SPL 1760, MC16 Series, 1764 User Manual
MC16
Mastering Monitor Controller
Manual
MC16
Version 1.2 – 06/ 2018 2
Package Contents 2
Introduction 3
Product Registration 3
The centerpiece of your mastering studio 3
Technical Aspects 4
120 Volt Technology 4
120 Volt Technology - Diagrams 5
Installation 6
Voltage Selection 6
First Steps 6
Cabling: Rear Side 7
XLR inputs and outputs 7
Ground Lift switch to avoid ground loops 7
Input 1 Channels 1 - 8 10
Input 1 Channels 9 - 16 10
Input 2 Channels 1 - 8 10
Input 1 Channels 9 - 16 10
Speaker Outputs 1 - 16 10
Pairing DMC and MC 16 11
Content
Control Elements 12
Input 1 / Input 2 13
Speakers 13
Monitoring Level 14
Mute 14
Solo 14
Dim 14
Presets A, B, C 14
Specications 15
Measurements 15
Security Advices 16
Notes on Environmental Protection 17
Contact 18
Version 1.2 – 06/ 2018
Developer: Bastian Neu
This manual includes a description of the product but no guarantee as for specific
characteristics or successful results.
Unless stated otherwise, everything herein corresponds to the technical status at the
time of delivery of the product and user manual by SPL electronics GmbH.
The design and circuitry are under continuous development and improvement.
Technical specifications are subject to change.
Package Contents
MC16 Mastering Monitor Controller
Power cord
Manual
The MC16 Mastering Monitor Controller is available in different colors.
Black: Model 1760
Red: Model 1764
Do consider keeping the original packaging. It can come in very useful whenever you
need to transport your gear. If there is ever the need to send it in for repair, the original
packaging guarantees a safe shipment.
2
Introduction
Product Registration
Register your device to get useful information concerning the product. On the front
page of this manual you will find a QR code, which includes the link to the registration form and automatically fills in the serial number and product name into the form.
Alternatively you can also call up the online form with your internet browser via the following link: https://spl.audio/register
The centerpiece of your mastering studio
The new
Mastering Monitor Controller.
Today’s mastering studios must be prepared for Dolby Atmos® and Auro 3D® projects.
Monitoring up to 16 channels in a quality that is on par with state-of-the-art stereo was
hard to achieve – until now.
The new MC16 sports the world’s first 16-gang precision potentiometer which was
specially designed for SPL.
To seamlessly integrate multi-channel monitoring into a stereo mastering environment
we developed a way of pairing the MC16 with our DMC stereo mastering console. The
combination of DMC and MC16 allows mastering studios to work in all current audio play
back formats at the same quality level, all without reconnecting any speakers.
The MC16 Mastering Console was designed, developed and manufactured in Germany.
MC16 Mastering Monitor Controller
– model 1760/1764 is a 16 Channel
-
3
Technical Aspects
120 Volt Technology
SPL‘s goal was to push analog signal processing to the limits. That‘s why we combined
the best possible components with a high-grade optimized circuit design.
We have been using the in-house developed 120-volt technology - the highest-ever operating voltage used for audio applications - in all our products from the Mastering series
for years. Some of the most highly respected Mastering studios today revolve around
SPL consoles and signal processors from our Mastering series (Bob Ludwigs Gateway
Mastering & DVD in the USA, Simon Heyworth‘s Super Audio Mastering in the UK, Galaxy
Studios in Belgium, and the legendary Wisseloord in the Netherlands, for instance).
The 120-volt technology is based on op-amps developed internally by SPL‘s co-founder
and Chief Developer Wolfgang Neumann. The MC16 Mastering Monitor Controller features the most advanced generation of these op-amps. They boast with even better tech
specs thanks to the thermal behavior optimization they underwent under the hands of
Bastian Neu.
Ultimately, the supply voltage is key for the overall dynamic response of a processor.
Voltage is to an electrical circuit what cylinder capacity is to an internal combustion
engine:
You can‘t replace cylinder capacity with anything else, except more cylinder
capacity.
4
Technical Aspects
-115
THD&N
120 Volt Technology - Diagrams
These diagrams clearly show the advantages of our 120-volt technology in comparison
to other circuits with a lower operating voltage. The direct relation between operating
level and maximum level is fundamental for the classification: the higher the operating
level, the higher the maximum level a circuit can handle. And since virtually all essential
acoustic and musical parameters depend on this relation, a higher operating voltage also
has a positive impact on the dynamic range, distortion limit and signal-to-noise ratio. The
result is a clearly more laid-back and natural sound with less unpleasant coloring.
Do bear in mind that dB scales do not represent linear but rather exponential increases. A
3 dB increase corresponds to doubling the acoustic power, +6 dB correspond to twice the
sound pressure level, and +10 dB correspond to twice the perceived loudness.
Volt
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
dBu Dynamic Range
145
140
135
130
125
120
30 V
+/- 15 Volt +/- 18 Volt +/- 60 Volt
124,2
OPA 134@30 V OPA 134@36 V SPL-OP@120 V
Operational Voltages
120 V
36 V
141,4
129,1
dBu
35
30
25
dBu
-105
-107
-109
-111
-113
20
15
10
5
0
21,5
OPA 134@30 V OPA 134@36 V SPL-OP@120 V
TL 071@30 V OPA 134@36 V SPL-OP@120 V
106
Maximum Levels
33,2
22,5
111,7
114,2
When it comes to volume, the 120-volt technology exhibits a performance that is twice
that of common components and circuits, in regard to maximum level and dynamic range,
with values that are approximately 10 dB higher. THD measurements of the SPL op-amps
show a difference of more than 3 dB compared to the OPA134 at 36 V — in terms of sound
pressure level, that corresponds to an improvement of more than 50%.
The operating level most commonly used for audio equipment is 30 volts.
5
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