SPL Tube Vitalizer

SPL Tube Vitalizer

Program Equalizer

The Tube Vitalizer presents the patented Vitalizer filter network in the most sophisticated and beautiful way. Compared to traditional equalizer designs, the Tube Vitalizer offers virtuoso processings with maximum efficiency and ease of use. In mixing, mastering and restauration the Tube Vitalizer fulfills the highest demands. The Tube Vitalizer is designed for discerning applications in professional mixing, mastering and restoration. All effect intensities, potentiometer values and characteristics are optimized for refined requirements. The sound processing of the Tube Vitalizer is split into two sections: On the left hand you find the controls of the Vitalizer-circuitry and the compressors. The right side features the tube section, which can be used independently of the Vitalizer-section as a high quality, low-noise tube-line preamp.

Vitalizer Section

With the Tube Vitalizer you can chose between familiar RC filters (condensers) or the often very interesting, warmer sounding LC filters (coils) for filtering bass and high frequencies. The sonic differences are similar to those of tubes compared to semi-conductors - sometimes even more dramatic. LC filters can saturate in a similar way to tubes, producing a pleasant harmonic structure. LC filters activate a passive coil network which is integrated into the active filter path. Bass processing for example results in a subjectively more powerful sound with more sustain. LC filters not only affect the Bass section, but also the mid-damping behaviour of the Hi-Mid Tune so that low-mid frequencies in particular benefit from it. The sound often gets more punch and directness. An LC filter can also be added to the high frequency filtering to improve presence in the mid-range, which is ideal for vocals. Especially in mastering applications the LC filters add another tonal dimension to your processing repertoire. The second innovation in the Tube Vitalizer design is the inclusion of two compressors, one for the bass and one for the top-end filtering. These compressors allow to compensate for level changes due to the processing. Alternatively they can also be used for sound shaping of course. The compressors operate with a soft-knee characteristic to provide unobtrusive results, while Attack, Release and Threshold are pre-set for their frequency range (bass or top-end processing). This results in highest ease of use and perfect level control even when intensive processing is applied.

Tube Stage

The Tube Vitalizer is equipped with both electronically balanced solid-state and tube output stages, and you can switch from solid-state to tube operation by the push of a button. Now you can add tube sound to your mix and directly compare it with the solid-state sound. The tube stage is an original AEG design from 1955. It utilizes three tubes. One of them is used as a differential stage and carefully enhances the stereo base. This effect perfectly complements the tube sound itself, it delivers more depth and transparency, especially in the mid range. The tube stage also reduces crosstalk to 54 dB which is typical for vinyl-cutting. One characteristic of vinyl sound against CD specs is a more natural sound stage - there are no coherent sounds in nature that have a channel separation of about 90 dB like on CD. The tube section provides a frequency bandwidth from 30 Hz to 30 kHz. Standard designs often limit the bandwidth which gives a limited impression of frequency bandwidth - and that may often be associated with "tube sound". The Tube Vitalizer's tube sections does not limit frequency response.

Features

The Tube Vitalizer is built using the finest components. High quality ALPS potentiometers combine reliability with an excellent tactile response, and the mechanism has enough resistance to make unintentional movement unlikely. Stylish and practical VU meters show either input or output levels, making it easy to compare levels when extensive filtering is required. The Tube Vitalizer is equipped with both XLRs & stereo jacks for balanced operation. We use the new SSM precision input & output stages which feature laser-trimmed resistors, providing a common mode rejection of better than 87 dB. Mono-jacks may be used for unbalanced operation without level change.

Psycho-Acoustic

One of the Vitalizer’s main features is the unmasking of overlapping sounds. The way it works is, in principle, opposite to the way compression formats (MP3, etc.) do: instead of deleting allegedly unnecessary information, it enhances it. In order to do that, the Vitalizer takes into account the perception of a frequency in relation to its volume. By shifting louder frequencies slightly in time, softer and formerly overlapping sounds are “unmasked” and made audible. The audible effect of unmasking could be described in general terms as more clarity and depth in a mix. Lows sound more powerful and better defined, mids more focused and differentiated and highs more vivid and brilliant. It can be used on individual channels to emphasize the sound character of instruments or vocals. The clarity and definition achieved guarantee an adequately perceptible presence in the mix. Another characteristic of the Vitalizer’s sound optimization process is the adaptation of the sound spectrum to the non-linear sensitivity of human hearing. This phenomenon was audiometrically proved in the 1930’s thanks to the equal loudness contours, also known as the Fletcher-Munson curves after their discoverers. According to these curves, the human ear is most sensitive to mid frequencies, i.e. to the frequency range of speech. As a result, frequencies below 200 Hz and above 6000 Hz need reinforcement in order to achieve a well-balanced auditory impression – frequencies between 6 kHz and approximately 11 kHz are perceived as being 5 dB softer, for example. The Vitalizer uses the equal-loudness contours to balance the frequency spectrum according to human hearing, which in turn improves loudness. As a result, individual elements of a mix can sound more present without an actual increase in level. At the same time, the sum signal also benefits from the Vitalizer processing since it can achieve the same loudness with less sound pressure level.    

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Specifications

Input & Output

• Instrumentation amplifier, electronically balanced (differential), transformerless
• Nominal input level: +6 dB
• Input impedance: = 22 kOhms
• Output impedance: < 600 Ohms
• Max. input level: +24 dBu
• Max. output level: +22,4 dBu
• Minimum load ohms: 600 Ohms
• Relay Hard Bypass

Measurements

• Frequency response (without tubes): 10 Hz - 100 kHz (100 kHz = -3 dB)
• Frequency response (with tubes): 30 Hz - 100 kHz (30kHz=-3dB)
• CCMR (common mode rejection):- 100 dBu at 1 kHz
• THD & N: 0,002% at 1 kHz
• S/N (CCIR 468-3): -83 dBu
• S/N (A-weighted): -89 dBu

Power Supply

• Toroidal transformer: 35 VA
• Fuse (primary): 500 mA (230V); 1A (115V)
• Fuse (secondary): 315 mA (230V); 630 mA (115V)
• Ground-Lift switch
• Voltage selector
• Power Fail Safety

Dimensions & Weight

• Standard EIA 19"/2U
• 482x88x237mm (BxHxT)
• 19"x3.46"x9,33" (WxHxD)
• Weight: 4.9 kg; 10.8lbs