SPL Vitalizer Mk3-T

Moving on to 18 volts!

The Vitalizer Mk3-T is the next Generation of SPL Electronics ' tube-based sound shaper with patented Vitalizer circuitry. With it, audio productions sound livelier, have more detail, more transparency, a higher perceived loudness and, if required, an overwhelming bass foundation. The changes compared to the Vitalizer Mk2-T are not just visual. The Mk3-T works with a higher internal operating voltage of +/-18 V and thus jumps to a higher sound level. The Vitalizer Mk3-T specifically improves all types of source material, from the individual track during tracking to the stereo sum during mastering.

How does the Vitalizer work?

The Vitalizer Mk3-T is based on the findings of psychoacoustics and audiometry. Its filter network is one of the few patented filters. It makes the richness of detail in audio signals more audible. Interventions in the sound image are more of a musical nature. Music productions sound more natural, livelier, more differentiated, easier to understand, deeper and more widely distributed.

The 3 segments: Vitalizer core circuit

The Vitalizer Mk3-T is divided into 3 processing segments, which are located behind the "Drive" control, with which the input signal can be amplified or attenuated. The "Drive" control can therefore simply be interpreted as a gain or level with a control range of -20 dB to +6 dB. The first important segment in the processing chain is the Vitalizer core circuit, which consists of the controls for"Bass Sound","Bass Comp","Mid-Hi Tune" and"Process". It is particularly suitable for enriching the bass range as well as the mid-high range and making it more interesting. The control elements of the Vitalizer core circuit run in a parallel processing path and can be added to the original signal via the"Process" control.

LC-EQ

The second important segment is the LC-EQ. It is a mid-treble processing stage built around a passive coil-capacitor network (LC). The LC-EQ creates more presence and definition in the mid-range, especially for vocals. In the treble range, the coil impresses with extremely low noise. The frequency can be adjusted between approx. 2kHz (low) in the left stop and approx. 20kHz (high) in the right stop. The high and overtone structure improved with the LC-EQ guarantees a cleaner separation of the instrumentation and ensures silky highs. The"Intensity" control can be used to determine the level of the LC-EQ and increase the intensity of the selected highs and harmonics. It also shifts the time of perception so that quiet high frequencies are not masked by loud ones. This improves speech intelligibility and clarity and the brilliance of any audio signal can be increased without sounding sharp.

Stereo expander

As the third segment in the chain, the stereo expander can be used to influence the stereo width and increase the subjective impression of space. In addition to widening the stereo image, the Sovtek 12AX7 double triode tube used in the expander also produces greater depth, a clearer definition of the reverberation chambers and a softening of the treble range, which has a particularly positive effect when processing digitally recorded material.

How does de-masking work in the SPL Vitalizer?

A key feature of Vitalizer technology is the de-masking of superimposed sound components. The Vitalizer relates the time at which a frequency is perceived to its volume. Through a minimal temporal offset of loud frequencies, quieter, previously superimposed sound components are "de-masked" and thus made audible.

The"boom" is louder than the"punch", but is made audible again through a temporal offset. The result is a better accentuated and more powerful sound.

This concept works in the same way with overlapping instruments and vocals in the mid and high frequencies. For example, before processing with the Vitalizer, vocals 1-3 are still audible, but 4 and 5 are masked and cannot be perceived by the human ear. The de-masking of the Vitalizer allows them to emerge from this shadow, resulting in an overall more detailed and transparent sound.