The ultimate "color box". As a 500-series follow-up to the Portico 5042, the 542 delivers the same thick, musical simulation of tape while drastically enhancing creative control via a number of new features.
In addition to the "true tape" circuitry – great for bringing out 3rd-order harmonics – the 542 incorporates a soft-clip circuit that tames the harshest sources and enhances 2nd-order harmonics, a variable and versatile Silk/Texture circuit for three transformer tones in one, and a wet/dry control to blend in the perfect amount of saturation.
Unlike digital emulations, the “True Tape” drive circuit works by feeding a custom-designed transformer acting as a “record head”, which in turn is coupled to a correctly equalized replay amplifier. As the voltage rises on the “record head”, saturation increases, and a soft clip circuit engages at higher levels to round off peak transients.
The sound of the tape circuit can be further modified with selectable 15 / 30 IPS modes and a pre/post-tape blend control. In addition to the tape circuit, the 542 also has the variable Silk & Texture circuitry found in the Portico II series of modules, which allows the engineer to fine-tune the harmonic ratio and tonality on the output transformer.
SPECIFICATIONS:
TAPE EFFECT DISENGAGED:
TOTAL HARMONIC DISTORTION AND NOISE (NO SILK)
@ 1 kHz, +20 dBu output level: Better than 0.0025%
@ 20 Hz, +20 dBu output level: 0.07% Typical (2nd and 3rd order harmonics)
NOISE
Measured at Main Output, un-weighted, 20 Hz - 22 kHz, Input Terminated 40 Ohm. Noise specifications may vary depending on which 500 series chassis is being used, and / or interference from stray magnetic fields.
Unity Gain: Better than -100 dBV
FREQUENCY RESPONSE (Main Output, no load)
5 Hz to 60 kHz: +/- 0.25 dB
120 kHz: -2 dB
TAPE EFFECT ENGAGED:
TOTAL HARMONIC DISTORTION AND NOISE (NO SILK)
15 IPS, Input @ 0 dB, Saturation @ MIN:
0.4% @ 3kHz typical
1% @ 175 Hz typical
15 IPS, Input @ 0 dB, Saturation @ MAX:
1% @ 6kHz typical
0.3% @ 1 kHz to 3% @ 50 Hz typical
30 IPS, Input @ 0 dB, Saturation @ MIN:
1 % @ 1 kHz typical
0.6% @ 400 Hz to 5% @ 20 Hz typical
30 IPS, Input @ 0 dB, Saturation @ MAX:
1.5% @ 20 kHz to 0.4% @ 1 kHz typical
2% @ 50 Hz typical
FREQUENCY RESPONSE
15 IPS, Input @ 0 dB, Saturation @ MIN:
-3 dBu @ 28 kHz
0 dBu @ 10 Hz
+5 dBu Peak @ 60 Hz
15 IPS, Input @ 0 dB, Saturation @ MAX:
-3 dBu @ 20 kHz
-3 dBu @ 12.5 Hz
+2.4 dBu Peak @ 60 Hz
30 IPS, Input @ 0 dB, Saturation @ MIN:
-3 dBu @ 120 kHz
-3 dBu @ 10 Hz
+3.15 dBu Peak @ 125 Hz
30 IPS, Input @ 0 dB, Saturation @ MAX:
-3 dBu @ 100 kHz
-3 dBu @ 12.5 Hz
+1.3 dBu Peak @ 110 Hz
NOISE (Measured at main output, un-weighted, 20 Hz - 22 kHz, 40 ohm balanced source)
Saturation @ MIN: Better than -100 dBu
Saturation @ MAX: Better than -100 dBu
Power Consumption (+/- 16 VDC): 110-125 mA
Shipping Dimensions: 7.75“ (19.7 cm) x 10” (25.4 cm) x 3” (7.62 cm)
Shipping Weight: 3 lbs, 1.4 kg