SPL 2800 Frontliner NEW Channel Strip
Increase your track power eightfold in only 2U
Thanks to exceptional headroom throughout its design and the superb signal regulation of its limters, the GainStation8 is the perfect front end for multi-track recordings or AD converters.
Nowadays typical preamps are designed on an either-or basis — either solid state or tube. With these designs the engineer has a non integrated and thus often frustrating choice between a pure, neutral solid state recording or one unavoidably influenced by tubes. While the engineer may find solutions for one application with one microphone, a preamplifier for different situations, mics and instruments must provide a commensurate range of choices—like the GainStation preamps. A combination of 63dB solid state and an independently controllable 26dB tube circuitry (which can also be deactivated) ensures a complete sound palette panorama. In any situation the engineer now can achieve his goals with one front end for best-of-both-worlds results. * Separated Solid state and tube preamps. The tube preamp can be used additionally to the solid state stage to add tube saturations, for clean recordings it can be switched off.
* Peak/FET Limiter
*Switchable Mic Input Impedance (200 Ohms, 1,2 & 10 kOhms)
* Custom-designed and built, fully discrete, class A op-amps (no off-the-shelf stuff here). The GainStation's op-amps feature 60-Volt operating voltage—twice as high as most common op-amps—for an incredible dynamic range.
*All switching functions are handled by encapsulated relays with gold-plated contacts.
*No-compromise, external power supply with extensive additional shielding and seven separately wound and regulated voltages
* Lundahl input transforner option, also for single channels or channel pairs
Channel Trip.
* Three separate, individually optimized inputs for microphones, line signals and instruments.
* Discrete semiconductor/tube hybrid preamplifier to combine the advantages – high dynamic range and low noise operation of semiconductors with the musical qualities of tube sounds (appealing top end, beautiful spacial impression). Discrete construction is based upon single transistors instead of integrated circuits (ICs) from industrial production and ensures a higher level of optimization.
* 250 volts tube circuits in the preamplifier and for tube saturation stages.
* High-grade operational amplifiers from Burr-Brown at critical positions.
* The SPL De-Esser applies the method of phase cancellation for reducing sibilants. This innovative approach works much more neutral than traditional compression methods – a unique method for unobtrusive results and extremely fast operation.
* The compressor is operated by SPL’s double VCA drive circuitry. A differential stage eliminates side effects and the half load per VCA dramatically reduces THD.
* The operational amplifiers for the compressor circuitry meet military specifications. Therefore the regulating voltages are extremely precise – a precondition for high signal processing quality.
* Selected condensers for the EQ filters with pleasant sound characteristics. Especially with vocals, amplified frequencies are not sounding too bright, and on the other hand reductions can tame harsh sounds without sounding dull.
* Central star ground wiring scheme minimizes influences that could affect the ground paths. The audio ground is separated from the ground of the remaining equipment. This leads, in the truest sense of the word ”clean”, to considerably improved tonal quality.
* The power supply is built around two toroidal transformers, one for the audio voltages and one for the other supply voltages (tube heating, LEDs, micro controller etc.) Mutual interferences are excluded and lavishly over-dimensioned capacities ensure absolutely stable supplies for all audio circuitries.
Specifications:Maximum input level
Microphone input @ 13dB gain: +9dBu
Line input: +22dBu
Instrument input: +11,5dBu
De-Esser input: +21dBu
Compressor input: +21dBu
EQ-/Tube Saturation input: +21dBu
Maximum output level: 21,5dBu
Gain control ranges
Microphone input: +13dB to +68dB
Line input: -20dB to +10dB
Instrument input: +6dB to +43dB
Frequency range (-3dB)
Channel strip: 10Hz to 50kHz
Microphone preamplifier: ‹10Hz to 50kHz
Line preamplifier: ‹10Hz to 50kHz
Instrument preamplifier: ‹10Hz to 50kHz
De-Esser: ‹10Hz to 140kHz
Compressor: ‹10Hz to 180kHz
Equalizer/Tube Saturation: ‹10Hz to 60kHz
Common mode rejection
(@ 1kHz, 0dBu input level and unity gain)
Microphone preamplifier: ›80dB
Line preamplifier: ›75dB
Instrument preamplifier: ›75dB
De-Esser: ›75dB
Compressor: ›75dB
Equalizer/Tube Saturation line: ›75dB
Total harmonic distortion
(in %, @ 1kHz, 0dBu input level and unity gain)
Channel strip: 0,03
Microphone preamplifier: 0,03
Line preamplifier: 0,03
Instrument preamplifier: 0,03
De-Esser: 0,002
Compressor: 0,007
Equalizer/Tube Saturation Line: 0,01
Signal to noise ratio (A-weighted)
Microphone preamplifier (VU=30dB): -91,5dB
Line preamplifier: -94,7dB
Instrument preamplifier: -95,5dB
De-Esser: -97dB
Compressor: -97dB
Equalizer/Tube Saturation Line: -91dB
Dynamic range (unweighted)
Channel strip: 110dB (microphone input › main outputs, @ 30dB)
Channel strip: 112dB (line input › main outputs)
Channel strip: 112dB (instrument input › main outputs)
Microphone preamplifier (@ 30dB): 110dB
Line preamplifier: 114dB
Instrument preamplifier: 105dB
De-Esser: 115dB
Compressor: 115dB
Equalizer/Tube Saturation Line: 112dB
E.I.N. microphone preamplifier: -127dBu
(@ 68dB gain, Rs=150Ohms, 20-22kHz)
Power supply
Two toroidal transformers
Audio transformer: 20VA
Transformer other currents: 15VA
Fuses: 230V AC, 50Hz: 315mA/120V AC, 60Hz: 630mA
Voltage selector: 115V/230V
Power consumption: 29W
Dimensions and weight
Housing (W x H x D): 482 x 88 x 261mm (Depth with controls and sockets)
Weight: 5,7kg/ca. 12,57 lbs (w/o converter & I/O transformers)
Note: 0dBu = 0,775V. Specifications are subject to change without notice.
