Sound Performance Lab 2485 User Manual

Manual

Dual Channel

Microphone,

Line &

Instrument

Preamplifier

PADPHANTOM

-20

48V

Off

PHASE

Rev.

Nor.

Gain

24

22

21

20
19
18
17

16

15

14

Clip Limit

48 V

Off

HI PASS

50

Off

27

29

dB

Hz

32

66

35

38

54

60

41
44
49

n

u

o

S

20

%

SOURCE INSERTINSTR.

Instr.

Line

o

r

m

f

r

a

e

n

P

c

d

3

5

1

0

7

10

3

70

100

50

30

0

VU

1

LIMITER0VU CAL

dBdBdB

-10

18

Off

AD OVL

12

e

L

a

b

FLAIR

TUBE AMP

5

dB

High

18

Off

6

Med

12

Output

-9

-8

-10

-6

-12

-5

-14

-16

-18

On

-20

-22

OffMic

-24

5.5

-25

-26

6

dB

Gold

Mike

Mark 2

-2.5

0

2

3.5

5

PADPHANTOM

-20

48V

Off

PHASE

Rev.

Nor.

Gain

24

22

21

20
19
18
17

16

15

14

Clip Limit

48 V

Off

HI PASS

50

Off

27

29

dB

Hz

32

66

35

38

54

60

41
44
49

n

u

o

S

20

%

SOURCE INSERTINSTR.

Instr.

Line

o

r

m

f

r

a

e

n

P

c

d

3

5

1

0

7

10

3

70

100

50

30

0

VU

2

LIMITER0VU CAL

dBdBdB

-10

18

Discrete

Off

AD OVL

12

e

L

a

b

5

-16

-18

On

-20

-22

OffMic

-24

Class A

FLAIR

TUBE AMP

Preamplifier

dB

High

18

Stage

Off

6

Med

12

Output

-9

-8

-10

-6

-12

-5

-14

-2.5

5.5

-25

-26

6

dB

Model

2485

Power

0

2

3.5

5

GoldMike Mk 2

Model 2485

Dual-channel microphone and instrument preamplifier

Manual GoldMike MK2

Version 1.2 – 12/2005

Designer: Ruben Tilgner

This user's guide contains a description of the product. It in
no way represents a guarantee of particular characteristics
or results of use. The information in this document has been
carefully compiled and verified and, unless otherwise stated
or agreed upon, correctly describes the product at the time of
packaging with this document.

Sound Performance Lab (SPL) continuously strives to improve
its products and reserves the right to modif y the product
described in this manual at any time without prior notice. This
document is the property of SPL and may not be copied or repro­duced in any manner, in par t or fully, without prior authorization
by SPL.

SPL electronics GmbH

Sohlweg 55, 41372 Niederkruechten
Germany

Model 2485

Tel. [phone]
Fax [phone]

Email: [e-mail]
Website: www.soundperformancelab.com

SPL USA

EMail: www.spl-usa.com
Website: [e-mail]

© 2005 SPL el ectronics GmbH. All rights reserved. Names of other companies
and their products are trademarks of their respective owners.

2

GoldMike MK2

Introduction ................................................................... 4

Before You Begin ............................................................ 5

Rear Panel/Connections ................................................. 6

Wiring ......................................................................... 6

General advices ........................................................... 7

Mic Input 1/2, Line In 1/2, Inserts 1/2 ........................... 8

Outputs 1/2, GND Lift .................................................. 9

Front Panel/Connections ............................................... 9

Instr. Input 1/2 ............................................................. 9

Control Elements ............................................................ 10

Power, Gain, About Gain Adjustments .......................... 10

Output, Phantom ........................................................ 11

Phase, Pad, Hi Pass .................................................... 12

Flair, Tube Amp, About Tube Amping ............................ 13

Limiter ........................................................................ 15

VU-Cal, Source, Display, VU-Meter ............................... 16

48 V LED, Clip LED, Limit LED, AD OVL LED .................... 17

Tec hno log y .................................................................... 18

Solid State and Tube Stages, Output Stages ................ 18

Instrument Input, Relays, Foil Condensers ................... 19

Contents

Power Supply ................................................................. 20

Options (A/D Converter and Lundahl Transformers) ........ 21

Specifications/Dimensions & Weight ............................ 23

Guarantee ...................................................................... 24

Notes ............................................................................. 25

GoldMike MK2

3

Introduction

The GoldMike MK2 is the result of all our experience and
knowledge from its successful predecessor and represents an
improved, more flexible and, more modern version.

We have added technologies that have already proven to
provide superior tonal results in other SPL products. For
example, the instrument input is designed around a class A
impedance converter which premiered in the SPL GainStation
preamp.

A signif icant contribution to the success of the predecessor was
the hybrid preamplifier concept. It combines transistor and tube
preamplifier stages and specif ically utilizes their technological
and sonic advantages: The eff iciency and low noise of a discrete
transistor stage is enriched with musical coloration of a tube
stage.

The transistor stage is composed of single transistors in a class
A design. The circuitry is fully discrete, and each transistor is
completely optimized for its specific task. You will not find any
IC ’s i n thi s pr eamp lif ie r s tag e b ecau se t he y ca nnot be o ptim ize d
for this specific application to the degree we aimed for. This all
new discrete class A transistor stage is a genuine innovation in
the entire preamplifier market at this price level.

The degree of tube pre-amplification is no longer the fixed +6
dB value of its predecessor. The GoldMike MK2 spor ts the selec­tion of three different tube pre-amplifications: +6 dB remains
the standard complemented by +12 dB and +18 dB. This allows
creative variety with the tube saturation and limiting effects.

We have also added an extra set ting to the popular Fl air circuitry
to give more flexibility to the presence improvement.

Because the GoldMike MK2 is a dual channel preamplifier,
its channel separation is of fundamental importance for the
stereo image. Therefore the print-board layout is symmetri­cally mirrored around the power supply in the center from
channel 1 to channel 2. This results in an identical signal flow to
supporting a naturally balanced stereo image. Additionally the
print-board provides extra-large ground areas maximizing the
shielding against crosstalk and interference.

4

GoldMike MK2

Before You Begin

IMPORTANT: Before you operate your GoldMike MK2, first

check carefully whether the local voltage setting corresponds
to the switch setting on the rear panel!

If not, and the voltage is in one way or another, incorrect, you
will either experience an immediate fuse burn through (if the
setting is lower than the supplied power) or, if the power is
110-120 V at a 220-240 V input switch setting, the GoldMike MK2
will simply not function correctly.

Moreover, make sure you remove the power plug from your
GoldMike MK2 before changing this switch setting!

Always turn volume down or mute your speakers when
connecting or repatching audio cables to avoid damage to your
speakers and ears.

It makes good sense to think about where you place your MTC
before connecting it. It should be positioned so that you can
easily reach it, but there are other considerations. Try not to
place it near heat sources or in direct sunlight, and avoid expo­sure to excessive vibrations, dust, heat, cold or moisture. It
should also be kept away from transformers, motors, power
amplifiers and digital processors. In addition, please:

220 – 240 V~50 Hz
110 – 120 V~60 Hz

VOLTAGE

VOLTAGE

• Do not open the case. You may risk ver y dangerous electric
shock and damage to your equipment.

• Leave repairs and maintenance to a qualified service techni­cian. Should foreign objects fall inside the case, contact your
authorized dealer or support person.

• To avoid electric shock or fire hazards, do not expose your unit
to rain or moisture.

• In case of lightning, unplug the unit. Always unplug the cable
by pulling on the plug only; never pull on the cable.

• Never force a switch or knob.

• Use a soft, lint-free cloth to clean the case, if necessary
together with an acid-free cleaning oil. Avoid any cleaning
agents as they may damage the surfaces of the unit.

GoldMike MK2

5

Rear Panel/Connections

MIC INPUT 1

Wiring

HD recorder etc.

S/P-DIF signal to DAW,

Optional A/D converter, model 2376

S/P-DIF signal

for external synchronization

XLR Wiring:

TRS Jack Wiring:

Mono Jack Wiring:

Tip = (+), Ring = (–), Sleeve = GND

Pin 1 = GND, Pin 2 = (+), Pin3 = (–)

Made in

OPTICAL

DIGITAL OUTPUTSSYNC INPUT

SYNC

LOCK

SPDIF SPDIF

x2

44,1

SAMPLE RATE

Model

24/96 AD

Converter

630 mA slow

315 mA slow

110 – 120 V~60 Hz:

220 – 240 V~50 Hz:

4860000

GoldMike 2

SPL electronics GmbH

Niederkrüchten, Germany

www.soundperformancelab.com

Tip = (+), Sleeve = GND

LINE IN 1

Mono Jack:

Unbal. 0dB

INSERT 1

Taiwan

TRS Jacks: Balanced +4dB

Use Mono Jacks for Unbal. Operation

OUTPUTS 1

INPUT OUTPUT OUTPUT

48

XLR &TRS Jack: Balanced +4dB

Use Mono Jacks for Unbal. Operation

2376

GND LIFT

FUSE RATING

WARNING

NOT EXPOSE THIS UNIT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.

TO REDUCE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK DO

VOLTAGE

220 – 240 V~50 Hz

OUTPUTS 2

Use Mono Jacks for Unbal. Operation

XLR &TRS Jack: Balanced +4dB

SERIAL NUMBER

INSERT 2

TRS Jacks: Balanced +4dB

Use Mono Jacks for Unbal. Operation

Sound Performance Lab

LINE IN 2

Mono Jack:

Unbal. 0dB

MIC INPUT 2

MADE IN GERMANY

SEND

RETURN

DISCONNECT MAINS BEFORE REMOVING COVER.

110 – 120 V~60 Hz

RETURNSEND

MIC INPUT 1

LINE IN 1

MicrophoneLine signals*Converter, recorder, consoleEffects (EQs etc.)

Pin wiring

of TRS connectors

INSERT 1

Tip=hot(+), Ring=cold(-), Sleeve=Ground

OUTPUTS 1

GND LIFT

GND LIFT

DO NOT OPEN

CAUTION

RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK

THIS EQUIPMENT MUST BE EARTHED.

AVIS: RISQUE DE CHOC ÉLECTRIQUE - NE PAS OUVRIR

XLR outputs

Pin wiring of

1=Ground, 2=hot(+), 3=cold(-)

2

3

1

OUTPUTS 2 VOLTAGE

INSERT 2

Pin wiring of

PUSH

XLR mic inputs

1=Ground, 2=hot(+), 3=cold(-)

1

3

2

* For signals with impedances lower than 1kOhms, i. e. D/A converters, synths, samplers.

Instruments with impedances above 1kOhms are to be connected to the instrument input on the front (see input descriptions on pages 8 and 9).

LINE IN 2

MIC INPUT 2

6

GoldMike MK2

General Advices

Again, while the GoldMike MK2’s housing is EMV-proof and
protects against HF-interference, placement of the unit is very
important since it amplifies microphone signals as well as other
unwanted signals. Before connecting the GoldMike MK2 or any
other equipment turn off all power.

IMPORTANT: Adjust the voltage setting on the back so that it
corresponds with your local power conditions.

The following graph shows the correct wiring for connecting
unbalanced signals to the balanced XLR connectors:

Rear Panel/Connections

Output

220 – 240 V~50 Hz
110 – 120 V~60 Hz

VOLTAGE

VOLTAGE

balanced

1

2

3

unbalanced

1

2

3

1=GND
2=cold (+)
3=hot (-)

The Line Input connector is designed for unbalanced signals
only.

The TRS output connectors (see “Outputs“ on page 9) can be
operated both with balanced and unbalanced wiring. Simply
use a mono 1/4" plug for unbalanced operation.

GoldMike MK2

7

Rear Panel/Connections

MIC INPUT 1

Mono Jack:
Unbal. 0dB

LINE IN 1

MIC INPUT 1

Mic Input 1/2

Dynamic, condenser or tube microphones can be connected to
the Mic inputs. The 48 V switch provides the phantom power
necessary for some microphones (see also „Control Elements/
Phantom“ on page 11).

Alternatively the GoldMike MK2 can be equipped with option­ally available transformer inputs from Lundahl (see “Lundahl
Transformers“ on page 22).

LINE IN 1

Line In 1/2

The unbalanced Line Inputs are dedicated to high-imped­ance, high-level signals such as A/D converters, synthesizers
or samplers with an impedance of less than 1 kOhm. Signals
with an impedance of above 1 kOhm, e. g. instruments like
E bass, acoustic guitars with pickups or Fender Rhodes must be
connected to the Instrument Input on the front panel.

The max. input level of the Line Inputs is +23 dB.

IMPORTANT: The Line Input is deactivated as long as an instru­ment is plugged into Instrument Input jack on the front. We
recommend connecting the Line Input to a patchbay if sources
need to be changed regularly.

INSERT 1

TRS Jacks: Balanced +4dB

Use Mono Jacks for Unbal. Operation

RETURN

SEND

INSERT 1

Inserts 1/2

The balanced TRS Insert connectors (Send and Return) are
used to integrate further units (EQs, Compressors, Limiters,
Effects ...) into the signal path of the GoldMike MK2. The Send
connector is placed behind the tube stage and can also be
used as direct out (without output level control). The Return
connector is located in front of Limiter and Output control which
allows to control the output level, e. g. for precise drive level of
following A/D converters.

8

GoldMike MK2