545 - Primary Source Enhancer
Delivering the world’s most natural feedback reduction and
adding focus to your primary sources, the 545 is a truly unique tool for
improving your live sound.
Based around the circuitry in the acclaimed Portico 5045 which has benefited countless tours, arenas, houses of worship and
broadcast stages worldwide – the 545 is a mono device for vocal or
instrumental applications, and is compatible with any 500-Series rack.
Exceptionally useful at reducing feedback without negatively impacting
the sonic integrity of the source, the 545 effectively increases the
level of a live microphone signal before feedback occurs by up to 20dB.
With simply laid out, easily adjustable controls, the 545 is an
invaluable addition to any setup where feedback or reverberation are
problematic.
All Analogue Design
The 545 shares some traits with conventional "noise gates", but
operates on a different principle. One common aspect is that both reduce
the gain during the absence of signal – or more specifically, both
begin to attenuate when the level of a signal falls below a certain
user-defined threshold. The 545 senses when someone is speaking or
singing into the mic and allows the signal to pass through, and senses
when the person has stopped talking or singing and reduces the gain
appropriately, reducing the system’s tendency to feed back.
Importantly, the 545 does not utilize filtering or digital processing
to achieve its significant benefits. Built around Rupert Neve Designs’
custom input and output transformers, its all-analog circuitry provides
superb control and sonic performance without compromising the integrity
of the source material. This makes the 545 the most intuitive,
natural-sounding and effective method of feedback reduction available on
the market.
Simple, Intuitive Controls
With a minimal control set, the 545’s ease of use makes it ideal even
for circumstances where a full-time or experienced engineer is not
readily available, and allows for rapid adjustments on-the-fly even
during performances.
Engage
Illuminated push-button that engages the Primary Source Enhancer’s effect.
Active
This LED indicates when the 545 is actively affecting signal – a.k.a.
when the input signal has overcome the enhancement threshold. Since
this LED should generally be illuminated when the desired source is
present (a vocalist singing, for example) it is extremely helpful in
setting up the 545 for use.
Threshold
Sets the dBu level at which the Primary Source Enhancer engages.
Depth
The DEPTH knob controls the maximum amount of effect from the 545 –
or in other words, how much attenuation is applied after the input
signal falls below the set THRESHOLD. By rotating the DEPTH control
clockwise from 0dB towards -20dB, the 545 will attenuate the input
signal more dramatically, letting the user find the perfect balance
between audibility of the Primary Source Enhancement effect and feedback
reduction.
Fast
The FAST control is an illuminated push-button that selects between
two available time constants, tuning the 545’s response by determining
how quickly the attenuation occurs in the quiet sections between words
or phrases. Without this button pressed, the 545 achieves a slower
attack and release that is useful as a starting point for most sources.
Pressing the FAST push-button engages the faster attack and release time
constant, useful on more dynamic sources or passages where faster
transient detection is necessary.
Peak
Illuminated push-button that selects between RMS and Peak detection
modes. When illuminated, the 545 is in PEAK mode – useful for detecting
faster transient peaks, and for creative dynamic envelope shaping. When
not illuminated, the 545 is in RMS mode, which utilizes a slower, more
averaged response characteristic in the sidechain.