Sound Performance Lab Parametric Equalizer manual

OPTIMIZER parametric equalizer Owner´s Manual Operation . Applications . Measurements . Specifications ©1994 SPL electronics GmbH[...]

OPTIMIZER Owner´s Manual: Operation, Applications, Measurements, Specifications Written by Paul White and Hermann Gier Manual version 1.1/94 The information in this document has been carefully checked and is assumed to be correct. However Sound Performance Laboratory (SPL electronics GmbH) reserves the right to modify the product described in this[...]

3 OPTIMIZER C C O O N N T T E E N N T T S S I NTRODUCTION 4 I NST ALLA TION 7 C ONNECTORS 7 O PERA TING L EVEL 8 P OWER S UPPL Y 8 R EAR P ANEL 9 I NPUT & O UTPUT S PECIFICA TIONS 9 A PPLICA TIONS 10 M ASTERING WITH THE O PTIMIZER 10 O PTIMIZER USED IN THE I NSERTS 11 C ONTROLS 12 F RONT P ANEL 12 D UAL 13 A CTIVE 13 M ASTER -EQ 13 P EAK 13 B O[...]

4 OPTIMIZER Congratulations on purchasing the Optimizer, one of the most advanced and musical sounding parametric equalizer currently available. The Optimizer is a highly specialized and creative equali- zer. In addition to familiar parametric functions, it features a range of modes that enable it to perform Band-pass, High- pass, Low-pass and Notc[...]

5 OPTIMIZER The Optimizer comprises four identical filter stages which can be configured for 4-band mono, dual 2-band mono or 2-band ste- reo operation. Each filter covers the same enormous frequency range 10Hz to 23kHz. Each filter has its own mode switch, so complex combina- tions of filter types can be used in the same signal path. changing the [...]

6 OPTIMIZER addition each filter is equipped with a notch-filter. Selecting the Notch mode overrides the mode switch selector. So com- plex combinations of filter types can be used in the same sig- nal path. For example, a parametric filter could be combi- ned with a High- and Low-pass and Notch filter. When working in Notch, Band-pass, High-Pass o[...]

7 OPTIMIZER tion as each filter is added to the signal path. The Optimizer overcomes this fault by using controllable all active output stages resulting in a significantly improved phase response, even when all four filters are linked up. The Output control allows level adjustments to compensate for level changes due to dramatic boost or cut adjust[...]

8 OPTIMIZER ce is not driving Optimizer´s filters sufficiently with the pro- viso that the Peak LED on the front panel is not continually flashing. This will achieve equalization at a lower signal level and will result in a more intensely processed sound. Note: this level change also effects the signal when the filters are in bypass, so you will l[...]

9 OPTIMIZER Input- & output specifications XLR - balanced : Inputs: Electronically balanced (differential) transformerless Impedance: = 20kOhms Nominal input level: +6dB Input level selector: HIGH (0dB) LOW(-10dB) Maximum input level: +22dBm Input peak: LED indica- tes potential peak 3dB before actual clipping. Outputs: Electronically balanced [...]

10 OPTIMIZER M M A A S S T T E E R R I I N N G G W W I I T T H H T T H H E E O O P P T T I I M M I I Z Z E E R R PARAMETRIC SET-UP: To use the Optimizer as a dual- channel, parametric equalizer proceed as follows: • Set all filters to PARAMETRIC • Set to DUAL mode and ensure MASTER BYPASS is out. • Use filter ACTIVE control to set up one equa[...]

11 OPTIMIZER S S E E T T - - U U P P & & A A P P P P L L I I C C A A T T I I O O N N S S ons as a general studio equalizer, it is particularly effective at treating stereo programme material - either at the mixing stage or during post-production. The special characteristics of the Optimizer allow you to add weight and punch to the bass end [...]

12 OPTIMIZER F F R R O O N N T T P P A A N N E E L L C C O O N N T T R R O O L L S S Peak-LED illu- minates 3dB before clip- ping Freq. range (1. or 4. band) Filter mode switch choose parametric Dual depress for stereo applications Notch (off) Active (on) Master EQ (on when using XLRs) Start positions: Boost/cut (+/-)/ Roll-off (0) Bandwidth (1) Fr[...]

13 OPTIMIZER In mono mode the signal is routed from output 2 to the input of 3, this places all four sections in series. You can tap out after 2 as well as 4, you can use this feature for blends on the mixer. Each of the four OPTIMIZER filters is equipped with an individual bypass switch. The Master-EQ switch hard relay bypasses all filters with ba[...]

14 OPTIMIZER The Boost/Cut controls has two distinct functions depen- ding on the mode you are in. Boost and Cut as well as roll- off characteristics. Fig. 1: Dotted line: Max. boost and cut +/-12dB; Q = 1,5 Solid line: Phase response at Q = 1,5 Fig. 2: Dotted line: Max. boost and cut +/-12dB; Q = 0,2 Solid line: Phase response at Q = 0,2 B B O O O[...]

15 OPTIMIZER With proportional-Q the sig- nal level is dependent of the bandwidth setting - elimina- ting the need for constant level readjustment when changing the filter settings. Fig. 3: Q-values are between 0,2 and 1,5 at maximum boost and cut of +/- 12dB. B B A A N N D D W W I I D D T T H H " " Q Q " " C C O O N N T T R R O[...]

16 OPTIMIZER The frequency control (Hz) varies the filter frequency over the range selected with the Frequency Range switches. The two Frequency Range switches are used in combina- tion to select four frequency ranges. The switch positions are shown clearly on the Optimizer’s front panel. The ranges are: 1. 10Hz to 2.4kHz 2. 16Hz to 3.3kHz 3. 34H[...]

17 OPTIMIZER The frequency control (Hz) will set the center-frequency when working in Parametric, Band-pass and Notch mode where-as in Low-pass mode it will determine the upper, and in High-pass the lower corner frequency. Below is a chart for pinpointing the exact frequencies. The scale has 11 marks. The center position (12 o´clock) is number 6: [...]

18 OPTIMIZER 10 2045,1 2990,7 6180,6 20185 11 2380,5 3481,7 7096,3 21677 All frequencies in Hertz (Hz). The output control sets the output level of the filter sec- tion. You can adjust the gain from -80dB to +5dB. Output operates in all filter modes and can be used to correct the signal level if the next equalizer section is being overloaded or und[...]

19 OPTIMIZER level changes due to dramatic boost or cut adjustments. The Notch switch puts the filter into notch filter mode. It provides a deep cut of over 60dB which can be varied in fre- quency to address any part of the audio spectrum, providing in excess of 60dB of attenuation at the center frequency. The Q control varies the bandwidth of the [...]

20 OPTIMIZER a notch across the audio spectrum. A further creative use is to create a pseudo stereo image from a mono signal by split- ting the signal and applying different notches to each of the two channels. If these two channels are then panned left and right in the final mix, it creates an illusion of space. The position, number and width of t[...]

21 OPTIMIZER of the audio spectrum to contrive a bandpass filter for the production of ‘telephone’ effects and similar treatments. In the High-pass and Low-pass modes, the Q control changes the filter characteristic from over damped to under damped, with the higher Q settings producing a tighter, more focused sound. Fig. 12: Curve 1: Low-pass, [...]

22 OPTIMIZER The following measurements show that the Optimizer´s phase response is very stable at high amplitudes. The doted line in fig. 16 illustrates the frequency response from 0Hz to 200kHz for two combined equalizers (band 1 and 2). The solid line shows the phase reponse with only 2° diver- tion at 20kHz! A broad frequency range has become[...]

23 OPTIMIZER equalizers in modern recording technology. The Optimizer has an extremely broad frequency response from 0Hz to 200kHz that guaranties that the Optimizer´s filters operate with maximum tonal flexibility and without technically induced limitations. Fig. 17: Curve 1: Frequency response; 1kHz Curve 1a : Phase response Curve 2: Frequency r[...]

24 OPTIMIZER Fig. 20: Noise Measurement "A" WTG: -92,56dB Boost/Cut = 0dB; Fig. 21: Noise Measurement "A" WTG: -108,79dB Boost/Cut = 0dB; Master-EQ: Bypass Fig. 22: Noise Measurement THD & Noise Boost/Cut = +12 dB; Bandwidth Q = 1.0; Frequency = 1kHz: 0.035% N N O O I I S S E E M M E E A A S S U U R R E E M M E E N N T T S S[...]

25 OPTIMIZER Fig. 22: Noise Measurement CCIR 468: -83dB Boost/Cut = +12 dB; Bandwidth Q = 1.5; Frequency = 1kHz Fig. 23: Noise Measurement CCIR 468: -84dB Boost/Cut = 0 dB; Bandwidth Q = 1.5; Frequency = 1kHz Fig. 24: Common Mode Rejection of differential XLR Inputs Frequency range: 20Hz to 100kHz. CCMR: -76,73dB C C O O M M M M O O N N M M O O D D[...]

26 OPTIMIZER SPL electronics GmbH (hereafter called SPL) products are warranted only in the country where purchased, through the authorized SPL distributor in that country, against defects in material or workmanship. The specific period of this limited war- ranty shall be that which is described to the original retail purchaser by the authorized SP[...]

SOUND PERFORMANCE LABORA TORY SPL electronics GmbH Hauptstrasse 59 D-41372 Niederkrüchten P.O.Box: Postfach #1227 D-41368 Niederkrüchten Tel. +49-(0)2163-8761 Fax +49-(0)2163-83028[...]