Manual PHANTOM 48 V Off PAD dB VU CAL dB LIMITER dB PHANTOM 48 V PAD dB VU CAL dB LIMITER dB -20 Off 48 V Clip Limit AD OVL -10 0 Dual Channel Microphone, Line & Instrument Preamplifier PHASE Rev. Nor. HI PASS Hz So un d 20 %0 Perf orman ce 35 18 Off 12 -20 Off 48 V Clip Limit AD OVL -10 0 La b FLAIR High Off Med 3 10 10 7 5 30 50 70 100 TUBE AMP dB 50 Off VU 18 6 12 Gold Mike Mark 2 Off PHASE Rev. Nor. HI PASS Hz So un d 20 %0 Perf orman ce 35 18 Off 12 La b FLAIR High Off Med 3 10 10 7 5 30 50 70 100 TUBE AMP dB 50 Off VU 18 6 12 Discrete Class A Preamplifier Stage Gain 24 27 29 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 dB 32 35 38 41 44 49 54 60 66 SOURCE Instr. Line Mic 1 INSTR. INSERT On Off Output -10 -9 -8 -6 -12 -5 -14 -2.5 -16 0 -18 2 -20 3.5 -22 -24 5 5.5 -25 -26 6 dB Gain 24 27 29 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 dB 32 35 38 41 44 49 54 60 66 SOURCE Instr. Line Mic 2 INSTR. INSERT On Off Output -10 -9 -8 -6 -12 -5 -14 -2.5 -16 0 -18 2 -20 3.5 -22 -24 5 5.5 -25 -26 6 dB Power Model 2485 GoldMike Mk 2 Model 2485 Dual-channel microphone and instrument preamplifier Manual GoldMike MK2 Version 2.0 ­ 11/2004 Designer: Ruben Tilgner Model 2485 This user's guide 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 verified and, unless otherwise stated or agreed upon, correctly describes the product 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 55, 41372 Niederkruechten Germany Tel. +49 (0)2163 983 40 Fax +49 (0)2163 983 420 Email: info@soundperformancelab.com www.soundperformancelab.com SPL USA: www.spl-usa.com/info@spl-usa.com © 2004 SPL electronics GmbH. All rights reserved. Names of other companies and their products are trademarks of their respective owners. 2 GoldMike MK2 Contents Introduction ................................................................... Before You Begin ............................................................ Rear Panel/Connections ................................................. Wiring ......................................................................... General advices ........................................................... Mic Input 1/2, Line In 1/2, Inserts 1/2 ........................... Outputs 1/2, GND Lift .................................................. Front Panel/Connections ............................................... Instr. Input 1/2 ............................................................. Control Elements ............................................................ Power, Gain, About Gain Adjustments .......................... Output, Phantom ........................................................ Phase, Pad, Hi Pass .................................................... Flair, Tube Amp, About Tube Amping ............................ Limiter ........................................................................ VU-Cal, Source, Display, VU-Meter ............................... 48 V LED, Clip LED, Limit LED, AD OVL LED .................... 4 5 6 6 7 8 9 9 9 10 10 11 12 13 15 16 17 Technology .................................................................... 18 Solid State and Tube Stages, Output Stages ................ 18 Instrument Input, Relays, Foil Condensers ................... 19 Power Supply ................................................................. 20 Options (A/D Converter and Lundahl Transformers) ........ 21 Specifications/Dimensions & Weight ............................ 23 Warranty ......................................................................... 24 Notes ............................................................................. 25 GoldMike MK2 3 Introduction The GoldMikeMK2 is the result of all our experience and knowledge from its successful predecessor and represents an improved, more flexible and, more modern version. We have added technologies that have already proven to provide superior tonal results in other SPL products. For example, the instrument input is designed around a class A impedance converter which premiered in the SPL GainStation. A significant contribution to the success of the predecessor was the hybrid preamplifier concept. It combines transistor and tube preamplifier stages and specifically utilizes their technological and sonic advantages: The efficiency and low noise of a discrete transistor stage is enriched with musical coloration of a tube stage. The transistor stage is composed of single transistors in a class A design. The circuitry is fully discrete, and each transistor is completely optimized for its specific task. You will not find any IC's in this preamplifier stage because they cannot be optimized for this specific application to the degree we at SPL aim for. This all new discrete class A transistor stage is a genuine innovation in the entire preamplifier market at this price level. The degree of tube pre-amplification is no longer the fixed +6 dB value of its predecessor. The GoldMikeMK2 sports the selection of three different tube pre-amplifications: +6 dB remains the standard complemented by +12 dB and +18 dB. This allows creative variety with the tube saturation and limiting effects. We have also added an extra setting to the popular Flair circuitry to give more flexibility to the presence improvement. Because the GoldMikeMK2 is a dual channel preamplifier, its channel separation is of fundamental importance for the stereo image. Therefore the print-board layout is symmetrically mirrored around the power supply in the center from channel 1 to channel 2. This results in an identical signal flow to supporting a naturally balanced stereo image. Additionally the print-board provides extra-large ground areas maximizing the shielding against crosstalk and interference. 4 GoldMike MK2 Before You Begin IMPORTANT: Before you operate your GoldMike MK2, first check carefully whether the local voltage setting corresponds to the switch setting on the rear panel! VOLTAGE 220 ­ 240 V~50 Hz 110 ­ 120 V~60 Hz If not, and the voltage is in one way or another, incorrect, you will either experience an immediate fuse burn through (if the setting is lower than the supplied power) or, if the power is 110-120 V at a 220-240 V input switch setting, the GoldMike MK2 will simply not function correctly. Moreover, make sure you remove the power plug from your GoldMike MK2 before changing this switch setting! Always turn volume down or mute your speakers when connecting or repatching audio cables to avoid damage to your speakers and ears. It makes good sense to think about where you place your MTC 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 very dangerous 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. · Never force a switch or knob. · Use a soft, lint-free cloth to clean the case, if necessary together with an acid-free cleaning oil. Avoid cleaning agents as they may damage the unit. VOLTAGE GoldMike MK2 5 Optional A/D converter, model 2376 S/P-DIF signal for external synchronization S/P-DIF signal to DAW, HD recorder etc. TRS Jacks: Balanced +4dB Use Mono Jacks for Unbal. Operation Use Mono Jacks for Unbal. Operation XLR &TRS Jack: Balanced +4dB 220 ­ 240 V~50 Hz 110 ­ 120 V~60 Hz TO REDUCE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT EXPOSE THIS UNIT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE. DISCONNECT MAINS BEFORE REMOVING COVER. THIS EQUIPMENT MUST BE EARTHED. WARNING XLR &TRS Jack: Balanced +4dB TRS Jacks: Balanced +4dB Use Mono Jacks for Unbal. Operation Mono Jack: Unbal. 0dB Use Mono Jacks for Unbal. Operation Mono Jack: Unbal. 0dB SEND RETURN RETURN SEND C AU T I O N RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT OPEN Rear Panel/Connections MIC INPUT 2 AVIS: RISQUE DE CHOC ÉLECTRIQUE - NE PAS OUVRIR LINE IN 2 INSERT 2 OUTPUTS 2 VOLTAGE GND LIFT OUTPUTS 1 INSERT 1 LINE IN 1 MIC INPUT 1 Effects (EQs etc.) Converter, recorder, console Line signals* Microphone PUSH 2 1 3 Pin wiring of XLR mic inputs 1 3 2 Pin wiring of XLR outputs 1=Ground, 2=hot(+), 3=cold(-) Pin wiring of TRS connectors Tip=hot(+), Ring=cold(-), Sleeve=Ground 1=Ground, 2=hot(+), 3=cold(-) Wiring GoldMike MK2 * For signals with impedances lower than 1kOhms, i. e. D/A converters, synths, samplers. Instruments with impedances above 1kOhms are to be connected to the instrument input on the front (see input descriptions on pages 8 and 9). MIC INPUT 1 LINE IN 1 INSERT 1 OUTPUTS 1 GND LIFT VOLTAGE OUTPUTS 2 INSERT 2 LINE IN 2 MIC INPUT 2 6 24/96 AD SAMPLE RATE Converter SPL electronics GmbH Niederkrüchten, Germany SYNC INPUT DIGITAL OUTPUTS SYNC LOCK XLR Wiring: Pin 1 = GND, Pin 2 = (+), Pin3 = (­) www.soundperformancelab.com G o ld M i ke 2 4 860 0 00 220 ­ 240 V~50 Hz: 315 mA slow 110 ­ 120 V~60 Hz: 630 mA slow Model 2376 TRS Jack Wiring: Tip = (+), Ring = (­), Sleeve = GND SPDIF OUTPUT OPTICAL OUTPUT Made in Taiwan MADE IN GERMANY SERIAL NUMBER FUSE RATING Sound Performance Lab 44,1 48 x2 SPDIF INPUT Mono Jack Wiring: Tip = (+), Sleeve = GND General Advices Rear Panel/Connections Again, while the GoldMike MK2's housing is EMV-proof and protects against HF-interference, placement of the unit is very important since it amplifies microphone signals as well as other unwanted signals. Before connecting the GoldMike MK2 or any other equipment turn off all power. VOLTAGE 220 ­ 240 V~50 Hz 110 ­ 120 V~60 Hz IMPORTANT: Adjust the voltage setting on the back so that it corresponds with the power conditions. The following graph shows the correct wiring for connecting unbalanced signals to the balanced XLR connectors: VOLTAGE Output balanced unbalanced 1 3 2 1 3 2 1=GND 2=cold (+) 3=hot (-) The Line Input connector is designed for unbalanced signals only. The TRS output connectors (see "Outputs" on page 9) can be operated both with balanced and unbalanced wiring. Simply use a mono 1/4" plug for unbalanced operation. GoldMike MK2 7 Rear Panel/Connections Mic Input 1/2 Dynamic, condenser or tube microphones can be connected to the Mic inputs. The 48 V switch provides the phantom power necessary for some microphones (see also ,,Control Elements/ Phantom" on page 11). Alternatively the GoldMike MK2 can be equipped with optionally available transformer inputs from Lundahl (see "Lundahl Transformers" on page 22). MIC INPUT 1 MIC INPUT 1 LINE IN 1 TRS Jacks: Balanced +4dB Use Mono Jacks for Unbal. Operation Mono Jack: Unbal. 0 dB Line In 1/2 The unbalanced Line Inputs are dedicated to high-impedance, high-level signals such as A/D converters, synthesizers or samplers with an impedance of less than 1 kOhm. Signals with an impedance of above 1 kOhm, e. g. instruments like E bass, acoustic guitars with pickups or Fender Rhodes must be connected to the Instrument Input on the front panel. The max. input level of the Line Inputs is +23 dB. IMPORTANT: The Line Input is deactivated as long as an instrument is plugged into Instrument Input jack on the front. We recommend connecting the Line Input to a patchbay if sources need to be changed regularly. RETURN INSERT 1 INSERT 1 LINE IN 1 SEND Inserts 1/2 The balanced TRS Insert connectors (Send and Return) are used to integrate further units (EQs, Compressors, Limiters, Effects ...) into the signal path of the GoldMike MK2. The Send connector is placed behind the tube stage and can also be used as direct out (without output level control). The Return connector is located in front of Limiter and Output control which allows to control the output level, e. g. for precise drive level of following A/D converters. 8 GoldMike MK2 Rear Panel/Connections XLR &TRS Jack: Balanced +4 dB Use Mono Jacks for Unbal. Operation The preamplifier signals are fed to these electronically balanced outputs. Alternatively the GoldMike MK2 can be equipped with optionally available tr ...