Why do I hear squeaking noises when I turn off my headphone amp?
" Depending on your setup, you might be able to hear soft squeaks after switching off your headphone amp, which shouldn’t be a concern for you. These noises are caused by the discharging of the capacitors. A protection circuit would certainly prevent this from happening, but it would also affect the sound. So, we have intentionally refrained from such a solution considering that this phenomenon is very easily avoided: simply turn the volume control to zero before powering off your headphone amp. In the case of the 2Control, this applies regardless of whether you use headphones or speakers.
Turning down the volume has the additional advantage of avoiding ugly surprises when you turn the headphone amp on again, like very high volumes when using different headphones (with lower impedance) or signal sources (with higher output levels). Therefore we recommend this procedure to everyone, not only to people who hear electric discharges. "
Can you give me some tips on how to set the Vitalizer and PSD 3000/4000?
" Settings always depend on room acoustics and other static parameters — for instance, it is not unusual for low frequencies to be boosted due to the shape and size of a room. Within this category of static parameters we could also include individual hearing characteristics.
These static parameters are always different, so it is very hard to recommend settings that work in all situations. However, rather than being a disadvantage this is actually an advantage of the Vitalizer: you can have a direct influence on your playback environment in a much easier and faster way than with other processors (like equalizers, for instance). The functions of the Vitalizer encourage the use of the ears to make the best out of them and, thus, they are not very technically demanding. A few knobs give you total control of what would otherwise be pretty complex procedures aimed at sound enhancement — you will be able to learn very fast how to use the processor and amass enough experience to know what works better with what sound in what situation. Afterwards, making adjustments for specific recordings will be only a matter of fine tuning.
General Tips:
Start with extreme settings so that you can clearly distinguish the effect. This is probably the best way to get to know what the processor can do.
Go through all the tips available in the user’s manual.
Trust you ears — if it sounds good it probably is good.
When optimizing sound, it is common to start with very extreme settings, which you will notice right away. An A/B comparison with the ACTIVE switch can be very useful to keep your feet on the ground — and it also serves to point out how much a signal can be optimized. "
Are the Hi-Fi PSD 3000 and PSD 4000 also Vitalizers?
" Yes. The PSD 3000 (discontinued) is the same as the Vitalizer MK2, while the PSD 4000 is the same as the Vitalizer MK2-T. The differences concern the design of the front and rear panels, as well as the chassis itself. Apart from that, the Hi-Fi versions feature RCA instead of XLR connectors. "
What are the differences between the several Vitalizer® versions?
" The Vitalizer series consists of three models: Vitalizer MK2, Vitalizer MK2-T and Tube Vitalizer. Vitalizer MK2: The basic version meets pro audio standards for live and studio applications. Given the robustness of its design, we recommend this version for touring. Vitalizer MK2-T: The tube version of the MK2 not only has a tube for the mid filter and the output stage, but it also features some other improvements like an additional control for finer adjustments. Very good pro audio standard, high-quality studio version for single channel and sum signal processing. Tube Vitalizer: The high-end version of the Vitalizer is different in almost every respect from the 1U MK2 and MK2-T. In this case, the Vitalizer’s sound optimization concept is applied using only the best components and circuits. Further, the Tube Vitalizer has additional functions that make it the best option for people expecting only the highest standards, for example for mastering or audio restoration. "
What’s the difference between the MixDream and the MixDream XP?
" The MixDream, Model 2384, has inserts on every input channel, which means that every single channel can be used with external processors. This makes the MixDream the ideal interface within a digital/analog studio environment. Apart from that, the MixDream 2384 includes an adjustable Master Insert, a Peak Limiter and a Stereo Expander. In contrast, the MixDream XP is conceived purely as a summing unit, without any inserts or processing capabilities. It uses the exact same 60 volt amplifier technology for the summing stage and is therefore ideally fitted to expand the MixDream to 32 channels (“XP” stands for “Expansion”). "
Do SPL controllers feature trimmers to calibrate the inputs or outputs?
" No. We do not use trimmers for the input or output stages, nor to balance L/R signals, due to the fact that they tend to have a negative impact on the sound. We work with the smallest tolerances possible and strain to achieve the most even performance across the whole action of the potentiometers. If you ever notice an inconsistent behavior do get in touch with us because your unit might need to be serviced. "
What are the differences in sound between the different SPL controllers?
" We constantly strive to conceive products that sound as best as possible. One of the most important aspects to consider is not to use any more components or circuits than actually needed. For example, we have deliberately refrained from using protection circuits, which in some cases can make residual voltage discharges inaudible but, at the same time, decrease sound quality. In accordance to the audiophile principle that states that the less electronics the less distortion, the Volume2 delivers an exceptional sound quality and performance due, in part, to the fact that it is limited to active volume control. In contrast, our other controllers have more features and more electronics. Nevertheless, they provide the best performance and sound quality achievable (which means they affect sound the least possible, considering that the ideal controller ought to be the most transparent). We have run blind tests with all our controllers and the Volume2 and haven’t found major differences. It is certainly no coincidence then that all SPL controllers are constantly rated very high when it comes to sound quality. "
Why is there noise coming from my monitor controller?
" It is important to calibrate correctly the audio equipment in the monitor path. All SPL controllers have very low noise values. In fact, their specs prove that noise is far below the hearing threshold. However, if you notice too much noise it might have to do with the calibration of the audio equipment connected. Just so you know where you stand, here’s a simple rule of thumb: common volume levels are achieved when the volume control is set somewhere between 10 o’clock and 2 o’clock. If your system sounds too loud even before reaching 10 o’clock, it indicates that your power amp’s or active loudspeakers’ sensitivity is too high. Please refer to your SPL monitor controller user’s manual to find out how to calibrate your system. "
Why does my monitor controller crackle?
" Monitor Controllers like the MTC, SMC and 2Control play a central role in the connection of audio equipment. Many signal paths converge at the monitor controller. When you install the monitor controller for the first time, you might start hearing problems that went unnoticed before and which do not have anything to do with the controller itself. For instance, crackling switches might be caused by an external DC offset. In order to pinpoint the source of the problem you should try to narrow it down. Disconnect all equipment and test the monitor controller with another source (CD player) while listening through headphones (except for the SMC). If the problem ceases to exist, reconnect all equipment one by one to try to identify where the problem lies. Once the problem has been located it will be necessary to come up with an adequate solution — and we will be more than happy to help you out. "
In what order should I turn on/off my monitoring equipment?
" You should always turn your power amp or active monitors on last and off first. If you use a multi-outlet strip or a main switch make sure you can turn your power amp or active monitor speakers on/off separately. "
What are the best headphones for the Phonitor and Auditor?
" Your choice of headphones should not only depend on the headphone amplifier you use. That would be like choosing a pair of loudspeakers solely depending on your amplifier, when in fact such decisions always involve other various and very specific aspects. However, you can rest assured that the outstanding performance and neutrality of both the Phonitor and the Auditor provide the best conditions to highlight the strengths of all sorts of dynamic headphones. "
What impedance should headphones have in order to use them with the Phonitor or Auditor?
" You can use all sorts of dynamic headphones with an impedance of 20 Ohms or more. "
Can I use balanced headphones?
" The Phonitor, Auditor and 2Control headphone amps are not conceived to be used with balanced headphones. "
Is it possible to "integrate" the MTC2381 with the sorround unit in order to share the same L-R monitors?
" yes, you can route the MTC output to the stereo input (D) of the SMC.
Internally the SMC is a 6-channel unit, stereo L and R are the same paths like surround FL and FR. So if you route a stereo signal to the SMC, it is played back from speakers front L and R of a surround set.
So when you activate the input D on the SMC front, you hear the stereo signal coming from the MTC through the front R and L speakers of your surround speaker set.
Check the detailed pics of the SMC front and rear to see the buttons and I/O options.
http://spl.info/en/hardware/monitor-controllers/surround-monitor-controller/short-description.html
>> links below product photo
Please note: additionally to a surround speaker set, you can also use a second stereo speaker set with the SMC - in this case, you have to use its dedicated stereo outputs and press the button "stereo monitors". "
Does the Cabulator work with a 120W amp head with 4, 8 and 16 Ohm available outputs?
" The Cabulator has been designed for 4-16 Ohm speakers. This means you can connect one 4, 8 or 16-Ohm speaker cabinet to its soak output.
The max output power of the guitar amp feeding the Cabulator is 100 watts (8-Ohm only!), whereas it is always clever not to crank up your amp: Avoid settings above 70% of the total output power because of dangerous signal peaks (please refer to the product manual).
With a 120-watt amp, don’t set the master volume of your amp above 50%. This way, you can be sure that no signal peak will damage the Cabulator. "
With my iPod and my DAW return connected to the SPL MTC 2381, there is a drastic level difference between both signals so that A/B reference monitoring is not possible. Any suggestions on how I can solve this?
" The iPod is not a professional audio equipment, so it does not have a professional line-level output stage. Thus, you should connect your iPod to the RCA inputs of the MTC in order for the source signal to be boosted to match a “real” line level. However, since consumer products like the iPod have different output levels, this level boost will not always allow the signal to reach exactly the right level. In this case, you can connect a line-gainer (for instance a preamp like our GoldMike MK2) between both devices. By the way, do make sure that you have disabled the output-level limiter on your iPod.
About A/B reference: the best way to go about this is to import the reference audio files into your DAW, balance their level with that of your own files, and switch alternatively between the respective tracks in your sequencer. This way, both signals use exactly the same audio path (DA converters, MTC input stage) and can be compared accurately. "
What cable do I need for a DB25 connector?
" Ideally you should use an XLR or jack to DB25 snake cable. These sort of cables have eight XLR or jack connectors on one end and an eight channel DB25 connector on the other. The pinout of DB25 connectors corresponds to the TASCAM standard. You may find these snake cables in most any pro audio specialized store. "
SPL Goldmike 9844:
When switching 48 V phantom power to on built-in VU-meters flicker into red zone with needles clicking audible at their post (this occurs even when gain controls are shut down to zero). Does this mean an issue?
" It is quite normal to hear a "pop" or see some movement on the VU meters whenever you turn the phantom power on. The reason for that is that the voltage is switched on quite abruptly and needs to build up on the microphone first. How loud this pop is depends in no small part on the microphone itself. "
