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Manual
PHANTOM PAD VU CAL LIMITER PHANTOM PAD VU CAL LIMITER
dB dB dB dB dB dB
48V -20 -10 18 48V -20 -10 18
Clip Limit Clip Limit
Off Off Discrete
48 V AD OVL 48 V AD OVL
Off Off 0 12 Off Off 0 12
Class A
Gold
PHASE HI PASS 10 7 5 3 1 0 3 FLAIR TUBE AMP PHASE HI PASS 10 7 5 3 1 0 3 FLAIR TUBE AMP Preamplifier
Dual Channel 20 5 20 5
Hz dB Hz dB
30 50 70 100 Mike 30 50 70 100
Rev. 50 % 0 High 18 Rev. 50 % 0 High 18
Stage
Microphone, VU Off 6 VU Off 6
Nor. Off M
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Manual GoldMike MK2 Model 2485 Version 1.2 – 12/2005 Designer: Ruben Tilgner This user's guide contains a description of the product. It in no way represents a guarantee of particular characteristics or results of use. The information in this document has been carefully compiled and verified and, unless otherwise stated or agreed upon, correctly describes the product at the time of packaging with this document. Sound Performance Lab (SPL) continuously strives to improve its products and r
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Contents Introduction ................................................................... 4 Before You Begin ............................................................ 5 Rear Panel/Connections ................................................. 6 Wiring ......................................................................... 6 General advices ........................................................... 7 Mic Input 1/2, Line In 1/2, Inserts 1/2 ........................... 8 Outputs 1/2, GND Lift
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Introduction The GoldMike MK2 is the result of all our experience and knowledge from its successful predecessor and represents an improved, more flexible and, more modern version. We have added technologies that have already proven to provide superior tonal results in other SPL products. For example, the instrument input is designed around a class A impedance converter which premiered in the SPL GainStation preamp. A significant contribution to the success of the predecessor was the hybri
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Before You Begin IMPORTANT: Before you operate your GoldMike MK2, first check carefully whether the local voltage setting corresponds to the switch setting on the rear panel! If not, and the voltage is in one way or another, incorrect, you will either experience an immediate fuse burn through (if the 220 – 240 V~50 Hz 110 – 120 V~60 Hz setting is lower than the supplied power) or, if the power is 110-120 V at a 220-240 V input switch setting, the GoldMike MK2 will simply not function c
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MIC INPUT 1 LINE IN 1 INSERT 1 OUTPUTS 1 GND LIFT VOLTAGE OUTPUTS 2 INSERT 2 LINE IN 2 MIC INPUT 2 Rear Panel/Connections Wiring 6 GoldMike MK2 Optional A/D converter, model 2376 S/P-DIF signal S/P-DIF signal to DAW, for external synchronization HD recorder etc. XLR Wiring: 24/96 AD SAMPLE RATE SYNC INPUT DIGITAL OUTPUTS SPL electronics GmbH Pin 1 = GND, Pin 2 = (+), Pin3 = (–) Converter Niederkrüchten, Germany GoldMike 2 SYNC TRS Jack Wiring: LOCK 4860000 Tip = (+), Ring = (–), Sleeve = GND
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Rear Panel/Connections General Advices Again, while the GoldMike MK2’s housing is EMV-proof and protects against HF-interference, placement of the unit is very important since it amplifies microphone signals as well as other unwanted signals. Before connecting the GoldMike MK2 or any other equipment turn off all power. IMPORTANT: Adjust the voltage setting on the back so that it 220 – 240 V~50 Hz corresponds with your local power conditions. 110 – 120 V~60 Hz The following graph shows the
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Rear Panel/Connections Mic Input 1/2 Dynamic, condenser or tube microphones can be connected to the Mic inputs. The 48 V switch provides the phantom power necessary for some microphones (see also „Control Elements/ MIC INPUT 1 Phantom“ on page 11). Alternatively the GoldMike MK2 can be equipped with option- ally available transformer inputs from Lundahl (see “Lundahl Transformers“ on page 22). Line In 1/2 Mono Jack: Unbal. 0dB The unbalanced Line Inputs are dedicated to high-imped- ance, h
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Rear Panel/Connections Outputs 1/2 XLR &TRS Jack: Balanced +4dB Use Mono Jacks for Unbal. Operation The preamplifier signals are fed to these electronically balanced outputs. Alternatively the GoldMike MK2 can be equipped with optionally available transformer outputs from Lundahl (see OUTPUTS 1 “Lundahl Transformers” on page 22). Since the XLR and 1/4 inch TRS connectors are wired in parallel, an unbalanced connection at one connector will cause unbal- anced operation in its para
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Control Elements Power Power You guessed that: with the Power switch the GoldMike MK2 is activated, verified by the illuminating switch. Please read “Before You Begin” on page 5 before throwing in for the first time. Gain Gain 27 24 29 22 32 21 35 20 38 41 The Gain control determines the pre-amplification of the micro- 19 18 44 17 49 phone signal. The pre-amplification values cover a range from 16 54 15 60 14 66 +14dB up to + 67dB. dB IMPORTANT: If Lundahl input transformers are fitted the
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Control Elements Output Output -9 -10 -8 -6 -12 -14 -5 -2.5 -16 This potentiometer adjusts the output level for devices -18 0 -20 2 following in the chain or to the converter. The Output Level -22 3.5 -24 5 -25 5.5 control allows an additional +6 dB of amplification or -26 dB of -26 6 dB reduction. Output level values set with the output level control are not indicated by the VU meters, which indicate pre-amplifi- cation levels before this final stage. PHANTOM Phantom 48V The GoldMike MK2 pr
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Control Elements PHASE Phase Rev. The phase reverse function reverses the polarity of the micro- Nor. phone signal, inverting the phase (by 180°) to correct phase- inverted signals caused by multiple signal sources. A voice- over artist, for example, hears himself during recording through the headphones and simultaneously through the bones in his head. Phase inversion will cause an unnatural sound, and even minimal variations in distance to the microphone will cause drastic variations in the
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Control Elements FLAIR Flair High Off As with its predecessor, the model 9844 GoldMike, the Med GoldMike MK2 features our sound-optimizing Flair circuitry. This circuitry takes advantage of a combined coil and tube filtering to enhance signal presence. In comparison to simple EQ manip- ulation, this intensified presence sounds very natural and unob- trusive, and is particularly suited for optimizing the overtones in voice and acoustic instruments. Through Flair, a recorded signal gains rich
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Control Elements Using the Tube Amp switch Engaging the Tube Amp switch tends to have a significant impact on the overall sound, as it directly changes the sonic character of the tube. The higher the Tube Amp value, the more you will have tube saturation and harmonic distortion, in addition to limiting effects. These effects can be used creatively to shape a sound. Subtle overdrive of the tube creates moderate saturation effects and relatively little harmonic distortion—the limiting effect
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Control Elements LIMITER Limiter dB 18 Off The GoldMike MK2 offers a peak limiter that operates before 12 the output level control. This ensures that the limited signal can be controlled as perfectly as possible for the internal—or an external—converter. The peak limiter operates with special diodes that convert signal peaks into a pleasant-sounding saturation. Depending on the signal, this allows for an effective and subtle level limiting. Diode-based limiting works very quickly (much fas
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b a L e c n a m r Control Elements VU CAL VU-Cal dB -10 The display range of the VU meter can be shifted using the -10dB 0 VU Cal switch position. If the VU Cal switch is set to its 0 dB position and the output level control is also set to 0dB with the limiter switched off, the output level will effectively be 0 dBu. With the VU Cal set to -10 dB the 0 dB mark on the VU meter will represent a +10 dBu output level. This way you can display audio level higher than +6 dB (up to +16 dB) on the
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Control Elements Display/48 V LED The 48V-LED indicates that the phantom power supply is acti- vated. The 48V-LED will slowly dim before going out to indicate that it takes some time for residual current to discharge. VERY IMPORTANT: The connection between microphone and GoldMikeMK2 should not be disengaged before the LED is completely dark! To avoid damages, please note also the phantom power supply usage information on page 11. Display/Clip LED The Clip LED shows internal clipping of the
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Technology Solid state and tube stages The solid stage preamp section is based on a fully discrete, balanced instrument amplifier and operates 12 single transis- tors in class A mode. A sophisticated circuitry ensures a nearly constant frequency response at any gain level. With an impres- sive slew rate of more than 200V/µs the solid stage is capable to amplify highest frequencies and fastest transients with almost no distortion, which is crucially important to achieve a realistic sound exp
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Technology Class A Instrument Input The Instrument Input is a fully discrete impedance converter that also operates in class A mode. It is based on a low-noise field effect transistor that, due to its extremely high input impe- dance, is especially well suited to this task. Relay switching In order to ensure the shortest possible signal paths, nearly all switching functions are handled by optimally positioned, encap- sulated relays with gold-plated contacts (the switches them- selves only tri
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Power Supply In the case of the power supply, no expense was spared. After all, the power supply is one of the primary factors in the audio quality and overall sound of any device. Just like the best coffee beans in the world will not produce a good cup of coffee with poor water, the best circuits can’t produce a great sound with unreliable, inconsistent current. The transformer delivers three different voltages, each of which is separately screened and regulated: 250-V anode current for
