From very light compression, to over-the-top compression that still sounds very natural (if you want that) in order to control the most unruley of singers! The blue and red button options also turn it into three different preamps, distortion wise. I have never used this Portico II Channel strip for live audio, but besides being a world-class studio channel strip, it would absolutely kill in the live world, on lead vocal or an announcer or on any solo instrument.
I also play sax, flute and violin, and simply love the rich, controlled woodwind and string sound you can get through this piece. The item "Rupert Neve PORTICO II Channel Strip Mic Pre EQ Compressor Used, Excellent" is in sale since Sunday, March 26, 2017. This item is in the category "Musical Instruments & Gear\Pro Audio Equipment\Preamps & Channel Strips". The seller is "picassotrader" and is located in Santa Rosa, California. This item can be shipped to United States.