Sound Performance Lab 9737 User Manual

Manual

Digital Tape Saturation Processor

Machine Head

Model 9737

SOUND PERFORMANCE LAB

by Hermann Gier
Version 1.3 – 1/1999

The information in this document has been
carefully verified and is assumed to be correct.
However Sound Performance Laboratory (SPL)
reserves the right to modify the product
described in this manual at any time. Changes
without notice. This document is the property of
SPL and may not be copied or reproduced in
any manner, in part or full without the autho­rization of SPL.

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: [e-mail]

www.spl-electronics.com

©

1999 SPL electronics GmbH. All Rights Reserved.

MACHINE HEAD

MODEL 9737

Manual

3

Machine Head

© SPL electronics GmbH, Stand 10/97

Contents

Dear customer,

Thank you for the confidence you have shown towards SPL
electronics GmbH by purchasing the SPL MACHINE HEAD. 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, pre-masterings and masterings.

As a typical SPL unit the M

ACHINE HEAD 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
M

ACHINE HEAD.

We wish you every success with the M

ACHINE HEAD.

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 Kai
Lukas from Lukas & Hartmann Soundart, Jörg Houpert and
Klaus-Peter Webersinke 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 6

Installing Updates 6
Quick Start 7
Analogue Tape Recording Signal Flow 7
Control Elements 8

A

CTIVE 8

I

NPUT GAIN 8

D

RIVE 8

HF-A

DJUST 9

O

UTPUT GAIN 10

H

IGH TAPE SPEED 10

LC-

DISPLAY 10

LED

CHAINS 10

P

RESETS 11

I

NFO (HARDWARE DIALOGUE)11

Specifications 15
Warranty 16

4

Machine Head

Machine Head

Machine Head

© SPL electronics GmbH, Stand 11/96

The MACHINE HEAD is a creative sound and dynamics processor

within SPL´s Digital-Red series.

Concept: The algorithm used by MACHINE HEAD computes
authentic tape saturation effects, hitherto unavailable in the
digital domain.

The subjective sonic effects are an increase in loudness and a
better penetration of the mix at identical peak level. The sound
becomes warmer and more powerful, and the process elimi­nates the harshness usually associated with digital recordings.

M

ACHINE HEAD is designed for mastering applications. Mixes

gain more power, punch and warmth. It is also suited to process
single instruments, like electronic or acoustic guitars and
basses, drums, loops and samples, as well as complete stereo
mixes.

The algorithm used by M

ACHINE HEAD precisely reproduces the

analogue tape saturation effect, including hysteresis effects, the
harmonic characteristic and both linear and non-lineare trans­mission-characteristic (other than level) that occur when recor­ding to analogue tape.

The level behaviour and high frequency damping is repro­duced in a modified manner. To achieve the best possible signal
to noise ratio, an auto gain cell has been implemented into the
algorithm in order to create a processing range for saturation
effects for full scale input signals and to deliver full scale output
signals afterwords. The intensity of high frequency damping
varies from one tape to another, and is therefore fully adju­stable one the M

ACHINE HEAD. It is now also possible to make

use of extreme saturation effects without high frequency
damping at all.

In fact M

ACHINE HEAd provides all the benefits of analogue

recording without any of the shortfalls – M

ACHINE HEAD does

not reproduce cross-talk, pre or post echoes, noise floor (field
noise, modulation noise) and motor speed fluctuation characte­ristics of analogue tape machines!

Operation: M

ACHINE HEAD is operated with four controls and

one switch function:

INPUT GAIN: Controls the input level of the digital data

stream

D

RIVE: Controls the drive or recording level of the

“virtual analogue tape machine”

HF-ADJUST: Controls the intensity of high frequency boost or

damping

OUTPUT GAIN:Controls the output level of the digital data

stream

HIGH TAPE SPEED: Switches from normal tape speed (15ips) to

high tape speed (30ips).

Introduction

Creating authentic tape
saturation effects.

The sound becomes warmer
and more powerful, elimina­ting the harshness of digital
recordings.

Precise reproduction of:

- tape saturation effect

- hysteresis effect

- harmonic characteristic

- linear and non linear trans­mission characteristic

Modified reproduction of:

- level behaviour

- high frequency damping

Not reproduced are:

- cross-talk

- pre or post echos

- noise floor

- motor speed fluctuation

Easy and intuitive operation

5

Machine Head

Operation Safety

Indicators and meters:

M

ACHINE HEAD is equipped with PPM displays for input and

output levels. The first LED of each input and output meter is a
signal (S

IG.) LED which illuminates when a compatible digital

data stream is present at the inputs. The LEDs are a first indi­cator to check the data stream. If the LEDs do not illuminate the
data stream is interrupted or invalid.

The top LEDs of each input and output meter indicate if a
digital clip has occured at the inputs or due to processing within
M

ACHINE HEAD. Clipping that is already present at the inputs will

also be shown on the O

UTPUT PPM chains.

The D

RIVE LED chains display the drive or recording level that

is sent to the virtual tape. The values shown range from -10 dB
to +21 dB.

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.

The housing of the M

ACHINE HEAD has the standard 19"- EIA

format and occupies 1U (44.45 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 M

ACHINE HEAD should not be installed near units which

produce strong magnetic fields or extreme heat. Do not install
the M

ACHINE HEAD 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 M

ACHINE HEAD with a soft, lint-free cloth.

SIGNAL-LEDs to verify data
stream

Clip-LEDs

Input and Output
PPM metering

DRIVE-LED displays recording
level

The DSP Platform:
Enormous computational
power guaranteeing real­time operation

„Analogue“ control feeling

User-friendly programmed
software