Compresses Well, and De-compresses Too!
The SPL Kultube stereo compressor is a useful tool for every stage of your productions, from recording through mixdown. You'll be able to achieve precision dynamics control faster with the Progressive Time Control option, and the adjustable tube saturation enables harmonic enhancement that ranges from mild to wild - perfect for helping key elements cut through your mix without affecting their volume. You'll even be able to add dynamics back to over-compressed material such as samples with the de-compression setting. Factor in precise stereo imaging, and the ability to link multiple units for surround sound, and the SPL Kultube is a capable compressor for studio and live sound.
SPL Kultube Stereo Compressor at a Glance:
- Progressive Time Control - much smarter than auto
- Adjustable tube saturation for harmonic enhancement
- Add dynamics to lifeless material with de-compression
Progressive Time Control - much smarter than auto
While many of the engineers we help tell us they prefer to set their own attack and release times on their compressors, they also know a good auto mode when they hear one. The SPL Kultube's Progressive Time Control (PTC) goes beyond fixed algorithms and reacts to both the input signal and the user settings. That means it's constantly analyzing the input signal to grab peaks without killing all dynamics, and it releases transparently without pumping or breathing artifacts. You can still adjust the attack and release knobs to nudge the response until it's just right. PTC is especially useful when compressing subgroups and full mixes.
Adjustable tube saturation for harmonic enhancement
If all you want is transparent compression with outstanding fidelity and ample headroom, the SPL Kultube will serve you just fine. And when you want to add a harmonic edge to a specific track to cement its place in the mix, turn up the Kultube's Tube Harmonics control to taste. It's a great way to help snare hits cut through, or to add some extra sizzle to acoustic guitar and vocals, without adding to the overall volume of the track. Used tastefully, the Kultube's tube saturation can elevate your mixes from good to wow.
Add dynamics to lifeless material with de-compression
There will be times during mixing that you're faced with a track with very little dynamics, especially if you're working with electronic instruments or samples. Turn on the de-compression mode on the SPL Kultube, and you can add in punch and impact that brings tracks back to life. De-compression mode works like an expander to increase the level of audio above the threshold, with the Ratio control affecting the intensity of the volume increase. From synth bass lines and leads to sampled drums and loops, Kultube's de-compression mode can make the difference between a mix that sounds bland and one that pops.
SPL Kultube Stereo Compressor Features:
- Stereo compressor for studio and live sound, from tracking through mixdown
- Achieve precise dynamics control quickly with Progressive Time Control modes
- Dial in clean, high-fidelity compression or add tube saturation for harmonic enhancement
- Soft and Hard Knee modes to optimize the attack slope for any type of material, from soft to percussive
- De-compression mode acts as an expander to add dynamics back to over-compressed material
- Check gain reduction with a quick glance at the large VU meter (mono summed)
- Sidechain input on rear panel, with a Key Listen switch on the front for monitoring
- Multiple units can be slaved to a master for multichannel operation
The SPL Kultube is simply an exceptional stereo compressor.