SPL Iron V2 Two-Channel Tube Mastering Compressor (Red/Black)

SPL IRON Overview

Musical Sound, Versatile, Intuitive to Use, German Craftsmanship

A popular choice among mastering engineers for its transparent sound, its ability to add punch and loudness to a mix, or to smooth out the dynamics of a track, the red/black SPL Iron V2 is a high-end two-channel tube mastering compressor/limiter that offers the best of modern technology and vintage magic.

Versatile and perfectly adapted to the needs of modern mastering studios and productions, the Iron V2 features a parallel, dual-tube circuit that combines the sonic virtues of legendary tube compressors with the benefits of the High Dynamic 120V operating voltage. And with Wathen CryoTone Long Plate versions of the 12AX7-WCM tubes, the unit delivers outstanding soundstage, depth, and frequency balance to achieve a wide range of results, from subtle mastering to extreme sound shaping.

Each channel of the Iron V2 is split across two different twin-triode tubes, thanks to the custom-designed mu-metal-iron transformers. This combination of different response curves coming from both tubes results in a transparent and musically pleasant compression. Additionally, peak signals of the control voltage are limited by a feed-forward resistive opto-isolator. This ensures that the output signal remains lively even with high gain reduction, and that the compression is only noticeable with extreme settings. The SPL Iron V2 is manufactured at the company's production facility in Niederkrüchten on the Lower Rhine, Germany.

What's New in Iron V2?

• Four Wathen CryoTone 12AX7-WCM Long Plate tubes
• Balanced side-chain inserts with send and return XLR sockets
• Side-chain EQ filter curves with presets

Iron Key Features

• Dual-mono compressor/limiter with two fully independent channels
• Process two different mono signals at the same time or one stereo signal
• Use for mastering applications or to process individual instruments, like vocals, bass, guitar, strings, and more also a great option for subgroups
• Tubes are integrated into the Iron's signal flow via specially manufactured Lundahl balanced, high-level, double-core, mu-metal-iron transformers
• 120V technology delivers exceptional dynamic range, signal-to-noise ratio, and headroom
• Independent, feed-forward resistive vactrol-opto-isolator in the control path of the variable-bias tube circuit blocks extreme signal peaks, ensuring that the tube circuitry achieves its full sonic potential
• The Tube Bias switch allows you to set the bias of the tubes according to three settings: Low, Mid, and High
• Six different Rectifier preset settings
• Built-in sidechain EQ four presets + external
• Passive filter network with two equalizer presets AirBass and Tape Roll-Off
• In Link mode, the Threshold, Bias, Attack, Release, Rectifier, and Sde-Chain EQ parameters are controlled by the right side (channel 2)
• All functions can be adjusted via switches, or in the case of Threshold, with a 41-step detented potentiometer
• Auto Bypass mode enables objective evaluation of the processing
• VU meters can be switched to show either gain reduction (at 0 and +10 dB) or output level

Tubes

• Iron V2 uses four tubes in its circuit. A parallel-connected pair for each channel.
• The compressor is equipped with perfectly matched 12AU7 tubes, which get paired with preselected matched pairs of Wathen CryoTone 12AX7-WCM Long Plate tubes.
• Wathen Audiophile's CryoTone tubes are cryogenically treated to maximize all aspects of the sonic performance in audio tubes.

Rectifier

• The tube stage is controlled by a rectifier circuit. There are six diode control characteristics generated by germanium, silicon, and LED diodes, or combinations.
• The attack and release times vary depending on the selected rectifier circuit.

The 120V Technology

• The 120V technology enables the Iron V2 to operate at a DC voltage of 120 volts four times that of IC-based semiconductor op-amps.
• The technical benefits include a wider dynamic range, lower signal-to-noise ratio, and more headroom.
• Sonically, the 120V technology delivers richness of detail and a musical listening experience.

Side-Chain EQ Presets

• To offer frequency selective compression, the Iron Mastering Compressor offers a six-position switch to choose between the Off position, four side-chain EQ presets, or an external side-chain insert.
• The side-chain filters are only in the control signal path not in the audio path.

Home Is Where the Heart Is

• The IRON V2 is manufactured at SPL's production facility in Niederkrüchten on the Lower Rhine, Germany.