The Neos is the first summing and monitoring console based on our proprietary 120-volt technology. The basic concept behind it was to combine essential summing capabilities, including faders and panorama controls, with a complete and practical monitoring section — all in a compact design. Accordingly, it fulfills the highest expectations regarding sound quality in mixing and monitoring situations.

Thus, the Neos was conceived with sound engineers that set great importance on artistic and musical production in mind and whose workflow does not rely primarily on undo and preset options. Nevertheless, the compact Neos can integrate seamlessly in computer-based environments providing the characteristic high-quality sound and handling of analog devices.

Concept

• 24 channel summing console with faders and panorama controls
• Ideal for DAW-based studios with emphasis on audio quality

Features

• Input path with 100-mm ALPS faders, Pan controls, Mono, Cut, Solo, and “To Monitor Only” push buttons, signal LEDs
• Master path with 100-mm ALPS faders, Inserts, Bend function (Limiting)
• Comprehensive monitoring section with Volume control, Tape Mix (DAW return), as well as Mute, Dim and Mono push buttons
• Input: three eight-channel DB25 connectors (balanced, TASCAM standard); balanced XLR connectors: Slave, Insert Return, Tape Return
• Output connectors (balanced XLR): Recording Out, Monitor A and Monitor B,
• Output connectors (unbalanced XLR): Alternative Out, Insert Send, Metering

Special Features

• Ultimate Mix and Monitoring Quality
• Compact design: 19"/7U
• Cascadable
• Hand made in Germany

Special Technical Features

• Unique 120-volt operating voltage. In comparison with common production mixers, the Neos mixing and monitoring console uses four times as much operating voltage. A higher voltage results in better performance: over 30 dB of headroom at the input, more than 122 dB of dynamic range, 92 dB signal-to-noise ratio over all channels.
• At the core of the 120-volt technology are our handmade, discrete op-amps with 116 dB signal-to-noise ratio and 34 dB of headroom. The 150 dB dynamic range covers a frequency range of up to 200 kHz. These key figures are way beyond the demands of current PCM digital formats with 24 bit/192 kHz sample rates and DSD digital formats with 1 bit and 256 fs. It is not expected for digital technology to evolve so much in the foreseeable future as to make the Neos a bottleneck in the signal processing path.
• All selected components for each unit are matched at the pre-production stage
• Important switching functions are performed via sealed relays
• Oversized signal traces, generous PCB layout for greater trace separation, star ground scheme, linear power supply

Next-Generation Analog Technology.

The first products to integrate the 120-volt technology were exclusive, handmade custom solutions for major mastering studios. At the time, music production had already been uprooted by digital technology and the changes it brought with itself in terms of outfitting and workflow in music studios. Coincidentally, a new „mastering“ sector had already been established — both in terms of the actual process and the gear in studios. If traditional recording and mixing studios were on their way to digitalization, the most sophisticated mastering studios were and have always been keen on analog technology, including high-quality signal processors that can still make a difference compared to the widely available software solutions. But also technically demanding requirements such as superior sounding and designed switching and monitoring consoles were among the products we were able to offer. While analog technology was being heralded as dead, SPL was decisively going in the opposite direction: we were able to deliver analog products of the highest quality whose performance surpassed all previous specifications — regardless of whether it was in the analog or digital realm.

Why is a high operating voltage so important?

If we consider that the basis of every circuit is directly related to a voltage/performance ratio, the operating voltage is crucial for the performance of any circuit. Given that audio technology is conceived to translate sound into voltage, doubling the formerly highest operating voltage available results in a great improvement, specially with regard to signal dynamics and the way they are processed. Technically speaking, a wider dynamic range also means that the gap between the actual signal and other undesired signals, such as noise and distortion, is larger — in the case of the Neos console, for example, this results in not hearing any noises at all, regardless of the situation.

Highest performance for ultimate sound quality

Our measurements reveal the improvements the 120-volt technology offers in comparison to standard solutions. All these advantages are due to the oversized signal traces, the rigorous selection of every single element and, of course, the handmade components that contain no unnecessary audio processing parts (which are very common in mass-produced operation amplifiers). But the technical specifications and design say very little about the actual sound of an audio equipment. At the end of the day, an audio device has to prove itself in use in the hands of sound engineers and musicians. We can state with great satisfaction that our solution not only prevailed — ever since their introduction, our 120-volt products have passed all tests and proven worthy of the best. Now the Neos console represents a solution that transfers unsurpassed performance into ultimate sound quality.