SPL 2490 User manual

Manual
Dual-Channel Mastering Console DMC
Monitor Level
Speakers
Master Fader
Sources
Inputs Returns Select Dim/Mute
Dual-Channel Mastering Console
Insert
Input Monitor
Pre Insert Trims
Trim LTrim RTrim LTrim R
Post Insert Trims
Master Fader
Model 2490
DMC
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Input 1Return 1
Input 2Return 2
Input 3Return 3
Input 4Return 4
L
On
Phase
Rev. L
Phase
Rev. R
R
On
Dim
-10 dB
Dim
-20 dB
Dim
-30 dB
Stereo
A
Stereo
B
Stereo
C
Mute
Stereo
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Phase
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Phase
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Mono
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2
Preliminary Manual, Version 0.1, 11/2004. Check our website for updates.
R & D: Wolfgang Neumann
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 authorization 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 limita-
tion will apply even if SPL or an authorized dealer has been adviced of the possibility
of such damage.
Sound Performance Lab
SPL electronics GmbH
P.O. Box 1 2 27, D- 41368 Niederkruechten, Germany
Phone [phone], Fax [phone]
Email: [e-mail], Internet: www.soundperformancelab.org
© 2004 SPL electronics GmbH
All rights reserved. Technical specifications and appearance are subject to change
without notice.
Dual-Channel Mastering Console DMC, Model 2490 Manual

3
Contents
Fade In ............................................................................................. 4
Signal Flow ....................................................................................... 5
Control Surface ................................................................................ 6
The Sections In Detail ...................................................................... 7
Sources and Input ........................................................................... 7
Pre and Post Insert Trims, Insert, Monitor Section ............................ 8
Master Faders, Speakers ................................................................. 9
Option: MasterBay .......................................................................... 10
Rear Panel ....................................................................................... 11
Measurements ................................................................................ 12
Specifications ................................................................................. 18
Power Supply .................................................................................. 19
Warranty ......................................................................................... 20
Before you operate your DMC, first check carefully whether the local voltage
setting corresponds to the setting on the external transformer!
Before switching on external transformer and DMC, the DMC must be
connected to the external transformer with the suppiled multicore lead. Pay
attention to a secure connection.
The DMC and the external transformer should be situated away from heat
sources and direct sunlight. DMC and transformer need sufficient air circu-
lation. Avoid installation in environments exposed to vibrations, dust, heat,
cold, moisture or electrical and magnetic fields.
Do not install the unit in proximity to power amplifiers or digital processors.
You may consider placing it near other analog gear. Such placement can
prevent interference from Word Clock, MIDI, etc.
• Do not open the case. You may risk severe electric shock and may damage
your equipment.
• Leave repairs and maintenance to a qualified service technician. Should
foreign objects fall inside the case, contact your authorized dealer or
support person.
• To avoid electric shock or fire hazards do not expose the unit to rain or
dampness.
• In case of lightning unplug the power supply.
• Never force a switch or knob.
• To clean the case use a lint-free cloth. Avoid cleaning agents as they may
damage the finish, use an acid-free cleaning oil instead.
• Please support the back of the unit when it is being mounted.
Installation/Security Advices

4
The DMC dual-channel mastering console completes the range of SPL 120 V
mastering consoles. Housed in a 19”/5U rack mount chassis the DMC features
the same unique 120 volts rails like the MMC 1 and MMC 2 multi-channel
consoles to achieve the optimum audio performance.
The purpose of the development was the creation of mastering consoles
that would be superior in audio quality to all known and foreseeable audio
formats, whether analog or digital. Such consoles would provide both for
an unaltered reproduction of the sonic quality of SACD and in the process,
remain a safe capital investment for many years.
The DMC is conceived as the center of a mastering environment to provide
speaker management, sources and returns connectivity, input and output
trimming, pure analog 2-channel master fader and monitor level setting. As
an option, the DMC can be supplemented with the SPL MasterBay to provide
an automated 8 x 2 channel insert routing of external processors.
Digital audio formats have undergone continuous development and change
and will continue to do so. The degree of incompatibility created by the
“format war” between PCM and DSD has persuaded us to opt for a technology
that is superior in dynamic range, headroom and sound quality to either or
any other such format – and constitutes discrete analog technology in its
most advanced implementation. Moreover additional prerequisites speak for
the employment of high-performance analog technology:
ThenumberofnecessaryAD/DA conversions should be reduced to a minimum.
With the DMC, digital sources can be connected to a digital router, which
outputs the selected source through the preferred DA converter. This ensures
that the sound quality remains comparable and is not affected by converter
differences.
From a purely aesthetic standpoint, high quality analog outboard processing
consistently proves itself superior to digital processing. The analog concept
allows for problem-free integration of such analog processors.
Monitors and power amplifiers are almost exclusively analog in design. Yet
another converter at this point in the chain only degrades monitoring signal
paths. Furthermore DSD signals cannot be monitored on a digital monitoring
that operates in PCM.
Technolog y
SPL’s new SUPRA operation amplifiers are used throughout the DMC’s design.
They perform at an industry benchmark 120 volts and were developed during
a four-year period during which SPL searched for a new generation of superior
discrete analog op amps. The SUPRA op amp achieves a signal-to-noise ratio
of 116dB with a headroom of 34dB. The dynamic range amounts to 150dB
with a frequency bandwidth of 200kHz.
Withsuchspecifications,theDMC ridescomfortablybeyondtherequire-
ments of either the current maximum 24 bit and 192kHz PCM format or 1 bit
and 256 fs DSD format. It is simply not realistic to expect at any foreseeable
future date a digital technology environment in which the DMC could become
a “bottle neck”.
Fade In
Master Fader
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Signal Flow
PHASE
REVERSE
SWITCHES
passive
BALANCED
INPUT
RECEIVERS
INPUT MONITORING
RETURN MONITORING
OUTPUT MONITORING
ON,
MONO L/R
SWITCHES
MONITORS/SPEAKERS:
SOLO L & R, PHASE REV L & R,
MONO L/R, MONITOR SELECTION,
DIM, MUTE, MONITOR LEVEL CONTROL
4x
STEREO
MONITOR
OUTPUTS
balanced drivers
4x
STEREO
RECORDING
OUTPUTS
balanced drivers
MASTER
FADER
0dB – infinity
INSERT
SEND/RET.
balanced drivers
and receivers
INSERT
ON
SWITCH
relay
TRIM L
TRIM R
SWITCHES
+/- 10 dB
TRIM L
TRIM R
SWITCHES
+/- 10 dB
4x
STEREO
INPUTS
balanced
4x
STEREO
RETURNS
balanced receiver

6
Control Surface
Monitor Level
Speakers
Master Fader
Sources
Inputs Returns Select Dim/Mute
Dual-Channel Mastering Console
Insert
Input Monitor
Pre Insert Trims
Trim LTrim RTrim LTrim R
Post Insert Trims
Master Fader
Model 2490
DMC
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Mono
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Input 1Return 1
Input 2Return 2
Input 3Return 3
Input 4Return 4
L
On
Phase
Rev. L
Phase
Rev. R
R
On
Dim
-10 dB
Dim
-20 dB
Dim
-30 dB
Stereo
A
Stereo
B
Stereo
C
Mute
Stereo
D
Phase
Rev. L
Phase
Rev. R
Mono
L/R
L
Solo
R
Solo
On

7
The Sections In Detail
Sources
The Sources section provides for the selection of four stereo inputs and four returns. The
inputs are fed to the mastering path, the returns are fed to the monitoring section.
The Source section is subdivided into two parts. At the left are the input selectors, which
are fed to the mastering path. Here the DMC can accept four stereo inputs. The returns
consist of selection options for returns from recorders, DAW, audio players, and so on.
All Input buttons allow for switching between the input monitoring mode and the output
monitoring mode. Press once, the input button is permanently illuminated. The output
signal after the Master Fader is monitored. Press again, the Input button flashes. The
input signal after the input Phase Reverse switches is monitored. This way, you can
easily compare what comes in and what goes out of the console.
IMPORTANT: Selecting the return monitoring mode overrules input and output moni-
toring modes.
NOTE: All DMC buttons allow for individual labelling.
Input
An input selected in the Source section is routed to the Input section. The signal passes
passive L/R Phase Reverse switches, balanced input receivers and active L/R On as well
as Mono L/R switches.
Sources
Inputs Returns
Input 1Return 1
Input 2Return 2
Input 3Return 3
Input 4Return 4
Input
Mono
L/R
L
On
Phase
Rev. L
Phase
Rev. R
R
On

8
Pre and Post Insert Trims
Sophisticated rotary trim switches with 32 steps are used for precise gaining from -10dB
to +10dB for each Pre Insert L/R as well as Post Insert L/R channel. These switches
route the signal through one precision resistor at any position only, keeping thermal
noise and tolerance at an unrivalled minimum.
Insert
The DMC offers a switchable Insert point between the Pre Insert Trims and the Post
Insert Trims. External processing equipment can be inserted here into the signal path.
Monitor Section
Besides the central high-end Monitor Level control the DMC’s monitor section features
L/R Solo switches as well as L/R Phase Reverse and L/R Mono switches.
Three signal paths can be monitored: input, output and return. Selecting an input in
the Source section will route the output signal of the DMC to the selected speakers.
Depressing the Input button again (status LED flashes) will route the input signal to the
speakers. Thereby an easy comparison between input and output is achieved.
IMPORTANT: Selecting the return monitoring mode overrules input and output moni-
toring modes.
The Sections In Detail
Pre Insert Trims
Trim LTrim RTrim LTrim R
Post Insert Trims
Insert
On
Monitor Level
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Monitor
Phase
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Phase
Rev. R
Mono
L/R
L
Solo
R
Solo

9
Master Fader
This fader features the same level control potentiometer as in the Monitor Level section
for dynamic mastering purposes and fine tuning the overall level from +10 dB to -80 dB.
The range can also be customized to operate from 0 dB to -80 dB.
With this control’s extremely fine level settings, the engineer can attain every ounce of
recording headroom. The result, thanks to these controls of practically infinite resolu-
tion, is an unparalleled excellence in dynamic mastering.
The Master Fader can be taken out of the signal path with the Master Fader On switch.
Speakers
The Speakers section allows for connection of four stereo speaker sets. Three different
Dim levels (-10 dB, -20 dB and -30 dB) and Mute can be selected by the push of a
button.
The Sections In Detail
Master Fader
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Master Fader
On
Speakers
Select Dim/Mute
Dim
-10 dB
Dim
-20 dB
Dim
-30 dB
Stereo
A
Stereo
B
Stereo
C
Mute
Stereo
D

10
Option: Master Bay
The DMC can optionally be complemented with an insert box called MasterBay. The
MasterBay consists of a 4U insert box and a remote control panel. Up to eight, 2-channel
processors can be connected to the insert box, which is operated by the MasterBay
remote panel.
With the unique MasterBay the engineer can specify up to four routings, called
“sequences”, which can be stored and re-called. The remote panel provides a button for
each of the eight external processors. Depressing these in sequence switches among
choices in processor signal flow. Beside each button is a seven segment LED-display
indicating the current position of the processor in the sequence.
The mastering engineer can use this feature to compare between sequences in a varying
order or to compare the same type of processors—such as in the case of an equalizer
from Manufacturer A and one of Manufacturer B. Three memory banks are available
which allow an active signal flow sequence to be compared instantly at a button push
with three others (for a total of four). If the optional MasterBay is connected, the DMC’s
Insert On switch activates the MasterBay or switches it to a hard-bypass.
Sequence
Position Processor Selection Store/ Recall
MasterBay
Processor
1
Processor
2
Processor
3
Processor
4
Processor
5
Processor
6
Processor
7
Processor
8
Store
1
Store
2
Store
3
New
Recall
1
Recall
2
Recall
3
Bypass
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8