Sound Performance Lab Stereo Equalizer 9629 User Manual

Manual  
Model 9629  
Dual-channel De-Esser  
 
Contents  
Foreword ............................................................................................................................. 3  
Thanks .................................................................................................................................. 3  
Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 4  
Installation & Security Advices ..................................................................................... 4  
Connections ...................................................................................................................... 5  
Control Elements  
S-Reduction ....................................................................................................................... 6  
Auto Threshold ................................................................................................................. 6  
Male/Female ...................................................................................................................... 7  
Active ................................................................................................................................... 7  
Power Supply .................................................................................................................... 7  
Specifications .................................................................................................................... 8  
Warranty .............................................................................................................................. 9  
Notes ....................................................................................................................................10  
Foreword  
Dear customer,  
congratulations on purchasing the SPL Auto Dynamic De-Esser. You have  
decided to use a high performance tool 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 Auto Dynamic De-Esser combines exemplary  
specifications and high manufacturing standard with excellent sound  
quality to provide you a precious component for studio and P.A. purposes.  
Please read this manual carefully to ensure you have all the information you  
need to use the Auto Dynamic De-Esser.  
We wish you every success with the Auto Dynamic De-Esser.  
Your Sound Performance Lab 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  
can´t 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  
3
 
Introduction  
The Auto-Dynamic De-Esser is a highly specialized audio tool. It is used to  
reduce S-frequency of speakers and singers. It should perform without  
disturbing natural character and timbre of the voice.This is not an easy task.  
SPL has developed a new circuit design that combines ease of use with  
natural sounding and effective performance.  
How do traditional De-Essers work?  
Traditional De-Essers use compressor-technology. The control elements are  
a threshold control and a frequency control. The threshold sets the level at  
which de-essing starts and the frequency control sets the center frequency  
of a frequency band that is usually up to 3-4 kHz wide. Any S-frequency  
within that band causes the compressor to compress the entire frequency  
band. As a result the voice speaks through the noise or lisps.  
How does SPL’s Auto Dynamic De-Esser work?  
The Auto Dynamic De-Esser utilizes a new circuit design that “scans” the  
frequency spectrum and automatically hones in on S-frequencies. Only  
these narrow-band frequencies are processed and adjacent frequencies are  
left untouched. The Auto Dynamic De-Esser reduces S-frequencies by  
feeding a phase inversed signal of the detected narrow band S-frequency  
back into the signal path. The S-frequency is cancelled out. Therefore the  
quality of De-Essing is significantly improved – the result is neutrality to the  
sound and an unobtrusive but very effective mode of operation. There are  
almost no negative side effects on the timbre and character of the voice,  
even while using a high intensity of S-Reduction.  
Installation & Security Advices  
The housing of the Auto Dynamic DeEsser has the standard 19"-EIA format  
and occupies 1U (44.45 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.  
The Auto Dynamic DeEsser should not be installed directly above or below  
power amplifiers or near units which produce strong magnetic fields or  
extreme heat.  
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 appropriate value.  
Never cover up the ventilation slots on the top of the unit. If, during opera-  
tion, 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 the Auto Dynamic DeEsser with a soft, lint-free cloth.  
4
 
Connections  
Switch off power of all units to be connected before you connect the Auto  
Dynamic De-Esser.  
The Auto Dynamic De-Esser 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 diffe-  
rent 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 Auto Dynamic De-Esser is not intended to be used  
as a mixer!  
To ensure optimal signal quality, SPL has developed a new hybrid-compo-  
nent balanced input/output stage using all laser-trimmed resistors with a  
tolerance of 0.01%. This approach has resulted in an exceptionally high  
CCMR (common mode rejection): 100dB at 1kHz and 80dB at 10kHz. As a  
precaution, before connecting the Auto Dynamic De-Esser switch off power  
of the unit and of all units to be connected.  
Rear panel  
Balanced XLR and TRS stereo jack I/Os (+6 dB)  
Voltage selector: 230 V/50 Hz or 115 V/60 Hz  
GND Lift switch, CSA/UL approved 3-pole power plug  
5
 
Control Elements  
1
2 3 4  
S-Reduction controls the intensity of the de-essing effect. The LED-display  
shows the gain reduction of S-frequencies in a range between 0dB to -20dB  
in 2dB steps.  
1
S-Reduction  
S-REDUCTION adjustments between 3 and 7 have proven to create best  
results in practical applications.  
AUTO-THRESHOLD activates a new function that automatically readjusts the  
threshold when the input gain varies due to varying distances of the speaker  
to the microphone. The de-essing remains on a constant level when Auto  
Threshold is activated (status-LED illuminated).  
2
Auto-Threshold  
Especially with untrained speakers or in live applications the distance to  
the microphone sometimes varies dramatically. De-essers operating with  
common compressor technology change their de-essing intensity with  
varying input levels. As a de-esser should be used right after the microphone  
preamplifier and in front of a compressor/limiter, common de-essers  
produce negative side effects on the vocals such as speaking through the  
nose or lisping.  
The Auto Threshold function gets rid of all these problems. No matter how  
much the input level varies, the de-essing is proportionally the same and a  
following compressor/limiter works better and more efficient.  
6
 
Control Elements  
The Male/Female-switch lets you select two different operation modes: The  
female mode is chosen when the switch is pressed and the status-LED illu-  
minates. The automatic S-frequency recognition is set to the characteristics  
of female voices. The opposite position of the button switches to the male  
mode. The S-frequency recognition is then set to the characteristics of male  
voices. However, it may sometimes be necessary to use the MALE mode and  
female vocals and vice versa. The selection of this switch is largely depen-  
ding on the character of the S-frequency.  
3
Male/Female  
The center frequency of the bandwidth where the Auto Dynamic De-Esser  
looks for S-frequencies is located at 6 kHz for male voices and around 7 kHz  
for female voices.  
ACTIVE switches each channel in and out of processing. In order to minimize  
switching noise and transients the circuitry is switched in and out after the  
balancing stages.  
4
Active  
The POWER switch activates the relay-hard-bypass circuitry, which is also  
activated when a power failure occurs on the primary or secondary side of  
the power supply.  
Power Supply  
Special care has gone into the design of the power supply of the Auto  
Dynamic De-Esser because the power supply is the heart of any electronic  
system, and the better it is, the better the whole system works. In an audio  
system, this translates into better sound quality, lower noise and lower  
distortion.The power supply is based around a specifically produced 15VA  
torroidal transformer and is designed to minimize induced hum and noise  
due to the lack of an air-gap.  
The primary voltage may be selected between 230 V/50 Hz and 115V/60Hz  
by means of a recessed slide switch on the rear panel. A rear-panel ground-  
lift switch is fitted for use where ground loops are causing hum problems.  
When the GND Lift switch is pressed, the circuit ground is isolated from the  
chassis ground.  
The detachable power cord is a standard 3-wire type fitted with an IEC  
mains connector; the transformer, power cord and mains connector have  
VDE, UL and CSA approvals. The fuse has a value of 200mA/230 V and  
400 mA/115 V for the primary voltage.  
On the secondary side of the power supply, an RC combination is used to  
filter out noise and hum voltages. Both half-waves are smoothed with 2 x  
1000 µF capacitors in the positive and 2 x 1000 µF capacitors in the negative  
voltage supply path, and both lines use precision voltage regulators for  
optimum stability. Deviations of only a few millivolts can impair audio  
quality, introducing artifacts such as loss of stereo imaging or a diffuse  
sound character.  
Particular care has gone into the circuit layout and component choice to  
minimize crosstalk between the audio circuitry and control voltages.  
7
 
Specifications  
Input & Output  
Instrumentation amplifier, electronically balanced (differential),  
transformerless  
Nominal input level.......................................... +6 dB  
Input impedance.............................................. = 22 kOhms  
Output impedance .......................................... < 600 Ohms  
Max. input level ................................................. +24 dBu  
Max. output level .............................................. +22,4 dBu  
Minimum load ohms ...................................... 600 Ohms  
Hard Bypass Relay / Power Fail Safety  
Measurements  
Frequency response ....................................... 20 Hz - 50 kHz  
(50 kHz = -3 dB)  
CCMR (common mode rejection) .............. -80 dBu @1kHz  
THD & N ............................................................... 0,002% @ 1kHz  
S/N CCIR 468-3 .................................................. -93 dBu  
S/N A-weightened  
-106 dBu  
Power Supply  
Torroidal transformer ..................................... 15 VA  
Fuse ....................................................................... 200 mA  
Ground-Lift switch .......................................... yes  
Voltage selector ................................................ yes  
Dimensions  
Housing ............................................................... Standard EIA 19"/1U  
... 482 x 44 x 237 mm  
Weight.................................................................. 3,4 kg  
Note: 0 dBu = 0.775 V. Subject to change without notice.  
8
 
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 facili-  
ties, 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. 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 consequen-  
tial or incidental damages. Some states or countries do not allow the limita-  
tions or exclusion of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limi-  
tation may not apply to you.  
Any and all warranties, expressed 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 parti-  
cular, are limited to a period of 1 (one) year from either the date of manufac-  
ture. 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, country to country.  
SPL electronics GmbH, D-41372 Niederkrüchten, Germany  
9
 

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