SPL Channel One - Vocal Processing Channel Strip W/ A/D Converter

The new model 2950 brought a facelift to one of our best-selling products. Now the new SPL design represents the common origin of our channel strips Frontliner, Channel One and Track One. However, technically we did not change anything to continue the success of the Channel One with tried and tested quality.

The Channel One comes with all tools onboard for recording voices, instruments and digital or analog audio sources with the highest sound quality. The Channel One consists of a transistor/tube pre-amplifier with microphone-, line- and instrumental inputs, a de-esser, a compressor/limiter with noise gate, an equalizer (EQ) section and a latency-free headphone monitor. Each stage contributes to the concept as the ideal recording frontend for world-class sounds the easy way: intelligent automation ensures both intuitive and fast as well as musical operation for the finest recording results.

Features

• The microphone input features 48V phantom power, phase reverse function and a subsonic filter
• The low-impedance Line input has a precise balancing stage for connecting studio equipment
• The low-noise, high-impedance instrument input is easily accessible on the front panel

De-Esser
The renowned SPL De-Esser subtly yet effectively removes offending sibilants by reliably eliminating only the “S” frequencies with its unique phase-cancelling processing technology. Auto-Threshold ensures constant processing even with varying microphone distances. All you need do is to turn the knob until the sibilants are gone.

Insert (Send/Return)
The Insert (Send/Return) allows for insertion of external processors or can be used to record the pure preamplifier signal.

Compressor/Limiter
This section is based on SPL’s Double-VCA-Drive circuitry for outstanding noise and distortion characteristics. The compressor is extremely easy to use via a single knob. But the signal-dependent automation not only allows for set and forget operation, it also grants very muscial results in any situation. Actually it is much more difficult to destroy a recording with wrong compression settings.

Noise Gate
The noise gate operates flawlessly - reverbs are recognized and not cut off.

Three band EQ
The Channel One provides a new EQ design especially optimized to process vocals, acoustic and electronic imstruments. Low, Mid Hi, and Air-Bands allow for both corrective adjustments and/or effective sound designing processing. Gadget: a distortion control might be useful sometimes to apply for decent distortions to signals that deserve it.

Headphone monitor stage
Provides an individual mix for the singer/speaker - latency problems from digital systems are avoided.

Like other converter-compatible SPL products, the Channel One also comes with an internal 24bit/96kHz analog to digtal converter module 1090.

24Bit/192kHz AD Converter Module (1090)
The Analog/Digital Converter Module 1090 is a digital output for compatible GainStation 1 with a plug-and-play design for easy installation. It offers an S/P-DIF output with both coaxial and optical connectors in parallel. The heart of the module is a 24-bit converter with a variable sample rate of up to 192 kHz. Highly accurate quartz oscillators ensure a clean, low-jitter master clock.

The internal sample rate can be switched between 44.1, 48, 88.2 and 96 kHz. Other sample rates (32, 176,4 and 192 kHz are set by external syncronization. The converter can be synced to other digital devices via a S/P-DIF input. The internal oscillators are automatically disabled when an external clock signal is present to prevent interference.An extremely effective voltage stabilizing circuit ensures that the converter continuously receives sufficient and stable voltage – an important prerequisite for clean, transparent audio. The compact design of the input stage guarantees the shortest possible signal path to the converter. Over dimensioned grounding surfaces on both sides of the circuit board effectively reduce interference and ensure optimal separation between analog and digital components.