SPL Track One Mic/Line/Instrument Preamplifier Channel Strip

Track One

Compact and competent.

The Track One is a fully equipped channel strip for fast and reliable voice and instrument recording, meeting the highest demands on sound and reliability.

Mic/Instr./Line Preamp

The Track One is equipped with two preamps: a microphone preamp with 48V phantom power and a separate instrument preamp. Both are tuned to a sound-neutral, open and transparent characteristic. The low-cut filter can be used for both preamps.

De-Esser

The Auto-Dynamic De-Esser unobtrusively and effectively removes disturbing S-sounds by detecting only the “S-frequencies” and reducing them by phase cancellation.

The Auto-Threshold control maintains constant processing even if the distance between the singer and the microphone varies. Operation is reduced to just one knob that sets the desired S-reduction.

Compressor / Limiter

The compressor is also extremely easy to operate via a controller; its strength lies in its unobtrusive, musical operation. The compressor/limiter section has excellent noise and distortion data.

Equalizer with Air Band

For Track One, an EQ section has been designed specifically for processing voices and acoustic and electronic instruments. The Air Band filter works on the basis of a coil/condenser filter.

Output & Metering

The variable Output helps adjusting the gain to optimally drive following equipment.

In the display the output level, S-Reduction activity, signal presence and overload as well as the compressor’s gain reduction are shown.

Optional Equipment

Lundahl Transformers

The Sonic Aspects

Transformers are used as an alternative to electronic balancing stages in the inputs and outputs.

Transformers can be found in many classics of audio engineering. They make the bass and fundamental tines rounder and give it a little more punch. The high and overtone range sounds a bit silkier and more present.

We find transformers to be advantageous, especially for voices. For highest precision and speed in signal transmission (transient processing), however, electronic stages are better suited. The bottom line is that it is a question of taste and application.

In the Mic Preamplifier

In the case of preamplifiers or channel strips, the 2161 input transformer, which is specially designed for microphone inputs, provides an additional gain of up to 14 dB (depending on the microphone), which must then be added to the scaling.

This relieves the microphone preamplifier. Since the transformer ratio passively increases the level, no noise is added. Therefore, the input transformer is more important than the output transformer in preamplifiers.

However, it is only when both transformers are fitted that all positive sonic aspects are achieved – as well as increased operational reliability.

AD Converter Module 1090

The 24 bit converter module provides an SPDIF output which is available as coaxial and optical output.

The internal sampling rate can be set with switches to 44.1, 48, 88.2 and 96 kHz. Other sampling rates (32, 176.4, 192 kHz) can only be set with an external synchronization signal.