Harris (www.jaimeeharris.com). For more information on the Shelford and Portico II Channels, please visit www.rupertneve.com

[@dostacos1]

The Shelford seemed a little more focused and vibey. Great comparison, dude could talk me calmly through my own death.

[@TheDubminer]

props to the musician too. nice clear playing.

[@intheblink]

I dream of one day having the financial means to have a studio full of Neve gear. It’s all so beautiful looking and beautiful sounding. Just really great engineering.

[@darrylweller6143]

Which pre do you like for acoustic guitar?

[@AlexOnAudio]

I have a pair of Portico II channels that I use for tracking and mastering. These things are incredibly versatile and turn everything they touch into sonic goodness.

[@chrischoir3594]

What huge guitar tones were silvetones?

[@mikedennis6979]

I love the clarity and sonority of the Portico on vocals ... Just say'in

[@JamesCurwood]

I'm not familiar with the mic but after listening a bunch of times I feel like I must have both channels. To my ears the Shelford really shines on vocals while the Portico matches the clean but musical string sound I'm often going for. I want to try 47-style mic plus the Portico on a fiddle. I can't wait to try that input transformer and compression on electric bass. Yum!

[@Musical.Maze.1]

Can you get transparent & neutral sound out of the Shelford Channel? Thanks!

[@philipbard2333]

I don’t know if he’ll see this but I enjoyed Craig’s “Dead Spy Report’ album that he made in the 90”s. Going to dig out my copy to listen to the track “Better”.

[@JB-bs7vn]

what microphone is that? Thanks in adavance.

[@shane2973]

Wow! great little snipet of the song, really nice. I thought the shelford was almost angelic sounding on the acoustic guitar. The notes just sing with this beautiful shimmer to them, can hear it on the higher notes. The Portico didn't have that, but seemed to be less bottomish on her voice which I thought brought it forward a bit more. I think he nailed it with both of these units you can do anything, I would LOVE each, but almost $7,000 is something I will never be able to do for an acoustic and vocal which makes me sad because these sound amazing to me

[@SevenSinsChoppers]

Both sound amazing. The Shelford seems thick with additives. The Portico seems more transparent and true sounding. Really a matter of preference but I liked the Portico on her song here.

[@InnerReach]

Lovely 😊

[@magnusorsigmundsson2655]

I have two porticos absolute magic on everything best buy ever for my recordings

[@alexanderstuartpetty485]

I greatly prefer the portico II. Just, wow.

[@JulianFernandez]

she´s great!

[@CHILE_TZ]

what is replacement for Portico II channel? I dont see any high voltage transpatent preamp.

[@ModulerDrone]

The Shelford is much smoother while having the same overall character. Interesting

[@humusiclab8974]

Clarity vs body. Body wins! Shelford in this case is killing.