Sound Performance Lab 9530 User's Manual
Contents
1. Activate Tubes 12 16 L When recording on digital equipment it is essential not to over load the inputs of such systems which results in invalid samples or digital peaks The high frequencies can contain transients or sharp s sounds with high peak levels The High Comp works with a soft knee characteristic and smoothens these peaks We desi gned the compressor around the well acclaimed THAT 4301 VCA as a one knob solution to make it easy to operate The threshold attack and release are automatically adjusted The Compression control sets the ratio value The blue Gain Reduction LED indicates the point at which the compressor starts to operate When you turn the Compression control fully clockwise the entire High Freq processing is nullified AUDIO PRECISION SPL FREQ AMPL dBud vr FREQ Hz 16 MAY 96 18 29 08 Ap The Activate Tubes switch activates the tube section The status LED indicates that the tube section is ative The Tube Vitalizer is equipped with both electronically balanced solid state and tube output stages You can switch between the sold and new tech nology and get a direct comparison The Vitalizer s specially modified tube section provides a frequency bandwidth from 30Hz to 30 kHz Standard designs often limit the bandwidth which gives a frequency band limiting impression that is often associated with tube sound Vitalizer s2. 9 soundperformancelab com Manual HIGH COMP HIGH FREQ INTENSITY a wee Pe se p VITALIZER Cy o 3 filer IN OUT A O g LEFT RIGHT WARM UP 10 ATTENUATOR ATTENUATOR A5 a5 DRIVE BASS COMP HI MID FREQ PROCESS LEVEL sort 283 TIGHT DOO Ge E TUBE VITALIZER Model 9530 Program Equalizer 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
3. Mid Freq control AUDIO PRECISION SPL FREQ AMPL dBu us FREQ Hz 25 800 16 MAY 96 17 50 12 20 800 5 000 E H sa Gin ie a Sa NATE pap HAM 19 00 1 1 5 15 00 20 00 25 00 zo TUBE VITALIZER AUDIO PRECISION SPL FREQ AMPL dBu us FREQCHz 16 MAY 96 17 54 14 Co ntrol e em e nts Measurement 2 Bass Tight Bass LC filter Active Process Level Max Hi Mid Freq 1 1 5 2 5 3 5 8 14 22 kHz AUDIO PRECISION SPL FREQ AMPL dBu vs FREQCHZ 16 MAY 96 17 59 33 Measurement 3 Bass Soft Bass LC filter Off Process Level Max Hi Mid Freq 1 1 5 2 5 3 5 8 14 22 kHz AUDIO PRECISION SPL FREQ AMPL dBu we FREQ Hz 16 MAY 96 18 04 08 Measurement 4 Bass Soft I ill il E Bass LC filter Active AU EEE P ti Process Level Max Hi Mid Freq 1 1 5 2 5 3 5 8 14 22 kHz TUBE VITALIZER L 13 Control elements Process Level Measurement 5 Bass Soft Bass LC filter Active Hi Mid Freq 3 kHz Process Level 0 to 10 Diagram Fletcher Munson curves curves of equal loudness 14 L o The Process Level control determines the ratio between Bass and Hi Mid Freq to the original signal It also de
4. Mid Freq will generally damp some speech frequen cies and the voice moves into the mix loosing a bit of its presence Use the High Freq to catch the voice and the Intensity control to bring it back up front Especially switching the High Freq filter into LC Filter mode helps to improve the presence on vocals The active filter network to process the high end operates with a RC combination R resistor C condenser The LC Filter switch adds a passive coil condenser filter to the network Coils are known for their pleasant sound When getting satu rated they produce a special harmonical structure giving a certain punchy sound that we know from old filter designs For the top end switching the coils active means that the sound gets more mid range and presence At the same time a certain amount of roughness is introduced This is especially beneficial to vocals and helps them to stand out in the mix without altering level The Tube Vitalizer offers you the choice between both worlds The Tube Vitalizer features a compressor which is integrated into the high frequency filter network The original signal is left untouched TUBE VITALIZER Control elements High Freq Improved high and harmonic frequencies result in a silky top end with better separa tion and intelligibility O Intensity O High LC Filter Control elements High Comp 11 Measurement 6 High Freq 10 Intensity 10 LC Filter On Off
5. REDUCT 5 6 4 4 HIGH COMP 5 BASS COMP 5 3 Zz J 3 2 BASS SOFT lt 0 gt TIGHT 5 The High Freq EQ helps you to give voices or other instru ments in improved presence Leave the High Freq control in the set up position counter clockwise and turn in the Intensity to 6 This makes the processed signal more natural with a soft silky sounding top end Use the High Comp control to compensate for level changes The LC Filter switch adds a passive coil filter into the RC filter network giving the sound more presence TUBE VITALIZER 4 spl DRIVE R O pal 2 e 3 ilter DI o u 6 Finally you switch on the tube section by depressing the Activate Tubes switch The standard solid state output stage is exchanged by the tube output stage adding warmth and a smooth bottom end The output level is controlled by the Attenuate potentiometers Control elements HIGH COMP HIGH FREQ INTENSITY ning Sit aiye WILL K J 3 7 8 7 TUBE STATUS L TUBE i e 5 e a dc NG O acme T VITALIZER E 5 E 5 E 5 g wamu e ni X 6 o 15 DRIVE BASS BASS COMP HI MID FREQ PROCESS LEVEL SOFT 205 TIGHT 5 5 ays aue tthe S PARTIN 2 f 7 f 25 E 7 i s m 2 s E a 14 15 Q i 5 i 3 O 20 6 e L o 10 27 kHz o 10 p O Activate Process Q The Activate Process function switches the Tube Vitalizer s sound processing section on or o
6. network to process the bass operates with a RC combination R resistor C condenser The LC Filter switch adds a passive coil condenser filter to the network Coils are known for their pleasant sound When getting satu rated they produce a special harmonical structure giving a certain punchy sound that we know from old filter designs The Tube Vitalizer offers you the choice between both worlds The Tube Vitalizer features a compressor which is integrated into the bass filter network The original signal is left untouched When recording on digital equipment it is essential not to over load the inputs of such systems which results in invalid samples or digital peaks As the bass frequencies carry most of the level it makes sense to integrate a compressor into the bass path This compressor works with a soft knee characteristic We designed the compressor around the well acclaimed THAT 4301 VCA as a one knob solution to make it easy to operate The threshold attack and release are automatically adjusted The Compression control sets the ratio value The blue Gain Reduction LED indicates the point at which the compressor starts to operate When you turn the Compression control fully clockwise the entire bass processing is nullified TUBE VITALIZER Control elements Selection of two bass timbre Soft Tight and adjusting the intensity Varying bass sounds by balancing Bass and Process Level O Bass LC Filter A
7. result of processing is a pleasanter and livelier sound pattern with an unrivalled wealth of detail TUBE VITALIZER Introduction Con nections 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 unba lanced system pin 3 of the XLRs should be grounded Inserting a mono jack also unbalances the XLRs AOL313S 3DVLIOA Input Output balanced unbalanced balanced unbalanced ZHO9 A0ZL OOL FI 7HOS AOvz 0z7 No 5 2 i 2s 2 137 ONS 7 1 GND 2 hot 3 cold 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 ANWW4I9 NI 30YW NALHINANYIGIIN ZZELP Q HINI SIINOYLI3T3 1ds 1S Surg du Par 29NRUM OVE an9 To ensure optimal signal quality SPL has developed a new hybrid component balanced input output stage using all laser t
8. tube sections does not limit the frequency response If you carefully listen to the the reverb room of vocals or snare or simply put on pink noise you can best identify the tubes additional harmonical structure The tube section consists of three tubes One of them is used as a differential stage It widens the stereo base softly This effect complements perfectly to the tube sound itself You get more depth and transparency especially in the mid range and additio nally more width 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 psychoa coustic 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 TUBE VITALIZER When the tubes are active you can use the Attenuator controls to reduce the output level for each channel separately Level changes due to processing can be compensated The control characteristic has a very fine resolution before OdB fully clock wise The tube output section can be switched into a Limit mode for each channel separately All levels exceeding 12 dB will be softly limited Limiting takes place due to the full saturation of the tubes in conjunction with a d
9. Tube Status Power supply Custom made toroidal transformer with five separate wirings Voltage selector Ground lift switch Mains filter Fuses primary voltages 115V 800 mA 230V 315 mA 18 L Special care has gone into the design of the power supply of the Tube Vitalizer The power supply is the heart of an electronic system The better it is the better the whole system works and in an audio system the better it sounds This power supply is based around a custom made 35 VA toro idal transformer and is designed to minimize induced hum and noise due to the non existence of an air gap All required voltages 230V 6 3V and 2xy15V 12V have an individual wiring in the transformer and are smoothened separately afterwords The primary voltage may be selected between 230 V 50 Hz and 115 V 60 Hz by means of a recessed slide switch on the rear panel The rear panel ground lift switch may be used where ground loops are causing hum problems When the Gnd Lift switch is set to off the circuit ground is no longer connected to the chassis ground The power cord connector is a 3 wire U ground standard IEC mains connector for a detachable power cord enclosed with an inbuilt mains filter Transformer power cord and mains connector have VDE UL and CSA approvals The fuse has a value of 315 mA for the primary voltage and 500mA for the secondary when operated at 230 V 50 Hz At 115 V 60 Hz the fuse value for the primary voltage
10. Vitalizer is a registered trademark of SPL electronics GmbH Tube Vitalizer Model 9530 CE PO ONG zan ANAN 4 AN AA AA A E 4 Op rGUONN Safety si seke r n se asish m 4 Introduction e GANA AA AAGA 5 CIE CUNO INS sen AMA tere ela 6 Applications Recording SUGO panairin enca 7 Tape Duplication scssisssccasirsinscescsarsieninovaianaiivenniay 8 Broadcast ai ks ANA 8 Sound Reinforcement vnocancinn imin 8 Video amp Film Post Production aa nuuuaanan sua ce usnesosicie 9 First Steps cakun 10 Control Elements Activate Process 1 e eseseseesesesesseseseesesesesseseesesese 11 Drive HA 11 SS PAA AA ERE 11 Bass LC Filter 4 gjuanin 12 Bass OMI aaa AGA 12 Hi Mid Freq Qan 13 Process Level 7 sasanakanainia kian Gai 15 ba Ie LALA AA 16 HENSON 16 High LC Filter ITO gaz 17 High Comp TI AABANG 17 Activate Tubes 12 janarin 18 Attenuator 13 esesesessssesessesessesesessesesesseseseoseseeesesese 18 Atten Limit 14 ngu An 19 VU In Out AA 19 Tube Status 16 uan 19 Panes aa Asaan 20 Speci alo nena nc 21 Walay ndasi pos onnmaaennemonarasmanean 22 TUBE VITALIZER Contents Foreword Thanks Operation safety CAUTION RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT OPEN AVIS RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE NE PAS OUVRIR 4 L 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 s
11. and simple to set up 4 The Tube Vitalizer is perfectly suited to the production of radio jingles commercials and station idents Because of the psychoacoustic nature of the processing the treated signal will appear louder closer brighter and more intelligible than whatever was played immediately beforehand thus creating a powerful impact In commercial radio the Tube Vitalizer can be used to process the entire on air signal helping the radio station to stand out from the competition The Tube Vitalizer can also be used on feature films to get a sound closer to the sometimes heavily processed commercials In digital audio broadcast DAB the Tube Vitalizer can make a significant contribution to the sound quality prior to MPEG coding 5 As in other areas the Tube Vitalizer can be used to sharpen and enrichen dialogue even when the microphone placement is less than optimum as is often the case when filming due to the need to keep the mic out of shot Music soundtracks benefit in the ways already described for audio only applications and the fact that the Tube Vitalizer is so quick to set up can save a lot of wasted time spent tuning multi band equalizers Time compressed audio can also be treated to restore the lack of timbre so often caused by such intensive processing This is particularly valid in the case of vocal narratives as even a relatively small amount of time compression or expansion can dramatically compromis
12. dding a passive LC filter network to the bass filtering system O Bass Comp This easy to use compressor works exclusively on the bass and helps you to control the bass amplitude especially when recording on digital media The Gain Reduction LED indi cates compressor operation moa Control elements Hi Mid Freq O Setting the starting frequency for the shelving filter to adapt the frequency range to the hearing sensation No comb filtering effect as with graphic EQs Measurement 1 Bass Tight Bass LC filter Off Process Level Max Hi Mid Freq 1 1 5 2 5 3 5 8 14 22 kHz 12 L The Hi Mid Freq control is used to set the starting frequency of a broad band shelving filter In line with the setting of Process Level control all frequencies above this value right through to the end of the audio range are processed The control range of the Hi Mid Freq control is between 1kHz extreme right and 20 kHz extreme left In practice common settings vary between 3 5 kHz and 8 kHz As the human ear perceives the range between 1 kHz and 3 kHz particularly clearly at all volumes between 0 and 120 phon it makes sense to adapt this frequency range You might feel inclined to say Yes but do that with my graphic EQ as well The main difference is that the graphic EQ really reduces the effective loudness of the frequency i e cuts out the appropriate frequen cies thus changing the spectral content of the or
13. e colour of the bass sound your signal is to have If you move the Bass control to the right you get a drier percussive bass sound known as Tight As a result of this on the right hand side of the scaling points there are squares which increase in size in line with increased intensity 10 L TUBE VITALIZER They symbolize the contoured Tight bass sound If the Bass control is moved from the center position 0 to the left the bass sound becomes very deep soft and warm This sound is known as Soft This is symbolized with round scaling points which also increase in size as the intensity increases The further the Bass control is shifted to the right or left of the center position the more intensive the bass sound in question However Process Level 7 must be positioned to the right of the 9 o clock setting for the bass to be audible You can always hear the original dry bass if the Bass control is in the center position The Process Level control determines the processing ratio between the set bass sound colour and the original signal This results in varying bass sound structures if you combine high bass amplification on the Bass control with a lower Process Level value you get a different bass structure than with a lower bass amplification combined with a higher Process Level value Choosing the best solution is a matter of personal taste and also depends on the type of original signal involved The active filter
14. e Not all sounds may benefit from the Vitalizer process 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 swit ched 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 accli mates 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 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 contributio
15. e the sound quality On the post production work on Spike Lee s Malcom X movie the voice of Denzel Washington playing Malcolm X was treated with the Vitalizer for dramatical reasons We wanted to make sure that there was a dramatic quality difference between the voice over and the sync dialog We treated it with the SPL Vitalizer It brings a lot more presence to the upper end of the spectrum and a very deep low end so that the voice sounds full Mix Magazine TUBE VITALIZER When setting up the Tube Vitalizer for the first time it is wise to F i rst ste p Ss approach the controls in a specific order Use a CD as source The Tube Vitalizer is designed to process stereo sources Left and right channels are adjusted with one control Set up positions see front panel picture Drive to zero Bass Sound to zero Bass Compression to Off Hi Mid Freq to 3 5 kHz Process Level to zero High Compression to Off High Freq to zero Intensity to zero center position center position counter clockwise center position counter clockwise counter clockwise counter clockwise counter clockwise TUBE STATUS D ACTIVE BG ome eT ra E UMIT ATTEN 1 Press the Activate Process switch The sound remains unchanged ATTENUATOR 15 2 Slowly move the Process Level control in from the extreme left You will find that starting from the 9 o clock position all f
16. enon 22 4 dBu Minimum load OM S aman cc cc cc cccncccencene 600 Ohms Relay Hard Bypass Povver Fail Safety Measurements Frequency response without tubes 10 Hz 100 kHz 100 kHz 3 dB Frequency response with tubes 30 Hz 100 kHz 30 kHz 3 dB CCMR common mode rejection 100 dBu at 1 kHz TADEN orein 0 002 at 1 kHz S N CCIR 468 3 apa Galaad 83 dBu S N A weightened sssssssessssssssssesssssssssesrseesssss 89 dBu Power Supply Toroidal transformer ssssssssesesesessssssesessssssssseses 35VA Fuse primary ss s ssesesssssesssssssssssssesesesseseerersesess 500 mA 230 V 50 Hz 1000 mA 115 V 60 Hz Te TN 315 mA 230 V 50 Hz 630 mA 115 V 60 Hz Ground Lift switch Voltage selector Dimensions Housing stsicinien drites sd Standard EIA 19 2U 482 x 88 x237 mm Wei9h baka 4 9 kg Note 0 dBu 0 775 V Subject to change without notice TUBE VITALIZER Specifications Warranty 20 L 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 arisin
17. ets 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 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 owe their unbelievable engagement creativity and productivity in realizing our projects Our products are often tested and compared in many publica tions and by our customers themselfs and constantly valued with best results would like to pass on this broad appreciation to those who deserve it my excellent colleagues Hermann Gier 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 p
18. ff The illuminated switch indi cates that the Vitalizer Process has been activated The Activate Process switch The Activate Process function is a relay hard bypass function switches a relay hard bypass that works on both XLR and jack connections In the event of a circuitry for XLR and jack power failure the Tube Vitalizer is automatically switched to hard operation bypass power failure safety To increase the operational safety of the monitor loudspeakers you should not switch the Tube Vitalizer on or off at high monitor volume At high amplitudes inside the filter there may be residual charges on the switching contacts which may be discharged when you switch over These may become apparent as audible click sounds If applicable reduce or mute the monitor loudspeakers before switching on or off Drive O The Tube Vitalizer features a Drive control that enables you to set the level at which the Vitalizer filter network operates The level can be changed between 20dB and t6dB Sets the operating level of the To run the unit hotter set the level between the center position Vitalizer filter network OdB and the clockwise position 6dB This will achieve proces sing at a lower input sensitivity and will result in a more intensely processed sound Conversely in order to achieve milder proces sing set the level between the center position OdB and the counter clockwise position 20dB Bass O The Bass control is responsible for th
19. g out of materials or workmanship not provided or furnished by SPL or 2 resulting from abnormal use of the product or use in viola tion of instructions or 3 in products repaired or serviced by other than authorized SPL repair facilities 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 consequential or inci dental damages Some states or countries do not allow the limita tions or exclusion of incidental or consequential damages so the above limitation may not apply to you Any and all warranties express
20. high frequencies and harmonics of the original source The result is an unobtrusive and silky top end We consciously did without the generator principle of Exciters The Tube Vitalizer s High Freq EQ and harmonic filter does not add any distortions to the original signal unlike with the gene rator principle It extracts all the information it needs from the original signal This significantly reduces the hearing fatigue effect on the listener By influencing the phase relationship in an intelligent fashion the filtering emphasizes the perception of high and harmonical frequencies The effect significantly improves the speech intelligibility and the transparency Old archived recordings sound fresh and silky again The brilliance of any audio signal can be improved without it sounding sharp The Intensity control sets the amount of High Freq being added to the signal You can then listen to the High Freq control separa tely when you close the Process Level control extreme left The Bass and Hi Mid Freq controls do not function any more The Hi Mid Freq and the High Freq filter complement each other in an ideal fashion While the Hi Mid Freq sets the frequency above which the program material is lifted and below which the damping takes place the High Freq and Intensity controls come in place to extract certain frequencies from this process This is very helpful when you are processing material with lead vocals Using the Hi
21. iginal signal The Tube Vitalizer however relies on a more subtle method of ampli tude depending phase shifting This does not involve altering the spectral composition of the signal but it does maintain the subjective impression of loudness Moreover graphic equalizers produce comb filter effects because of the interaction between adjacent filters when broad band frequencies are raised The Hi Mid Freq filter can raise the broad band spectrum with a very linear frequency response without colouring the signal Above the Hi Mid Freq value set the Tube Vitalizer filters create a linear increase i e one that is adapted to the human ear This compensates any inability of our hearing as regards perceiving frequencies ranging between 5 kHz and 10 kHz The Hi Mid Freq filter work with a wide bandwidth and always sounds musical never bell like Gradually go down from 20 kHz extreme left to lower frequencies The further down you go the brighter the sound image becomes as an increasing number of frequencies are included in the process The Hi Mid Freq control can also be used to tone down excessi vely sharp sounding material by setting frequencies of 10 kHz or higher and setting the Process Level control on Max Seeing as the Process Level control is also responsible for deleting domi nant mid frequencies all frequencies are gradually reduced down to the application frequency in conjunction with high starting frequencies of the Hi
22. iode network You may find that the top end is getting a bit duller due to the limiting Use the High EQ to compensate for this The Limit mode works very efficient when processing drums To do so insert the Tube Vitalizer into the drum subgroup Leave the unit in Attenuator mode when proces sing complete mixes The VU In Out switch lets you choose between either input or output levels to be displayed on the VU meters When the status LED is not illuminated the VU meter will show the input levels On the other hand an illuminated status LED indicates that the output level is displayed The 0dB mark on the VU is internally calibrated to 6 dB The Tube Vitalizer features a special relay circuitry that slowly builds up the 250 volts over a period of 45 seconds Thereby the lifetime of the tubes is increased by up to 4 times In pre maste ring this circuitry garantees a reproducable sound for a long time The tubes in use are E 83 CCs The Warm Up LED red illuminates after the main power has been switched on After 45 seconds it switches to Active mode orange LED If the Activate Tubes switch is pressed when switching the power on you will have no output signal until the Active mode is on In the warm up period you should not activate the tube section The solid states outputs are active immediately after mains voltage has been turned on TUBE VITALIZER Control elements Attenuator Atten Limit VU In Out
23. is 800 mA and for the secondary voltage 1000 mA 1A On the secondary side of the power supply an RC combination is used to filter out noise and hum voltages from the mains side Both half waves are smoothed with 3000 mF capacitors in the positive and negative voltage path Both pathes use precision voltage regulators as deviations of only a few millivolts can result in audible changes such as a diffuse sound pattern The operational voltage of the tubes 250V is heavily smoo thened and electronically regulated The heating voltage 6 3 V is supplied by an individuell wiring within the transformer So called hum trimmers adjust the tubes heating voltage and minimize the hum voltages Both inputs and outputs of the tubes are smoothened with condensers of high voltage and condenser values 10 UF 400 V 5 to minimize offset voltages The tubes are de coupling at about 10 Hz All relays are operated via an individuell voltage regulator and are therefore separated from the audio operating voltage TUBE VITALIZER Input amp Output Instrumentation amplifier electronically balanced differential transformerless Nominal input level ou essecseesseecseeceseeeee 6dB Input impedance ou escsescsseesseecsseesseecsscenseeees 22 kOhms Output impedance eecsccsssessseccsecseesereeeeees lt 600 Ohms Max input level sssssssssssssssesesesrsrsrseeesesereeesese 24 dBu Max output EVEL nacnacenccencccecen eren c
24. n in restoring the high end detail that invariably suffers during i e a noise reduction treat ment In many cases the restored master can be made to sound appreciably better than the original TUBE VITALIZER Applications Recording Studio Application 1 The Tube Vitalizer inserted into the master inserts of the console More flexibility when the Tube Vitalizer is inserted into the sub groups 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 Broadcast Increasing the listener s attention on jingles promos and spots Film amp Video Post Production Improving time compressed audio Vitalizer on Malcom X sel Archived Recordings Tapes etc Recorder Recorder Inputs L R Outputs L R Inputs Vitalizer Vitalizer L R Inputs Outputs Single Ended Noise Reduction 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 effec tive
25. or implied arising by law course of dealing course of performance usage of trade or otherwise including but not limited to implied warranties of merchantabi lity and fitness for particular are limited to a period of 1 one year from either the date of manufacture 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 41372 Niederkruechten Germany TUBE VITALIZER
26. requencies above 3 5 kHz initial setting Hi Mid Freq are beco ming more intense Freqencies below this point are diminished First set the Process Level control around 6 ATTENUATOR 15 3 The next step is to shift the Bass control from the zero position to both sides Turn to the right The bass sounds tight and dry Turn to the left The bass sounds soft and round Decide on a bass sound of the desired amplitude Use the Bass Comp control to compensate for level changes The LC Filter switch adds a passive LC filter to the RC filter network resulting in an even punchier bass sound YU IN OUT ACTIVATE 3 process TUBES OIL 10 s filter E 0 E g ge Pa z 8 g E 4 Now start varying Hi Mid Freq The original setting is 3 5 kHz Turn to the right The programme material sounds brighter and gets more mids from about 1 5 kHz The Hi Mid Freq control sets a starting frequency above which all frequencies are processed If this starting frequency is lowered the frequency spectrum included in processing increases The programme material then sounds brighter and clearer Turning the control to the left shifts the starting frequency from 3 5kHz to higher frequencies The programme material then sounds increasingly dull because fewer and fewer frequencies are being included in the process the higher the frequencies become 6 4 HIGH FREQ HITO HI MID FREQ 3 4 5 GAIN REDUCT GAIN
27. rimmed resistors with a tolerance of 0 01 This approach has resulted in an exceptionally high CCMR common mode rejec tion 100 dB at 1 kHz and 80 dB at 10 kHz o E 3 S OUTPUT C TINNVHI As a precaution before connecting the Tube Vitalizer switch off the power to the unit and to all connected units LNdino OUTPUT Pin wiring Stereo Jack plug Tip Hot Ring Cold Sleeve GND L 1TINNYHI INdNI INPUT INANI Q D D O O O O INPUT a Pin wiring XLR connectors 2 1 GND 2 Hot 3 Cold Other rear panel connections and switches Voltage selector 220 240V 50 Hz or 100 120 V 60 Hz e CSA UL approved 3 pole power plug e GND Lift switch 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 Inputs L R Master Outputs L R o0 0o 0o O Master or Subgroup Insert Sends Vitalizer In Vitalizer Out O eg FT SI Master Subgr 5 P5 Insert Returns lo 7 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 Not
28. roblems which could result from interfering high frequency signals such as clock frequen cies 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 inter rupted or indicators no longer illuminate or if abnormal odor or smoke is detected or if liquids are spilled on the unit immedia tely disconnect the power cord plug and contact your dealer Only clean your Tube Vitalizer with a soft lint free cloth 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 opti mized for this delicate sound processing The Tube Vitalizer combines the finest audio technologies Tube technology RC amp LC technology transistor and semiconductor technology 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 transpa rency with a soft unobtrusive sound The treble range is reworked with broadband
29. 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 accentu ated 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 54dB 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 cohe rent 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 The Tube Vitalizer will perform the task of audio sweetening with great tonal flexibility and musicality The
30. termines the damping intensity of dominant mid frequencies This allows rapid adaptation to the loudness curves Fletcher Munson curves curves of equal loudness see below Practical adjustements range between 3 to 7 The human ear perceives the audio frequency spectrum at varying sound pressure levels very differently Perception is by no means linear The Tube Vitalizer alters the frequency spectrum in such a way that the balance is maintained between all frequency ranges even at varying monitor volumes For the human ear the sound is more pleasant and easier to perceive than the original In other words increasing the Process Level value also increases the intensity of the Hi Mid Freq filter and the Bass filter whilst domi nant mid frequencies are damped by amplitude controlled phase shiftings This improves the perception of loudness clarity and the bass punch i e the strength and fullness of the audio signal AUDIO PRECISION SPL FREQ AMPL dBud us FREQ HZ 16 MAY 96 18 11 50 threshold of pain loudness level 120 2 x 10 110 100 1V 2 90 120 ca 100 ko c T 80 v 2x 107 3 70 ace 60 g 60 2x 107 5 50 a DV 10 2x 1073 ro ke Z 3 20 2x 1074 0 2x 105 1 20 100 500 1000 5000 10000 frequency in Hertz TUBE VITALIZER The Tube Vitalizer works with a filter network and controlled changes of phase relationships to emphasize
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