Manual Loudness Maximizer Model 9632 Digital D ynamics Processor
Loudness Maximizer Manual by Hermann Gier Version 3.1 – 9/1999 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 authorization of SPL.
Foreword ................................................................................................... 3 Thanks........................................................................................................ 3 Introduction ............................................................................................. 4 Operation Safety..................................................................................... 5 Connections ...............................................................
Introduction SPL’s digital audio processors are designed in cooperation with Spectral Design of Bremen, Germany, who are responsible for the DSP programming. Maximizing the subjective loudness without sound coloration Concept: The Loudness Maximizer is the first digital 19-inch dynamics processor to utilize new psycho-acoustic algorithms which are designed to maximize subjective loudness and to exploit effectively up to 99.9% of the available headroom with guaranteed clip-free performance.
Indications and Metering: The Loudness Maximizer is equipped with PPM meters for input and output that show the signal level with maximum resolution (0.01dB) just before 0dB. Input and Output PPM metering The Signal LED is the first LED in each PPM meter that lights up when a digital source is present at the inputs The Possible LED chain represents the first device to show how much subjective loudness can be gained. Initial settings for the DESIRED GAIN control are shown here.
Connections Before connecting the Loudness Maximizer switch the power off at all connected units. The rear panel provides AES/EBU- and S/P-DIF-inputs and outputs. Any additional channel, status and user-bits are passed through unaltered, and the outputs can be used at the same time if required. The Loudness Maximizer operates with 24 bit word width. It accepts 16 bit and 20 bit inputs and will create output signals according to the input resolution.
All controls are in the start-off positions: Quick Start DESIRED GAIN 0; SOFT-HARD -9; MORE DENSITY 0. 1. Press ACTIVE. LED illuminates. 2. Watch the Possible LED chain and adjust the shown value with the DESIRED GAIN (for most unobstrusive operation the Possible LED chain should not show negative values. 3. If more loudness is wanted, turn the SOFT-HARD to higher values (i. e. -3).The Possible LED chain shows you the new free loudness headroom that you ad to the previously adjusted DESIRED GAIN value. 4.
Control Elements 6 5 2 3 Active 1 4 1 8 7 9 The ACTIVE function switches the Loudness Maximizer on or off. The illuminated LED indicates that the processing has been activated. The software bypass also compensates for the 5ms time delay between processed and unprocessed signal. The AES/EBU input and output are equipped with relay-hardbypass. In the event of a power failure the Loudness Maximizer is automatically switched to hard-bypass (power failure safety) without interrupting the data flow.
You can gain more loudness and also start to manipulate sound when you choose other than the initial settings for SOFT-HARD (see 3) or MORE DENSITY (see 4). After having changed these parameters a readjustment of the DESIRED GAIN is mostly advisable. 2 Desired Gain The SOFT-HARD encoder controls the operation of the Limiter and influences the sound of the Loudness Maximizer. The control range is -9 (very soft) to +9 (very hard). The adjusted value is shown in the LC-display (details see 6).
More Density 4 How do I restore output gain when heavy compression (MORE DENSITY) is applied? With the MORE DENSITY control you can change the principle behaviour of the control loop of the Loudness Maximizer. This parameter describes the Compressor-to-Limiter proportion. In addition, internal rules and algorithms will be changed, too. The higher the MORE DENSITY setting is the more “work” will be done by the Compressor. If MORE DENSITY is set to 0 only the Limiter is operating.
The Input and Output LED chains are PPM (peak level) meters. By evaluating both LED chains an approximated effective loudness increase can be estimated. The LED chains have a very fine resolution before 0dB. The 0dB position is actually showing 0.01dB which represents the last possible output value of the Loudness Maximizer. No clipping is possible within the algorithm of the Loudness Maximizer. 7 LED-Anzeigen The first LED in each Input and Output PPM meter is a signal (Sig.
Presets 8 Storing a preset: Depress Store for1 sec. – LED flashes; use Up/Down to select preset number; depress Store again – LED goes out, preset is stored The Loudness Maximizer allows you to store up to 99 presets, which can be changed by MIDI program change command. If you want to store a new adjustment, depress Store for one second. The LED starts to flash indicating that the Store mode has been activated.
1. Software version and date 9 Info 2.Selecting inputs: The Loudness Maximizer automatically searches for an input signal. If both inputs are connected the AES/EBU input will be selected first. If you want to select the S/P-DIF input you have to call up the INFO pages: AES/EBU input detected. Or: no AES/EBU input detected. Press APPLY (if AES/EBU is detected): AES/EBU input with wordclock detected. Or: AES/EBU input without wordclock detected. Press APPLY: S/P-DIF input detected.
Info 9 Or: no S/P-DIF input detected. Press APPLY (if S/P-DIF is detected): S/P-DIF input with wordclock detected. Or: S/P-DIF input with wordclock detected. 3. Displaying the detected sample frequency: The Sample Frequency will be detected automatically. The display either shows 44,1 kHz, 48 kHz or 32 kHz. 4. Displaying the audio error flag: No = no error detected; Yes = error detected. 5. Displaying the CRC-Error flag: No = no error detected; Yes = error detected.
6. Displaying the Channel Difference Error flag: 9 Info No = no error detected; Yes = error detected. 7. Setting or erasing the Copy-Prohibit flag: No = flag erased or not set; Yes = flag set. Pressing APPLY switches off a set Copy-Prohibit flag. It is not possible to set a Copy-Prohibit flag, if there is no Copy Prohibit flag in the processed data. 8. Displaying the Original flag: No = no Original flag; Yes = Original. 9. Displaying the Emphasis flag: No = no emphasis; Yes = with emphasis. 10.
Info 9 11. Selecting a MIDI channel: Depress APPLY to step from channel 01 up to channel 16. In order to increase operation safety only send the necessary MIDI data to the Loudness Maximizer. Unnecessary information might lead to system failure. You can use MIDI to create a MIDI fade out, if you are working with a digital console that does not provide master inserts.The Up and Down LEDs illuminate indicating that a volume change command is received.
Adjusted output levels will be stored and will be active the next time you boot the Loudness Maximizer. If you recognize that your unit does not maximize to full scale, please check the Output Level parameter first. 9 Info The Output Level attenuation is not shown in the Output PPM meters! Tip: The Output Level should only be used where the output signal should permanently be lower than 0dB. The Output Level setting will be ignored when a MIDI volume change command is present. MIDI has first priority.
Specifications Input/Output Sample rate frequency 32-48 kHz, automatic detection AES/EBU, twisted pair (1), AES 3 AES/EBU in- & output impedance: 110 Ohms S/P-DIF, co-axial (2), SPDIF-2 S/P-DIF input impedance: 75 Ohms Wordclock In/Through, co-axial, BNC Wordclock in-/output impedance: 75 Ohms MIDI In/Through: yes RS 232 (PC): yes RS 422 (MAC, max +/- 14 V): yes Free download at www.spl-electronics.
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.
