SPL Venos

SPL Venos Stereo Tube Bus Compressor  Overview

The SPL Vénus is a rack-mounted stereo bus tube compressor with stepped controls and detented knobs for easy recall. The Venos can produce nearly any compression tone with two handy features, like an adjustable tube bias, three configurable rectifier circuits (germanium, silicon, and LED), and various selectable input modes.

Input modes include Linear, which prevents low-frequency information from affecting compression; Modern, which uses a bandpass filter to avoid both low- and high-frequency content; and Vintage, which employs Wolfgang Neumann’s classic filter curve. The device also has hypercompression modes called Focus and Punch, as well as an Ext SC mode that allows you to initiate compression via external side chain signals. Passive AirBass and Tape EQ modes are available for extra audio adjustment.

All I/O occurs via gold-plated XLR 3-pin connections with electronic balancing. Finally, a ground switch is included to isolate signals from ground loop-induced hum. This compressor is constructed to last, with aluminum controls, an aluminum front panel, and a steel chassis. The SPL Vénus is built in Germany and employs through-hole circuit technology.

Basic Controls

Input:

Increasing the input level causes more intensive compression.

 Threshold:

The threshold sets the level at which the compressor begins to process. Once the selected threshold value is surpassed, the compressor begins compressing the signal.

 Bias:

A tube’s bias is defined as the voltage existing on its grid. The greater the voltage, the less signal travels from the cathode to the anode of the tube, resulting in increased compression.

 Attack:

Attack determines the compressor’s reaction time. The attack time may be changed in six increments, from fast to slow.

 Released:

Release is the attack’s complement. The Release parameter controls how rapidly the compressor processes the signal. Similar to the attack time, the release time may be set in six increments, ranging from fast to slow.

 Rectifier:

A rectifier circuit controls the tube stage in the Venos amplifier. Venos provides three distinct diode control characteristics, derived from germanium, silicon, and LEDs. The rectifier circuits alter the attack and release timings.

 Output:

This enables the audio volume to be boosted again after compression or the output level to be modified for the following devices.

Selectable Input Modes

The modes modify the compressor’s response to the incoming signal.

 Linear mode uses a single capacitor to filter out frequencies below 20 Hz. As a result, the compressor does not respond to these low-frequency impulses.

 The second mode, Modern, adds an analog bandpass filter to the signal stream. According to the filter, the compressor does not respond to low or especially high frequencies in the signal. This form of side-chain filter is commonly employed in current music mixes.

 The third mode, Vintage, adds an analog filter to the signal stream using a filter curve designed by developer Wolfgang Neumann.

 In Focus mode, Venos tightens its grasp and focuses on the midrange while maintaining a strong and dynamic signal.

 Venos’ Punch mode adds a unique punch to music using a variable-bias tube compressor. However, the signal does not become disagreeable and instead sparkles with strength.

External Side Chain Insert

When Ext SC mode is chosen, a signal can be routed through the device’s side-chain insert on the back panel to operate the Venos. The transmit and return stages are balanced, with input and outputs in the form of 3-pin XLR connections. The signal, for example, can be routed from the send output to an active or passive equalizer to change the frequency response.

This signal may be transmitted back into Venus via the return input. Venos is now responding to the signal processed by the external equalization. It is also possible to send a signal from another source into the return input; this signal does not have to be from Venos. This indicates that a fully unrelated signal can impact venous compression.

AirBass and Tape EQ presets

Venos includes the popular analog passive SPL equalization settings AirBass and Tape. The three-position switch lets you to toggle between the two EQ settings or turn this feature off. These filters are situated in the audio signal route and are linked after the compression step but before the output level control.

120V Technology

SPL uses 120V as its reference technology. The 120V technology is unique to the globe. It runs on a DC voltage of 120 volts. This is four times that of integrated circuit-based semiconductor op-amps.

The 120V technology delivers great technical characteristics and acoustic benefits. Technically, this refers to dynamic range, signal-to-noise ratio, and headroom. Sonically, it is rich in detail and provides an utterly relaxing listening experience.

Intuitive control set

In usage, Venos is simple, and it’s nearly impossible to get a terrible sound out of it. The control set is made up of switches and detented potentiometers, the characteristics of which SPL engineers have fine-tuned during several listening sessions. Once you’ve selected the input level, you can easily compare and recall different settings owing to the unit’s logical front-panel arrangement, which has a single control element for both the left and right channels. You get the standard Input, Threshold, Attack, and Release controls, as well as a tube bias control that can be adjusted in 41 increments using a detented pot.

A rectifier circuit controls the tube stage of Venos, influencing the unit’s attack and release timing. The rectifier control allows you to select from three diode control characteristics created by germanium, silicon, and LEDs. Finally, the output level may be changed in 41 increments, allowing you to add makeup gain after compression for appropriate gain staging in your signal chain. A big VU meter indicates gain reduction, and a GR trim control calibrates the meter’s gain reduction display.

SPL: Supercharged Audio Products.

SPL—Sound Performance Lab—was founded in Germany in 1983 and has been at the forefront of the professional audio business since then. From the well-known Transient Designer, TwinTube, and Vitalizer MK2-T to professional mastering instruments like the Passeq, SPL gear can be found in top studios and mastering facilities throughout the world. After creating unique 120V technology in the 1990s, SPL chose to make this groundbreaking technology the foundation of its premium goods.

SPL’s equipment is precisely crafted in its Niederkrüchten, Germany workshop, employing discrete, high-quality components and through-hole circuit designs. There, the business performs its R&D, which includes real-world subjective listening assessments and extensive lab testing to the tightest tolerances.

SPL Venos’ Features:

 Stereo tube bus compressor with variable bias.

 Available settings include focus, punch, linear, modern, and vintage.

 AirBass and tape equalizer circuits.

 Insert a side chain.

 Uses proprietary 120V technology.

 Stepped controls for correct parameter adjustments and recall.

 Controls for input, threshold, attack, release, bias, rectifier, and output.

 Neutrik XLR jacks with gold-plated contacts.

 VU meter with gain reduction and calibration adjustment.

 Ground switch.

 Made at SPL’s Niederkrüchten, Germany, manufacturing facility.

SPL Audio Mastering