SPL Introduces New Channel One Mk3 and Track One Mk3 Recording Units

German company SPL used the Tonmeistertagung 2023 (tmt32) conference and exhibition in Düsseldorf to present new products in its professional recording series. This time, SPL introduced its next generation of channel strips, the Channel One Mk3 and the Track One Mk3. Both are updates to the SPL Studio Series, combining a complete source preamplifier and mixing channel strip with analog dynamics processing, improved and optimized for the needs of modern recording studios.
 
As always, SPL manages to impress positively in every aspect of its designs. The new Channel One Mk3 is now a perfect front-end for modern production, elevating the signal chain that a home or project studio could aspire to have. For over 20 years, the SPL Channel One has been a synonym for a high-quality and extremely musical recording and mixing channel strip. In the newest Mk3 version, this classic has been thoroughly revised and improved. 

In addition to a higher internal audio voltage (now +/- 18V) for even better, more detailed sound, and further improved preamplifier section, it also provides an integrated Transient Designer, a Tube Saturation stage and a Mic A/B comparison option for two microphones. With de-esser, compressor and equalizer, all the important tools of a real channel strip are still on board. Whether it’s a microphone, line, or instrument signal, the Channel One Mk3 makes any source sound like a professionally recorded signal. For microphone signals, the preamp circuit adds up to 68dB – so even really demanding microphones can show their qualities. The control range for line signals ranges between -20dB and +16 dB. The control range for instrument signals ranges between -6dB and +30dB. 

And the Channel One Mk3 offers the possibility to process line signals. This means that sources with line level, such as an analog signal from an audio interface, can be processed with de-esser, compressor, limiter and equalizer and then be recorded again. In this way, Channel One Mk3 becomes an "analog plugin" within an insert of a DAW.

Among other major highlights, the Mk3 models adds a tube saturation stage with automatic output level (up to 6dB max), allowing to explore from subtle to extensive harmonic distortion and saturation effects. And this can be inserted at different points of the channel. The other new circuit is an analog Transient Designer using Differential Envelope Technology (DET) for level-independent processing of dynamic signal characteristics.
 
As for the new design of the Track One Mk3, it combines all the high-quality essentials to make for a great studio, broadcast or voice recording channel. Whether for a singer-songwriter or voice-overs, the Mk3 enriches the microphone, line or instrument signal, adding de-esser, compressor/limiter and equalizer stages. The mixing channel strip has been improved in some technical details and optimized with the needs of modern recording studios in mind, making it more intuitive and effective.

The Track One Mk3 is equipped with two preamps: a microphone preamp with 48V phantom power and a separate instrument preamp, both with open and transparent characteristics. The gain control offers up to 63dB with microphone signals, between -12dB and +22dB for line level signals, and 0 to +35dB for musical instruments. Like the Channel One, the Track One Mk3 offers the possibility to process line signals and create an analog insert directly on a DAW. Many users will consider the value of the SPL Track One Mk3 compressor on its own. The parameters for the time constants (including attack and release) are set automatically and thus adapt to the changing conditions of the input signal better than it would ever be possible with a manual control. This makes this high-quality compressor a very effective tool when tracking.

SPL is offering both Mk3 devices also available in a premium version with built-in transformers by Lundahl. The standard version of the SPL Channel One Mk3 retails for $2,199, while the Lundahl-equipped model retails for $2,487. The Track One Mk3 is available for $1,049, with the Lundahl premium model retailing for $1,218.
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