Crimson 3

Audio Interface with Analog Monitoring, Phonitor Matrix and Talkback Microphone

With the Crimson 3, German hardware specialist SPL puts out an even more excellent successor of their big seller. By including a Talkback Microphone and especially by integrating the legendary Phonitor Matrix, SPL takes the unit to a whole new level in terms of product value and practicality.
I do absolutely recommend this unit for any kind of home or postproduction studio and as far as I know when it comes to the price-performance ratio it owns an unrivalled market position.

Axel Ritt

733^€

Recommended Retail Price

16 Inputs
6 Recording Channels (24Bit/192kHz)
2 High-Quality Discrete Mic Preamps
2 Instrument Inputs
4 Balanced Line Inputs
Stereo Digital I/Os
MIDI I/O
2 Stereo Speaker Outputs
2 Stereo Headphone Amplifier
Phonitor Matrix (NEW)
Talkback Mic (NEW)
One Knob Monitor Mix
Artist Mode
Real-Time Analog Monitoring
Play-along and monitoring also without DAW (stand-alone)
Class 2.0 compliant for iOS device recording/monitoring
34V operational voltage for professional levels up to +22 dBu
Pro level boost for consumer electronics
Very low jitter due to FMCTM (Fixed-Master-Clock)
No sample rate conversion or clock recovery for true 1:1 audio
Hi-Speed USB
Windows XP/7/8/10
Mac OS X 10.6 or higher, iOS 6 and higher
Made in Germany

Introduction

Erste Schritte

Analoges Monitoring

FOUNDATION

Review

Review Pro Audio

SPL Phonitor Matrix

Crimson - High Performance USB Audio Interface + Monitor Controller

Crimson in Action with Timo Brauwers

Right-click on image to download HiRes.

Specifications
Manuals
Reviews
Driver
Applications

Input Sockets

Mic Inputs 1, 2: XLR
Line Inputs 1, 2: 6.3mm TRS
Instrument Input: 6.3mm TS
Source 1 Input: 6.3mm TRS
Source 2 Input: RCA
Source 3 Input: Mini-J

Output Sockets

Speaker Out A: XLR
Speaker Out B: 6.3mm TRS
Headphone Outputs 1 and 2: 6.3mm TRS

Input Impedances

Microphone Input: 10kohms
Line Inputs: 10kohms unbalanced, 20kohms balanced
Instrument Input: 1.1Mohms
Source 1 Input: 10kohms unbalanced, 20kohms balanced
Source 2 Input: 10kohms
Source 3 Input: 10kohms

Output Impedances

Speaker Outputs A and B: 75ohms unbalanced, 150ohms balanced
Headphone Outputs: 33ohms

Maximum Input Levels

Mic Inputs: +14.5dBu (Gain fully left)
Line Inputs: +22.5dBu
Instrument Input: +24dBu (Gain fully left)
Source 1 Input: +22.5dBu
Source 2 Input: +22.5dBu
Source 3 Input: +22.5dBu

Maximum Output Levels

Speaker Output A and B: +22.5dBu

Microphone Preamplifiers (balanced, XLR)

Gain Control: +7dB - +60dB
Frequency Response: 10Hz - >200kHz
Noise (unweighted, 30dB gain, input termination 150Ohm): -90dBu
Equivalent Input Noise: -128dBu
Common Mode Rejection Ratio: < -70dBu
THD+N Ratio@1kHz (30dB gain, input termination 150Ohm): 0.003%
High Pass Filter: fg = 80Hz, 6dB/Oct.
Phantom Power: 48Volt

Instrument Input (Unbalanced, 6.3mm TS)

Gain Control: -6dB - +31dB
Frequency Response: 10Hz - >200kHz
Noise (unweighted, unity gain, input termination 100kOhm): -85dBu
THD+N Ratio@1kHz (unity gain, input termination 100kOhm): 0.005%

Line Input (balanced, 6.3mm TRS)

Frequency Response: 10Hz - >200kHz
Noise (unweighted, unity gain, input termination 600Ohm): -95dBu
Common Mode Rejection ratio: < -60dBu
THD+N Ratio@1kHz (unity gain, input termination 600Ohm): 0.002%

Source 1 Input (balanced, 6.3mm TRS)

Frequency Response: 10Hz - >200kHz
Noise (unweighted, unity gain, input termination 600Ohm): -95dBu
Common Mode Rejection ratio: < -60dBu
THD+N Ratio@1kHz (unity gain, input termination 600Ohm): 0.002%

Source 2 Input (unbalanced, RCA)

Frequency Response: 10Hz - >200kHz
Noise (unweighted, unity gain, input termination 600Ohm): -90dBu
Noise (unweighted, -10dBV, input termination 600Ohm): -85dBu
THD+N Ratio@1kHz (unity gain, input termination 600Ohm): 0.003%
THD+N Ratio@1kHz (-10dBV, input termination 600Ohm): 0.003%

Source 2 Input (unbalanced, Mini-J)

Frequency Response: 10Hz - >200kHz
Noise (unweighted, unity gain, input termination 600Ohm): -88dBu
Noise (unweighted, +15dB, input termination 600Ohm): -76dBu
THD+N Ratio@1kHz (unity gain, input termination 600Ohm): 0.003%
THD+N Ratio@1kHz (+15dB, input termination 600Ohm): 0.005%

Headphone Outputs (stereo, 6.3mm TRS)

Frequency Response: 10Hz - >200kHz
Power@0dBu: 47Ohm load: 13mW/300Ohm load: 1,7mW/600Ohm load: 1.0mW
Power max: 47Ohm load: 670mW/300Ohm load: 265mW/600Ohm load: 150mW
THD+N Ratio@1kHz (Power@0dBu): 47Ohm: 0.0026%/300Ohm: 0.002%/600Ohm: 0.002%

AD Conversion (ASIO direct)

Noisefloor (A-weighted)

44.1/48kHz: -113dBFS
88.2/96kHz: -110dBFS

Dynamic range

44.1/48kHz: 113dB
88.2/96kHz: 110dB

THD+N ratio @ 1kHz (-1dBFS):

44.1/48kHz: 0.002%
88.2/96kHz: 0.0025%

0dBFS = +15dBu

DA Conversion (ASIO direct)

Noisefloor (A-weighted)

44.1/48kHz: -109dBFS
88.2/96kHz: -107dBFS

Dynamic range

44.1/48kHz: 109dB
88.2/96kHz: 107dB

Power Supply

External Power Supply, Input 100–240V AC/50–60 Hz; Output 12V DC/1,5A
Internal Power Supplies: Audio: +/-17V, Digital: +5V and +3,3V
Power Consumption: 16.8 Watt

Dimensions & Weight

H x W x D in mm: 67x330x212 cm, 2.64x12.99x8.35 inch
2,8 kg, 6.17lbs

0dBu = 0.775V. Subject to change without notice..

Crimson 3

Crimson Rev.1 und Rev.2:

Mac Driver Download

Driver version: 3.3.11

Release date: Nov 16, 2016
Mac OS X 10.6 and higher

Installed firmware version on Crimson 3: 2.0.0

This driver version makes the Bit Accurate driver fully compatible with macOS Sierra and macOS High Sierra
The Bit Accurate driver should not be installed under OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion and macOS 10.14 Mojave. Instead Crimson should be run in class compliant mode (no driver install required).

Windows Driver Download

Driver version: 2.9.86.25

Release date: February 26, 2016
For Win XP / 7 / 8 / 10

Installed firmware version on Crimson Revision 3: 2.0.0

Legacy Driver Mac

Legacy Driver Win