SPL Channel One, 2950 User manual
Manual
Channel One
Model 2950
Channel Strip
2
Channel One
Manual Channel One
Model 2950
Version 1.1– 6/2009
This manual 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 veried and, unless otherwise stated or agreed upon, correctly describes
the roduct at the time of packaging with this document.
Sound Performance Lab (SPL) continuously strives to improve its products and reserves the
right to modify 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 part
or fully, without prior authorization by SPL.
SPL electronics GmbH
Sohlweg 80, 41372 Niederkruechten, Germany
Fon +49 (0)2163 983 40
Fax +49 (0)2163 983 420
E-Mail: info@spl.info
Internet: www.spl.info
The construction of the Channel One, Model 2950, is in compliance with the standards and regulations of the European Community.
Notes on Environmental Protection
At the end of its operating life, this product must not be disposed of with regular
household waste but must be returned to a collection point for the recycling of
electrical and electronic equipment. The wheelie bin symbol on the product,
user‘s manual and packaging indicates that. The materials can be re-used in
accordance with their markings. Through re-use, recycling of raw materials, or
other forms of recycling of old products, you are making an important contribution to the
protection of our environment. Your local administrative ofce can advise you of the responsible waste disposal point.
WEEE Registration: 973 349 88
© 2009 SPL electronics GmbH. All rights reser ved. Names of other companies and their
products are trademarks of their respective owners.
3
Channel One
Symbols & Notes, Scope of Delivery & Packaging ............................................................ 4
Important Security Information ........................................................................................ 4
Hook Up .......................................................................................................................... 5
Introduction, Principles ................................................................................................... 6
Wiring ............................................................................................................................. 7
Sockets and switches ...................................................................................................... 8
Power ............................................................................................................................. 10
CONTROL ELEMENTS
Preamplier
MIC GAIN, 48 V, Activating phantom power, Phase reverse ............................................... 11
High pass, INSTR./LINE GAIN, INSTR./LINE IN, INSTRUMENT, Gain adjustments ............... 12
De-Esser
ON, S-REDUCTION, SPL De-Esser technology ................................................................... 13
Insert .............................................................................................................................. 14
Compressor/Limiter
ON, LIMIT ......................................................................................................................... 14
COMPRESSION, MAKE UP GAIN, NOISE GATE ................................................................... 15
SPL compressor technolog y ............................................................................................. 16
Content
Equalizer
ON, EQ PRE COMP ............................................................................................................ 17
LMF, LMF -/+, MHF, MHF -/+, Recommendation on frequency settings for LMF and MHF ...... 18
AIR BAND, FET DISTORTION ............................................................................................. 19
Output
OUTPUT GAIN, MUTE ....................................................................................................... 20
Headphone Monitor
PLAYBACK, VOLUME, PHONES ......................................................................................... 21
Display Area
S-DETECT, CLIP, SIGNAL, WARM UP .................................................................................. 22
GAIN REDUCT., PPM-OUTPUT ........................................................................................... 23
Power supply ................................................................................................................... 23
Specications .................................................................................................................. 24
Block diagram .................................................................................................................. 25
Measurements ................................................................................................................ 26
Copy Master: recall settings ............................................................................................ 28
Options: AD coverter, I/O transformers ............................................................................ 29
4
Channel One
Symbols and Notes
N THIS MANUAL A LIGHTNING SYMBOL WITHIN A TRIANGLE WARNS YOU ABOUT THE
POTENTIAL FOR DANGEROUS ELECTRICAL SHOCKS – WHICH CAN ALSO OCCUR EVEN AFTER
THE MACHINE HAS BEEN DISCONNECTED FROM A POWER SOURCE.
AN EXCLAMATION MARK (!) WITHIN A TRIANGLE IS INTENDED TO MAKE YOU AWARE OF
IMPORTANT OPERATIONAL ADVICE AND/OR WARNINGS THAT MUST BE FOLLOWED. BE
ESPECIALLY ATTENTIVE TO THESE AND ALWAYS FOLLOW THE ADVICE THEY GIVE.
The symbol of a lamp directs your attention to explanations of important functions or applications.
Attention: Do not attempt any alterations to this machine without the approval or supervision
of SPL electronics GmbH. Doing so could nullify completely any and all of your warranty/guarantee rights and claims to user support.
Scope of Delivery & Packaging
The scope of delivery comprises the Channel One, the external power supply, the guarantee
card and this manual.
Please keep the original packaging. In case of a service procedure the original packaging
ensures a safe transport. It also serves as a safe packaging for your own transports if you do
not use special transportation cases.
Important Security Information
Please note and retain this manual. Carefully read and follow all of the safety and operating
instructions before you use the machine. Be doubly careful to follow all warnings and special
safety instructions noted in this manual and on the unit.
Connections: Only use the connections as described. Other connections can lead to health
risks and equipment damage.
Water and humidity: Do not use this machine anywhere near water (for example near a wash
basin or bath, in a damp cellar, near swimming pools, or the like). In such cases there is an
extremely high risk of fatal electrical shocks!
Insertion of foreign objects or uids: Never allow a foreign object through any of the
machine‘s chassis openings. You can easily come into contact with dangerous voltage or
cause a damaging short circuit. Never allow any uids to be spilled or sprayed on the machine.
Such actions can lead to dangerous electrical shocks or re!
Opening the unit: Do not open the machine housing, as there is great risk you will damage the
machine, or – even after being disconnected – you may receive a dangerous electrical shock!
Electrical power: Run this machine only from power sources which can provide proper power
in the range from 100 to 250 volts. When in doubt about a source, contact your dealer or a
professional electrician. To be sure you have isolated the machine, do so by disconnecting all
power and signal connections. Be sure that the power supply plug is always accessible. When
not using the machine for a longer period, make sure to unplug it from your wall power socket
and from the guitar amp.
Cord protection: Make sure that your power and guitar amplier signal cords are arranged
to avoid being stepped on or any kind of crimping and damage related to such event. Do not
allow any equipment or furniture to crimp the cords.
Power connection overloads: Avoid any kind of overload in connections to wall sockets,
extension or splitter power cords, or to signal inputs. Always keep manufacturer warnings
and instructions in mind. Overloads create re hazards and risk of dangerous shocks! >
5
Channel One
Lightning: Before thunderstorms or other severe weather, disconnect the machine from wall
power (but to avoid life threatening lightning strikes, not during a storm). Similarly, before
any severe weather, disconnect all the power connections of other machines and antenna and
phone/network cables which may be interconnected so that no lightning damage or overload
results from such secondary connections.
Air circulation: Chassis openings offer ventilation and serve to protect the machine from overheating. Never cover or otherwise close off these openings. Never place the machine on a soft
surface (carpet, sofa, etc.). Make sure to provide for a mounting space of 4-5 cm/2 inches to
the sides and top of the unit when mounting the unit in racks or on cabinets.
Controls and switches: Operate the controls and switches only as described in the manual.
Incorrect adjustments outside safe parameters can lead to damage and unnecessary repair
costs. Never use the switches or level controls to effect excessive or extreme changes.
Repairs: Unplug the unit from all power and signal connections and immediately contact a qualied technician when you think repairs are needed – or when moisture or foreign objects may accidentally have gotten in to the housing, or in cases when the machine may have fallen and shows
any sign of having been damaged. This also applies to any situation in which the unit has not
been subjected to any of these unusual circumstances but still is not functioning normally or its
performance is substantially altered.
In cases of damage to the power supply and cord, rst consider turning off the main circuit
breaker before unplugging the power cord.
Replacement/substitute parts: Be sure that any ser vice technician uses original replacement
parts or those with identical specications as the originals. Incorrectly substituted parts can
lead to re, electrical shock, or other dangers, including further equipment damage.
Important Security Information
Safety inspection: Be sure always to ask a service technician to conduct a thorough safety
check and ensure that the state of the repaired machine is in all respects up to factory standards.
Cleaning: In cleaning, do not use any solvents, as these can damage the chassis nish. Use
a clean, dry cloth (if necessary, with an acid-free cleaning oil). Disconnect the machine from
your power source before cleaning.
Be very careful to check that the rear chassis power selection switch is set to the correct
local line voltage position before using the unit (230 V position: 220-240 V/50 Hz, 115 V position: 110-120 V/60 Hz)! When in doubt about a source, contact your dealer or a professional
electrician.
Before connecting any equipment make sure that any machine to be connected is turned off.
Follow all safety instructions on pages 4 and 5 and read further information about the rear
sockets and switches on pages 8, 9 an 10.
Placement
Place the unit on a level and stable surface. The unit’s enclosure is EMC-safe and effectively
shielded against HF interference. Nonetheless, you should carefully consider where you place
the unit to avoid electrical disturbances. 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 vibrations, dust, heat, cold or moisture. It should also be kept away
from transformers, motors, power ampliers and digital processors. Always ensure sufcient
air circulation by keeping a distance of 4-5 cm/2 inches to the sides and top of the unit.
Hook Up
6
Channel One
Introduction
Principles
Many audio engineers know SPL’s specialized audio tools, following our philosophy “one
product for one task”. This aims at fast and simple operation in conjunction with high
processing quality to ensure highest musical performance.
With the Channel One we have produced a fully-featured channel strip which for the greater
part is based on the processing concepts already known in other products, such as the SPL
De-Esser and the DynaMaxx compressor. The very complex task of a channel strip prots
particularly from the innovative techniques that have always allowed the operation of SPL
equipment to be efcient and objective.
To a high degree the usual recording day is determined by a series of opposing time limits –
the singer/speaker desires a trouble-free and efcient recording; however, if technical preparation takes a long time because of unsuitable equipment, time will be lost, increasing the
costs and souring the working environment. The Channel One in all cases however allows
fast production without any loss of professional precision and diligence.
The Channel One consists of a transistor/tube pre-amplier with microphone-, line- and
instrumental inputs, a de-esser, a compressor/limiter with noise gate, an equalizer (EQ)
section and a latency-free headphone monitor.
So the Channel One has all tools on board for recording a track – along with the preamp it
offers the most needed processors for corrective and creative sound design.
To maximize user friendliness all modules have been reduced to the most important regulating and switching facilities. Fast and effective operation is in no way impeded, quite the
opposite – it is supported. And more time remains for the creative tasks.
From the outset great value was placed on high exibility. An example are the three separate
inputs for microphone, line signals or instruments, each of which has been optimized to its
function.
A twin triode tube is utilized in the process at two positions – one immediately after the
preamplier stage and the other at the end of the chain, so that the processed signal passes
the tube stage twice. This construction combines the advantages of the transistor preamplier stage (high performance with minimal distortion and low noise) with the improved
musical expression of the tone produced by tubes.
The microphone input can optionally be equipped with an input transformer from Lundahl.
The input transformer delivers a vefold amplied microphone level to the preamplier. This
additional amplication reduces the equivalent load to the preamplier electronics. The
balanced outputs can also be equipped with a Lundahl transformer.
The optional 24 bit/96 kHz AD converter module provides digital outputs. An additional input
socket on the Channel One may feed a second signal to the AD converter.
Displays and LEDs for signal level, gain reduction, s-detection, clip warning, warm-up status
and signal presence are combined and contained in a single display area to be monitored at
a glance.
A special feature of the PCB layout is the central star ground wiring: Disturbing inuences
that could affect the ground paths are minimized by separating audio-ground from the
remaining equipment. This leads, in the truest sense of the word ”clean”, to considerably
improved tonal quality.
The scatter free toroidal transformer supplies the equipment with the necessary voltages
and forms the basis for a clean electrical supply to all parts of the circuitry.
MIC IN
LINE IN
LINE IN
SEND
SEND
RETURN
RETURN
LEFT
LEF T
RIGHT
RIGHT
230V ~50Hz
Fuse: 315m A slow
115V ~60Hz
Fuse: 630 mA slow
TO REDUCE RISK OF FIRE OR EL ECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT EXPOSE T HIS UNIT
TO RAIN OR MOIS TURE.
THIS EQUIPMENT MUST BE E ARTHED.
WARNING
M AI N S IN P UT
MAINS INPUT
AVIS: RISQUE DE CHOC ÉLEC TRIQUE - NE PAS OUVRIR
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
CAUTION
TUBE PREA MP INPUTS
TU B E P RE A MP I N PU T S
OUTPUTS
O UT P U T S
A/D INPUT 2
A/ D I NP U T 2
INSERT
I NS E R T
PLAYBACK INP UTS
P L AY B A CK I NP U T S
S P L CO N VE R TE R S L OT – OP T IO N AL
SPL CONVERTER SLOT – OPTIONAL
CONVERTER SERI AL #
CHANNEL ONE SER IAL # OPTIONS
GND LIFT
GND LIFT
GND
GN D L IF T
VO L TA GE | F U SE
VOLTAGE | FUSE
XLR WIRING:
PIN 1 = GND / PIN 2 = HOT (+) / PIN 3 = COLD (–)
TRS-JACK WIRING:
TIP = LEFT / RING = RIG HT / SLEEVE = GND
CONNECTOR WIRING
Sound Performance Lab
www.spl.info
MADE IN GERMANY
Microphone
Synthesizer,
sampler etc.
Effects
(delay, reverb, etc.)
InOut
2nd signal source to 2nd channel of the optional
converter (e. g. a 2nd Channel One)
Make sure that the voltage switch setting
reflects the correct local power line voltage.
Pin wiring 1/4" TRS socket (stereo jack):
tip=left, ring=right, sleeve=ground
Pin wiring XLR input sockets:
1=ground, 2=hot (+), 3=cold (-)
Pin wiring XLR output sockets:
1=ground, 2=hot (+), 3=cold (-)
PUSH
2
1
3
21
3
Pin wiring 1/4" TS socket (mono jack):
tip=left, sleeve=ground
Console/DAW/Interface
Playback
7
Channel One
Rear Panel
Wiring
8
Channel One
Rear Panel
Input
Output
balanced
unbalanced
balanced
unbalanced
1=GND
2=hot (+)
3=cold (-)
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
Sockets and switches
Signal connection
Switch off the unit before you begin the process of making the rst or any subsequent connections. Neglecting this can damage either or both your ears and your equipment.
1/4" TRS sockets
The TRS sockets LINE IN, INSERT SEND/RETURN, OUTPUTS und AD INPUT 2 support both
balanced (1/4" TRS/stereo jack connector) and unbalanced connections (1/4" TS/mono jack
connector). The PL AYBACK INPUTS sockets only suppor t unbalanced connections.
XLR sockets
All XLR sockets are balanced inputs or outputs. Input sockets are always female for plugging
in male connectors, output sockets are always male for female connectors. All in all a comprehensible principle.
Balanced connections
It is impossible to exclude all interferences when an audio signal is transmitted through a
single wire. Shielding is effective against electric, but not against electromagnetic inuences.
Motors, transformers, and alternating current can always induce interferences. But even if the
transmission would succeed, differences in ground potentials between driver and receiver
would produce disturbances.
In balanced connections a reference signal with reversed polarity is transmitted additionally
to the audio signal through a second wire. The ground signal is routed separately through
a third wire. Input and output stages are drivers and receivers, and the receiving stage can
suppress interferences by subtracting the difference between audio and reference signal.
Unbalanced connections
Unbalanced connections from and to RCA or 1/4" TS sockets can be made without adaptors to
the balanced XLR sockets. The correct wiring is important. The diagram shows the pin conguration of the XLR sockets and how to correctly connect them for unbalanced connections:
Connections to RCA sockets are always unbalanced, a wiring to jack connectors can be both
balanced (1/4" TRS/stereo jack) or unbalanced (1/4" TS/mono jack). We recommend to use
individually congured cables from XLR to RCA or jack sockets instead of adaptors. You can
get cables in any needed conguration from audio dealers. With the diagram above, the dealer
can ensure to provide the appropriate cable for your application.
VOLTAGE
The rear panel VOLTAGE SELECTOR sets the local line voltage (115 V position: 110-120
volts/6o Hz, 230 V position: 220-240 volts/50 Hz). The diagram to the right shows the correct
switch position for 230 V power supply.
BEFORE you connect electrical power make sure that the VOLTAGE SELECTOR setting re ects
the correct local power line voltage!
MAINS INPUT – power connection and fuses
Connect the power cord to the rear MAINS INPUT socket. Transformer, power cord and case
connection conform to VDE, UL and CSA requirements.
The MAINS INPUT socket also houses the fuse. It is accessible from outside and placed right
behind the ap below the socket.
Fuse ratings are 315 mA slow blow (
230
volts) or 630 mA
slow blow (
115
volts).
GND Lift
The rear panel GND LIFT switch eliminates hum by separating the internal ground from the
unit’s housing ground. Hum can, for example, result when this unit’s housing has a common
ground connection with other devices that might have a different ground potential. The
switch is usually deactivated to retain the shielding of the housing.
MIC IN
You can connect any kind of microphone to the MIC IN socket (dynamic, condenser, tube and
ribbon microphones). 48 volts phantom power, which is required for some microphones,
can be activated with the 48V switch on the front panel. Please read the important notes
in chapters “48 V” and “Activating phantom power” on page 11. The microphone input can
also be equipped with an optional input transformer (see page 29, “Information on I/O transformers”).
LINE IN
Use the balanced LINE IN socket for high-level signals with impedances lower than 1 kOhm,
e. g. D/A converters, synthesizers or samplers. We recommend connection to a patchbay for
easier access.
The maximum input level of the LINE IN is +22 dBu.
High impedance sources (above 1 kOhm), such as e-guitars and basses, acoustic guitars with
pick-ups and so on, must be connected to the INSTRUMENT input.
IM PO RTANT: The line input is deactivated if the instrument input is in use.
INSERT
The balanced INSERT connectors (SEND and RETURN) are used to integrate further units into
the signal path of the Channel One. The SEND connector is placed behind the de-esser, the
RETURN connector is located in front of the compressor. This also allows to record the preampli er signal via the SEND connector while another input signal can be fed into the Channel
One’s compressor or EQ sections for further processing.
GND LIFT
GND LIFT
GND
G N D L I F T
MIC IN
LINE IN
LINE IN
TUBE PREAMP INPUTS
T U BE P R E A M P I NP U T S
M A I NS I N P U T
MAINS INPUT
MIC IN
LINE IN
LINE IN
TUBE PREAMP INPUTS
T U BE P R E A M P I NP U T S
230V ~50Hz
Fuse : 315mA slow
115V ~60Hz
Fuse : 630mA slow
V OL T AG E | F U S E
VOLTAGE | FUSE
SEND
SEND
RETURN
RETURN
INSERT
I NS E RT
9
Channel One
Sockets and switches
Rear Panel
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