“With the facelift of this popular processor tool into the SPL DeEsser Mk2, SPL has not only done a favor itself, but the entire pro audio industry.”
On the online platform Bonedo you can find a review of the SPL DeEsser Mk2. The complete review (in German) with sound samples is available online.
Here we have compiled some highlights for you.
“Like the Mk1, the SPL DeEsser Mk2 comes in a 19″ case with one height unit. The front panel is clearly arranged, because there is exactly one control per channel, which is labeled ‘S-Reduction’ and scaled from left stop 0 down to 13dB. ,Auto’, ‘Female’ and ‘On’ are the switching functions, a meter displays the actual reduction activity.”
“The rear panel features SPL’s typical kindness of having the labeling attached in a way it can be read even upside down. Besides XLR, there are also TRS connectors for alternative operation with jacks, a ground lift as well as a IEC socket for the integrated power supply complete the rear of the device.”
“Inside, the processor appears perfectly-arranged, the circuit board is exemplarily laid out and labeled in such a way that even in twenty years, a repair seems easy without further information. SPL builds the DeEsser in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.”
Concept:
“The classic de-essing detects the S-sounds to be removed in the signal with a bell filter, but mostly with a bandpass filter. When the signal components occur above the adjustable threshold, a level reduction occurs in the used signal, preferably in the relevant frequency range. SPL has a different approach: the de-essing of the German company is based on signal inversion and thus phase cancellation. When S sounds are detected, the signal part which needs to be processed is added to the used signal, but with an inversion of the polarity.”
In practice:
“It’s probably no surprise that the SPL DeEsser Mk2 stands out in the test for its perfect and easy usability. One knob to control – that’s it. If vocal tracks are not particularly outstanding, it also works extremely well on them.”
Conclusion:
“With the facelift of this popular processor tool into the SPL DeEsser Mk2, SPL has not only done a favor itself, but the entire pro audio industry. Not only for the new design, but also because this easy-to-use and pleasantly priced de-esser is once again in the spotlight that it deserves.”
