Manual Model 9733 Dual Channel Tube Processor SOUND PERFORMANCE LAB CHARISMA Model 9733 Manual by Hermann Gier and Paul White Version 1.2 ­ 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: info@spl-electronics.com www.spl-electronics.com © 1999 SPL electronics GmbH. All Rights Reserved. Foreword................................................................................ 3 Thanks ................................................................................... 3 Introduction........................................................................... 4 Operation safety.................................................................... 4 Connections........................................................................... 5 Control Elements DRIVE.......................................................................... 6 MAX/PROCESS LED´s................................................... 6 CHARISMA.................................................................... 7 OUTPUT....................................................................... 7 BYPASS........................................................................ 7 Applications.......................................................................... 7 Normal Processing................................................................ 8 Set-up positions....................................................... 8 Getting started.......................................................... 8 The CHARISMA control................................................ 8 Tip offs...................................................................... 9 Extreme Processing.............................................................. 9 Tip offs...................................................................... 9 Power Supply.........................................................................10 Specifications.........................................................................11 Warranty................................................................................12 Dear customer, Thank you for the confidence you have shown towards SPL electronics GmbH by purchasing the SPL CHARISMA. 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. As a typical SPL unit the CHARISMA combines exemplary specifications and high manufacturing standard with excellent sound quality to provide you a precious component for studio purposes. Please read this manual carefully to ensure you have all the information you need to use the CHARISMA. We wish you every success with your new CHARISMA. 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. A very special "thank you" goes to Manfred Reckmeyer, whose longterm experience in tube technology including custom modifications of tube gear for many artists made this product possible. 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 Contents Foreword Thanks 3 Introduction CHARISMA is a 2-channel tube processor designed to improve the power, punch, dynamics and the subjective loudness of the signal being processed. Designed to introduce a subjective tonal warmth and a smooth bottom end into digitally recorded material, CHARISMA is a joint development between SPL and Manfred Reckmeyer, the designer responsible for the development of the 8-channel CHARISMA. CHARISMA represents a solution that far exceeds the mere simulation of tape saturation, and CHARISMA´s tube saturation characteristics can be fully controlled by the user. The concept of operation is simple. Each CHARISMA channel has three potentiometers: DRIVE sets the drive level to the tubes, CHARISMA adjusts the tube saturation characteristic, and OUTPUT sets the output signal level. CHARISMA also helps to prevent overload and clipping on digitally or analogue recorded tracks. You should use CHARISMA while recording before your digital recorder in order to clipprotect your recording (e. g. limiting peaks from live-recorded drums or reducing sharp "esses" from vocals). CHARISMA gives your signals more clarity, transparency and presence. Each part of the mix, instrument or vocal can easier be distinguished and located. Using CHARISMA on single instruments alone lets those signals stick out of the mix. CHARISMA also helps you to place vocals in a densed playback and maintaining their presence. We will start with general safety hints, followed by the connections on the rear panel. We then take a look at the controls on the front and go on with practicals tips for the usage of CHARISMA. The housing of CHARISMA has the standard 19"-EIA format and occupies 1U (44 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. CHARISMA should not be installed near units which produce strong magnetic fields or extreme heat. Do not install CHARISMA directly above or below power amplifiers or digital processors. This eliminates problems which could result from interfering high-frequencies such as clock frequencies, MIDI or SMPTE control signals. 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 CHARISMA with a soft, lint-free cloth. Use only standard cleaning agents. Never use alcohol or paint thinner, because they may damage the finish. Operation safety 4 Before connecting CHARISMA switch the power off at all connected units. CHARISMA 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: Connections 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 CHARISMA 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); 100 dB at 1 kHz and 80 dB at 10 kHz. As a precaution, before connecting the CHARISMA switch off the power to the unit and to all connected units. Other rear panel connections and switches: - Voltage selector: 220-240V/50Hz or 100-120V/60Hz - CSA/UL approved 3-pole power plug - GND-Lift switch Included in the packaging are: - 3-wire, U-ground, power cord - Owner´s Manual - Warranty card - SPL catalogue 1 3 2 1=GND 2=Hot (+) 3=Cold (-) Pin wiring: XLR connectors Pin wiring: stereo-jack plug Tip=Hot (+) Ring=Cold (-) Sleeve=GND 5 Control elements 1 3 Drive 4 1 2 5 Setting the drive level to the tubes The DRIVE control sets the drive level to the tubes. DRIVE values can be adjusted between -oo dB and +24 dB. You have control over the tube´s onset of saturation to find the optimum point of processing. The higher the DRIVE, the more tube harmonics are being generated. At the same time, limiting gets stronger, increasing the density of the tube distortion. Start off with the DRIVE set at 0 dB. Now the input level is equivalent to the level driving the tube electronics. When you increase the value, you will get a more intense tube processing and the output volume rises. To compensate this use the OUTPUT control (4). Max/Process LEDs PROCESS = processing starts MAX = max. saturation 2 The PROCESS LED illuminates when CHARISMA starts its tube processing. The tubes are starting to generate their typical sound and harmonical structure. The MAX LED indicates that the processing has reached its maximum position. Now the tube is fully saturated and the typical limiting effect occurs. Increasing the DRIVE results in more tube distortion. IMPORTANT: When you start to process a sound with heavy transients and attack, like a snare or a kick drum, you can drive the tubes into heavy saturation before you start to hear the tube´s distortion. When the PROCESS LED starts to illuminate you hardly hear a change. Drive the tubes into heavier distortion so that the MAX LED illuminates frequently and the tube processing becomes audible. On the other hand, when you process layer sounds or almost sinewave-like sounds you will sometimes hear the tube´s distortion even before the PROCESS LED illuminates. The CHARISMA effect is sometimes unpleasant on layer sounds! So, set the DRIVE level depending on the character of the sound you want to process. Our hearing detects overtones on sinewave-like signal immediately as unpleasant distortion, whereas squarewave-like sounds can be heavily distrorted and still remain pleasing to the ear. Note: Do not set the DRIVE controls to identical scale settings and expect the tubes to act identical when different source characteristics are present at the inputs. Trust your hearing. Examples: ­ with snare or kick drum you can use heavy distortion (MAX LED illuminates) ­ with layer sounds you should be very careful! Only use very little distortion if any (PROCESS LED rarely) 6 This unique control varies the tube sound and allows you to create varying sound characteristics from SOFT to HARD. Creating different tube sounds results in varying harmonical structures and adjustments in the SOFT control range bring in the harmonical distortion and the tube limiting very slowly (you can compare this with the soft-knee characteristic of a limiter). In comparison to the HARD control range the SOFT effect starts off at relatively low levels. The sound becomes smooth and warm, is a little softer, and contains more harmonic distortion than the HARD sound. In the HARD control range CHARISMA operates comparable to the hard-knee characteristic of a limiter. The processing starts with full effect at one point whereupon the signal is sharply limited, and at this point, the sound becomes punchy and crispy. Depending on the selected characteristic and intensities, a readjustment of the DRIVE control may further emphasize the desired effect. 3 Charisma Selecting the sound character of the tube processing The OUTPUT control sets each channel´s output gain to compensate for the level increase when the DRIVE control has added level to drive the tube circuitry. Use a peak meter to set the OUTPUT level correctly. If you insert the CHARISMA on your console or patchbay without having control over the peak level you will end up with less peak level although the loudness is the same. This is because of the limiting effect of the tubes. CHARISMA is designed to increase loudness by maintaining the same peak level and to improve bit resolution on digital recording systems. 4 Output Monitor the peak level to set the OUTPUT level correctly! The bypass switch switches each CHARISMA channel in and out of processing (hard-bypass), and the bypass switch is labelled according to ...