Manual Transient Designer Model 9842 Dynamic Effect Processor
Transient Designer Model 9842 Manual R & D: Rubern Tilgner Written by Hermann Gier and Paul White Version 3.1 - 6/2005 The information in this document has been carefully verified and is assumed to be correct. However Sound Performance Lab (SPL) reserves the right to modify the product described in this manual at any time. Changes without notice. This document is the property of SPL and may not be copied or reproduced in any manner, in part or full without the authorisation of SPL.
Foreword ...................................................................................................... 3 Thanks ........................................................................................................... 3 Introduction ................................................................................................. 4 Operation Safety......................................................................................... 5 Connections ................................................
Introduction The TRANSIENT DESIGNER is a revolutionary Dynamic Processor based on levelindependent sound processing that makes it possible to radically change the attack and sustain characteristics of any musical sound in a creative way. Transients can be accelerated or slowed down and sustain may be prolonged or shortened. This is made possible by the use of adaptively optimised time-constant parameters. SPL's Differential Envelope Technology® for level-independent processing.
Packaged in a standard 19 " EIA format and occupying 1U (44,45 mm) of rack space, the TRANSIENT DESIGNER can be installed in a standard rack, but it is recommended that the rear of the case be supported, especially in touring applications. The TRANSIENT DESIGNER should not be installed near units which produce strong magnetic fields or extreme heat. Do not install the TRANSIENT DESIGNER directly above or below power amplifiers or digital processors.
Connections Before connecting the TRANSIENT DESIGNER switch power off at all connected units. Input 1 Input 2 Input 2 Output 1 Output 2 Output 2 Input 1 Output 1 The TRANSIENT DESIGNER is fitted with XLR-connectors for balanced operation.
In nearly every aspect the TRANSIENT DESIGNER is different from conventional Dynamic Processors or Compressors. You don't need to know how the TRANSIENT DESIGNER works in order to be able to use it effectively, but if you're at all curious as to what goes on inside the box, read this section while referring to the diagrams.
Tech Talk Diagram 3 illustrates the shapes of the processed curves with maximum and minimum attack, compared to the original curve from Diagram 1. The SUSTAIN control circuitry The SUSTAIN control circuitry includes two further envelope generators. The envelope follower Env 3 (Diagram 4), again follows the shape of the original curve.
Tech Talk Diagram 6 illustrates the processed curves with maximum and minimum sustain compared to the original curve from Diagram 1. Important advice when connecting to digital recording systems: Prevent overload Each unit connected to the TRANSIENT DESIGNER should be able to handle high input levels. With maximum ATTACK values the instantaneous input level can increase by up to +15 dB.
Control elements 2 3 1 4 Active 5 1 The ACTIVE switch operates a hard-bypass relay circuit to switch the channels in and out of processing and a status LED indicates that the channel is active. The unit also switches to relay hard-bypass automatically in the case of a power failure, either on the primary or secondary side of the power supply, or when the unit is turned off at the POWER switch.
The ATTACK control circuitry incorporates two envelope generators. One follows the original curve while the second produces an envelope with a slower attack period (Diagram 1, page 7). The difference (Diagram 2, page 7) between these envelopes results in a voltage that controls the VCA, boosting the transient for a period equal to the duration of the original transient.
Applications The TRANSIENT DESIGNER is ideally suited for use in professional recording, in project or home studios and P. A. applications. For the first time the TRANSIENT DESIGNER provides the technology to manipulate the attack and sustain characteristics of a signal regardless of level, and using simple controls. Usually equalisers are used to separate instruments in a mix – the tonal aspect of the signal is considered, but not the temporal aspect.
One of the most interesting applications of the TRANSIENT DESIGNER is processing drum and percussion sounds, both from samples to live drum sets: • The attack of a bass drum or a loop can be emphasised to increase the power and presence in the mix. Applications Drums & Percussion • The sustain period of a snare or a reverb-flag can be shortened in a very musical way to obtain more transparency in the mix. • Recording a live drum set, toms or overheads can be shortened without physically damping them.
Applications Guitars • Used to process guitar sounds, the TRANSIENT DESIGNER softens the instrument by lowering the attack. Alternatively, increasing the attack lets the sound jump to the front of the mix, which works particularly well for picking guitars. • Highly distorted electric guitars are already highly compressed, leaving them with minimal dynamic range.This can obscure the note attacks, but increasing the attack setting clarifies the individual notes.
Special care has gone into the design of the power supply of the TRANSIENT DESIGNER. The power supply is the heart of any electronic system, and the better it is, the better the whole system works. In an audio system, this translates into better sound quality, lower noise and lower distortion. The power supply is based around a 15 VA torroidal transformer and is designed without an air gap to minimise induced hum and noise.
Specifications Input & Output Instrumentation amplifier, electronically balanced (differential), transformerless Nominal input level ...................................... +6 dB Input impedance .......................................... = 22 kOhms Output impedance ...................................... < 600 Ohms Max. input level .............................................. +24 dBu Max. output level .......................................... +22,4 dBu Minimum load ohms ...................................
SPL electronics GmbH (hereafter called SPL) products are warranted only in the country where purchased, through the authorized SPL distributor in that country, against defects in material or workmanship. The specific period of this limited warranty shall be that which is described to the original retail purchaser by the authorized SPL dealer or distributor at the time of purchase.
