User manual SPL TUBEVITALIZER

[. . . ] 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. 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. [. . . ] To run the unit hotter set the level between the center position (0dB) and the clockwise position (+6dB). This will achieve processing at a lower input sensitivity and will result in a more intensely processed sound. Conversely, in order to achieve milder processing, set the level between the center position (0dB) and the counter clockwise position (-20dB). Bass 3 The Bass control is responsible for the "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 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 . 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. Control elements Selection of two bass timbre (Soft ­ Tight) and adjusting the intensity Varying bass sounds by balancing Bass and Process Level The active filter-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. When getting saturated 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'. 4 Bass ­ LC Filter Adding a passive LC filter network to the bass filtering system The Tube Vitalizer features a compressor, which is integrated into the bass filter network. When recording on digital equipment it is essential not to overload 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. We designed the compressor around the well acclaimed THAT 4301 VCA as a `one-knob' solution to make it easy to operate. 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. 5 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 indicates compressor operation TUBE VITALIZER 11 Control elements Hi-Mid Freq. 6 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 operational voltage of the tubes (250 V) is heavily smoothened and electronically regulated. The heating voltage (6. 3 V) is supplied by an individuell wiring within the transformer. Socalled »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 µF/ 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. 18 TUBE VITALIZER Input & Output Instrumentation amplifier, electronically balanced (differential), transformerless Nominal input level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [. . . ]