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To implement the Vitalizer program EQ in a technically optimal way, a combination of tube, coil, transistor and semiconductor technology was created which comprehensively exploits the advantages of the individual sound features of these components and which can be individually configured to best suit the task (RC or LC filter, tubes or semiconductor output stage).
Compared with traditional equalizer designs, the Vitalizer combines virtuosic manipulations of the sound image with maximal efficiency. It meets the highest standards in every way in the professional sound studio and in mastering – both in single channel and subgroup processing as well as in refining summing signals. One of its most popular uses is in restoring old recordings – the Tube Vitalizer makes remastering a joy.
"I have been doing some re-issues and the SPL Tube Vitalizer has been saving me! It has been a fantastic tool for old tapes."
"The SPL Tube Vitalizer has been saving me!"
- Bob Ludwig
Gateway Mastering and DVD in Portland, Maine, USA
The Tube Vitalizer is designed for discerning applications in professional recording, mastering and cutting. All effect intensities and potentiometer values and characteristics are optimized for the refined requirements mastering. The sound processing of the Tube Vitalizer is split into two sections: On the left hand you find the controls of the Vitalizer-circuitry and the compressors. The right side features the tube section, which can be used independently of the Vitalizer-section as a high quality, low-noise tube-line preamp whenever you just want to give your programme material the warmth and smooth bottom-end of tubes.
Vitalizer
The Vitalizer section has extended functions compared to all other Vitalizer models. With the Tube Vitalizer you can now filter bass and high frequencies using a choice of familiar RC-filters or the more interesting and warmer sounding LC-filters! The sonic differences are similar to those of tubes compared to semi-conductors - sometimes even more dramatic. LC filters can saturate in a similar way to tubes, producing a harmonic structure that is pleasant to the ear. When activating the LC-Filter switch, a passive LC network is integrated into the active filter path. Adding the LC to the Bass processing results in a subjectively more powerful sound with a greater sustain. The LC-Filter not only affects the Bass section of the Vitalizer though, but also the mid-damping behaviour of the Hi-Mid Tune so that low-mid frequencies in particular benefit from adding the LC-Filter. The sound acquires more punch and directness. An LC-Filter can also be added to the high frequency filtering, resulting in more presence and more penetration in the mid-range, which is ideal for vocals. In mastering the LC-Filters add a new tonal dimension to your sound processing which can not be simulated by any other means. Ê The second innovation in the Tube Vitalizer design is the inclusion of two compressors, one integrated into the bass filtering and the other into the high filtering. These compressors control the levels of bass and high frequencies and may also be used to compensate for level changes due to filtering. Alternatively, they can also be used as sound shaping devices. Based around the highly acclaimed THAT 4301 semi-conductor gain cell, the compressors feature very low noise and distortion. They operate with a soft-knee characteristic to provide the most unobtrusive performance, while the Attack, Release and Threshold are pre-programmed, taking into account the characteristics of the filtering circuitry they are used in. The compressors are highly automated requiring just one control knob for each bass and high frequency compressor. Blue Gain Reduction LEDs indicating that gain reduction is taking place. When mastering to DAT or other digital media, it is imperative to exploit as much of the available headroom. Here the compressors are very effective in pre-controlling the operating levels, thus relieving the mastering dynamics processor. Ê Other speciality components include the single-op-amps throughout to minimize cross-talk and distortion as well as noise. All capacitors used in filtering are switched in parallel to minimize the effect of component tolerances when sweeping through the stereo-coupled filters.
Tube Stage
The Vitalizer section has extended functions compared to all other Vitalizer models. With the Tube Vitalizer you can now filter bass and high frequencies using a choice of familiar RC-filters or the more interesting and warmer sounding LC-filters! The sonic differences are similar to those of tubes compared to semi-conductors - sometimes even more dramatic. LC filters can saturate in a similar way to tubes, producing a harmonic structure that is pleasant to the ear. When activating the LC-Filter switch, a passive LC network is integrated into the active filter path. Adding the LC to the Bass processing results in a subjectively more powerful sound with a greater sustain. The LC-Filter not only affects the Bass section of the Vitalizer though, but also the mid-damping behaviour of the Hi-Mid Tune so that low-mid frequencies in particular benefit from adding the LC-Filter. The sound acquires more punch and directness. An LC-Filter can also be added to the high frequency filtering, resulting in more presence and more penetration in the mid-range, which is ideal for vocals. In mastering the LC-Filters add a new tonal dimension to your sound processing which can not be simulated by any other means. Ê The second innovation in the Tube Vitalizer design is the inclusion of two compressors, one integrated into the bass filtering and the other into the high filtering. These compressors control the levels of bass and high frequencies and may also be used to compensate for level changes due to filtering. Alternatively, they can also be used as sound shaping devices. Based around the highly acclaimed THAT 4301 semi-conductor gain cell, the compressors feature very low noise and distortion. They operate with a soft-knee characteristic to provide the most unobtrusive performance, while the Attack, Release and Threshold are pre-programmed, taking into account the characteristics of the filtering circuitry they are used in. The compressors are highly automated requiring just one control knob for each bass and high frequency compressor. Blue Gain Reduction LEDs indicating that gain reduction is taking place. When mastering to DAT or other digital media, it is imperative to exploit as much of the available headroom. Here the compressors are very effective in pre-controlling the operating levels, thus relieving the mastering dynamics processor. Ê Other speciality components include the single-op-amps throughout to minimize cross-talk and distortion as well as noise. All capacitors used in filtering are switched in parallel to minimize the effect of component tolerances when sweeping through the stereo-coupled filters.
Other Highlights
The TUBE VITALIZER is built using the finest components. High quality ALPS potentiometers combine reliability with an excellent tactile response, and the mechanism has enough resistance to make unintentional movement unlikely. Stylish and practical VU meters show either input or output levels, making it easy to compare levels when extensive filtering is required. The TUBE VITALIZER is equipped with both XLRs & stereo jacks for balanced operation. We use the new SSM precision input & output stages which feature laser-trimmed resistors, providing a common mode rejection of better than 87 dB. Mono-jacks may be used for unbalanced operation without level change!
SPL Users
You are not alone.
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Adam Ayan
Grammy Award & 2x Latin Grammy Award winning mastering engineer
"My DMC console and MasterBay not only provide me with functionality and flexibility I need for every mastering session, but also sound absolutely amazing!"
Grammy Award & 2x Latin Grammy Award winning mastering engineer Adam Ayan relies on the DMC console with MasterBay in his mastering room at Gateway Mastering & DVD.
The DMC is connected to a MasterBay system for automated routing of external processors. The MasterBay remote control panel is placed upon the desk (front right). Right above the DMC the SPL MasterView visualizes levels with the world's largest VU displays.
A Tube Vitalizer to the right of the MasterView complements the processing arsenal (golden front). |
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Galaxy Studios
Mastering Studio
SPL units:Transient Designer, GainStation, DynaMaxx,
Kultube, Tube Vitalizer, Qure, passeq
The first MMC1 Multichannel Mastering Console was installed at Galaxy's fantastic Reference Mastering Suite, together with a surround set of three PQ 2050 Mastering Equalizer. |
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Tim Humpe
Guitarist, producer, recording & mixing engineer
"I am an enthusiastic Qure fan from the very first moment I heard it."
" During further productions more and more SPL units placed themselves in the center of our interest, especially the GoldMike preamps for drum recordings and the Channel One for vocals, bass and guitar.
Nearly all SPL units are used permanently now ... here our "classics":
QURE for guitars, bass, drum overheads
TRANSIENT DESIGNER 4 for drums and guitars
TUBE VITALIZER for acoustic guitars, loops or to refresh samples
DE-ESSER no comment :-)
KULTUBE for guitars, loops, drum samples
SPL units are disarmingly simple to operate. They really improve the sound and can give a creative input. All instruments get what they need. Now, we are also touring with Channel One and DynaMaxx compressors."
SPL units used by H-BLOCKX and the Principal Studios:
Qure, Transient Designer 4 and 2, Tube Vitalizer, Channel One, GoldMike, DynaMaxx, SPL De-Esser, Charisma, Loudness Maximizer, Kultube. |
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Dany Huppermans
Init Sound Studio, Belgium
"The Tube Vitalizer is the only unit I always want to have two of."
Dany Huppermanns works with Tube Vitalizer, Charisma 8, SPL De-Esser and Loudness Maximizer. |
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Ognyan Ivanov
Fresh Records, Sofia/Bulgaria
"Many thanks for your help in choosing the right SPL processors. They are just perfect!"
SPL units: Channel One, Tube Vitalizer and a Transient Designer 4 |
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Simon Philips
One of the world's most wanted drummers.
"Now, as for the Tube Vitalizer – I love it."
Simon uses the Transient Designer 4, the Tube Vitalizer and the Area 5.1 multichannel mic preamp (discontinued).
He also participated at the first 5.1 drum sample recordings made with the Atmos 5.1 system. SPL's demo DVD "Surrounded By Drums" gives an impression of these fantastic surround drum recordings.
"I have been using the Tube Vitalizer on overheads for the kit in record mode and also on the piano. I have always had a problem with recording cymbals in the digital domain. No matter what mics – even though when 24 bit came on stream the sound improved – but there was still a sweetness that was reproduced on analog tape that is missing in dig domain. The TV does a wonderful job of "Analogizing" the cymbal sound and the overall kit sound. I also ran a couple of mixes through it too and they sounded great.
I also am totally in love with the Transient Designer. Its rocking!!! We have nearly finished mixing the new Toto album and the engineer that is mixing, Steve MacMillan, loves my Transient Designer (which of course I brought along to the mixing sessions)." |
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Ronald Prent
Resident Engineer Galaxy Studios, Belgium
SPL units: GainStation1, Qure, Passeq, Vitalizer MK2-T, Tube Vitalizer, DynaMaxx, Transient Designer, PQ Mastering EQ Surround Set.
Our special thanks go to Ronald for his valuable collaboration in developing the MMC1 console. Before Darcy Proper was engaged as resident mastering engineer in the Galaxy, Ronald was also involved in planning the mastering suite, where the MMC1 operates in the centre of the mastering environment fulfilling the tasks of speaker management, source connectivity, audio metering, track assignment, master and monitor level setting and automated insert routing of external processors. A surround set of three PQ 2050 adds a decent parametric filter package. |
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David Reitzas
Engineer and producer, Los Angeles/USA
"The SPL. sound has been a major receipient of the compliments I receive from my clients."
Engineer and producer, Los Angeles/USA
Artists include Madonna, Celine Dion, Barbra Streisand, Whitney Houston, Michael Bolton and Producers David Foster and Walter Afanasieff. He has won 2 Grammies with 5 nominations.
SPL units: Passeq, Qure, Tube Vitalizer, Transient Designer 4
"When an artist comes to me and compliments me on the sound, I can't take all of the credit. A big part of my sound comes from the equipment I use. I've always been a big fan of the original Vitalizer, but lately my new favorites are the Tube Vitalizer and The Qure Equalizer. Out of the large collection of equipment that I carry with me from session to session, I can't help but use them on every gig. The SPL. sound has been a major receipient of the compliments I receive from my clients." |
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Bernie
Becker
There's no doubt: Bernie Becker's
mastering facility in Burbank, California, must be rated as world-class studio.
SPL units: PQ 2050, Passeq, Tube
Vitalizer, three Kultube, and three Qure.
Bernie is in business since 30 years and
meanwhile also Bernie's son Dale works as mastering engineer for the illustrious
clients.Clients include Neil Diamond, Donna Summer, Jennifer Paige, Tenacious D,
The Electric Prunes, Nural, Switchfoot, Chick Corea, Elmer Bernstein, Dolly
Parton, Al Jarreau, Sony, Frank Sinatra, James Horner, Eddie Kramer (Jimmy
Hendrix, Carlos Santana, Michelle Branch,) Michael Jay (Eminem, Celine Dion),
Michael C. Ross (Christina Aguilera, Moulin Rouge, Pussycat Dolls, Drumline),
Bruce Sudano (Brooklyn Dreams, Donna Summer), Brett Dennon, Spirit Nation,
Mette/Shea, Ty Herndon, Yalin, Dust To Glory (Soundtrack), Waterbone, New
England, Yamaha, Peter Asher und many more ... |
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Bob Ludwig
Chief
Engineer/President of Gateway Mastering and DVD in Portland, Maine, USA
"I’ve never heard a mastering
console as musical as this one."
Bob has been an SPL user since the
inception of Gateway Mastering in 1992. Over the years, he has used several
Vitalizer versions, including the Classic Vitalizer, Vitalizer MK2 and
customized Tube Vitalizers.
"The Tube Vitalizer is a fantastic tool for
old tapes," Bob explains. "It has been saving me on several re-issue
projects."
Among the latest SPL additions was the PQ 2050 Mastering
EQ.
Bob Ludwig ordered the first MMC1
Multichannel Mastering Console for delivery in the US. After extensive
remodeling and rewiring of their “Mastering A” surround mastering suite, Gateway
Mastering and DVD re-opened the refurbished suite, completed with the SPL MMC1. "I've been dying to get the room finished and get to work with the
console," Mr. Ludwig describes that period. "There was nothing else like it
that I knew of and I was very excited about it."
In the meantime, Bob
added a Transient Designer 4 to his collection of SPL tools and did his part in
convincing Mick Guzauski at Barking Doctor Studios to also buy one.
And
Bob is far from being disappointed now: "The MMC1 sounds fabulous – my
clients are surprised that my room could sound even better than before. I’ve
never heard a mastering console as musical as this one.” |
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