SPL Track One Mk3 Premium Recording & Mixing Channel Strip with Lundahl Input Transformer

Compact and competent

In broadcast and voice recording, the compact channel strip has already made a big name for itself. Whether singer-songwriter, live event or podcast – Track One always delivers a great sound. It enriches the microphone, line or instrument signal. De-esser, compressor/limiter and equalizer ensure professional results.

The high-quality recording and mixing channel strip has been improved again with the latest Mk3 version in some technical details and optimized with the needs of modern recording studios in ind. The new design of the SPL Studio Series provides this third-generation Track One with a more intuitive and classy design.

Preamplifiers

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.

Analog plugin

Track One Mk3 offers the possibility to process line signals. This means that sources with line level, such as an analog signal from an audio interface, can be processed with de-esser, compressor, limiter and equalizer and then be recorded again. In this way, Track One Mk3 becomes an “analog plugin” within an insert of a DAW.

De-Esser

Unobtrusively and effectively, the Auto-Dynamic De-Esser removes distracting S-sounds, in a mix or on vocal tracks. “S-frequencies” get detected and mixed back phase-inverted into the main signal, thus simply deleting sibilants in the original signal. The Auto-Threshold control maintains constant processing even as the singer's distance from the microphone varies. The result is tonally neutral, unobtrusive and extremely effective. Even at high S-reduction values, the de-essing has no significant effect on the character and timbre of the voice. Operation is limited to setting the desired sibilance reduction via the S-Reduction control. The On switch activates the De-Esser.

Compressor Link Feature

The Compressor Link feature allows you to operate two Track One compressors with one control signal to ensure coherent stereo results. The Master/Slave switch determines which device operates as master and which device is being controlled as slave.

Looks great, feels great – and lasts for a lifetime

Track One Mk3 has a 4 mm thick, black anodized aluminum front panel and aluminum knobs milled from solid. The housing is made of high-quality steel and is powder-coated in elegant black.

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.

The Track One Mk3 can be ordered with an optional input transformer. The product with input transformer is called: Track One Mk3 – Premium