Musikmesse 2013SPL launches Madison 16+16 Channel Studio I/O System and Crimson USB Audio Interface & Controller

SPL has launched its Madison 16+16 Channel Studio I/O System and Crimson USB Audio Interface & Controller at Musikmesse 2013.

As implied by its full name, Crimson combines a USB interface with high-quality pre-amps and a separate, fully-featured monitor controller, creating a cost-effective, portable package. Play, playback, record, convert, control, and listen with a single device. Add a DAW and you've got yourself a professional recording setup with SPL performance to boot at a hitherto unachievable price point.

To create Crimson, SPL redesigned its tried-and-tested circuitries, creating a new, fully- integrated design. This, together with new production methods, enabled the company to break through previous price barriers to create a boutique-level product at a fraction of traditional German manufacturing costs.

The 24-bit/192kHz-capable Crimson packs numerous features into its compact desktop footprint with its 30 I/O channels (10 recording and 20 playback); +/-18V operational voltage (for professional levels up to +24dB); two boutique-level, discrete Class A, +/-30V high-voltage mic pre-amps; two Hi-Z instrument pre-amps; two separate headphone amps (individually controllable); dual stereo speaker set connections (and control); monitor signal mix function (from playback and recording paths); MIDI input and output; plus USB 2.0, S/PDIF input and output.

Moving more upmarket, broadcast and sound reinforcement professionals have relied on the Multichannel Audio Digital Interface (MADI) for over 20 years, thanks to its jitter-free and reliable transmission of multiple audio channels per single wire using low-cost cabling (up to 2km in length); now, with MADI emerging as the new studio I/O standard, the Madison 16+16 Channel Studio I/O System is positioned to integrate into any home, project, or commercial studio or scoring stage by combining state-of-the-art conversion, ultra-reliable clock, and MADI processing with a simple-to-operate, easy-to-expand system housed in a compact 1U rack-mountable unit offering 16 input and 16 output channels — hence its full name.

Madison makes integrating professional analogue equipment into larger multichannel infrastructures a breeze, bringing the sought-after analogue SPL sound to MADI-equipped digital consoles, audio routers, or PC MADI cards — any professional audio routing infrastructure, in fact — for the first time. Its all-important, built-in MADI port offers pristine and near- zero-latency digital transmission of up to 64 inputs and outputs with galvanic insulation (via four units connected on a single MADI port) making Madison the ideal front end for anyone serious about pure conversion of multiple audio channels.

Features found in Madison include: 16 AD and DA convertors with a sophisticated 18V analogue section (36V audio rail for +24dBu professional level); 44.1 to 192kHz operation (with ±10% varispeed); SPL clock-shop (for jitter-free operation); ultra-compatible, always-operational MADI I/O (with ultra-low conversion latencies); four directly-selectable reference levels (15/18/22/24); simple operation and setup (directly from front panel controls); ergonomic, distance- readable meters (for clear level status indication of any I/O channel); fan-less, silent lower-power design (30W max); redundant power supply (optional); and four industry-standard (TASCAM) D-Sub analogue eight-channel multicores.

Pricing & Availability

The Crimson USB Audio Interface & Monitor Controller (Model 1250) and Madison 16+16 Channel MADI Interface (Model 1260) will be available to purchase worldwide from any SPL dealer with a RRP of €549.00 (including German VAT) / $725.00 and €1,499.00 (including German VAT) / $1,899.00, respectively.

Availability is scheduled for June 2013.