Sound Performance Lab 9631 User Manual

Manual
Digital Harmonics Processor
Spectralizer
Model 9631
SOUND PERFORMANCE LAB
by Hermann Gier and Paul White Version 2.2 – 1/1999
Limitations of Liability: In no event will SPL be liable for any damages, including loss of data, lost profits, cost of cover or other special, incidental, consequential or indirect damages arising from the use of the unit, however caused and on any theory of liabi­lity. This limitation will apply even if SPL or an authorized dealer has been advised of the possibility of such damage.
SPL electronics GmbH
P.O. Box 12 27
D- 41368 Niederkruechten, Germany
Phone: +49 - 21 63 / 9 83 40
Fax: +49 - 21 63 / 98 34 20
eMail: info@spl-electronics.com
www.spl-electronics.com
©
1999 SPL electronics GmbH. All Rights Reserved.
SPECTRALIZER
MODEL 9631
Manual
3
Spectralizer
Contents
Dear customer, Thank you for the confidence you have shown towards SPL
electronics GmbH by purchasing the SPL S
PECTRALIZER. You have
decided to use a tool of high performance which sets you in the position to have faster success and a better sound quality in your music productions and pre-masterings.
As a typical SPL unit the S
PECTRALIZER combines exemplary
specifications and high manufacturing standard with excellent sound quality to provide you a precious component for studio and mastering purposes. Please read this manual carefully to ensure you have all the information you need to use the S
PECTRALIZER.
We wish you every success with the S
PECTRALIZER.
Your SOUND PERFORMANCE LAB-Team
I would like to start with my thanks to all our staff, who created what is to be described here. Special thanks go to Jörg Houpert, Klaus-Peter Webersinke and Andreas Skäbe from Spectral Design, as well as Harald Obenland from Octum elec­tronics. The importance of their exceptional qualification and talents cannot be overestimated.
Our products are often tested and compared in many publica­tions and by our customers themselfs and constantly valued with best results. I would like to pass on this broad appreciation to those, who deserve it – my excellent colleagues.
Hermann Gier
Foreword
Thanks
Foreword 3 Thanks 3 Introduction 4 Operation Safety 5 Connections, installing Updates 6 Quick Start 7 Flow Chart 7 Control Elements
ACTIVE 8 INPUT GAIN 8 FREQUENCY 9 MIX 9 2ND HARMONIC 9 3RD HARMONIC 10 DENSITY 11 LC-DISPLAY 11 SOLO 11 KICK 11 PRESETS 11 INFO (Hardware dialogue) 12
OUTPUT PPM 15 Specifications 16 Warranty 17
4
Spectralizer
SPL digital audio processors are designed in cooperation with Spectral Design of Bremen, Germany, who are responsible for the DSP programming.
Concept: The SPECTRALIZER is the first digital harmonics processor
employing a new process which allows you to re-synthesize second and third harmonics separately, and with full control over their amplitude.
The S
PECTRALIZER benefits from SPL's expertise in psycho-acou-
stic principles and is the ideal tool to improve the clarity, trans­parency and intelligibility of any signal in the digital domain.
A single instrument or vocal gains better penetration within a mix, while complete mixes benefit from improved subjective loudness without a measurable change in levels.
While developing the DSP-program, a strong emphasis was placed on achieving warm and smooth sounding harmonic re­synthesis. The digital domain tends to be susceptible to “sharp­ness” at the HF end of the spectrum, which made the design of the S
PECTRALIZER all the more demanding. The result is a tool able
to increase brightness and detail without adding harshness or sounding fatiguing.
In comparison to ostensibly similar analogue systems, the S
PECTRALIZER does not produce any phase deterioration, nor
introduce unmusical intermodulation products.
Operation: The SPECTRALIZER is fitted with six encoder controls,
and the actual parameters values are shown in the LCD window. I
NPUT GAIN sets the overall input level with gain adjust-
ment available from -20dB to +6dB, while the starting frequency for the re-synthesis of the harmonics is set using the F
REQUENCY control. This functions as a high-pass filter adjustable
over the range 1kHz to 7kHz in 500Hz steps; signals with a frequency lower than that selected using the F
REQUENCY control
remain unaffected. The D
ENSITY control offers a choice of six
settings to determine the amplitude envelope of the added harmonics and works rather like a digital compressor to increase the density of the re-synthesized harmonics – which makes them more prominent. The 2
ND and 3RD HARMONIC
controls set the relative levels of the re-synthesized harmonics while the M
IX control defines the balance between the new
harmonics and the original signal.
The SPECTRALIZER has three switch functions: S
OLO mutes the
original input signal so that the added harmonics can be heard in isolation while K
ICK adds a greater proportion of harmonics
to transients (attack parts of the signal).
The ACTIVE button switches the SPECTRALIZER in and out of operation; when connected via AES/EBU, a relay-operated hard bypass switches the digital input directly to the output. Signal flow remains uninterrupted, even if the mains power is switched off.
The software bypass function compensates for the inevitable (but very short!), digital domain processing delay so as to avoid
Introduction
Re-synthesizing second and third harmonics separately
Improving clarity, intelligibi­lity and depth without introducing harshness
Warm and smooth sounding harmonic re-synthesis
Easy and intuitive operation
5
Spectralizer
Operation Safety
the small timing glitches that would otherwise occur when switching the process in and out. Up to 99 presets can be stored and changed using a MIDI program change command.
Display: The SPECTRALIZER is equipped with two PPM-meters
that feature high resolution in the important region immedia­tely before 0 dB. Clip-LEDs indicate digital clipping, while the first LED of each PPM-meter functions as a signal present indicator to confirm that a digital signal is present at the input.
The philosophy behind the digital audio processors is that they are designed to be operated like analogue units; there is only one I
NFO menu but no multi-function controls. The LCD
readout simply shows the current encoder positions and the preset number. The encoders are built without clicks or detents, so they feel like analogue pots. Our DSP platform uses two Motorola 56002 DSPs running at 66MHz. This enormous computational power guarantees real-time operation where sophisticated DSP algorithms will not be restricted by resource limitations. The general concept is that each digital processor should fulfill only one task, in the most effective way possible, and with a minimum of controls and switches. As much as possible should be automated to promote user-friendly opera­tion – the external controls access only the sonically relevant parameters. Additionally all controls with a wide value range (e.g. 0 to 100) are programmed with an 'alpha-dial' logic. Turning the encoder rapidly causes the values to jump in steps of 10, whereas turning the encoder slowly causes the values to proceed in single increment steps.
The housing of the S
PECTRALIZER has the standard 19"- EIA
format and occupies 1U (44 mm) in your rack. When installing the unit in a 19"-rack, the rear side of the unit needs some support, especially in a touring case.
The S
PECTRALIZER should not be installed near units which
produce strong magnetic fields or extreme heat. Do not install theS
PECTRALIZER directly above or below power amplifiers.
Check that the voltage details quoted on the back panel are the same as your local mains electricity supply. Use a minus (-) screwdriver to set the voltage selector to the voltage for the area in which the unit will be used.
Never cover up the ventilation slots on the top of the unit. If, during operation, the sound is interrupted or indicators no longer illuminate, or if abnormal odor or smoke is detected, or if liquids are spilled on the unit, immediately disconnect the power cord plug and contact your dealer.
Only clean your S
PECTRALIZER with a soft, lint-free cloth.
Input and Output PPM metering
“Analogue“ control feeling
The DSP Platform: Enormous computational power guaranteeing real­time operation
User-friendly programmed software
6
Spectralizer
Connections
Before connecting the SPECTRALIZER switch the power off at all
connected units.
The rear panel provides AES/EBU- and S/P-DIF-inputs and outputs. Any additional channel, status and user-bits are passed through unaltered, and the outputs can be used at the same time if required.
The S
PECTRALIZER operates with 24 bit word width. It accepts
16 bit and 20 bit inputs and will create output signals accor­ding to the input resolution.
For synchronisation purposes W
ORDCLOCK IN and WORDCLOCK
THROUGH BNC connectors are fitted with a switchable 75 Ohm termination.
MIDI IN and MIDI THROUGH connectors allow presets to be selected via MIDI program change commands.
For easy upgrade of future software releases, the rear panel offers RS-232 interface for PC and RS-422 interface for MAC.
Installing Updates:
Note: All presets will be lost after installing a new software version!
1. Connect your computer with the SPECTRALIZER via a serial port with a standard Z-modem cable.
RS-232 for PC and RS-422 for MAC.
2. Open a terminal program like “Hyperterminal” on PC and make the following adjustments:
Baud rate: 9600; Stop bit: 1; Parity: none; Data bit: 8; Handshake: no; Transfer mode: ZMODEM
3. Switch on the S
PECTRALIZER and depress both
P
RESET UP and PRESET DOWN until the LC-display says
“wait for Zmodem download“.
4. Load the update file into your terminal program and send it to the S
PECTRALIZER. The LC-display
shows the progress of the download in kB.
5. After successfully installing the new software version the LC-display says “download valid”.
6. Switch the SPECTRALIZER off and on. The new software version number is displayed in the first I
NFO
page (simultaneously depress STORE and APPLY; also refer to C
ONTROL ELEMENTS No. 9, I
NFO).
7. If an error occurred during download the LC-display says “download failed”. The S
PECTRALIZER now waits
for a new download. Please check all adjustments on your terminal program and try again. If you are still unsuccessful contact your local dealer.
Rear Panel Spectralizer
7
Spectralizer
Flow Chart
Quick-Start
Generator
2nd Harmonic
Encoder
Density-
Encoder
Generator
3rd Harmonic
Encoder
Effect
Original
Solo-
Taste
Kick-
Encoder
Frequency-
Encoder
Highpass-
Filter
Mix-
Encoder
Input
Encoder
Set all controls to the starting positions:
I
NPUT GAIN 0; FREQUENCY 1k; DENSITY 0; 2ND HARMONIC 0%;
3
RD HARMONIC 0%; MIX 0%.
1. Depress A
CTIVE. The status-LED illuminates.
2. Set M
IX to 50%. You will notice an increase in high
frequencies above 1kHz (starting position F
REQUENCY).
3. Set D
ENSITY to 1, to increase the audibility of the
harmonics in the next step.
4. Set 2ND HARMONIC to 50% and 3RD HARMONIC to 30%.
5. If you are using full scale material for this initial test drive the CLIP LEDs may illuminate. Reduce the INPUT GAIN to give additional headroom for the new harmonics.
6. To compare original and processed signal press A
CTIVE.
The status LED goes out.
Use the SOLO button to monitor the added harmonics precisely.
Diagram 1: Signalflow Spectralizer
8
Spectralizer
3
2
7
6
5
4
12
Relay hard-bypass for AES/EBU input and output
I
NPUT GAIN = 0 for processing
pre-production material with enough headroom
Choose negative I
NPUT GAIN
values for full scale recordings to create new headroom to add harmonics
Use positive I
NPUT GAIN
values for low level material
Control Elements
The ACTIVE function switches the SPECTRALIZER on or off. The
illuminated LED indicates that the processing is activated.
The software bypass also compensates for the 5ms time
delay between processed and unprocessed signal.
The AES/EBU input and output are equipped with relay-
hard-bypass. In the event of a power failure the S
PECTRALIZER is
automatically switched to hard-bypass (power failure safety) without interrupting the data flow.
I
NPUT GAIN controls the input level of the digital source. You
can boost the input gain by up to +6dB or attenuate it by up to
-20dB. The LC-display (see 8) shows the actual value. Adjustment: If you are about to process pre-production mate-
rial which has not yet been normalized nor limited, you should set the I
NPUT GAIN to 0dB.
If your source material has already been mastered and
limited it is advisable to adjust negative values for the INPUT GAIN control in order to create new headroom for the proces­sing. Keep in mind that the S
PECTRALIZER adds new harmonics to
the source material. If the source is a full scale recording the added harmonics will immediately create an overload indi­cated by the illuminating C
LIP LEDs.
If your source material has a very low level you can use the
SPECTRALIZER´S INPUT GAIN control to boost the level without making changes to the sound. Additionally you drive the S
PECTRALIZER into
an operational level to work properly.
Active
2
1
1
13
9
10
8
Input Gain
11
9
Spectralizer
FREQUENCY sets the starting frequency of the highpass filter. Above this frequency second and third harmonics are being generated. The highpass filter can be varied between 1kHz and 7kHz in steps of 500Hz.
M
IX controls the mix level between the processed and the
unprocessed signal. The control range is 0% to 100%. The M
IX
encoder is equipped with an „alpha-dial“ logic. Turning the encoder rapidly causes the values to jump in steps of 10, whereas turning the encoder slowly causes the values to proceed in single increment steps.
Ex
ample: All controls are set to the starting position:
I
NPUT GAIN 0; FREQUENCY 1k; DENSITY 0; 2ND HARMONIC 0%;
3
RD HARMONIC 0%; MIX 0%.
Turn the M
IX to 50%. You will hear an increase in high
frequencies above 1kHz due to the starting position of the F
REQUENCY control. Until now you have not yet added any
harmonics. The increase in high frequencies is a boost of all frequencies above 1kHz. You can change the starting frequency by turning the F
REQUENCY encoder clockwise to higher frequen-
cies. For some applications this may already do the job.
To add harmonics set 2ND HARMONIC to 50% and 3RD HARMONIC to 30%. If the audible effect is very subtle increase the D
ENSITY setting to 1 or 2 (details see DENSITY, 7).
The 2
ND HARMONIC encoder controls the intensity of the
added second harmonics which are being generated above the adjusted highpass frequency (see F
REQUENCY, 3).
The second harmonics are even harmonics which bring a soft and silky top-end to the sound. In comparison to odd harmo­nics, even harmonics do not contain as much brightness and they also do sound softer.
Control Elements
Mix
4
2nd Harmonic
5
Frequency
3
Diagram 2: 2
ND HARMONIC
The illustration shows the FFT spectrums of the even harmonics for a measuring signal of 3kHz.
10
Spectralizer
Diagram 3: 3
RD HARMONIC
The illustration shows the FFT spectrums of the odd harmonics for a measuring signal of 3 kHz.
Diagram 4:
If two frequencies are fed into the Spectralizer (here 3 and 4 kHz) also the diffe­rential tone (here 7kHz) are being produced
All measurements at: F
REQUENCY 1kHz
D
ENSITY 0
M
IX 100%
The control range is 0% to 100%. The 2ND HARMONIC encoder is equipped with alpha-dial logic. Turning the encoder rapidly causes the values to jump in steps of 10, whereas turning the encoder slowly causes the values to proceed in single increment steps.
If the need arises to make the harmonics more audible use
the D
ENSITY control (see DENSITY, 7) to increase their loudness.
The 3
RD HARMONIC encoder controls the intensity of the added
third harmonics which are being generated above the adjusted highpass frequency (see F
REQUENCY, 3).
The third harmonics are odd harmonics which carry brilliance but also sharpness and aggressiveness. A good combination of even and odd harmonics is the key to a natural sounding top­end.
The control range is 0% to 100%. The 3
RD HARMONIC encoder
is equipped with alpha-dial logic. Turning the encoder rapidly causes the values to jump in steps of 10, whereas turning the encoder slowly causes the values to proceed in single increment steps.
If the need arises to make the harmonics more audible use
the D
ENSITY control (see DENSITY, 7) to increase their loudness.
Control Elements
3rd Harmonic
6
11
Spectralizer
Control Elements
DENSITY increases the loudness of the generated harmonics by applying different “compression ratios”. The control offers six positions.
Adjus
tment: If DENSITY is set to 0, the generated harmonics
have low intensity even at high values for 2
ND and 3RD
HARMONIC. The increase in high frequencies is mostly created by the highpass filtering, which applies a shelving equalizing above the adjusted F
REQUENCY encoder (see FREQUENCY, 3).
Increasing D
ENSITY to 1 or 2 will increase audibility of the
generated harmonics. High D
ENSITY values (4 to 6) may lead to
audible distortion depending on the source material. Use the S
OLO function (see 9) to hear the harmonics in isolation.
The LC-display shows all encoder settings.
More information is displayed when activating the I
NFO pages
(see 9). Press S
TORE and APPLY for one second to enter the INFO
pages.
The S
OLO function switches the original input off. You will hear
the effect signal only to be able to monitor the highpass-filte­ring and harmonics generation.
The K
ICK function boosts the amplitude of the generated
harmonics in the event of creation (attack-period). After that the amplitude drops back to its original value. K
ICK should be
used when you want to apply additional “sparkle” and presence to the signal.
The S
PECTRALIZER allows you to store up to 99 presets, which
can be changed by MIDI program change command.
If you want to store a new adjustment, depress STORE
for one second. The LED starts to flash indicating that the STORE mode has been activated. The LC-display now shows the actual preset number. Use U
P and DOWN
to select a new preset location. The status-LED flashes shortly to indicate that the input (depressing U
P or DOWN) is accepted. Keeping UP or DOWN depressed will
let you jump through the preset list in steps of 5 presets. Once a new preset location is found depress S
TORE again. The STORE
LED goes out. The preset is stored at the new location.
In case you want to quit the S
TORE mode without storing the
new adjustments simply press A
PPLY.
Density
7
LC-display
8
Solo
9
Kick
10
Preset
11
Storing a preset: Depress STORE for1 sec., LED flashes; use U
P/DOWN to select
preset no.; depress S
TORE again,
LED goes out
12
Spectralizer
Control Elements
If you want to apply various presets depress APPLY for one
second. The A
PPLY LED starts to flash indicating that the APPLY
mode is activated. You can step through the preset list with UP and DOWN. Once you have a preset that you want to apply depress A
PPLY again. The APPLY LED goes out indicating that the
preset is applied.
In case you want to quit the APPLY mode without applying the
new preset simply press S
TORE.
To increase operation safety it is impossible to apply presets by simply depressing UP or DOWN. The UP and DOWN status­LEDs will not flash indicating that the input is not accepted. You have to depress S
TORE or APPLY for one second in order to
activate the U
P and DOWN buttons.
Depressing S
TORE and APPLY simultanouesly for about one
second gets you into a hardware dialogue, called I
NFO. The LC-
display shows status informations of the digital data stream. With U
P/DOWN you will jump from one page to the next or
previous. If a selection is provided use A
PPLY to select.
1. Software version and date
2. Selecting inputs:
The S
PECTRALIZER automatically searches for an input signal. If
both inputs are connected the AES/EBU input will be selected first. If you want to select the S/P-DIF input you have to call up the I
NFO pages.
AES/EBU input detected
or:
no AES/EBU input detected
Press A
PPLY (if AES/EBU is detected):
AES/EBU input with wordclock detected
Applying a preset: Depress APPLY for1 sec., LED flashes; use U
P/DOWN to select
preset no.; depress A
PPLY again,
LED goes out
Operation safety: Presets can not be changed by accident
Info
12
13
Spectralizer
Control Elements
or:
AES/EBU input without wordclock is detected
Press A
PPLY :
S/P-DIF input detected
or:
no S/P-DIF input detected
Press A
PPLY (if S/P-DIF is detected):
S/P-DIF with wordclock detected
or:
S/P-DIF input without wordclock is detected
3. Displaying the detected sample frequency:
The S
AMPLE FREQUENCY will be detected automatically.
The display either shows 44,1 kHz, 48 kHz or 32 kHz.
4. Dis
playing the Audio-Error flag:
N
O = no error detected; YES = error detected
5. Dis
playing the CRC-Error flag:
N
O = no error detected; YES = error detected
14
Spectralizer
6. Displaying the Channel Difference Error flag:
N
O = no error detected; YES = error detected
7. Setting
or erasing the Copy-Prohibit flag:
N
O = flag erased or not set; YES = flag set
8. Dis
playing the Original flag:
N
O = no Original flag; YES = Original
9. Displaying the Emphasis flag:
N
O = no emphasis; YES = with emphasis
10. Selecting
a serial port:
RS-232 interface for update-download from PCs
or (press A
PPLY):
RS-422 interface for update-download from MACs.
11. Selecting
a MIDI channel:
Depress A
PPLY to step from MIDI CHANNEL 01 up to
MIDI
CHANNEL 16.
Control Elements
15
Spectralizer
13
Output PPM
MIDI IMPLEMENTATIONS
Function Received Data Note
Basic Channel: Change 1-16 stored
Control Change: 7 1-127 Volume
Program Change: 0-99 real value
In order to increase operation safety only send the necessary
MIDI data to the S
PECTRALIZER. Unnecessary information might
lead to system failure.
You can use MIDI to create a MIDI fade out, if you are working with a digital console that does not provide master inserts. The U
P and DOWN LEDS illuminate indicating that a
volume change command is received.
You can also switch between presets with the MIDI program change command. This can especially be useful, when you are mastering a song, for example, that requires different settings for chorus, refrain, or bridge. The A
PPLY LED illuminates indica-
ting that a program change command is received.
You leave the I
NFO-pages by depressing STORE.
The O
UTPUT LED chains are PPM (peak level) meters with
signal and clip indicators. The metering offers 1dB resoltion for the last 3dB before 0dB.
The first LED in the O
UTPUT PPM meter is a signal (SIG.) LED
to indicate that a valid digital source is connected and detected. This LED helps you to verify the signal flow within a digital processing chain. If one S
IG. LED is not illuminating you have a
first indication of a faulty digital signal flow.
The last LED of the OUTPUT PPM meter is a CLIP LED. The LED illuminates if the digital signal is too hot causing digital distor­tion.
16
Spectralizer
Specifications
Input/Output
Sample rate frequency, autom. 32-48kHz
AES/EBU, twisted pair
(1) AES 3
AES/EBU in- & output impedance 110Ohms
S/P-DIF, co-axial
(2) SPDIF-2
S/P-DIF input impedance 75Ohms
Wordclock In/Through, co-axial BNC Wordclock in-/output impedance 75 Ohms
MIDI In/Through yes
RS 232 yes RS 422 (max +/- 14V) yes
Clip display yes
Input transformer (AES/EBU) yes Output transformer (AES/EBU) yes Relay Hard Bypass (AES/EBU) yes
Measurements
AES/EBU: Jitter 1ns S/P-DIF: Jitter 3ns Wordclock In: Jitter 1,5ns
Power supply
Torroidal transformer 60 VA Fuse 1A/slow blow GND-Lift switch yes Voltage selector 115V/230V
Dimensions 19"/1U
482 x 44 x 350mm
Weight 4,9 kg
(1) AES/EBU is defined for levels from 2V to 7 V
Measurements AES/EBU: 4,4V with load
(2) S/P-DIF is defined for levels from 200 mV to 700 mV
Measurements S/P-DIF: 500mV with load
Subject to change without notice.
17
Spectralizer
SPL electronics GmbH (hereafter called SPL) products are warranted only in the country where purchased, through the authorized SPL distributor in that country, against defects in material or workmanship. The specific period of this limited warranty shall be that which is described to the original retail purchaser by the authorized SPL dealer or distributor at the time of purchase.
SPL does not, however, warrant its products against any and all defects:
1) arising out of materials or workmanship not provided or furnished by SPL, or 2) resulting from abnormal use of the product or use in violation of instructions, or 3) in products repaired or serviced by other than authorized SPL repair facilities, or 4) in products with removed or defaced serial numbers, or 5) in components or parts or products expressly warranted by another manufacturer.
SPL agrees, through the applicable authorized distributor, to repair or replace defects covered by this limited warranty with parts or products of original or improved design, at its option in each respect, if the defective product is shipped prior to the end of the warranty period to the designated authorized SPL warranty repair facility in the country where purchased, or to the SPL factory in Germany, in the original packaging or a replacement supplied by SPL, with all trans­portation costs and full insurance paid each way by the purchaser or owner.
All remedies and the measure of damages are limited to the above services. It is possible that economic loss or injury to person or property may result from the failure of the product; however, even if SPL has been advised of this possibility, this limited warranty does not cover any such consequential or incidental damages. Some states or coun­tries do not allow the limitations or exclusion of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation may not apply to you.
Any and all warranties, express or implied, arising by law, course of dealing, course of performance, usage of trade, or otherwise, including but not limited to implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for particular, are limited to a period of 1 (one) year from either the date of manufacture. Some states or countries do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts, so the above limitations may not apply to you.
This limited warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state, country to country.
SPL electronics GmbH
41372 Niederkrüchten, Germany
Warranty
Loading...