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SPL developing second Mastering Console Mixer MMC 2 Model 2488SPL takes pride in being the first audio manufacturer to have developed 8-channel mastering consoles. The MMC2 is the 19” rack format version of the highly acclaimed MMC1 featuring the same unsurpassed 120 volts rail to achieve optimum audio performance.The purpose of the development was the creation of a console that would be superior in audio quality to all known and foreseeable audio formats, whether analog or digital. Such a console would provide both for an unaltered reproduction of the sonic quality of SACD and DVD-Audio and in the process, remain a safe capital investment for many years. The MMC2 is conceived as the center of a mastering environment that can fulfill the tasks of speaker management, multiple inputs and returns connectivity, input and output trimming as well as pure analog continuously variable 8-channel master fader and monitor level setting. As an option an automated 8 x 8 channel insert routing of external processors is available. Digital audio formats have undergone continuous development and change and will continue to do so. The degree of incompatibility created by the “format war” between PCM and DSD has persuaded us to opt for a technology that is superior in dynamic range, headroom and sound quality to either or any other such format – and that is discrete analogue technology in its most advanced implementation. Moreover additional prerequisites speak for the employment of high-performance analog technology: 1. The number of necessary AD/DA conversions should be reduced to a minimum. With the MMC2, digital sources can be connected to a digital router, which outputs the selected source through the preferred DA converter. This ensures that the sound quality remains comparable and is not affected by converter differences. 2. From a purely aesthetic standpoint, high quality analog outboard processing consistently proves itself superior to digital processing. The analog concept allows for problem-free integration of such analog processors. 3. Monitors and power amplifiers are almost exclusively analog in design. Yet another converter at this point in the chain only degrades monitoring signal paths. Furthermore DSD signals cannot be monitored on a digital monitoring that operates in PCM. Technology SPL’s new SUPRA operation amplifiers are used throughout the MMC2's design. They perform at an industry benchmark 120 volts and were developed during a four-year period during which SPL searched for a new generation of superior discrete analog op amps. The SUPRA op amp achieves a signal-to-noise ratio of 116dB with a headroom of 34dB. The dynamic range amounts to 150dB with a frequency bandwidth of 200kHz. With such specifications, the MMC2 rides comfortably beyond the requirements of either the current maximum 24 bit and 192kHz PCM format or 1 bit and 256 fs DSD format. It is simply not realistic to expect at any foreseeable future date a digital technology environment in which the MMC2 could become a “bottle neck”. Configuration 1. Source The Source section is divided into two parts: the Stereo and Multi-Channel Inputs and the Stereo and Multi-Channel Returns. The inputs are fed to the mastering path. Here the MMC2 can accept two stereo inputs and two 8-channel inputs. Using the Return On switch allows selection of a total of two stereo and four multi-channel returns consisting of selection options for returns from recorders, DAW, SACD and DVD-Players, AC3/DTS encoder/decoder, and so on. 2. Input Signals selected in the Source section are routed to the Input section. A signal goes through a passive Phase Reverse switch, followed by the detended Trim control. The trimming range is –10dB to +10dB in 0.5dB detentions. The trimming stages can be switched out of the signal path entirely. 3. Insert The signal is now routed to the Insert send/return connector. The MMC2 offers a switchable Insert point. Here external processing equipment can be inserted into the signal path. 3.1 The MasterBay (optionally available) While it is relatively easy in a stereo environment to connect processors via a patchbay and specify their function in the audio path, this task is much more complicated and time consuming when dealing with surround. To help alleviate this complexity, the MMC2 can optionally be complemented with the MasterBay, which is a 8 x 8 channel automated patchbay. The MasterBay consists of an 8U Insert Box and a Remote. Up to eight, 8-channel processors can be connected to the Insert Box, which is operated by the MasterBay Remote that allows the mastering engineer to store and compare up to four processing sequences with the push of a button. The MMC2 has provision for the connection of the MasterBay. A global bypass switch on the MMC2 activates or deactivates the MasterBay and all connected inserts. Please refer to the SPL MasterBay information for further details. 3.2 MasterBay Remote The MasterBay Remote provides a button for each of the eight external processors. Depressing these in sequence switches among choices in processor signal flow. Beside each button is a seven segment LED-display indicating the current position of the processor in the sequence. The mastering engineer can use this feature to compare between sequences in a varying order or to compare the same type of processors—such as in the case of an equalizer from Manufacturer A and one of Manufacturer B. Three memory banks are available which allow an active signal flow sequence to be compared instantly at a button push with three others (for a total of four). A bypass switches the Insert Box to a hard-bypass. 4. Output The audio signals returning from the Insert are sent to the Output section and afterwards simultaneously to the Monitor section and the recording outputs. The Output section offers the same trim controls as the Input section. In each channel, level differences, which may have been introduced by outboard processing, may be compensated in arange from -10dB to +10dB. The trimming stages can be taken out of the signal path entirely with individual bypass switches. 4.1 Master Fader The Master Fader is regulated with an eight-tiered high-end potentiometer with a minimum tolerance over the entire range in all 8 levels. This system dispenses with step ladders, DACs or VCAs for this function, and the specifications of this potentiometer are substantially better than either of these other options normally could be. The Master Fader allows for dynamic mastering purposes and fine tuning the overall level from +10dB to -80dB. With this control's extremely fine level settings, the engineer can attain every ounce of recording headroom. The result, thanks to these controls of practically infinite resolution, is an unparalleled excellence in dynamic mastering. Each channel can individually be activated with the Fader On switch. If in bypass the fader of the respective channel is been taken out of the audio path. 4.2 Recording Outputs The MMC2 provides two 8-channel and four dual-channel global recording outputs. 5. Monitoring Two stereo pairs and two surround loudspeaker sets can be connected for monitoring the MMC2's output. Three different Dim levels and Mute can be selected by the push of a button. 5.1 Monitor Level The global Monitor Level is regulated with the same eight-tiered high-end potentiometer as used for the Master Fader. 5.2 Speaker Management The speaker management allows for monitoring of an input, output and return. There is an On switch for each loudspeaker, and each is shown with its respective loudspeaker position. Underneath each control is a Solo function, which operates as Solo-in-place, while a Solo-to-Center switch shunts other channels through the middle speaker for better comparison. There is provision to monitor the LFE on the L/C/R in order to check LFE playback through the front speakers. Two mode buttons are provided to change the MMC2 configuration from stereo to multi-channel operation. For improved operational safety and to switch off all monitoring functions other than L/R, the stereo button must be pressed before starting a stereo mastering job. Thereafter, when the Multi-Channel button is activated, the MMC2 restores full multi-channel functionality. Three Mono functions (L/R; LS/RS; Lt/Rt) round out the Speaker Managemant section.
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