CRL SPP-800 - what's it used for?

[Studio1]

I bought some surplus gear and with it came a CRL SPP-800.

I've done a little research on it, but still haven't really worked out what the primary function
of this box is.

Where in the chain is it designed to be used and what effects does it actually provide in terms
of processing the signal?

 

[gtomas]

Find all your answers here: ftp://ftp.orban.com/CRL/SPP800%20Manual.pdf


Regards,
Goran Tomas

 

[cgould]

I bought some surplus gear and with it came a CRL SPP-800.

I've done a little research on it, but still haven't really worked out what the primary function
of this box is.

Where in the chain is it designed to be used and what effects does it actually provide in terms
of processing the signal?

It's an overall program gain control device. The idea is to use it first in the processing chain to set up the audio levels for the rest of the CRL processing chain. You can use it elsewhere, but it works best with other CRL processing boxes following. It also has built-in phase rotation too, so if you use it elsewhere, keep that in mind. it may either fight with another phase rotator in a following box, or not work right at all depending ont he crossover scheme used in non-CRL processing boxes or CRL gear not of the same model run. Was originally used with the SEP 400 / 800 series multiband AGC's and FM or AM limiter boxes.

-C

 

[wgliradio]

It's a 2 band design and I think it's one of the better AGC's ever designed. When you run it in the slow mode it's pretty much inaudible if working correctly.

Here is how to use it.

Run tone into it and set the input so that the GREEN lights are steady.

Flip on the GATE for -20.

Set the EQ to 12:00.

Set G/R to -6 and the density to SLOW.

When applying program, when the yellow lamps light, you have reached 6db of gain reduction. Add or subtract as needed. Inside, there are jumpers for independent (cut) or coupled (jumpered) operation. You will have to cut these for independent bands, which I always preferred.

The output is a simple switch (-10, 0, +4 IIRC). Set for your system gain.

There are also jumpers inside to remove the phase rotation network. It's printed on the board

 

[cgould]

Yes...I forgot about the jumpers...it's been a while. Actually, I have one in use every day....It's on the output of my U-Verse box to level out all the crazy audio levels of the cable channels.

I hated the AGC's on traditional cable systems...HORRIBLE...slow AGC after pre-emphasis stuff. I switched to Uverse, adn there is NO "head end" level control whatsoever. So I put my own on using the SPP 800 :-D

One of these days, I'd like to get a scratch and dent Omnia.One from some back room and put that on the TV feed.

:

hehehe....

-C

 

[Sgeirk]

could be crap, but I was once told that there was an Ariane being tossed about that would have been for consumers for that very same purpose...to even out video's audio for the home user. great idea!

 

[wgliradio]

I haven't heard about an Ariane for consumers, but a single band unit would probably work well for for such purposes... and even car CD players... especially Ford.. ever hear the compressor option on those? Woof

 

[LA_Guy]

It's one of the better sounding AGCs. Two bands. Works well in front of a stream encoder.

 

[stha]

Yes...I forgot about the jumpers...it's been a while. Actually, I have one in use every day....It's on the output of my U-Verse box to level out all the crazy audio levels of the cable channels.

I hated the AGC's on traditional cable systems...HORRIBLE...slow AGC after pre-emphasis stuff. I switched to Uverse, adn there is NO "head end" level control whatsoever. So I put my own on using the SPP 800 :-D

One of these days, I'd like to get a scratch and dent Omnia.One from some back room and put that on the TV feed.

:

hehehe....

-C

I never tested the SPP 800 for TV at home but I'm using an Optimod TV8182, these units are not expensive at eBay and perfect fot that use.

 

[Tom Wells]

I haven't heard about an Ariane for consumers, but a single band unit would probably work well for for such purposes... and even car CD players... especially Ford.. ever hear the compressor option on those? Woof

Wow, I'd forgotten how bad that Ford compressor sounded, had one in a rental car in Jersey City a year or two back.
Worse than nothing. Seemed like any and all kinds of audio were too much for it handle. I wonder what the heck they tested it on?

 

[wgliradio]

I haven't heard about an Ariane for consumers, but a single band unit would probably work well for for such purposes... and even car CD players... especially Ford.. ever hear the compressor option on those? Woof

Wow, I'd forgotten how bad that Ford compressor sounded, had one in a rental car in Jersey City a year or two back.
Worse than nothing. Seemed like any and all kinds of audio were too much for it handle. I wonder what the heck they tested it on?

Probably crap that was hypercompressed to hell. Someone probably said the compressor had to bring up audio "this amount" when it reaches "this threshold" and it has to do it "this fast". OK!