Watermark Communications Adds Rupert Neve Designs Portico 5012 PreAmps

The 12 dual-channel units were chosen for their ability to add analog character to the recording and mix paths in the truck, which boasts a hybrid signal path that combines an analog mixing console with digital converters and recording media.

The newest eight channels of 5012 mic preamps — the first product designed by Mr. Rupert Neve in the Portico range of half-space modules, which were launched in April 2005 – were added to the existing 16 channels in the truck in time to be used to record the musical guests at The Passion Conference 2006 with engineer Shane Wilson. “The Portico preamps generally get assigned to band inputs like guitars, drums, and primary vocal tracks,” explains David Habegger, founder and president, Watermark Communications.

The number of Portico 5012 modules was increased to 24 channels partly as a result of the favorable response the initial installation elicited from guest recording engineers, according to Habegger. “We’ve worked with a number of producers and engineers over the last six months. Everybody has been very happy with the units and the sound of them.”

Nationally acclaimed CCM artists such as Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman, Charlie Hall, Dave Crowder*Band and Kristian Stanfill were recorded at Passion “06 by Watermark for a CD release entitled *Passion: Everything Glorious,* available through EMI CMG (Christian Music Group) on April 4. A DVD of the event will reportedly be available in the summer. The contemporary Christian event brought 18,000 people together at the Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville for four days.

“We recently recorded a gospel concert at St. Agnes Baptist Church in Houston,” says Habegger. “The concert, which was produced by the Zomba Gospel label, featured Fred Hammond, Byron Cage, Hezekiah Walker and William Murphy. That concert was tracked for an upcoming DVD release.” Other recent projects include Kelly Price, Chris Tomlin’s *Live from Austin Music Hall* and The McClurkin Project.

The state-of-the-art Watermark mobile recording facility features a spacious control room, acoustically designed isolation room and climate control system and provides a comprehensive and effective solution for multitrack audio, professional broadcast, or web-cast production needs. The vehicle is outfitted with a fully automated, 80-input analogue Amek console and dual 72-track IZ RADAR hard disk recorder setups, as well as a large Nuendo DAW system, plus a substantial quantity of outboard analog mic preamps.

Watermark specializes in complete music production on location and audio for video, with a diverse credit list of pop, gospel and Contemporary Christian artists that includes NASCAR, John Tesh, LeAnn Rimes, Israel Houghton, and Kelly Price. For more information please visit www.watermarkinc.net.

Owned by Rupert and Evelyn Neve, Rupert Neve Designs, Inc. was founded on passion, experience and a desire to build products embodying the highest musical quality. In continuing his legacy as a pioneer in audio circuit design, Mr. Rupert Neve is currently focusing his talents on creating innovative analog solutions to the issues facing the modern recording engineer.

Portico is a trademark of Rupert Neve Designs, Inc.
All other trademarks remain the property of their respective owners.
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Rupert Neve Designs
PO Box 1969
Wimberley, TX 78676
Tel: (512) 847-3013
Fax: (512) 847-8869