Sound Performance Lab 9737 - Manual (Page 4)

4
Machine Head Machine Head Machine Head
© SPL electronics GmbH, Stand 11/96
The M ACHINE H EAD is a creative sound and dynamics processor
within SPL´s Digital-Red series.
Concept: The algorithm used by M ACHINE H EAD computes
authentic tape saturation effects, hitherto unavailable in the
digital domain.
The subjective sonic effects are an increase in loudness and a
better penetration of the mix at identical peak level. The sound
becomes warmer and more powerful, and the process elimi-
nates the harshness usually associated with digital recordings.
M
ACHINE
H
EAD
is designed for mastering applications. Mixes
gain more power, punch and warmth. It is also suited to process
single instruments, like electronic or acoustic guitars and
basses, drums, loops and samples, as well as complete stereo
mixes.
The algorithm used by M ACHINE H EAD precisely reproduces the
analogue tape saturation effect, including hysteresis effects, the
harmonic characteristic and both linear and non-lineare trans-
mission-characteristic (other than level) that occur when recor-
ding to analogue tape.
The level behaviour and high frequency damping is repro-
duced in a modified manner. To achieve the best possible signal
to noise ratio, an auto gain cell has been implemented into the
algorithm in order to create a processing range for saturation
effects for full scale input signals and to deliver full scale output
signals afterwords. The intensity of high frequency damping
varies from one tape to another, and is therefore fully adju-
stable one the M
ACHINE H EAD . It is now also possible to make
use of extreme saturation effects without high frequency
damping at all.
In fact M ACHINE H EA d provides all the benefits of analogue
recording without any of the shortfalls – M ACHINE H EAD does
not reproduce cross-talk, pre or post echoes, noise floor (field
noise, modulation noise) and motor speed fluctuation characte-
ristics of analogue tape machines!
Operation: M ACHINE H EAD is operated with four controls and
one switch function:
I NPUT G AIN : Controls the input level of the digital data
stream
D
RIVE
: Controls the drive or recording level of the
“virtual analogue tape machine”
HF-A
DJUST
: Controls the intensity of high frequency boost or
damping
O
UTPUT
G
AIN
: Controls the output level of the digital data
stream
H
IGH
T
APE
S
PEED
: Switches from normal tape speed (15ips) to
high tape speed (30ips).
Introduction
Creating authentic tape
saturation effects.
The sound becomes warmer
and more powerful, elimina-
ting the harshness of digital
recordings.
Precise reproduction of:
- tape saturation effect
- hysteresis effect
- harmonic characteristic
- linear and non linear trans-
mission characteristic
Modified reproduction of:
- level behaviour
- high frequency damping
Not reproduced are:
- cross-talk
- pre or post echos
- noise floor
- motor speed fluctuation
Easy and intuitive operation