SPL Venos Stereo Buss Compressor Red  From SPL

Adding size, depth and impact to a stereo signal has never been easier.

The Venos stereo bus compressor is based on the same design as many legendary vintage tube compressors. Venos expands this impressive sonic signature with two revolutionary hyper-compression modes, opening up new dimensions of sound.

With SPL 120V technology this sound is crowned to king of dynamics.

The News

The Venos stereo bus compressor is basically a variable bias tube compressor. Venos works on the principle of a bias-controlled remote cutoff tube, but expands the sonic versatility of this concept with the new hyper-compression modes “Focus” and “Punch”.

Great Sound in a blink

Once the ideal input level is dialed in, comparing different parameter settings works like a charm. The parameters have been fine-tuned in countless listening sessions to make the compressor intuitive to use. All parameters are set using switches or detented potentiometers. A single control element manages both, the left and right channel, allowing for easy recall!

Input

The input level is adjusted via a detented potentiometer in 41 steps, within a control range of +/- 10 dB. Increasing the input level results in more intense compression.

Treshold

Threshold determines the level beyond which the compressor starts with processing. The compressor begins to compress the signal once the set threshold value has been exceeded.

The Threshold parameter of the Venos can be adjusted in 41 steps with the detent potentiometer.

Bias

The tube bias can also be adjusted in 41 steps using a detented potentiometer.

The bias of a tube is the voltage present on the tube‘s grid. The higher the voltage, the less signal makes it from the cathode to the anode of the tube, which means the compression is stronger.

The modulation of the bias is the sum of the Input, Threshold, Rectifier, Mode, Attack, and Release parameters.

Attack

Attack determines the response time of the compressor. The Attack time can be adjusted in six steps, from Fast to Slow.

Release

The counterpart of the Attack is Release. The Release parameter determines how fast the compressor eases processing the signal.

Similarly to the Attack time, the Release time can also be set in six steps from Fast to Slow.

Rectifier

The tube stage in the Venos is controlled by a rectifier circuit. Venos offers three different diode control characteristics, generated by germanium, silicon, and LED diodes.

The rectifier circuits influence the attack and release times.

Output

The output level can be adjusted in 41 steps within a control range of +/- 10 dB using a detented potentiometer.

This allows the audio level to be increased again after compression or the output level to be adjusted to subsequent devices.

Active

Pressing the big, round Active switch turns on the Venos Stereo Bus Compressor (switch lights up).

Modes

The modes change the behavior of the compressor in regard to the input signal. The first three offer various analog filters (side-chain filters) in the signal path (not in the audio signal), enabling frequency-selective compression.

Focus and Punch are innovative hyper-compression modes. The last mode activates an insert in the signal path, allowing the control signal to be influenced by external devices or signals.

Linear

If the first mode—Linear—is selected, only one capacitor is integrated in the signal path to filter out frequencies below 20 Hz. Consequently, the compressor does not respond to these low-frequency signals.

Modern

The second mode—Modern—integrates an analog bandpass filter into the signal path. According to the filter, the compressor does not respond to low and particularly high frequencies in the signal. This type of sidechain filter is often used in modern music mixes.

Vintage

The third mode—Vintage—integrates an analog filter into the signal path with a filter curve empirically created by developer Wolfgang Neumann.

Focus and Punch

The two modes, Focus and Punch, offer a lot more! With these modes, no frequency response-adjusting filter is used in the signal path. A special circuit enables a new compression behavior for variable-bias tube compressors. In these two modes, Venos becomes a completely different bus compressor!

The compressor characteristic curve drops after reaching its maximum.

Focus

In Focus mode, Venos grips much tighter and focuses on the midrange, but still makes the signal big and lively.

Punch

In Punch mode, Venos gives the music a punch like you’ve never heard before from a variable-bias tube compressor. However, the signal does not become unpleasant, but simply shines with power.

The Side Chain Insert – Ext SC

When Ext SC mode is selected, a signal can be looped into the side-chain insert on the rear panel of the device to control the Venos. The send and return stages are balanced and are provided as inputs and outputs in the form of 3-pin XLR jacks.

The signal can, for example, be sent via the send output to an active or passive equalizer in order to manipulate the frequency response there. This signal can be fed back into the Venos via the return input. Venos now responds to the signal processed by the external equalizer.

It is also possible to feed a signal from another source into the return input – it does not necessarily have to be the signal from Venos. This means that a completely independent signal can also influence the compression in Venos. There are no limits to your creativity here.

VU-Meter

The big black VU meter indicates the gain reduction. In other words, it shows the amount in dB by which the level is reduced by the compression.

GR Cal.

The GR Cal. trimmer can be used to calibrate the gain reduction display in the VU meter.

The final equalizer – AirBass and Tape

Venos features the popular analog passive SPL equalizer presets AirBass and Tape. The three-position switch allows you to choose between the two EQ settings or to turn this function off. These filters are located in the audio signal path and are connected behind the compression stage, but still before the output level control.

AirBass

The AirBass filter increases low and high frequencies by approximately 2 dB.

Tape

The Tape Roll-Off filter emulates the typical frequency response of a tape machine.

Inputs and Outputs

All inputs and outputs of the Venos are equipped with Neutrik XLR jacks with gold-plated contacts. The signal transmission is electronically balanced at a nominal level of +6 dB.

Ground

The ground switch on the rear of the Venos can be used to eliminate ground loops, for example noises in the audio signal, by isolating the internal ground from the housing ground when the switch is pressed.

The 120V technology

The 120V technology is our reference technology. The 120V technology is unique in the world. It operates at a DC voltage of 120 volts. This is four times that of IC-based semiconductor op-amps.

The highest possible audio quality requires the highest possible audio operating voltage.

The 120V technology works with +/-60 V. To be able to handle such a high voltage, we have developed special proprietary operational amplifiers that can operate with a DC voltage of +/-60 V: the SPL 120V SUPRA operational amplifiers.

This high voltage would destroy conventional components and operational amplifiers.

The 120V technology achieves exceptional technical specifications and sonic benefits. Technically, in terms of dynamic range, signal-to-noise ratio and headroom. Sonically, in terms of richness of detail and an absolutely relaxed listening experience.

By the way, the “120V” in the name of the technology has nothing to do with the local mains voltage from the mains power socket. This is about the operating voltage inside the device with which the audio signals are processed.

The mains voltage from the mains power socket is transformed to the required secondary voltage in the device’s internal linear power supply with toroidal transformer. Rectifiers convert this AC voltage into DC voltage required in the audio device.

The idea for SPL 120V technology and the SUPRA operational amplifier based on this technology were developed in the 1990s by SPL founder and chief developer Wolfgang Neumann.

With the goal of building the best mastering console ever, this basic technological philosophy then took shape for the first time – thus the SPL MMC1 Mastering Console for Galaxy Studios saw the light of day in 2000.

The outstanding sonic and technical features quickly got around in the scene – so further orders were not long in coming.

Besides the MMC 1, another legendary product with 120V technology was created with the PQ, the “King of Parametric Equalizers”.

Since that time, 120V technology has been the foundation for all SPL premium products. Meanwhile, not only for mastering applications, but also for the, studio or hifi use.

Comparison

Most audio devices work with an internal operating voltage of +/-15 volts and can thus process a maximum input level of +21.5 dBu. If a DAC, for example, has an output level of +22 dBu at 0 dBFS, level peaks of the music material would already cause overloads in the input stage of the device.

All components in the audio device often operate at their limits. The result is an unsteady sound that causes stress and faster ear fatigue.

SPL devices with 120V technology can handle input levels of +32.5 dBu thanks to the higher internal operating voltage of +/- 60 volts – thus offering 12 dB more headroom. All components consequently operate continuously in the optimum operating range. The result is a very pleasant, natural and relaxed sound experience. So you can enjoy your music in every detail.

These diagrams clearly show the superiority of the 120V technology in comparison to other circuits with lower, common operating voltages.

Looks great, feels great – and lasts for a lifetime

Venos has a 4 mm thick, black anodized aluminum front panel and aluminum knobs milled from solid. The housing is made of high-quality steel and is powder-coated in elegant black.

Sounds good

With all SPL devices we develop not only according to plan, but also by ear. All important components are installed on the circuit boards using Through-hole technology. This way we can ensure that we can use the best sounding components.