User’s Guide EAN GAI CL 22 2426N 19 21 18 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 Gain Station 24.5 2.5 2.5 dB Off LIMITER Fet Off Peak 2 26 OUTPUT dB 2.5 PHANTOM 48V Off LIMITER b tO e+ ff Fet Off Peak 3 26 OUTPUT PHANTOM -9 -12-10 -8 -6 -5 -14 -2.5 -16 0 -18 -20 2 3.5 -22 5 -24 5.5 -25 -26 6 dB 24.5 48V Off LIMITER Fet Off Peak 4 Rev. 2.5 26 OUTPUT dB 24.5 PHANTOM 48V Off LIMITER 2.5 25.5 25.8 b tO e+ ff Fet Off Peak 5 dB 24.5 PHANTOM 48V Off LIMITER 2.
User’s Guide GainStation 8 Model 2383 Version 1.0 – 6/2003 Designer: Ruben Tilgner This user's guide contains a description of the product. It in no way represents a guarantee of particular characteristics or results of use. The information in this document has been carefully compiled and verified and, unless otherwise stated or agreed upon, correctly describes the product at the time of packaging with this document.
Contents Introduction .................................................................. 4 Before you begin 7 .......................................................... Rear panel/connections ................................................ 8 Wiring ....................................................................... 8 General advices ......................................................... 9 Connectors and switches ........................................... 10 Control elements ...................
Introduction Input makes all the difference. Modern audio production relies increasingly on digital systems for recording and mixing processes (DAW‘s, digital consoles etc.). The advantages of digital audio are manifold and include affordable storage, comfortable editing, recall capabilities and automation. On the downside, digital systems still do not offer the same audio qualities and sound characteristics of high-end analog equipment.
Introduction Main technical features of the GainStation 8 • 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. • An extremely high amplifier slew rate of 200 V/microsecond, ensuring clean transmission of high-frequency signal portions and rapid transients with virtually no cut-off.
Introduction This cutting-edge technology ensures that signals recorded with the GainStation 8 have more presence and substance and will easily cut through a mix even at lower levels. Extremely low-frequency signals are tight and transparent with clear intonation. Percussive transients are interpreted more precisely, which leads to a clearer rhythmic content and in turn a more solid rhythmic performance and perception.
Before you begin It makes good sense to think about where you place your GainStation 8 before connecting it. It should be positioned so that you can easily reach it, but there are other considerations. Try not to place it near heat sources or in direct sunlight, and avoid exposure to excessive vibrations, dust, heat, cold or moisture. It should also be kept away from transformers, motors, power amplifiers and digital processors.
Made in Germany VOLTAGE/FUSE 2 1 110 V – 120 V/ 60 Hz 3 3.2 A slow blow 110 V – 120 V/ 60 Hz: 1.6 A slow blow 220 V – 240 V/ 50 Hz: FUSE RATING AC MAINS INPUT 1 23 03 21 Gain Station 8 POWER SUPPLY DC INPUT 220 V – 240 V/ 50 Hz PUSH PUSH INSTR. IN (UNBAL.) GND LIFT DC OUTPUT OUT 2 (BAL. ) PUSH 7 OUT 2 (BAL. ) PUSH 2383-PSU 3830123-P SERIAL NUMBER 1 2 MADE IN GERMANY Sound Performance Lab Niederkrüchten Germany Model 2383-PSU Power Supply Unit for GainStation 8 OUT 1 (BAL.
Rear panel/connections General advices Again, while the GainStation 8‘s housing is EMV-proof and protects against HF-interference, placement of the unit is very important since it amplifies microphone signals as well as other unwanted signals. Thus, it is extremely important that the external power supply not be positioned near the GainStation 8. IMPORTANT: Adjust the voltage setting on the back of the external power supply so that it corresponds with the power conditions.
Rear panel/connections PUSH MIC INPUT MIC INPUT Dynamic, condenser or tube microphones can be connected to the Mic Input. The 48 V switch provides the phantom power necessary for some microphones (see also „Control elements/ Phantom“ on page 13). The MIc Input can also be used as a balanced connection for professional audio equipment with a maximum output level of +20 dBu. The Clean Gain already delivers 10 dB of minimum preamplification, this leaves you with 4 dB of headroom.
Control elements CLEAN GAIN This potentiometer controls the amount of preamplification provided by the class A solid-state stage. A range of up to +63 dB is provided. For more information, please see “Setting levels on the GainStation 8“ on page 16. NG LEA 22 24AIN C 19 21 18 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 26 29 32 35 38 41 46 54 63 dB Mic: +7dB w/transformer IMPORTANT NOTE: If a Lundahl input transformer is installed, add 7 dB to the printed values. TUBE GAIN 9 22 23 24 7.5 6 4 24.5 25 2.5 25.5 25.
Control elements SOURCE SOURCE Hi Z Mic This switch allows you to select between the Mic and Instrument inputs. Both inputs can remain connected at all times, regardless of which input is selected. When first thrown after powering up the unit, this switch can cause a noticeable pop due to the discharge of residual current. This is normal and no cause for concern.
Control elements IMPED. Ω IMPED. Ω 200 1.2k 10k This 3-way switch allows you to select between three input impedances for the Mic Input. In general, higher impedances increase levels and emphasize high frequencies, while mids and bass frequenices are dampened. Conversely, a lower impedance causes lower levels and emphasizes bass and mid frequencies. The Imped. Ω-Wert does not have to be equivalent to the output impedance of the microphone.
Control elements LIMITER LIMITER Fet Off Peak The GainStation 8 offers two types of output level limiting: Peak and FET. The limiter is pre-output level control, so that the limited signal can be optimally adapted to an external converter. The peak limiter operates with special diodes that convert signal peaks into a type of saturation. Depending on the signal, this allows levels to be effectively and subtly limited.
Control elements POWER POWER Switches the unit on or off. The switch illuminates with delay, because it is fed by the 250 V anode power – don’t panic. If the tube stage is active when the unit is switched on, it can take several seconds before a signal can be heard—this time is necessary for the tube to reach operating temperature. IMPORTANT NOTE: Never disconnect the GainStation 8 from its external power supply while the unit is switched on.
Operation In spite of its quality and flexibility, the GainStation 8‘s transparent user interface allows quick, intuitive operation. The unit is suited for a wide variety of applications. The following sections will provide an overview of the most important operational concepts and several application examples. Setting levels on the GainStation 8 Start with the limiter switched off.
Operation Combining different amounts of clean and tube gain will create various effects. The GainStation 8 operates virtually distortionfree with the tube stage bypassed. The sound is clean and transparent with extreme detail and very low noise. The clean stage is ideal for most acoustic instruments, as well as jazz or classical recordings. If you activate the tube stage and increase the gain setting slowly, you will notice that once you reach a certain level, harmonic distortion enters the signal.
Operation Limiter To achieve the desired results with the integrated limiter, it is important to understand its operation. The threshold value is fixed at 20 dBu. The clean and/or tube gain settings determine the amount of limiting, so that these settings more or less work like a threshold control. When the limiter is activated, it levels everything above 20 dBu. The orange 18 dB LED, which displays this level range, varies in brightness depending on limiting.
Application examples The advent of digital recording and the fact that more and more material remains in the digital domain from start to finish have raised demands on preamplifiers. The GainStation 8 is predestined to act as a premium recording front end, ensuring that signals of all kinds are preamplified with the highest quality, whether as an alternative to existing console preamps or as a stand-alone solution between source and A/D converter.
Application examples Vocals/speech The tube stage is well suited for adding presence to vocals. Exercise caution when setting levels, particularly with the clean stage, since vocals can be extremely dynamic. The FET limiter can be very helpful here to level peaks in a subtle, musical fashion and ensure safe levels for AD conversion. Once the limiter is properly set (see ”Limiter”, page 20), tube gain can be added as required.
Application examples Electric Bass If an electric bass is directly connected to the instrument input, a combination of clean and tube stages is usually best. In the case of extreme dynamics, the FET limiter will deliver excellent results and a tight, punchy bass sound that usually needs no additional compression. Keyboards/samplers/drum machines Electronic sound sources allow you to fully utilize the GainStation 8‘s potential.
Application examples Drums/snare drum Exercise caution when setting levels to avoid clipping. Drums are notorious for fast, powerful transients that can easily add 10 dB to the average level. In addition, few drummers (or any musicians, for that matter) are so disciplined that they don‘t play louder during a take or concert than they do during sound check. Experiment to see whether or not you like the sound of the tube stage and in what proportion.
Technology Inside the GainStation 8 The most time-consuming part of the development of the GainStation 8 was searching for, selecting and matching components, PCB‘s and IC‘s. One decisive factor in achieving impeccable audio quality is the refusal to accept any weak spots in the chain—the insistence upon each link being as good as the next. It makes no sense to use a world-class op-amp with an improperly engineered power supply or lower-quality passive components such as standard resistors and condensers.
Technology An output stage, which also operates in class A mode with over 6 mA of closed-circuit current, functions as a current amplifier. The transistors and resistors utilized also had an enormous effect on the audio quality. To facilitate selection, we assembled several models and subjected them to extensive listening tests. All this trouble more than paid off: the final GainStation 8 op-amp has a slew rate of over 100V/µs—several times faster than industrial op-amps.
Technology The Instrument Input is a fully discrete impedance converter that also operates in class A mode. It is based on a low-noise field effect transistor that is especially well suited to this task due to its extremely high input impedance. The signal then passes to the clean gain stage.
External power supply In the case of the power supply, no expense was spared. After all, the power supply is one of the primary factors in the audio quality and overall sound of any device. Just like the best coffee beans in the world will not produce a good cup of coffee with poor water, the best circuits can‘t produce a great sound with unreliable, inconsistent current. In order to provide optimal current, the GainStation 8 was outfitted with an external power supply.
Technical specifications Frequency response (Clean Gain 30 dB, Tube Gain off, output level 0 dB, +/- 0.5 dB): ‹1 Hz-125 kHz Frequency response (Clean Gain 30 dB, Tube Gain off, output level 0 dB, +/- 3 dB): ‹1 Hz-310 kHz Frequency response (Clean Gain 30 dB, Tube Gain 1 dB, output level 0 dB, +/- 0.5 dB): ‹1Hz-125 kHz THD+N (Clean Gain 24 dB, Tube Gain off, output level +6 dB, 20-22 kHz, +25 dBu out): 0.00038 % THD+N (Clean Gain 23 dB, Tube Gain 1 dB, output level +6 dB, 20-22 kHz, +25 dBu out): 0.
Dimensions/weight Dimensions (W x H x D): 482 x 88 x 237 mm Weight (w/o Lundahl transformer): External power supply – dimensions: 6,3 kg 219 x 85 x 257 mm Weight: 6,8 kg Options The following accessory is optionally available: • Lundahl input transformer (upgrades after sale by authorized service personnel or SPL only) Information on Lundahl input transformers Transformers have the characteristics usually associated with other analog components like tubes or coils–they sound “warmer”, fatter, punchie
Warranty SPL products are manufactured using carefully selected components and materials and state-of-the-art production technology. Every SPL product is thorough inspected and tested before leaving the factory, including acoustic and electronic testing. SPL warrantees the SPL 24/96 AD Converter Model 2376 to be free of defects in materials or workmanship for a period of 24 months after the date of purchase.
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