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Key Features
Product Ref: 91020
The SPL Frontliner is a high-end recording channel strip combining a preamp, de-esser, EQ, compressor, tube saturation and op amps for a truly professional-grade recording unit. The Frontliner Recording Channel includes three optimises inputs for microphones, line signals and instruments, providing everything you need to capture studio-grade recordings in immense detail. Delving inside the Frontliner, reveals a discrete transistors/tube hybrid preamplifier. This premium-grade tube style preamp provides high dynamic range and low noise operation of semiconductors, while retaining the classic qualities of tube sounds. The high-processing quality and exceptional audio fidelity make it one of the most sought-after recording channels available on the market.
High-grade operational amplifiers from Burr-Brown are utilised at critical positions. These military-grade op amps are designed to regulate voltage with extreme precision. This ensures the highest signal processing integrity possible, resulting in high performance audio. Burr-Brown op amps are renowned for their processing power, ensuring optimal audio quality, and capturing every nuance of your source audio.
The compressor section of the SPL Frontliner is operated by SPL's double VCA drive circuitry. The differential stage is designed to eliminate artifacts and side effects when compressing audio. The compressor';s half load per VCA is designed to reduce total harmonic distortion for improved signal integrity. One of the most unique features of the recording channel strip is the central star ground wiring scheme. This wiring scheme minimises influences that may affect the ground paths, resulting in a cleaner and improved tonal quality.l
The EQ section of the Frontliner includes dual semi-parametric filters for low and mid bands. There is also a bell filter that delivers a smooth and silk-like high end for added air. The bell filter is the ideal 'go-to' filter when your frequencies need saving. The EQ filters are rounded off with a Tube Saturation control for added versatility. The tonal qualities from the Tube Saturation can be used to improve the audio signal, similar to tape saturation effects. The premium-grade De-Esser features a highly unique design which can be adjusted with a single knob. The De-Esser utilises SPl’s method of phase cancellation, which is designed to reduce sibilant sounds. This innovative technology delivers a more natural sound than most compression methods, resulting in unobtrusive processing, that is reliable and easy-to-use.
The highly-robust all-metal chassis is built-to-last, with its rack-mountable design only taking up 2 units of space on most racks. The vintage-style design of the SPL Frontliner is reminiscent of classic recording strips from the late 80s. Keeping with this aesthetic, SPL have incorporated vintage-style VU meters, that not only look good but provide precision monitoring for all your levels. Most integrated features include their own dedicated controls on the front-panel of the unit. Also included is a range of buttons that enable the 48V Phantom Power, High-Pass Filter as well as a Pad for hotter signals. The precise potentiometers allow you to dial in the right amount of level for each parameter.