1
Two Microphone Preamplifi ers
Crimson 3 offers two high-performance microphone preamps with
individual phantom power and rumble fi lters.
They are designed with single transistor technology (instead of an IC),
otherwise known as a ‘discrete‘ design which is usually an exclusive
feature of high-end boutique preamplifi ers.
48 V
The phantom power is used to feed 48V to condenser microphones. For
operation safety, switch 48V off when mics are plugged in and out.
Highpass Filter
This 1st order highpass fi lter eliminates rumble and other unwanted low
frequencies. The fi lter cuts off at 75Hz with a 6dB slope per octave.
Mic Gain
The Mic Gain control determines the preamplifi cation of the microphone
signal. For a good recording level turn up the gain until the -6dB LED
lights up. Avoid OVL from lighting up.
2
Two Instrument Preamplifi ers
Crimson 3 offers two identical instrument preamps to amplify Hi-Z (high
impedance) signals from instruments like guitar or bass. You can connect
your instrument directly to record or play-along.
These preamps can accept levels up to +22dB and are ideally suited for
active instruments.
Instr Gain
The Instr Gain control sets the amount of preamplifi cation gain of the
instrument. For a good recording level turn up the gain until the -6dB LED
lights up. Avoid OVL from lighting up.
Instrument Input Jack
The input jacks are located on the front panel for easy access.
Note: Use mono plugs only!
3
Four Line Inputs
All four Line Inputs (rear panel) are balanced and feed the converters with
unity gain level (1:1). Use these inputs to record line level signals from
keyboards, channel strips or DA converters.
For a good recording level make sure the -6dB LED lights up. Avoid OVL
from lighting up. Please refer to the rear panel on the last page of this
overview for more information about routing priorities of mic, instrument
and line inputs.
4
Analog Inputs
Crimson 3 allows to record four analog inputs at the same time (as well
as two more digital inputs; see 7. Digital In). Select the input you want to
hear in the analog monitoring section.
Press 1|2 to listen to the Mic or Line 1/2 inputs.
Press 3|4 to listen to the Instrument or Line 3/4 inputs.
If you record a mono vocal track, it makes sense that the voice appears in
the center, so you should press Mono.
If only one mono line input is recorded, use Line Input 3, which appears in
the center if nothing is connected to Line Input 4.
Instruments 3 and 4 appear in the center by default.
5
DAW Returns
Crimson 3 has four DA converters onboard to listen back to four tracks –
most commonly two stereo stems – from the DAW.
Press 1|2 to listen to the main mix of DAW outputs 1/2.
Press 3|4 to listen to e.g. the headphone fx mix of DAW outputs 3/4.
Audio Interface with Analog Monitoring
Product Overview
Crimson 3
6
Three Stereo Sources
As a true monitor controller Crimson 3 offers further monitoring-only
inputs. They cannot be recorded and are therefore called Sources. Three
different connector types are supported:
1. Jack: to connect a balanced stereo source like a balanced CD player or
DA converter
2. RCA: to connect an unbalanced stereo source like a CD player or an AV
receiver or similar
3. Mini-J: to connect an iPhone, iPad or MP3 player
By default sources 2 and 3 are boosted to professional level for better
comparison with all other signals. The boost can be deactivated with the
DIP switches on the bottom of the Crimson 3 (Dip 1 and 2 = RCA, 3 and 4
= Mini-J). Set each pair upwards to ON for deactivation.
7
Digital In
When judging the mix it is a good idea to compare it with a reference
track from a CD. Crimson 3 makes that comparison easy and trustworthy
by using the same high-performance built-in DA converter for both
SPDIF IN and DAW 1|2 and thereby avoiding sonic differences between
different DA converters.
Use the SPDIF switch to toggle between the reference track and your mix
The Digital In is fully functional even with no DAW connected.
Furthermore you can use the Digital In to record two more tracks. Two of our
SPL channel strips would be a perfect match, but bear in mind that one of
them should be equipped with the optional AD converter module.
8
Two Stereo Speaker Sets
You can connect two stereo speaker sets and toggle between them with
the A to B switch.
Speakers B can be trimmed precisely to match Speakers A. Two trimmers
on the rear provide a super fi ne trim range of +/-5dB.
In Artist Mode, Speakers B outputs can be used to drive an external
headphone amplifi er with a dedicated headphone mix. Alternatively this
output can be used to feed an AD converter with unity gain.
9
Dim/Talk Switch
The Dim switch reduces the monitoring level by -20dB.
In Artist Mode, the built-in Talkback Mic is activated with this switch.
10
Headphone Amplifi ers
Crimson 3 is equipped with two independant high-quality headphone
amplifi ers, Phones 1 and Phones 2. They offer a lot of output power and
can drive headphones from 20 Ohm to 600 Ohm. Be reasonable with high
listening levels to protect your hearing.
11
Phonitor Matrix
The Phonitor Matrix creates a speaker-like listening experience on
headphones. When listening to speakers sound coming from one side
is also perceived with the ear on the opposite side. The Phonitor Matrix
calculates the time and level differences with their specifi c frequency
responses to deliver a speaker-like listening experience on headphones.
The super-stereo-effect is eliminated and reverb and delay effects as
well as EQ and panorama adjustments are perceived correctly on head-
phones. The headphone mix therefore translates well to speakers
By using the switch you can activate or deactivate the Phonitor Matrix.
With the Crossfeed control at the front you adjust the level difference to
best suite your control room speaker setting.
12
Monitor Mix
With the Monitor Mix control you create a monitor mix fast and easily. No
need to fi ddle with gain controls or faders, just blend between the inputs
(mic, line, instrument) and the DAW/Sources/Digital In.
The analog monitoring of all analog inputs and sources is absolutely
latency-free, it is as real-time as it gets.
13
Volume
The big volume knob controls the level of the speakers. It is important
to note that the volume is controlled in a fully analog way, which is an
advantage over digitally controlled options due to the fact that bit resolu-
tion, and thus audio quality, shrinks when lowering the volume – some-
thing that does not happen in the analog domain.
14
Artist Mode
The Artist Mode is used for recording other artists who may need
dedicated headphone mixes and a talkback to guide them through the
recording.
Monitoring options for the artist
are:
• Mic, Line, Intrument inputs monitoring in real-time
• DAW 1|2 to listen to the current mix
• DAW 3|4 for a more sophisticated mix with effects (reverb, etc.)
• Any source as playback for rehearsal or play-along
The engineer/producer focuses on the mix. DAW 1|2 is therefore fi xed to
Phones 1 and Speakers A without the need of engaging the respective
switches.
• The engineer/producer can check the artist‘s headphone mix by disen-
gaging Artist Mode
• The engineer/producer can send the mix to the artist by simply press-
ing Speakers A to B
Tip: Use Speakers B to connect a headphone amplifi er with more headphone
outputs when you record more artists at the same time.
IMPORTANT:
Artist Mode is deactivated as factory setting. DIP switch 5 on the bottom
of the Crimson 3 is off. This makes sense if loudspeakers are connected to
the Speakers B. Otherwise, in case of accidently activating Artist Mode,
the output signal of the DAW is routed to Speakers B at full level, which
results in a disturbingly loud playback.
If you intend to use the Artist Mode, activate it by sliding the DIP switch 5
into ON position.
15
Talkback
Thanks to the built-in Talkbac Mic, you don’t have to fi ddle with an extra
mic, cable or preamplifi er.
In Artist Mode only: press the Talk button and speak into the Talk-
back Mic – leave about 15" to 20" distance. The artist will hear you on
Phones 2 and
Speakers B.
Speakers A will be dimmed automatically to avoid feedback.
You control the
amplifi cation
of the Talkback Mic signal with the TB Gain
potentio meter at the front.
New Crimson 3 Features
Phonitor Matrix
The Phonitor Matrix creates a speaker-like listening experience on head-
phones. All instruments appear at the correct position within the stereo
image. Effects – e.g. reverb and delay – will have the correct assertion in the
mix – just like you intend when mixing on speakers.
Built-in Talkback Mic
With the built-in Talkback Mic communicating with the artist works like a breeze.
© SPL electronics GmbH. All rights reserved.
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Scope of Delivery:
SPL Crimson 3, 12 V power supply, USB cable, Quickstart/Product Overview
