On The Moon SPACECRAFT User manual

Owner’s Manual
v1.0
OnTheMoon
Luchterenstraat 25A
9031 Drongen
Belgium
www.onthemoon.be
www.mathewlane.com
© 2015-2016 All rights reserved.

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INTRODUCTION
The OnTheMoon SPACECRAFT is a revolutionary stereo analog spatial processor, based on Mathew
Lane's spatialising technology.This unique control of the stereo field is now possible in the analog domain.
The OnTheMoon SPACECRAFT is a mid/side based processor with unique extra controls, offering new
and different stereo manipulation possibilities in a 1U hardware unit. It offers a wide range of applications for
mixing, mastering and post production - going from simple MS (mid/side) encoding/decoding, over stereo field
width and depth enhancement, to fixing mono compatibility issues and more.
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CONNECTIONS - Back panel
The OnTheMoon SPACECRAFT uses a standard IEC inlet with an on/off switch on the back panel.
Using the voltage switch next to the IEC inlet, the unit can be set for 230V or 115V.
230V requires the use of 400mA slow blow fuses, while 115V requires the use of 800mA slow blow fuses.
Make sure the voltage switch is in the right position and the correct fuses are used before powering up.
The OnTheMoon SPACECRAFT is pre-set correctly for the region it originally ships to.
The OnTheMoon SPACECRAFT has stereo analog inputs and outputs, plus insert sends and returns for
the MID and SIDE sections.
All inputs and outputs are balanced on Neutrik XLR sockets, operating at professional +4dBu line levels.
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OVERVIEW & USE - Front panel
The OnTheMoon SPACECRAFT has 4 sections: MID, SIDE, SPACE and MAIN.
MID
The MID section contains the sum of the Left and Right inputs.
This is the mono info of the stereo input signal, the center of the stereo image.
The CUT button allows to mute the MID signal.
This is useful for listening to SIDE and/or SPACE in solo, or simply to replace the existing MID signal with
a new signal using the SPACE section (see further).
The INSERT button activates a send/return on XLR on the back panel to insert an outboard unit of choice
(EQ, compressor, …) for further processing of the MID signal.
SIDE
The SIDE section contains the difference of the Left and Right inputs.
This is the true stereo information of the stereo input signal.
The VARI WIDTH button activates the WIDTH knob, to change the width of the stereo signal by boosting
or attenuating the SIDE signal level.
When the WIDTH knob is straight up (marked 100%), or when VARI WIDTH is not activated, the original
stereo width is maintained.
The INSERT button activates a send/return on XLR on the back panel to insert an outboard unit of choice
(EQ, compressor, …) for further processing of the SIDE signal.
The HIGHPASS filter allows to remove low frequencies from the SIDE signal, to ensure mono low
frequencies in the stereo output signal.When turned all left, it is inactive.Turned all right, it goes up to
around 300Hz with a gentle 6dB/oct slope.
SIDE can be muted by activating VARI WIDTH and turning WIDTH all down to 0%, this is useful for
listening to MID and/or SPACE in solo.

SPACE
The SPACE section is what really sets the OnTheMoon SPACECRAFT apart.
The SPACECRAFT button activates this whole section.When not active, this whole section is mute.
Muting (de-activating) the SPACE section can also be useful to listen to MID and/or SIDE in solo.
ZOOM allows to create new stereo information, based on existing mono information.
Using ZOOM results in a unique way to widen the signal, to zoom in on a certain part of a stereo signal, and
to improve the definition and spatial perception of a complex stereo mix.
ZOOM is additive. Its neutral position, not adding anything to the signal, is turned all left (0%).
The related FOCUS parameter defines which frequencies are focused on for zooming, and changes the
interaction of this component with the MID, SIDE and DEPTH signals.
FOCUS uses a digitally controlled analog delay circuit.Turned all left, the analog delay is completely out of
the circuit.Turning up to the ON position will relay-switch in the analog delay circuit. From then on short
delay times (from 1ms up to 10ms) can be chosen in small digitally controlled steps.
DEPTH bases itself on existing stereo information, and creates new mono information.
Using DEPTH results in more depth perception but can be also used to improve mono compatibility and
add mix glue, or even to replace existing mono information (with MID CUT active) for remix and creative
applications.
DEPTH is additive. Its neutral position, not adding anything to the signal, is turned all left (0%).
The related DISTANCE parameter adds even more depth, and can be tweaked to change the interaction of
this component with the MID, SIDE and ZOOM signals.
DISTANCE uses a digitally controlled analog delay circuit.Turned all left, the analog delay is completely out
of the circuit.Turning up to the ON position will relay-switch in the analog delay circuit. From then on short
delay times (from 1ms up to 10ms) can be chosen in small digitally controlled steps.
FEEDBACK is a cross feed between ZOOM and DEPTH. It will only have effect when both ZOOM and
DEPTH are in use.
Using FEEDBACK results in more fullness but can also be used for creative effects and even reverb creation
when combined with adequate ZOOM and DEPTH levels and respective use of FOCUS and DISTANCE
analog delays.
FEEDBACK is additive, its neutral position, not adding anything to the signal, is turned all left (0%).
Analog Delay Notes:
Due to the nature of analog delays, higher delay times will add some noise.
Shorter delay times however, as used in most situations, will hardly raise the noise floor.
When both FOCUS and DISTANCE analog delays are active, clock cross modulation (below the noise floor) between
the delays is possible at certain setting combinations. Sometimes it might then be preferred to slightly tweak (or
switch off) one of the delays.
MAIN
The MAIN section has an IN button to activate or bypass the whole OnTheMoon SPACECRAFT.
GAIN allows for exact level matching between processed signal and bypassed (original) signal, with a range
from -6dB to +10dB.When straight up, GAIN is at 0dB (calibrated position).

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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
THD+N < 0.005% (ref +4dBu, unity gain, 22kHz BW)
S/N = 88dB (ref +4dBu, unity gain, 22kHz BW)
Dynamic Range = 106dB (ref +22dBu, 22kHz BW)
Maximum Input Level = +22dBu (balanced, <1% THD)
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OnTheMoon SPACECRAFT © 2015-2016 All rights reserved.
Concept & system design: Mathijs Indesteege aka Mathew Lane
Electronics design: Wim De Roeck
Project support: Raf Lenssens