Topic: Oade 148 Vs Neve 5012

[Wiggler]

Can anyone describe the sonic differences between these units.
I'm having a hard time picking a favorite between these.
For those which have had both boxes which did you prefer and with what mics?
I like the idea that the 148 is constructed with point to point wiring and I like the neves adjustable gain.

[ingsy]

i hesitate to post, because i really comment much on the sonic differences between each.  i ran the portico 5012 for a few shows, but never the 148.  my purpose in writing is to point out that the 5012 has 2 options in terms of sound, you can have regular or w/ the 'silk' button engaged.  i would imagine that w/ the silk engaged, it sounds very similiar to the 148, and w/out, maybe more transparent.  this is a bonus (IMO) as you could decide to use the silk or not depending on the sound in the venue or band being taped.
although you have adjustable gain on the 5012, i would bet you would probably keep this somewhere around +20 and then change the gain on your AD or recorder - i am not that smart, but it took me a while to figure out that going much higher on the 5012 brickwalled my AD.
anyway, i think the 5012 is a great piece of gear and the better choice, unless you can find a 148 for a good price.  i wish i never sold my 5012.  hope this helps.  cheers, ingsy

[habit]

This is a tough one.

The 148 wins in the size and battery department. If you have a mental picture of the portico, increase the size by half. Sucker is big and heavy. To my ears, the portico is a good deal warmer than the 148, especially when running silk. The bigger question would probably be what mics you're planning to run with the pre.

Running with the JW Mod 460s I prefer the portico to the 148 for the added warmness. Another point and it may just be an issue with my recorder, I don't seem to be able to get enough gain out of the 148 to have my levels peaking at -6 to -3 without cranking the gain on the Busman T-Mod R4. I generally run the portico around +30 (with the +trim knob for tuning) and the R4 gain around 11:00 setting. With the 148 > R4 combo I have to run the gain wide open to get levels to peak close to -12. I'm thinking I could increase the R4s sensitivity by 2bB and trim the gain back some, but have not had a chance to try that yet.

Either way I don't think you can go wrong.  Good luck.

[Wiggler]

Thanks guys.
I'm using muddy schoeps and have heard many tapes with the 148 that I really liked.
I have not listened to many neve tapes with that combo.
What I have heard of Neve recordings I liked alot.

[habit]

Thanks guys.
I'm using muddy schoeps and have heard many tapes with the 148 that I really liked.
I have not listened to many neve tapes with that combo.
What I have heard of Neve recordings I liked alot.

I think the 148 would be the better choice with the schoeps given the extra warmth of the portico. That's my ears though. Dennis Tyler on the board here is pulling super sweet tapes running the schoeps directly into an acm p2.

[Wiggler]

I have a ACM671 now that I am happy with.
I just have the itch to upgrade.

[dennisrtyler]

Thanks guys.
I'm using muddy schoeps and have heard many tapes with the 148 that I really liked.
I have not listened to many neve tapes with that combo.
What I have heard of Neve recordings I liked alot.

I think the 148 would be the better choice with the schoeps given the extra warmth of the portico. That's my ears though. Dennis Tyler on the board here is pulling super sweet tapes running the schoeps directly into an acm p2.

[Kindguy]

Thanks guys.
I'm using muddy schoeps and have heard many tapes with the 148 that I really liked.
I have not listened to many neve tapes with that combo.
What I have heard of Neve recordings I liked alot.

Check out some schoeps >M-248 recordings.

[monochromic]

Thanks guys.
I'm using muddy schoeps and have heard many tapes with the 148 that I really liked.
I have not listened to many neve tapes with that combo.
What I have heard of Neve recordings I liked alot.

I run Schoeps in front of a Portico and love the sound obtained from the rooms I record in around Sydney. I did a Schoeps > V3/Portico comp a little while back.

[F0CKER]

Thanks guys.
I'm using muddy schoeps and have heard many tapes with the 148 that I really liked.
I have not listened to many neve tapes with that combo.
What I have heard of Neve recordings I liked alot.

Check out some schoeps >M-248 recordings.

Personally, I think the 248 is a better match with the schoeps then the 148, others think the 41's specifically sound best with the 148 so it might depend what schoeps you're running.

Also to consider, the 148 is really a tapers best friend in terms of use.  All you do is turn it on and adjust gain off the a->d.  very simple. The rechargeable internal batteries are also a huge plus...and it's built like a tank for field use.  Also it travels well and sets up easily in a gear bag.  To me those were things that made taping with a 148 so much more enjoyable...great sound, but built for field use like ours.

[carlbeck]

I agree the 248 is the best pre for a pair of Schoeps. When I had my MK4's I had a 248 & 148, I preferred the 248 hands down personally. As far as the 480's are concerned, I love the 481>248 & the 483>148 sound, you just gotta have both 

[Evil Taper]

The 148 is more taper friendly by far and has good warm sound.  However, this is a completely subjective question so it's up to you.

Neve the company is not affiliated with Portico in any way, Portico is just Rupert Neve's current company, so it's actually a Portico 5012...that's just how it is.

[Wiggler]

I don't understand what you are saying.
Rupert Neve's company is called Rupert Neve Designs, Inc not Portico.
http://rupertneve.com/company/history/

[Evil Taper]

Rupert Neve's original company was Neve, which still exists, which is completely independent of his current Portico company.  He's Rupert Neve, legendary gear designer, so of course he's going to want his name affiliated with his company (Portico) but Portico is not affiliated with Neve (the original company).  I guess people can care less but it's just misleading to say that you have a Neve pre when in reality it's not a Neve pre, it's a pre designed by Rupert Neve.  Focusrite was also founded by Rupert Neve, but we call those Focusrite pres and not Neve pres (Focusrite is no longer affiliated with Rupert Neve).

My point...actual Neve pres (like the Neve 1073DPA which is a vintage reissue of the 1073 and retails at $3000) are on a different level than the Portico gear and should be solely distinguished as genuine Neve preamps.  I'm not saying the Portico gear isn't really nice, it's just not old school genuine Neve gear.

[Wiggler]

Thanks Evil.
Hope your having a good time making the move into the professional world.
I'm leaning toward the 148.