SPL Transient Designer 9842 Manuale utente
Model 9842
Manual
Dynamic Effect Processor
Transient
Designer
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: [email protected]
www.spl-electronics.com
© 1998 SPL electronics GmbH. All rights reserved.
Transient Designer
Model 9842
Manual
SOUND PERFORMANCE LAB
Transient Designer
3
Contents
Dear customer,
Thank you for the confidence you have shown towards SPL elec-
tronics 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 usabi-
lity 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
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 overesti-
mated.
Our products are often tested and compared in many publica-
tions, 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
Foreword
Thanks
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
Transient Designer
4
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 allo-
wing 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 auto-
mated 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 guaran-
teed 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.
The TRANSIENT DESIGNER is a
revolutionary Dynamic
Processor based on level-
independent sound proces-
sing that makes it possible to
radically change the attack
and sustain characteristics of
any musical sound in a crea-
tive way.
Transients can be accelerated
or slowed down and sustain
may be prolonged or shor-
tened.
This is made possible by the
use of adaptively optimised
time-constant parameters.
SPL's Differential Envelope
Technology® for level-inde-
pendent 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.
Introduction
Transient Designer
5
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.
• 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
Thanks
Transient Designer
6
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:
To ensure optimal signal quality, SPL has developed a new
hybrid-component 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 rejec-
tion); -80 dB at 1kHz and -75 dB at 10 kHz.
Should the need arise to use the XLR connectors in an unba-
lanced system, pin 3 of the XLRs should be grounded. The follo-
wing illustration shows how to properly unbalance a balanced
signal:
Rear panel of the TRANSIENT DESIGNER,model 9842
Connections
12
3
Pin-wiring: XLR-connectors
1=GND 2=hot (+) 3=cold (-)
Transient Designer
7
SPL's Differential Envelope
Technology® realises level-
independent envelope
processing,so doing away
with the need for a conven-
tional Threshold control.
Two envelopes are generated
and compared - the VCA
control voltage is derived
from their difference.
Diagram1
illustrates the original curve
and both generated enve-
lopes 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.
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.
Differential Envelope Technology®
Differential Envelope Technology® maintains identical enve-
lope 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.
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 enve-
lope 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,nega-
tive ATTACK values smooth out the attack envelopes of events.
Tech Talk
Transient Designer
8
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 3
illustrates the shapes of the
processed curves with
maximum and minimum
attack,compared to the
original curve from
Diagram 1.
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.
Tech Talk
Transient Designer
9
Diagram 6
illustrates the processed
curves with maximum and
minimum sustain compared
to the original curve from
Diagram 1.
Important advice for connection to digital
recording systems:
Each unit connected to the TRANSIENT DESIGNER should be able to
handle high input levels. With maximum ATTACK values the
instantaneous input level can increase by up to +15dB. For this
reason it is recommended to connect the TRANSIENT DESIGNER to an
analogue mixing console, because these generally have enough
headroom to process peak levels of more than 15 dB without
clipping.However, it is imperative to check the input levels of the
mixer and any clip monitor LEDs at the channel inserts.
If the TRANSIENT DESIGNER is connected directly to a ProTools 888
interface, a Yamaha O2R mixer or similar units with internal A/D-
converter, ATTACK values of about +6 dB may overload the
converters. In such cases reduce the Input Gain of these systems
to provide adequate headroom to accommodate the enhanced
transients.
Tech Talk
Prevent overload
Transient Designer
10
5
34
The ACTIVE switch operates a hard-bypass relay circuit to switch
the channels in and out of processing and a status LED indicates
that the channel is active.
The unit also switches to relay hard-bypass automatically in the
case of a power failure, either on the primary or secondary side of
the power supply, or when the unit is turned off at the POWER
switch.
If the TRANSIENT DESIGNER is operated in the LINK mode (see 5),
channel one's (or three's) ACTIVE also switches channel two (or
four) in and out. Note that channel two's ACTIVE status-LED will
also follow channel one's ACTIVE status.
The SIGNAL-LED indicates an incoming signal with a level
exceeding -40dB. In complex studio arrangements the LED indi-
cation helps to check if a signal actually arrives at the TRANSIENT
DESIGNER.
With the ATTACK control, the attack period of a signal can be
emphasised or attenuated by up to 15 dB. For detailed informa-
tion about the mode of operation of the ATTACK control please
read the section 'Tech Talk' on pages 7 and 8.
The ATTACK control circuitry incorporates two envelope gene-
rators. One follows the original curve while the second produces
an envelope with a slower attack period (Diagram 1,page 7).
2
1
Control elements
Attack 3
Signal-LED 2
Active 1
Indice
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