background image

7

The concept of

sound processing

in the EQ MAGIX

The P

ARAMETRIC

section serves to

perfectly remove any interference

frequency or to accentuate a

frequency band as desired.

With its enormous range of

frequencies from 14 Hz to 58 kHz,

the EQ MAGIX provides a plat-

form for experimentation as to

the extent signal portions affect

the tonal perception range beyond

the spectrum of the human

hearing. 

The EQ MAGIX features a P

ARAMETRIC

constant-Q equaliser combined

with the V

ITALIZER

equaliser system.

This combination of filters is based on the assumption that after succes-

sful microphoning, you only have one problem zone, if at all, that needs to

be equalized. The V

ITALIZER

provides all the necessary circuitry for creative

sound post-processing.

The EQ MAGIX provides a total of five processing ranges: the PARAME-

TRIC section provides an extremely variable and efficient filter for selective

intervention in a frequency band between 14Hz and 58kHz. The VITA-

LIZER interferes in 4 frequency ranges, bass, mid and treble, along with the

harmonical frequencies pertaining to even and odd overtones.

The P

ARAMETRIC

section is designed to clean up one »problem zone« in

the frequency spectrum of the recorded instrument or voice perfectly,

without prejudicing the sound and without being inhibited by technical

limitations of standardized filter circuits.

The equalizer used in the EQ MAGIX is based on the state-variable filter

type (SVF). Its function is phase-stable and neutral right down to 14 Hz in

the infra-sonic range. The frequency range extends right up to breath-

taking 58 kHz! This initially provides a platform for experimentation as to

whether interspersing digital components affects into the tonal perception

range (16 Hz to 20 kHz) or whether the removal thereof can remedy sound

problems directly or indirectly. 

We have visited sound engineers and producers in European and

American audio and video studios and they pointed out to us that inter-

spersing the sample rate frequencies (44.1 kHz and 48 kHz) into the audio

path is a well-known phenomenon, whereby subharmonic elements can

be transposed right down into the audible frequency spectrum.

Furthermore, this can result in audible phase shifts and distortions. With

the EQ MAGIX, you can now influence these frequencies actively. The

sample rate frequencies are inscribed on the scale (44, 48).

All frequencies can be boosted or cut with 15dB throughout the entire

frequency range from 14 Hz to 58 kHz. The P

ARAMETRIC

equalizer of the EQ

MAGIX is based on the constant-Q principle and provides an »inversible

Q«, i.e. when filtering out a interfering frequency, inverting the boost value

to a cut value results in precise inversion of the bandwidth (Q) values. 

Notching is also possible with a variable R

OLL

-O

FF

to select a 

STEEP

or

GENTLE

filter slope. 

Extremely flexible bandwidth defintion allows Q values between 0.6

and 3.6.

Содержание EQ MAGIX

Страница 1: ...SOUND PERFORMANCE LABORATORY O O w w n n e e r r s s M M a a n n u u a a l l ...

Страница 2: ... time This document is the property of SPL electronics GmbH and may not be copied or reproduced in any manner in part or full without the authorization of SPL electronics GmbH Construction and circuit layout are subject to constant improve ment and development Changes will be made without notice 1994 SPL electronics GmbH All rights reserved 1993 Vitalizer is a registered trademark of SPL electroni...

Страница 3: ...ower supply 13 Insert 14 Parametric Active 15 Frequency 15 Boost Cut 16 Bandwidth Q 17 Q Fine 17 Notch 17 Deleting an interference frequeny 19 Introduction into the Vitalizer 20 The control elements of the Vitalizer Active 22 10dB 22 Peak 22 Bass 23 Deep 24 Mid Hi Tune 24 Process 25 Harmonics 26 Combine 26 Output Pan 27 PPM Meter 27 Fader 27 Mute 27 Specifications 28 Block diagram 29 Circuit layou...

Страница 4: ...lifier and an active two channel panorama output stage People in MIDI hybrid studios or production studios often need a single mixing desk channel with superior microphone preamplification and perfect sound control to record different song tracks saxophone or guitar soli on R Dat hard disk or samplers The EQ MAGIX is so to speak an all in one tool for applications of this nature The EQ MAGIX is id...

Страница 5: ...ption of the EQ MAGIX s func tion groups 1 I IN NP PU UT T Microphone and line level signals can be preamplified in the INPUT section Microphone signals can be preamplified up to 65 dB Activating the LINE switch attenuates the preamplifiers stage by 30 dB There is a phantom power supply 48 V for condensor microphones The PHASE REVERSE switch is used to change the polarity of the microphone The PEA...

Страница 6: ...e a two channel output signal from a one channel input signal You can return the signal to two desk channels or feed it directly into a multi track recording medium or effect unit Balanced outputs available via XLR sockets and unbalanced outputs available via jacks can be used in parallel A signal can therefore be recorded on two media simultaneously On the front panel two bargraph meters each fea...

Страница 7: ... circuits The equalizer used in the EQ MAGIX is based on the state variable filter type SVF Its function is phase stable and neutral right down to 14 Hz in the infra sonic range The frequency range extends right up to breath taking 58 kHz This initially provides a platform for experimentation as to whether interspersing digital components affects into the tonal perception range 16 Hz to 20 kHz or ...

Страница 8: ...n This rules out any comb filter effects which create sound distortions similar to those produced by graphic equalizers The PROCESS control determines the addition of the bass sound selected and the MID HI TUNE filter to the dry signal In addition dominant mid frequencies are lowered by phase shifts which means that as the PROCESS value increases they are adapted automatically to curves of equal l...

Страница 9: ...equipped with an electronically balanced 3 pole XLR socket to connect a microphone or a line signal The outputs of the EQ MAGIX are designed balanced on XLR sockets as well as unbalanced on 1 4 jacks The outputs can be used parallel to each other This means that four output signals can be produced from one input signal T Th he e P Pi in n a as ss si ig gn nm me en nt t o of f t th he e X XL LR R j...

Страница 10: ...ed separately via trimmers as deviations of only a few millivolts can result in audible changes such as a diffuse sound pattern After the calibration stage the current is again smoothed Service voltage is raised gradually when the unit is switched on This prevents voltage peaks e g switch on cracks affecting the operational amplifiers This safety circuit in turn prolongs the service life of the un...

Страница 11: ...coustic instrument Guitar amp miking Insert Send Return The microphone signal can be looped through other processors e g compressor limiter reverb or effects unit The signal can be recorded directly onto one or two tracks of a multi track recorder The EQ MAGIX output signal can be fed into one or two insert returns of a mixing desk GND LIFT helps to prevent hum loops An alternative ground connecti...

Страница 12: ...ansducer type condensor or dynamic microphone and the free field transmission factor of the microphone type The sound pressure level of the sound source to be recorded the distance to the microphone and the room acoustics are other factors which also have to be taken into account when setting the MIC LINE potentiometer The free field transmission factor of a dynamic microphone is around 2mV Pa tha...

Страница 13: ...nger or speaker can then hear himself on his headphones without having to increase the level 2 The phase inversion feature is also very useful when the polarity of the XLR input jack has to be inverted to match the polarity of the micro phone or the microphone cable The pin assigment of the XLR connector is as follows Pin 2 hot and Pin 3 cold 3 Sometimes it is desirable to swop the polarity of a m...

Страница 14: ... ch he ed d O OF FF F There is a switchable INSERT path between the INPUT stage and the PARAMETRIC stage The signal can be fed to other sound processing units such as compressors limiters de essers or reverb units The INSERT jacks at the rear of the EQ MAGIX are designed as unba lanced jacks for SEND and RETURN It is also possible to use the microphone preamplifier independently of the PARAMETRIC ...

Страница 15: ...m 280 Hz to 58 kHz Equalizers do not normally provide frequencies above 20 kHz Practical applications have shown however that interfere frequencies from digital audio equipment quantization and formantization noise crosstalk of the Sampling Rate etc can cause sound deterioration in the audible range This particularly involves 44 1 kHz and 48 kHz and their related subhar monics The EQ MAGIX makes t...

Страница 16: ...the selected frequency range Increases and decreases of 15 dB and 15dB are possible Apart from determining boost and cut the BOOST CUT control has a second function when the NOTCH mode has been activated Once the NOTCH filter has been activated the BOOST CUT control changes to the ROLL OFF function thus becoming the control for basic sound charac teristics also see point 12 NOTCH ROLL OFF In the 1...

Страница 17: ...al control ranges of bandwidths relevant for musical applications Two Q values can therefore be compared more easily by switching over quickly The NOTCH filter is used to filter out discrete interference frequencies where the maximum CUT setting 15 dB on the BOOST CUT control is not sufficient The NOTCH filter of the EQ MAGIX is variable in bandwidth Q and there fore if it is used with broader ban...

Страница 18: ...vel is also reduced by around 20dB Figure 4 shows the curves for the NOTCH with GENTLE and STEEP characte ristics at Q0 6 along with the same curves at Q3 6 Parametric Fig 4 The NOTCH curves on the 0dB line are shown for Q0 6 On the outside the curve is shown for GENTLE ROLL OFF The inside shows the curve with STEEP ROLL OFF The NOTCH curves on the 20dB line are shown for Q3 6 On the outside the c...

Страница 19: ...terference frequency has reached its loudest level 1 e Turn the BOOST CUT control to max CUT extreme left 15 dB For broader interference noise the result is better if the Q value is shifted from its maximum position extreme left to lower Q values If 15 dB attenuation is not sufficient to eliminate the interference frequency satisfactorily use the NOTCH mode which offers an attenuation down to 50dB...

Страница 20: ...ound at this stage Slowly move the PROCESS control in from the extreme left You will find that there is no audible change in the sound until the MIN position ca 11 o clock That is just how it should be All frequencies from 3 5 kHz initial setting MID HI TUNE are only raised with increasing intensity above this point First set the PROCESS control at 3 o clock The bass range is not yet influenced at...

Страница 21: ...n The harmonics are accentuated by the VITALIZER with equalizer techno logy unlike other procedures Previously so called Exciters devices to generate harmonic tones produced their harmonics with the aid of a gene rator which mainly added type K3 and type K5 distortions to the signal odd harmonics of 3rd and 5th order The familiar disadvantages of this principle are as follows although odd harmonic...

Страница 22: ... be utilized for this purpose see page 27 point 25 The output signal of the PARAMETRIC stage is increased by 10 dB in the sone scale loudness scale when the 10dB switch is activated Increasing the drive level intensifies the VITALIZER s working process This feature is especially suitable to liven up dull sounding samples but it also proves useful when it comes to more effective voice processing Th...

Страница 23: ...iginal dry bass if the BASS control is in a centre position The PROCESS control determines the processing ratio between the set bass sound colour and the original signal This results in varying bass sound structures if you combine high bass amplification on the BASS control with a lower PROCESS value you get a different bass structure than with a lower bass amplification combined with a higher PRO...

Страница 24: ...le method of ampli tude depending phase shifting This does not involve altering the spectral composition of the signal but it does maintain the subjective impression of loudness Moreover graphic equalizers produce comb filter effects because of the interaction between adjacent filters when broad band frequencies are raised The MID HI TUNE filter can raise the broad band spectrum with a very linear...

Страница 25: ...l The PROCESS control determines the damping intensity of dominant mid frequencies This allows rapid adaptation to the loudness curves Fletcher Munson curves curves of equal loudness The human ear perceives the audio frequency spectrum at varying sound pressure levels very differently Perception is by no means linear The VITALIZER alters the frequency spectrum in such a way that the balance is mai...

Страница 26: ...do not function any more You can then listen to the HARMONICS control separately The second potentiometer level of the MID HI TUNE control is responsible for the cut off frequency of the HARMONICS filter A variation of the MID HI TUNE control alters the cut off frequency fundamental tone of the harmo nics Both filters complement each other in an ideal fashion as they each always process the part o...

Страница 27: ...nt levels on the insert return The output peak levels PPM values are indicated on the LED display The levels are indicated in steps of 3 dB from 18 dB to 9 dB The FADER switch converts the PAN control to a FADER function The level is not altered when the potentiometer is set in the centre position A attenua tion of around 50 dB is possible on both sides of the control setting This function is usef...

Страница 28: ...nced nominal input level 0dB Input impedance XLR balanced 100 kΩ Input impedance INSERT RETURN unbal 47 kΩ O Ou ut tp pu ut t s st ta ag ge e X XL LR R electronically balanced differential transformerless nominal output level 6dB J Ja ac ck k INSERT SEND OUTPUTS unbalanced nominal output level 0dB Output impedance XLR balanced 75 Ω Output impedance jack unbal 600 Ω Output impedance INSERT SEND unb...

Страница 29: ...ed SPL warranty repair facility in the country where purchased or to the SPL factory in Germany in the original packaging or a replacement supplied by SPL with all transportation costs and full insurance paid each way by the purchaser or owner All remedies and the measure of damages are limited to the above services It is possible that economic loss or injury to person or property may result from ...

Страница 30: ...BORATORY SPL electronics GmbH Tel 49 0 21 63 98 34 0 Fax 49 0 21 63 98 34 20 Factory address Sohlweg 55 D 41372 Niederkrüchten Postal address P O Box 12 27 D 41368 Niederkrüchten 1994 All rights reserved printed in Germany ...

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