With the finest ingredients from SPL, the new flagship of SPL's channel strips establishes the basis for world-class recordings – and each of its particular processing stages can be inserted into studio environments or DAWs like analog plug-ins!

The brand-new Frontliner has all tools on board to record vocals and instruments in perfect quality: it merges a preamp, a de-esser, an EQ and a compressor.

Thanks to it's individual analog I/Os, all these powerful, hi-end analog processors can be inserted into any studio by the Frontliner pilot, i. e. to use them also during mixing and mastering. Thus it appears that the Frontliner is not reduced to a frontend device – especially DAW based studios get the chance to integrate high-grade analog processing at any stage of the audio production process.

The modules

The hybrid preamp with discrete transistor stage and separate tube stage combines high performance and neutrality with the option for sound coloration by enhancing the harmonic content with the switchable tube drive. The unique one-knob de-esser employs a phase cancelling technique to reduce sibilants. With three bands, the EQ section covers the complete frequency spectrum efficiently, and a tube saturation control allows to apply distortion to any signal from subtle to reckless levels. The compressor offers all classic parameters and a controllable automation of attack and release which adjusts the setting of time constants to the input signal – pretty much like a cruise control.

Features

• hree separate, individually optimized inputs for microphones, line signals and instruments.
  
  
• Discrete semiconductor/tube hybrid preamplifier to combine the advantages – high dynamic range and low noise operation of semiconductors with the musical qualities of tube sounds (appealing top end, beautiful spacial impression). Discrete construction is based upon single transistors instead of integrated circuits (ICs) from industrial production and ensures a higher level of optimization.
  
  
• 250 volts tube circuits in the preamplifier and for tube saturation stages.
  
  
• High-grade operational amplifiers from Burr-Brown at critical positions.
  
  
• The SPL De-Esser applies the method of phase cancellation for reducing sibilants. This innovative approach works much more neutral than traditional compression methods – a unique method for unobtrusive results and extremely fast operation.
  
  
• The compressor is operated by SPL’s double VCA drive circuitry. A differential stage eliminates side effects and the half load per VCA dramatically reduces THD.
  
  
• The operational amplifiers for the compressor circuitry meet military specifications. Therefore the regulating voltages are extremely precise – a precondition for high signal processing quality.
  
  
• Selected condensers for the EQ filters with pleasant sound characteristics. Especially with vocals, amplified frequencies are not sounding too bright, and on the other hand reductions can tame harsh sounds without sounding dull.
  
  
• Central star ground wiring scheme minimizes influences that could affect the ground paths. The audio ground is separated from the ground of the remaining equipment. This leads, in the truest sense of the word ”clean”, to considerably improved tonal quality.
  
  
• The power supply is built around two toroidal transformers, one for the audio voltages and one for the other supply voltages (tube heating, LEDs, micro controller etc.) Mutual interferences are excluded and lavishly over-dimensioned capacities ensure absolutely stable supplies for all audio circuitries.