“What sets SPL apart from many other manufacturers is the idea of escaping the mainstream with solid but innovative soundscapes. Now we finally get a 500 Series module for classic stereo widening. But the SPL BiG does a lot more than that, because Lunchbox owners will be provided with a powerful tool.”
At Amazona you can find a review about our new 500 Series module SPL BiG. You can read the complete review (in German) online. Here provide a short summary – as usual.
“The idea to design a typical stereo widening hardware for the 500 Series was followed by single prototypes, but they sounded too boring for SPL. So the concept was progressively improved and a circuit was developed that manipulates the stereo signal into a different dimension of bigness.”
“The SPL BiG module takes up two slots in a 500 Series rack. It is designed in stereo and can be switched to bypass. Two yellow LEDs indicate whether a signal is present.”
“Furthermore, there is a bass on/off switch. With this, the bass range can additionally be increased within the signal manipulation. This is similar to the circuit of the SPL IRON Mastering Compressor.”
“Now let’s move on to the three continuously adjustable controls: Range, Stage and Bigness. Fortunately, SPL has chosen controls with smoothly detented steps so you can work precisely from zero to maximum.”
“First of all, Range is used to set the frequency that is to be influenced by the effect in the further course. The left zero position is labeled High, the right position is labeled Open. The High mode immediately adds more brilliance and high frequencies to the signal.”
“Stage selects the depth of the effect, moving forward or backward. The zero position is labeled Back, the right position is labeled Front. Here the stereo stage is meant. The side signal can move a bit with the position of the control, just towards the front of the listener or towards the back of the rest of the stereo image.”
“The Bigness knob controls the intensity of the previously set parameters.”
Conclusion:
“The SPL BiG lives up to its name. The Stereo Image Bigger Maker in 500 Series double-slot format has a very significant effect on signals at various points in the recording and production chain, all the way to mastering, depending on how it is used. BiG creates spatial depth and widens the stereo image, combined with a beautiful vividness. The impact of the effects can be determined by frequency selection. These parameters are basically great for any production, and SPL has the high-quality hardware to do it with the BiG in 500 Series format.”
