Spl Surround Monitor Controller User Manual

Manual

Surround Monitor Controller

Model 2489

One-point stereo and 5.1 volume control, source and speaker management

Manual Surround Monitor Controller

Version 1.0 – 6/2004

R &D: Wolfgang Neumann

The information in this document has been carefully compiled and 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 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.

Limitation of Liability:

In no event shall 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.

Model 2489

SPL electronics GmbH

Sohlweg 55

41372 Niederkruechten

Tel . [phone]

Fax [phone]

E-Mail: [e-mail]

www.soundperformancelab.com

© 2004 SPL electronics GmbH. All rights reserved.
All Brand and product names are registered trademark s or trademarks of t heir respective owner s.

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Surround Monitor Controller 2489

Introduction ............................................................................................... 4

Before you begin ........................................................................................ 5

Power Supply .............................................................................................. 5

Rear panel/Connections ............................................................................. 6

Inputs and outputs .................................................................................... 7

INPUTs A & C (Sub-D 25) ............................................................................. 7

SLAVE OUT (Sub-D 25) ................................................................................ 7

INPUTs B & D (RCA) ..................................................................................... 7

SURROUND and SPEAKER OUTPUTS ........................................................... 7

Sub-D 25 connector pin configuration ......................................................... 7

Operation ................................................................................................... 8

Volume control ........................................................................................... 8

Source ........................................................................................................ 8

Monitor Mode ............................................................................................. 8

Speakers On ............................................................................................... 9

Contents

Technical Specifications ............................................................................. 9

Warranty .....................................................................................................10

Notes .......................................................................................................... 11

Surround Monitor Controller 2489

3

Introduction

The SPL Surround Monitor Controller (SMC) is a one-point analog volume control
and switching matrix for system-independent 5.1 surround and stereo moni­toring. Designed to provide only the necessary functions with excellent audio
quality, the SMC offers a uniquely cost-effective stereo and surround speaker
and source management solution for essentially any audio application:

• Surround and stereo production

• DVD-V, DVD-A, SACD and DTS authoring

• Film and video postproduction

• Video and game production

• A/V and multimedia production

• Audiophile home entertainment systems

The advantages of the SMC become especially apparent in combination with
modern audio and video production tools such as ProTools™, Nuendo™,
Cubase™, Logic™, Deck™ etc. Monitor levels and source management can
be handled independently of the software and with virtually no loss in quality.
You no longer need to set up additional aux sends or an alternative surround
master for monitoring. In addition, you won‘t have to worry about over- or
underdriving the converters due to monitor levels.

One of the SMC‘s biggest advantages is the possibility to manage several
input sources: comparing and monitoring SACD or DVD material is much easier
than having to import all of your audio files and set up monitor mixes – not to
mention the conversion of multichannel audio.

Standard A/V receivers are often used for this task. The problem with this is
that the audio has to be either AD/DA converted or manipulated by signal­degenerating control circuitry (VCA‘s, DAC‘s etc.) for volume control, so you
never hear the unadulterated audio – especially frustrating when you‘re
working on SACD or DVD-A projects.

In addition to a surround speaker set, a stereo pair can be connected to and
managed by the SMC. A Sub-D input connector provides six surround and two
stereo input channels. Eight additional RCA connectors allow easy connection
of SACD, DVD, CD or DAT players. A slave output allows the stereo or surround
input signal to be routed directly to a recording device. Volume control is
handled by a discrete six-layer potentiometer and all switching functions by
extremely durable precision pushbuttons.

SPL‘s renowned electronic balancing circuitry forms the basis for the SMC‘s
I/O architecture. Its extended frequency range up to 100 kHz, exceptional
dynamic spectrum and excellent common mode rejection ensure specs that
exceed SACD standards, as only highest quality analog circuitry can provide.

Last but not least, the SMC‘s rugged and ergonomic steel-blue desktop enclo­sure with its slanted front panel harmonizes perfectly with the desktop produc­tion environment.

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Surround Monitor Controller 2489

IMPORTANT: Adjust the voltage setting on the rear panel so that it corre­sponds to your local power conditions. Before connecting the SMC or any
other equipment turn off all power.

It makes good sense to think about where you place your SMC before connec­ting it. 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 excessive vibrations, dust, heat, cold or moisture. It
should also be kept away from transformers, motors, power amplifiers and
digital processors. In addition, please:

• Do not open the case. You may risk electric shock and damage to your equip­ment.

• Leave repairs and maintenance to a qualified service technician. Should
foreign objects fall inside the case, contact your authorized dealer or
support person.

• To avoid electric shock or fire hazards, do not expose your unit to rain or
moisture.

• In case of lightning, unplug the unit. Always unplug the cable by pulling on
the plug only; never pull on the cable.

Before you begin

• Never force a switch or knob.

• Use a soft, lint-free cloth to clean the case. Avoid cleaning agents as they
may damage the unit.

The SMC‘s power supply was carefully engineered to provide clean and consis­tent current – an important prerequisite for excellent audio. Built around a
toroidal transformer, the power supply generates a minimal electromagnetic
field with no hum or mechanical noise. The output side is filtered by an RC
circuit to extract noise and hums inherent in commercial AC power.

All audio-related components are fed by two separate voltage regulators to
minimize disturbance from other components.

An AC power cord is included for connection to the standard 3-prong IEC
connector. The transformer, power cord and IEC connector are VDE, UL and
CSA approved. The AC fuse is rated at 315 mA for 230 v and 630 mA for 115 v.

Power Supply

Surround Monitor Controller 2489

5

Rear panel/connections

Multitrack recorder

DAW/

DA converter

CD/DAT player

MAINS INPUT

VOLTAGE SETTING / FUSE RATING

220 – 240 V ~ 50 Hz / Fuse: 315 mA
110 – 120 V ~ 60 Hz / Fuse: 630 mA

TO REDUCE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK

DO NOT EXPOSE THIS UNIT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE

AVIS: RISQUE DE CHOC ÉLECTRIQUE - NE PAS OUVRIR

WARNING

CAUTION

RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK

DO NOT OPEN

POWER

1/4"

TRS

Sound

Performance Lab

Surround Monitor

Controller

Model 2489

Made in Germany

SERIAL No.

Sub-D-25

Sub-D-25

See Manual for Pin Configuration

Stereo Speaker Outs

R

R

Balanced Input

SLAVE OUT

Stereo Speaker Outs

L

L

SACD/DVD player

RCA

RCA

Input A + CInput DInput B

Input D Input BInput A + C

L

L

R

R

Surround Speaker Outputs

LFE

LFE

C

C

Balanced Outputs: Use Stereo Jacks / Unbalanced Outputs: Use Mono Jacks

1/4"

RS

RS

TRS

LFE

LFE

C

C

Surround Speaker Outputs

LS

LS

LS

LS

RS

RS

R

R

L

L

R

R

L

L

Stereo speakers Surround speakers

Vector graphics cour tesy of TASC AM G erm any (www.tascam.de) and

Christian Preissig, media dell‘ arte - text&ton, E-Mail: media_dell_ar [e-mail]

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Surround Monitor Controller 2489

The SMC enclosure is EMC-safe and effectively shielded against HF interfer­ence. Nonetheless, you should carefully consider where you place the unit
to avoid electrical disturbances. The SMC and all devices to be connected
should be turned off before connections are made. Always turn volume down
or mute your speak ers when disconnec ting or repatching aud io cables to avoid
damage to your speakers and ears.

Inputs and outputs

INPUTs A & C (Sub-D 25; analog)

This Sub-D connector provides balanced connections for INPUTs A & C (INPUT
A for six surround channels, INPUT C for two stereo channels). Use this
connector for your multichannel source, i.e. DAW or DA converter.

SLAVE OUT (Sub-D 25; analog)

The SLAVE OUT provides a direct output of the INPUT A & C signals for connec­tion to external equipment e.g. recorders, leaving the converter outputs free.

Connectors

INPUTs B & D (RCA)

Eight RCA input connectors are available for six surround channels and two
stereo channels. INPUT B provides surround connection for SACD or DVD
players, while INPUT D provides connection for stereo sources such as DAT or
CD players.

Tip: If a recording device is connected to the SLAVE OUT, its outputs can be
connected to INPUT B for tape monitoring purposes.

SURROUND and SPEAKER OUTPUTS (1/4“ TRS)

Eight balanced 1/4“ TRS connectors allow connection of a six-channel
surround speaker set and a stereo speaker pair.

For unbalanced connections, use standard mono 1/4“ plugs.

Sub-D 25 connector pin configuration

The pin configuration complies with the TASCAM standard.

1=L 2=R 3=LS 4=RS 5=C 6=LFE 7=St. L 8=St.R

G C H G C H G C H G C H G C H G C H G C H G C H

13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

25 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14

G = Ground, C = cold (-), H = hot (+)

Surround Monitor Controller 2489

7

Operation

Volume control

The volume is centrally controlled for all channels via a discrete six-level
potentiometer with an extremely linear curve. The potentiometer controls the
audio signals directly without any signal-degenerating circuitry such as VCA‘s
or DAC‘s, which tend to create excessive tolerances between channels as well
as distortion. The white circle with the potency scale can be easily marked
using a pencil.

Source

The SOURCE buttons allow easy switching between surround and stereo
sources (inputs). Two surround and two stereo sources are available.

The middle button selects between surround and stereo sources. When
depressed (in), the stereo sources are active; when not depressed (out) the
surround sources are selected.

The left button selects either surround source A (out) and B (in), while the
right button selects either stereo source C (out) or D (in).

Monitor Mode

The MONITOR MODE buttons provide various monitoring functions: MONO
L/R, MONO LS/RS, DIM -20 and MUTE ALL.

MONO L/R and MONO LS/RS switches the front L and R channels and the rear
LS and RS channels to mono, respectively, and can be used to check phase
correlation. The MONO LS/RS mode has no effect when a stereo speaker pair
is selected.

DIM lowers the monitor volume by -20 dB without changing the volume
pot setting, for example to control a mix at low volume (or to answer the
phone…).

MUTE ALL does exactly what it says: it mutes all speaker outputs.

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Surround Monitor Controller 2489

Speakers On

The SPEAKERS ON buttons enable each surround speaker output (L, C, R, LS,
RS, LFE) and the stereo pair to be switched on and off independently.

Tip: If you are not using a surround speaker set, you can connect two stereo
speaker pairs to the SMC. Simply connect one pair to the STEREO SPEAKER
OUTPUTS and the second pair to the SURROUND SPEAKER OUTPUTS L and R.

Technical Specifi cations

Input impedance
Balanced (Sub-D) 50 kOhms
Unbalanced (RCA) ›10 kOhms

Operation

Output impedance
Balanced (1/4“ TRS) ‹6 00 Ohms

THD+N

-10 dB (Input level) 0.04 %

0 dB 0.01 %
+10 dB 0.006 %
+18 dB 0.002 %
+22 dB 0.1 %

Noise, A-weighted -98 dB

Maximum input level +22 dB

Dynamic response 120 dB

Common mode rejection
@ 100 Hz ›70 dBu
@ 1 kHz ›70 dBu
@ 10 kHz ›6 0 dBu
@ 100 kHz ›50 dBu

Frequency response 10 Hz-10 0 kHz ( -3 dB)

Phase -36° (10-120 kHz, -3 dB center frequency)

Phase, linear 20 Hz-100 kHz

Dimensions H x W x D: 91 x 272 x 220 mm (3 9/16“ x 10 11/16“ x 8 21/32“)

Weight 2.3 kg (5 lbs)

SPL reserves the right to make technical changes without prior notice.

Surround Monitor Controller 2489

9

Warranty

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 instruc-

tions, 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
and descriptions. 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 use, are
limited to a period of 1 (one) year from either the date of purchase or the
manufacturing date. 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 and country to country.

SPL electronics GmbH, 41372 Niederkruechten, Germany

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Surround Monitor Controller 2489