SPL 9526, MK2 Vitalizer Stereo 9526 User Manual

Modell 9526

Manual

Dual Channel Program EQ

®

by Hermann Gier,Paul White

Version 2.2 – 05/1999

The information in this document has
been carefully verified and is assumed to be
correct. However Sound Performance Lab
(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

Tel [phone]

Fax [phone]

e-Mail [e-mail]

© 1998 SPL electronics GmbH. Vitalizer® is a

registered trademark of SPL electronics GmbH.

Stereo Vitalizer MK2

Model 9526

Manual

3

STEREO

MK

2

Contents

Dear customer,

Thank you for the confidence you have shown towards SPL elec­tronics GmbH by purchasing the SPL Stereo Vitalizer MK2. 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
music productions,live sound applications and pre-masterings.

As a typical SPL unit the Stereo Vitalizer MK2 combines exem­plary specifications and high manufacturing standard with excel­lent sound quality to provide you a precious component for
recording purposes.

Please read this manual carefully to ensure you have all the
information you need to use the Stereo Vitalizer MK2.

We wish you every success with your new Stereo Vitalizer MK2.

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.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

Applications

Recording Studio .................................................................................. 6

Tape Duplication.................................................................................... 7

Broadcast ................................................................................................. 7

Sound reinforcement ........................................................................... 8

Video & film post production ............................................................ 8

First steps ................................................................................................. 9

Control Elements

Active ........................................................................................................10

Drive ..........................................................................................................10

Bass ............................................................................................................10

Compression ...........................................................................................12

Mid-Hi Tune .............................................................................................12

Process ......................................................................................................13

High EQ ....................................................................................................14

Intensity ...................................................................................................14

Stereo Expander ....................................................................................15

Power supply ..........................................................................................15

Specifications .........................................................................................16

Warranty ..................................................................................................17

4

STEREO

MK2

Vitalizer Awards:

In 1993 the “Golden Ear Award”
was presented to SPL by Europe´s
biggest HiFi-magazine “Audio”for
the Vitalizer in HiFi-Version.

The Stereo Vitalizer MK2 is an equalizer concept which makes
use of scientific psychoacoustic technology to process audio
signals. The unique combination of dynamic equalizers, ampli­tude-controlled phase correction, harmonic filtering and stereo
expandingopens up a whole new listening dimension by adap­ting the sound pattern to the non-linearities of the human ear.

The Stereo Vitalizer MK2 gives the mid frequencies accurate
transparency with a soft, unobtrusive sound. The treble range is
reworked with broadband shelving filters, which focus on achie­ving a smooth, silky sound pattern. High frequencies are livened
up without them sounding hard or aggressive. The Stereo
Vitalizer MK2 uses a newly developed filter network to process
the low frequency range.The bass is accentuated without any risk
of emphasizing the lower mid frequencies unnaturally. You can
choose between a dry, percussive bass (Tight) or a punchy, soft
and very deep sound character (Soft). An easy to use compressor
complements the bass section allowing the correction of level
change due to bass processing.The result is a pleasanter and live­lier sound pattern with an unrivalled wealth of detail.

The Stereo Vitalizer MK2 is especially designed to serve the
needs in recording,mastering, cutting and post production work.
Used on complete mixes or being inserted into the subgroups to
treat specific parts of the mix, the Stereo Vitalizer MK2 will
perform the same task as those esoteric and costly equalizers
often used for audio sweetening but with far greater tonal flexibi­lity and at a much lower cost.You will be amazed by how transpa­rent and powerful almost every audio signal sounds after it has
been processed with the Stereo Vitalizer MK2!

The housing of the Stereo Vitalizer MK2 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 Stereo Vitalizer MK2 should not be installed near units
which produce strong magnetic fields or extreme heat. Do not
install the Stereo Vitalizer MK2 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 Stereo Vitalizer MK2 with a soft,lint-free cloth.

Important security advices

Introduction

Operation safety

In 1994 the “Stage Design Award”
was presented to SPL by the “Artist”
magazine for the exceptionally
performance of the Stereo Vitalizer
on stage.

5

STEREO

MK

2

The Stereo Vitalizer MK2 is fitted with both XLR-connectors and
TRS stereo jacks for balanced operation,though the jacks may be
used with unbalanced connections simply by plugging in mono
jack-plugs. The level difference that normally occurs when a
balanced input or output is used unbalanced is automatically
compensated for.

Should the need arise to use the XLR connectors in an unba­lanced system, pin 3 of the XLRs should be grounded. Inserting a
mono jack also unbalances the XLRs.

Both output stages operate in parallel, so it is possible to
connect two different destination units simultaneously, for
example to record to two different media at the same time or split
the output between a mixer and effects processor. However,only
one type of input (jack or XLR) should be connected at a time –
the Stereo Vitalizer MK2 is not intended to be used as a mixer!

To ensure optimal signal quality, SPL has developed a new
hybrid-component balanced input/output stage using all laser­trimmed resistors with a tolerance of 0.01 %. This approach has
resulted in an exceptionally high CCMR (common mode rejec­tion); 100dB at 1kHz and 80 dB at 10 kHz.

As a precaution, before connecting the Stereo Vitalizer MK2
switch off the power to the unit and to all connected units.

Connections

Pin wiring: Stereo Jack plug

Tip=Hot(+) Ring=Cold(-) Sleeve=GND

12

3

Pin wiring: XLR connectors

1=GND 2=Hot(+) 3=Cold(-)

6

STEREO

MK2

Applications

Application 1:

The Stereo Vitalizer MK2 inserted
into the master-inserts of the
console

Application 2:

The Stereo Vitalizer mk2 inserted
between noise-reduction and
recorder to improve archived recor­dings

1.The most obvious application of the Stereo Vitalizer MK2 is to

process a final mix,either while mixing or during post-production
prior to cutting. Insert your Stereo Vitalizer MK2 into the master­inserts of your console or right in between a playback and a recor­ding unit. Although inserting the Stereo Vitalizer MK2 into the
master inserts is the most popular application, we advise to insert
the unit into the sub-groups, so that specific elements of the mix
are being treated with the Vitalizer process.

When patching the Stereo Vitalizer MK2 into the sub-groups or
master-breaks of the console, note if the master breaks are swit­ched ‘pre’ or ‘post’ fader.They should best be switched ‘pre’fader,
so that a variation of the master fader does not affect the input
level of the Stereo Vitalizer MK2.The effect level and the treated
sound will then remain unchanged.

It is important to use full-range monitors to assess the effect of
any bass processing in and out of circuit in order to appreciate just
how much processing has been added; the brain soon acclimates
to changes in timbre and it is easy to overdo it! If in doubt, refer
frequently to known recordings played through the same monitor
system. Do not connect the Stereo Vitalizer MK2 between master­outputs and amplifier.The major disadvantage of this connection
is the varying input sensitivity with each fader movement.

2. Another popular stereo application is the processing of

existing master tapes during post-production such as when
reprocessing archive material for CD release.

If a single-ended noise reduction system is used to clean up the
original, the Stereo Vitalizer MK2 can make a significant contribu­tion in restoring the high end detail that invariably suffers during
such treatment. In many cases, the restored master can be made
to sound appreciably better than the original.

Recording Studio