Manual Transient Designer Model 9842 Dynamic Effect Processor Transient Designer Manual Model 9842 By Hermann Gier, Paul Lentzen and Paul White Version 1.0 - 04/1998 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 authorisation 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 authorised dealer has been advised of the possibility of such damage. SPL electronics GmbH Office address: Sohlweg 55 D-41372 Niederkruechten, Germany Postal address: P.O. Box 12 27 D- 41368 Niederkruechten, Germany Phone +49 - 21 63 / 98 34-0 Fax +49 - 21 63 / 98 34-20 E-mail: info@spl-electronics.com www.spl-electronics.com SOUND PERFORMANCE LAB © 1998 SPL electronics GmbH. All rights reserved. Foreword ...................................................................................................... 3 Thanks ........................................................................................................... 3 Introduction ................................................................................................. 4 Operation Safety......................................................................................... 5 Connections ................................................................................................ 6 Tech Talk ....................................................................................................... 7 Differential Envelope Technology® ....................................................... 7 The attack control-circuitry ..................................................................... 7 The sustain control-circuitry ................................................................... 7 Connection to digital systems ............................................................... 8 Control Elements .............. ACTIVE .....................................................10 .... SIGNAL LED (Sig. LED) ..........................10 ... ATTACK ....................................................10 .. SUSTAIN ...................................................11 . LINK ..........................................................11 Applications ....................... Connections ..........................................12 ..... Drums & Percussion .............................13 .... Guitar & Bass ..........................................13 ... Backings ..................................................14 .. Keyboard, Sampler ...............................14 . Movie Post Pro ......................................14 Power Supply ...............................................................................................15 Specifications ..............................................................................................16 Warranty ........................................................................................................17 Contents Dear customer, Thank you for the confidence you have shown towards SPL electronics GmbH by purchasing the SPL TRANSIENT DESIGNER, a highly innovative Dynamic Processor manufactured to a high standard. As you would expect from an SPL unit, the TRANSIENT DESIGNER combines exemplary technical specifications with intuitive usability and unrivalled audio performance. Even though the TRANSIENT DESIGNER is very simple to use, please read this manual through carefully at least once to ensure you have all the information you need to get the best out of your new purchase. We wish you every success with your new TRANSIENT DESIGNER. Your Sound Performance Lab-Team Foreword I would like to start with my thanks to all our staff, particularly Ruben Tilgner, who created the TRANSIENT DESIGNER.The importance of their exceptional qualification and talents cannot be overestimated. Our products are often tested and compared in many publications, as well as by our customers themselves, and constantly attract praise for the high standard of audio performance they achieve. I would like to pass on this broad appreciation to those, who deserve it - my excellent colleagues. Hermann Gier Thanks Transient Designer 3 Introduction The TRANSIENT DESIGNER is a revolutionary Dynamic Processor based on levelindependent sound processing that makes it possible to radically change the attack and sustain characteristics of any musical sound in a creative way. The new TRANSIENT DESIGNER provides a revolutionary concept for dynamic processing rendering controls such as Threshold, Ratio and Gain superfluous. The TRANSIENT DESIGNER's automation is highly developed, so that while the processing going on inside the box may be very complex, the user has to deal with just a few intuitive controls. SPL's Differential Envelope Technology® is the first solution for level-independent processing of envelopes allowing transients to be accelerated or slowed down and sustain prolonged or shortened. The degree of dynamic processing required to do this couldn't be duplicated even using a chain of several conventional compressors, yet only two controls per channel are required to allow the user to completely reshape the attack and sustain characteristics of a sound. Attack can be amplified or attenuated by up to 15dB while Sustain can be amplified or attenuated by up to 24 dB, enabling weak drum sounds to be made much more percussive and powerful, or for over-percussive transients to be softened. All the necessary time-constants (Attack, Decay and Release) are automated and optimised adaptively in a musical manner according to the characteristics of the input signal. This results in natural sounding signal processing and fast operation. The TRANSIENT DESIGNER uses envelope followers to track the curve of the natural signal so that optimum results are guaranteed regardless of the input signal's dynamics. Because of the level-independent processing inherent in Differential Envelope Technology®, manual threshold adjustments are not required. In order to maintain the cleanest possible signal path, the TRANSIENT DESIGNER uses the excellently specified THAT 2181-VCAs, which are especially natural sounding, transparent and create minimal distortion. High amplitudes are processed without damping of high frequencies or reducing bass. For stereo operation the LINK function connects channel pairs (1,2 and/or 3,4) such that both channels are controlled by the same side-chain voltage so as to maintain a coherent and stable stereo image. When operating in LINK-mode, the control elements of the first (or third) channel, including the ACTIVE switch, control the second (or fourth) channel, too. Each channel is equipped with a relay hard bypass circuit to ensure a minimum signal path when the process is bypassed. The Signal-LEDs provide a simple and positive means to quickly monitor the signal flow, which is particularly important if the four channels are connected to a patchbay. Transients can be accelerated or slowed down and sustain may be prolonged or shortened. This is made possible by the use of adaptively optimised time-constant parameters. SPL's Differential Envelope Technology® for level-independent processing. The latest VCA-technology preserves audio transparency and minimises distortion. There are four independent channels of signal processing in the TRANSIENT DESIGNER, though channels may also be linked for stereo operation. The unit features a relay hard bypass and Signal-LEDs to simplify metering. 4 Transient Designer Packaged in a standard 19 " EIA format and occupying 1U (44,45 mm) of rack space, the TRANSIENT DESIGNER can be installed in a standard rack, but it is recommended that the rear of the case be supported, especially in touring applications. The TRANSIENT DESIGNER should not be installed near units which produce strong magnetic fields or extreme heat. Do not install the TRANSIENT DESIGNER directly above or below power amplifiers or digital processors. If possible, the TRANSIENT DESIGNER should be placed in an 'analogue rack' where the majority (or all) of the equipment installed is analogue. Check that the voltage details quoted on the back panel are the same as your local mains electricity supply. Thanks · Use a small, flat bladed 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 side of the unit. · If, during operation, the sound is interrupted or indicators no longer illuminate, or if abnormal odour 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 TRANSIENT DESIGNER with a soft, lint-free cloth. Use only standard cleaning agents. Never use alcohol or paint thinner, because they may damage the finish. Important security advices Transient Designer 5 Connections Before connecting the TRANSIENT DESIGNER switch power off at all connected units. The TRANSIENT DESIGNER is fitted with XLR-connectors for balanced operation and the following illustration shows the pin-wiring: 1 3 2 Pin-wiring: XLR-connectors 1=GND 2=hot (+) 3=cold (-) 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); -80 dB at 1kHz and -75 dB at 10 kHz. Should the need arise to use the XLR connectors in an unbalanced system, pin 3 of the XLRs should be grounded. The following illustration shows how to properly unbalance a balanced signal: Rear panel of the TRANSIENT DESIGNER, model 9842 6 Transient Designer In nearly every aspect the TRANSIENT DESIGNER is different from conventional Dynamic Processors or Compressors. You don't need to know how the TRANSIENT DESIGNER works in order to be able to use it effectively, but if you're at all curious as to what goes on inside the box, read this section while referring to the diagrams. Tech Talk Differential Envelope Technology® Differential Envelope Technology® maintains identical envelope processing from quiet to loud signals (from pianissimo to fortissimo) without the need for the user to adjust any external parameters. In a conventional system, low level signals would be excluded from processing. Both parameters (ATTACK and SUSTAIN) work in parallel and do not influence each other. SPL's Differential Envelope Technology® realises levelindependent envelope processing, so doing away with the need for a conventional Threshold control. The ATTACK control circuitry The ATTACK control circuitry uses two envelope generators. The first follows the shape of the original curve (Diagram1: envelope follower Env 1), while the second generator produces the envelope Env 2 (Diagram 1) with a slower attack. The hatched area shows the difference between Env 1 and Env 2 (Diagram 2), and the VCA control voltage is derived from this difference. Positive ATTACK values emphasise attack events, negative ATTACK values smooth out the attack envelopes of events. Two envelopes are generated and compared - the VCA control voltage is derived from their difference. Diagram1 illustrates the original curve and both generated envelopes for processing the attack period.The envelope follower Env 1 corresponds to the shape of the original curve.The attack of Env 2 is lower. Diagram 2 illustrates the difference from Env 1 and Env 2, giving the VCA control voltage. Transient Designer 7 Tech Talk Diagram 3 illustrates the shapes of the processed curves with maximum and minimum attack, compared to the original curve from Diagram 1. The SUSTAIN control circuitry The SUSTAIN control circuitry includes two further envelope generators. The envelope follower Env 3 (Diagram 4), again follows the shape of the original curve. For a longer period the envelope generator Env 4 (Diagram 4) holds the sustain level according to the peak level and the VCA control voltage is generated by the difference between Env 3 (Diagram 4) and Env 4 (Diagram 5: hatched area). The sustain is extended at positive settings and shortened at negative settings. Diagram 4 illustrates the original curve and both envelopes generated for processing the sustain period.The envelope follower Env 3 corresponds to the original curve.The sustain of Env 2 is extended. Diagram 5 illustrates the difference between Env 4 and Env 3. It determines the VCA control voltage. 8 Transient Desig ...