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SPL Crimson
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SPL Crimson

USB audio interface from SPL

Public price: $725 incl. VAT
Italiamusic Italiamusic
Published on 02/11/14 at 07:13
I chose the Spl Crimson due to its ease-of-use and the number of inputs, it allows me to plug in a mic, guitar, synths, and a drum machine. The most essential functions are accessible without the need to touch the mouse, which is really comfortable, in my view. I would've preferred having all inputs on the rear, but you can't always have everything you want.

The Spl is connected via Usb to my Asus laptop with an Intel Core i5 processor, 4Gb RAM and running windows 7 64bits.

It's a pity it doesn't have a Totalmix-like routing software. This means everything is done from within the DAW.

USE

After several days of use, the drivers have proven stable and I've had no issues. I don't use my computer exclusively for music, right now I use it for Cubase 5 and Internet without any problems.
When I unplug the Crimson, the pc automatically switches back to the internal soundcard.

I only record track by track, so I haven't tried out more.... I compared a piano recording done with the Crimson and one of the same tune I had done with an RME 96/32. My ears couldn't tell any difference.

I get an output latency of 256 samples / 5 ms and an input latency of 185 samples / 4 ms.

OPERATION

You first need to download the drivers from Spl.info.

The manual is a single page with connection diagrams and all functions explained. A bit "light," I'd say...

For example, I can't find a solution to how I can have two mics connected to inputs 1 and 2 and use my synth on stereo inputs 1-2, I'm forced to always unplug one to use the other! I hope I can find a solution, otherwise it means it has only 4 simultaneous analog inputs, not 8.

OVERALL OPINION

I've been using it for less than a week and it's my fourth soundcard after the Line 6 ux1, Edirol fa-101 and RME 96/32. The RME, which I sold a month ago, was a real leap in terms of the quality of the converters. I can't make any direct comparisons, but I still have the same room, the same speakers (fostex pm-1) and ─ I hope ─ the same ears, I don't have the sensation of having gone backwards. It's hard to objectify an improvement, my first impression was that of having a bigger stereo image and a sound definition that only exposed my amateur mixes. For the most part, the sound coming out of this sturdy metal box isn't flattering to my recordings, which I think is interesting.
I have also listened to my favorite bands and the definition is even more impressive.
To wrap it up, I'm entirely satisfied with it (hoping to solve the issue with the simultaneous inputs).