7305 Performance Drive, Syracuse, NY 13212 USAtel 315-452-5000/fax 315-452-0160/E-mail: Wheatstone@aol.com

While Wheatstone is best known for its major market cli-ents, we have tailored this console specifically for the localfacility. It has everything operators need, yet it’s straightforwardand easy to operate.

The SP-8’s fast mix-minus system allows individualfoldbacks to talent, anchors and technical crew to keep yourlive programming moving smoothly. Four auxiliary pre or postsend controls provide even more powerful foldback options. Itschannel group muting feature lets you energize and de-ener-gize banks of channels with the push of a single button, sobreak/live transitions become error free. A sophisticated inter-nal logic system has bus assignment dependent monitor mutesto prevent accidental studio interruption during live segments.

SP-8 — The Console for Local NewsThe console has plenty of monitoring capability and can feed acontrol room system as well as multiple studio outputs—per-fect for separate morning and evening setups.

The SP-8 has all the flexibility of its larger predecessors.You have a selection of mono mic/line modules, dual mic mod-ules (for studio one and studio two), and stereo input modules.You can even get this console with a preselector overbridge, toincrease its input capacity eightfold. It’s available in countertop,through-counter, or furniture stand versions to fit any architec-tural theme.

Take advantage of Wheatstone’s experience and contactour sales engineers. We’ve got the knowledge!

Wheatstone SP-8 Live Production Consolest

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Sound for live video needs lots of monitoring. TheSP-8 has it. It’s got an on-module mix-minus matrix withilluminated switches, a fast way to generate talent and techcrew foldbacks. It also has four pre/post send knobs to pro-vide additional foldback or remote mixes; you can even useany combination of the eight submaster assigns for eitherinternal submaster mixes or submaster direct outs to pro-vide alternative foldback or program paths. Besides the con-trol room monitor output you can have two studio outputs(each with its own source selector) so you can easily transi-tion between morning and evening sets.

Live programming means things have to move fast.That’s why this console has two input mute groups, so you

can select inputs you’ll use for live segments and others you’lluse for breaks, and activate these groups easily with a pairof master mute switches. The studio mute system is sophis-ticated too: our unique mute link circuit follows the bus as-sign system, and let’s your studio speakers mute only whena channel’s signal path has been routed to the stereo masteroutput. This allows rehearsals to operate freely but preventsembarrassing interruptions during live segments.

Operations have to be smooth and quiet. That’s whythe entire audio program path* is electronically switched—smooth, silent, and ultra-reliable.

*pad excluded

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INCOMPARABLE FLEXIBILITY — The SP-8 above is shown on an optional furniture stand that provides concealed wire passageways. It can also be placedon a countertop or have its lower sideplate section removed for through-hole installations—perfect for studio furniture integration or remote truck applications.

Advanced Features

You can work with our engineers andspecify the module complement and lay-out that you want! There are several main-frame widths to choose from, available withor without an input overbridge (shown atright). You can mount the console on acounter, through a counter, or on its ownfurniture stand.

The SP-8 has plenty of meters that canbe configured as VU, PPM, or a combinationof both. There are three different input mod-ules to choose from, and a complete familyof monitor and accessory modules. Thisconsole’s got the logic systems that youneed: machine controls, input mute groups,studio and control room monitor mutes, au-tomatic timer control, and even optional Eu-ropean style signalization and fader startsystems.

Efficient Layout – Flexible Design

A POWERFUL AUDIO CONTROL CENTER — This SP-8 is shown with twenty-four input modules inan overbridge configuration, bringing 220 audio sources into a mere 57 inch span. The SP-8 bringsplenty of sources into your precious control room and mobile van floor space. Note all preselector switchesare illuminated, keeping the operator always in command.

ONE OF A KIND — Every client has unique requirements; this custom console illustrates a PPM VU accommodation.

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inpu

tsSourcing is EASYwith Wheatstone’s Full-featured Input Modules

The SP-8 won’t run out of sources or op-tions: mono mic/line modules are perfect forcombination studio and remote anchor inputs.Our dual mic mono module lets the operatorinstantly select between studio one and studiotwo sources, or microphone one and backupmicrophone with a quick A/B switch. The ste-reo line input can also switch to mono modeand use its independent left/right gain trims toblend interview and natural sound. The prese-lector overbridge (left) makes the SP-8 a power-ful audio control system.

WITH THIS OVERBRIDGE configuration input sources increase eightfold! Theswitches are illuminated and field legendable, making operation straightforward.

EQUALIZATION — Wheatstone started out as an EQcompany; we know what you need. Mono modules havethree band sweep frequency EQ, as well as a high passfilter to eliminated rumble and pop. Stereo modules havesmooth stereo tracking three-band EQ with six frequencyselections. Both module types feature super quiet electronicEQ in/out switching.THREE INPUT MODULES TO CHOOSE FROM — (left)

mono mic/line with separate mic and line gain knobs; (cen-ter) dual mic mono module with A/B selector switch and in-dependent gain, pad and phantom power switches for eachsource; and (right) a dual stereo line input with separate leftand right gain trim controls.

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The SP-8 is significantly different intechnology from most other consoles.Virtually every critical audio path isswitched electronically to achieve the ut-most in reliability. Furthermore, Wheat-stone makes exclusive use of zero imped-ance series shunt technology that solvesthe shortcomings of noise, distortion andcrosstalk that plague the typical circuit-ry commonly found elsewhere. Our out-

THE ON-MODULE MIX-MINUS MATRIX with illuminated switchesis a fast way to generate talent and tech crew foldbacks. Each inputalso has two input mute groups, so you can select inputs that you’lluse for your live segment and other inputs that you’ll use for yourbreak, and mute these groups simply by means of a pair of mastermute switches. The “muted” LED above these switches indicates whena module has been muted by the master mute switch (located on thestereo program master module)

Modules also feed a stereo solo and cue system to keep the op-erator informed. The module status system is complete with a peakoverload indicator and a signal present LED so the operator can bevisually certain a channel is live, plus a machine ready LED, locatedjust below the red illuminated channel ON/machine START button.

Operation is clear and straightforward. The photoon the right shows every module type: an assortment ofmono and stereo inputs, the eight submaster faders(blue), the stereo program master, mono sum and monobus masters, and accessory and monitor modules. Theconsole can be built with these modules placed virtual-ly anywhere within the mainframe.

The Technology Inside

SIGNAL ROUTING — Eight submasters and a stereo bus give plenty of control. Each of the four auxsend knobs can select its signal pre or post fader. Stereo modules have an electronic mode selector, sothey can operate with mono and stereo sources or combine the left and right channels for ENG work.

put stages utilize a precision laser-trimmed servo output configuration thatcan produce a stable drive into balancedand unbalanced loads, and will operatewith a high or a low side grounded. It usesa distributed ground bus system that vir-tually eliminates crosstalk and powersupply interaction.

The SP-8 approaches the theoreticallimits of the technology.

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PRODUCTION CONTROLWhat the SP-8 is ALL ABOUT

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Logical layout makes mixing intuitive and enjoyable

SUBMASTER MODULESEach module handles two sub-

masters, so the operator can usethem as independent odd/evenmasters or work the faders in pairsfor stereo. Inputs can be routed tothe submasters and then con-trolled as a group (i.e., field mics,audience mics) and then be as-signed to the stereo or mono mas-ter outputs. Optionally, becausethe submasters have direct out-puts, they can be left unassignedto the masters, and operate as in-dependent feeds, such as satelliteuplinks, foldback or tape record-er outputs.

These modules also house theconsole’s send and mix-minusmaster controls and meter circuits(see above). A powerful talkback

TOTAL FLEXIBILITY with four send masters and four mix-minus masters, each with asolo switch so the operator can hear exactly what the console is sending. Also included:a meter selector switch, so the operator can see and accurately set signal levels. Frontpanel calibration controls make adjustments easy.

communication system is builtinto each of these modules,allowing the console op-erator to talk direct-ly to any of thefour auxiliary

send masters, the four MXM mas-ters, or to the direct output of anyof the eight submasters. This per-mits the console operator and fold-back recipient to communicatefreely during setup and rehearsaloperations. SPEED—that’s whatthe SP-8 is all about.

STEREO LINE RETURNS The console has four auxilia-

ry stereo line inputs, each withassignment to the submaster andstereo master busses.

OUTPUT MODULESThe stereo master provides the

main program output which can inturn be assigned to the mono busmaster (a separate mono sum out-put is also included). Its panel alsohosts the A and B channel groupmute masters. Any in-put whose “A”mute group

button is activated will be mutedwhen the “A” mute master switchis pressed, and unmuted when it’spressed again. This allows the op-erator to control large banks of in-puts between live and commercialbreaks by simply pressing twomaster mute buttons.

MACHINE LINK SYSTEMThis feature (defeatable) only

allows source machines that arerouted to the stereo master to startwhen their corresponding chan-nels are engaged. This assures theoperator a machine is ready to beaired and will only trigger when theconsole has been properly config-ured; hence avoiding false startsand disastrous recuing delays.

The meterbridge is hinged, allowing instant access to the clock,timer and VU meters for easy relamping. Wheatstone builds audioconsoles with ease of service as a major design objective.

Easy Access a Major Design Goal

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FLEXIBLE MONITORS — Thestandard control room/studio moni-tor module (righthand double panel)houses a calibration oscillator, head-phone jack, control room monitor andstudio monitor output controls andthe console timer controls. The op-tional second studio module (imme-diately to the left) allows the SP-8 tosupport an additional studio outputwith operator/studio talkback andseparate monitor source selector(see lefthand photo). An optionaltape remote panel is also shown.

Comprehensive Monitor Sourcing Makes Mixing Easy

monitors & options

PLENTY OF MONITOR INPUTS — Optional eightbankpreselector panel (left) can expand the input capability of a con-trol room or studio monitor module or be used to feed an indi-vidual input module; (center) close-up of optional second studiomodule monitor source selector; (right) closeup of top of stan-dard monitor module showing separate source selectors forcontrol room and studio.

Monitoring and monitor logicform the communication hubof audio tasking

Twin studio support makes thetransition from set one to set twostraightforward. Both can be set fortheir relevant programs and left ready.The SP-8 has studio one, studio two,and control room mute busses thatare pre dipswitch-programmed on in-dividual mic and line input modules.The console also has a twin on-air tal-ly system (with relay closures) to com-plete the functions required. Inputmodules can also be pre-programmedto automatically reset and restart theconsole’s optional onboard timer bymeans of an auto restart bus.

The control room module has abalanced stereo line level out and afront panel headphone jack with on-board power amp. It also has a sepa-rate solo/cue output port in additionto a solo/control room interrupt (de-featable). The solo output can feed anexternal cue system if desired.

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A wire concealment panel keeps the control room neat.Quick release latches allow easy panel removal. XLR mic, lineconnections and switched TRS insert jacks are the industrystandards that make interface easy and field alterations fast.Input module control signals use DB-9 connectors. Submastersand masters use gold contact DB-25 connectors to achieveboth high density and high reliability interconnects.

Everything You Need Right at Your Fingertips!Uncluttered layout is easy to read and understand—quick to learn.

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S/N RATIO:Line 90dBMic 74dBHEADROOM:ref +4dBu 24dBuDIM:Line, +4dBu 0.008%Line, +24dBu 0.003%Mic, +24dBu 0.010%THD + N: (20Hz-20KHz)Line, +4dBu 0.005%Line, +24dBu 0.005%Mic, +24dBu (1KHz) 0.01%IMD (SMPTE):Line, +4dBu 0.006%Line, +24dBu 0.005%Mic, +24dBu 0.007%MAXIMUM GAIN:Line 26dB input, 38dB consoleMic 86dB input, 98dB consoleGAIN TRIM RANGEMono Line ±15dBStereo Line ±15dBMic +43dB to +74dB)Pad 20dB (nom.)

Technical Performance Specifications(Typical 24 channel console; unless otherwise noted testconditions are line +4dBu in, mic -50dBu in, output +4dBu)

DYNAMIC RANGE:Line 114dBMic 98dBFREQ RESPONSE:Line, 20Hz-20KHz ±0.2dBMic, 20Hz-20KHz ±0.5dBBUS CROSSTALK:1KHz -100dB20KHz -80dBOFF ISOLATION:20Hz-20KHz -110dBCMMR: (60Hz)Line -75dBMic (ref -50dBu) -85dBSLEW RATE: 15V/µsMIC NOISE: -128dBu EINMAX INPUT LEVEL:Line +28dBuMic +4dBuMAX OUTPUT LEVEL:(600 load) +27dBm

+28dBu

Specifications and features subject to change without notice

SP-8 Audio Mixing Console

29 1/4"

36 3/8"(40 1/4")

24 7/8"

14 1/4"(18 1/4")

5 3/8"

39 1/8"(43 1/8")

SP-8 AUDIO CONSOLESide Dimensions

Dimensions in ( ) refer to SP-8 console with overbridge preselector option

TECHTALK

A Technician’s Dream:

In addition to the furniture standshown here, the SP-8 consolemay also be placed on acountertop or have its lowersideplate section removed forthrough-hole installations.

Clean layout, clear labeling, easy componentaccess and attached I/O panel assure easyserviceability. Meticulous construction andelectronic switching give unsurpassedperformance.

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