Manual TUBE VITALIZER Model 9530 Program-Equalizer Tube Vitalizer Model 9530 Manual By Hermann Gier and Paul White Version 3.1 - 5/2000 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 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 eMail: info@ soundperformancelab.com www.soundperformancelab.com © 1999 SPL electronics GmbH. All rights reserved.VitalizerTM is a registered trademark of SPL electronics GmbH. Foreword ........................................................................ Thanks ............................................................................. Operation safety .......................................................... Introduction .................................................................. Connections .................................................................. Applications Recording Studio ..................................................... Tape Duplication ..................................................... Broadcast ................................................................... Sound Reinforcement ............................................ Video & Film Post Production .............................. 4 4 4 5 6 Contents 7 8 8 8 9 First Steps .................................................................... 10 Control Elements Activate Process (1) ................................................. 11 Drive (2) ...................................................................... 11 Bass (3) ........................................................................ 11 Bass - LC Filter (4) ..................................................... 12 Bass Comp. (5) ........................................................... 12 Hi-Mid Freq. (6) .......................................................... 13 Process Level (7) ....................................................... 15 High Freq. (8) ............................................................. 16 Intensity (9) ............................................................... 16 High - LC Filter (10) ................................................... 17 High Comp. (11) ....................................................... 17 Activate Tubes (12) .................................................. 18 Attenuator (13) ......................................................... 18 Atten./Limit (14) ....................................................... 19 VU In/Out (15) ........................................................... 19 Tube Status (16) ........................................................ 19 Power Supply ................................................................ 20 Specifications ............................................................... 21 Warranty ......................................................................... 22 TUBE VITALIZER 3 Foreword Dear Customer, Thank you for the confidence you have shown towards SPL electronics GmbH by purchasing the SPL Tube Vitalizer. 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 and pre-masterings. As a typical SPL unit the Tube Vitalizer combines exemplary specifications and high manufacturing standard with excellent sound quality to provide you a precious component for studio and mastering purposes. Please read this manual carefully to ensure you have all the information you need to use it. We wish you every success with the Tube Vitalizer. Your Sound Performance Laboratory-Team Thanks 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. But the biggest thanks I owe their unbelievable engagement, creativity and productivity in realizing our projects. 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 Operation safety The housing of the Tube Vitalizer has the standard 19" EIA format and occupies 2U (88 mm) in your rack. The Tube Vitalizer should not be installed near units which produce strong magnetic fields or extreme heat. Do not install the Tube Vitalizer directly above or below power amplifiers or digital processors. If possible, the Tube Vitalizer should be placed in an "analog rack" This eliminates problems which could result . from interfering high-frequency signals such as clock frequencies, MIDI or SMPTE 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 Tube Vitalizer with a soft, lint-free cloth. 4 TUBE VITALIZER SPL´s Tube Vitalizer is the top-of-the-line product of the Vitalizer range. It is designed for the sound enthusiast in professional recording, mastering and cutting. The effect intensities are optimized for this delicate sound processing. The Tube Vitalizer combines the finest audio technologies: Tube technology, RC & LC-technology, transistor- and semiconductortechnology. The unique combination of dynamic equalizers, amplitude-controlled phase correction, harmonic filtering opens up a whole new listening dimension by adapting the sound pattern to the non-linearities of the human ear. The Tube Vitalizer 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. Filtering can be altered by adding a passive LC-filter network. High frequencies are livened up without them sounding hard or aggressive. The Tube Vitalizer uses an hitherto undocumented 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). Both sounds can be altered by adding a passive LC-filter network. The bass and high frequency section are both equipped with easy to use compressors based around the THAT 4301. The output section can be switched from solid-state to tube operation. Now you can add that warm and smooth tube sound to your mix and directly compare it with the "non-tube" mix. The tube stage is an original AEG design from 1955. It utilizes three tubes. This stage reduces crosstalk to 54 dB which is typical for vinyl-cutting. Responding to latest psychoacoustic research it is believed that vinyl sounds "better" than CD because of a more natural sound stage. There are no sounds in nature that are coherent but have a channel separation of about 90 dB like on CD. This tube stage gives you the possibility to add vinyl-sound to your CD production. Introduction The Tube Vitalizer will perform the task of audio sweetening with great tonal flexibility and musicality. The result of processing is a pleasanter and livelier sound pattern with an unrivalled wealth of detail. TUBE VITALIZER 5 Connections The Tube Vitalizer 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 Tube Vitalizer 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 Tube Vitalizer switch off the power to the unit and to all connected units. Pin wiring: Stereo Jack plug Tip=Hot(+) Ring=Cold(-) Sleeve=GND 1 3 2 Pin wiring: XLR connectors 1=GND 2=Hot(+) 3=Cold(-) Other rear panel connections and switches: · Voltage selector: 220-240 V / 50 Hz or 100-120 V / 60 Hz · CSA/UL approved 3-pole power plug · GND-Lift switch 6 TUBE VITALIZER 1.The most obvious application of the Tube Vitalizer is to process a final mix, either while mixing or during post-production prior to cutting. Insert your Tube Vitalizer into the master-inserts of your console or right in between a playback and a recording unit. Applications Recording Studio Application 1: The Tube Vitalizer inserted into the master-inserts of the console. More flexibility is guaranteed when patching the Tube Vitalizer into two sub-groups of the console. Now you have the freedom to select certain tracks while mixdown to be processed with the Vitalizer. Note: Not all sounds may benefit from the Vitalizerprocess. The sub-group inserts offer you the maximum flexibility. Processing everything through the master-inserts may have negative effects on certain sounds which makes it necessary to reduce the Vitalizer-process to a minimum. In the sub-group inserts you can treat the selected tracks with a higher effect level. When patching the Tube Vitalizer 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 Tube Vitalizer. The effect level and the treated sound will then remain unchanged. It is important to use full-range monitors to assess the full 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 Tube Vitalizer between master-outputs and amplifier. The major disadvantage of this connection is the varying input sensitivity with each fader movement. More flexibility when the Tube Vitalizer is inserted into the sub-groups 2. Another popular stereo application is the processing of existing master tapes during post-production such as when reprocessing archive material for CD release. The Tube Vitalizer can make a significant contribution in restoring the high end detail that invariably suffers during i.e. a noise reduction treatment. In many cases, the restored master can be made to sound appreciably better than the original. TUBE VITALIZER 7 Applications Application 2: The Tube Vitalizer inserted between noise-reduction and recorder to improve archived recordings. Tape Duplication Compensating indeficiencies of high-speed and real-time duplications. 3. Tape duplication is often made at high speed resulting in a deterioration of the high frequency spectrum of the copies. By processing the output from the source machine, additional brightness can be added to compensate for deficiencies in the copying system. It may also be necessary to modify the bass end as many high speed systems fail to reproduce the bass end of the spectrum faithfully. In both areas, the Tube Vitalizer is both effective and simple to set up. Broadcast Increasing the listener´s attention on jingles, p ...