SPL BRAINWORX Mastering Compressor Instruction Manual

BiG redefines the way we perceive stereo imaging, providing unparalleled depth and width with an intuitive, streamlined design. With just three carefully crafted controls, users can effortlessly shape and expand their stereo field, opening up fresh creative possibilities for mixing and sound design. This innovative module has already garnered accolades, winning the 2024 TEC Award in the Signal jmProcessing Hardware (500 Series Modules) category, solidifying its position as a revolutionary tool for audio professionals worldwide.

In BiG a difference-signal derived from the stereo input is processed by an analog filter network before mixed back to the original signal in a special mixing stage. This is not M/S processing but a completely different and new way of stereo-processing. The processed stereo signal, when summed to mono, creates a clean mono signal without phase shifts, cancellations, or other unwanted artifacts.

“SPL’s BiG is a double-slot 500 series module designed by the same minds that brought you the SPL Iron Mastering Compressor. BiG uses stereo information – audio with little or no correlation between the left and right channels and allows its manipulation using three simple hardware controls. The big thing about BiG is that its processing collapses accurately down to mono and is phase accurate – no matter how much you use.” – Barry Rudolph

In collaboration with SPL, Brainworx presents an exact plugin replica of the award-winning BiG hardware, faithfully modeled using our proprietary component modeling technology. Staying true to BiG’s minimalist design, we’ve introduced only subtle plugin-exclusive enhancements, allowing the original concept to shine without interference.

For added versatility in modern in-the-box audio production, we have integrated a foldable module with powerful stereo-processing features. This includes input & output meters, M/S metering, correlation and balance meters, as well as our renowned Mono-Maker, stereo balance, mid and side panning, output gain, and an automatic gain compensation feature.

These plugin-exclusive tools are designed to expand creative control over stereo imaging, providing essential resources for precision and depth in any digital audio environment.

Thank you for choosing SPL BiG. We hope you enjoy it!

Key Features

The following list gives you an overview of SPL BiG’s key features:

Modeled exactly after the original SPL BiG design, schematics and hardware in very close cooperation with SPL Audio.
Unique design by Wolfgang Neumann to enhance the spatial information of a stereo source without loosing mono compatibility.
Low parameter count leads into speedy and comfortable handling.
Plugin-only features:
- Panorama controls
- Output gain with automatic gain compensation
- Stereo and M/S metering
- Mid/Side solo function

SPL BiG Overview

SPL BiG consists of the following areas and main controls:

Top toolbar: Additional global controls relevant to the plugin’s processing. For more information, refer to Top toolbar.
Hardware section: The core of SPL BiG. For more information, refer to Hardware section.
Expert section: Plugin-only features in the Panorama and Metering sub sections. For more information, refer to Expert section.
Bottom toolbar: Preferences, license information, and documentation. For more information, refer to Bottom toolbar.

Hardware Section

The hardware section: low parameter count, affective impact.

This section consists of the following controls:

Bypass: The On/Bypass switch activates or deactivates (Bypass) the module.
Signal LEDs: Indicates present signals for both channels.
Expert: Shows/hides panorama controls and metering.
Range: With the Range control, the frequency range which should be processed can be selected.
Stage: With the Stage control, the frequency range previously selected with the Range control can be moved backwards or forwards on the stereo stage.
Bass: The Bass/Off switch can be used to activate (Bass) or deactivate (Off) an additional bass boost following the Bigness section. The bass boost is performed by a passive filter implemented in a similar circuit to the one used in the AirBass function of the SPL Iron Mastering Compressor.
Bigness: The huge Bigness control adjusts the intensity of the stereo image shaping.

Expert Section

The expert section adds useful plugin-only features into the workflow of SPL BiG and is divided in two subsections:

Panorama

The Panorama area includes stereo tools and output gain.

This subsection consists of the following controls:

Stereo Balalnce: Shifts the stereo image to the left or right side.
Pan Mid: Panning the mid-channel shifts signals out of the center of your mix.
Pan Side: Panning the side-channel rather tilts your stereo information around the stable midinformation.
Mono Maker: Sweepable from 20 to 2000 Hz, this parameter folds the processed sound to mono below the selected frequency.
Auto [Gain]: When activated, a performed analysis compares the volume of input and output signal to set the output gain to a position matching the processed signal to the input volume. A better comparison is achieved.
Output [Gain]: Adjusts the output level of the plugin.

Metering

Observe BiG’s impact to the stereo field and output level.
This subsection consists of the following controls:

Balance: A single LED displays the center weighting of the stereo-signal.
Correlation: A single LED displays the correlation / stereo-compatibility of the processed audio.
In: Shows the level of the incoming audio.
M/S: Shows the mid- and side-levels of the output signal.
Out: Shows the level of the processed audio.

Top Toolbar

Additional global controls related to plugin settings and processing are available in the top toolbar.

Power: Bypasses the processor when disengaged.
UI Size: Sets the size of the plugin‘s user interface.
↩︎ ↪︎: Undo and redo changes made to controls up to 32 steps.
Bank A B C D: Each preset allows you to switch between four banks (A, B, C, D) of controls.
Copy: Copy the active settings to memory.
Paste: Paste the copied settings to the active bank.
Reset: Reset the current bank.
Solo M: Isolates to audit the mid (sum) signal being processed by the plugin.
Solo S: Isolates to audit the side (difference) signal processed by the plugin.

Clicking the company logo or the plugin name will open a splash screen containing team credits and the UI default setting.

Bottom Toolbar

Preferences, license information, and documentation are available in the bottom toolbar.

Plugin Alliance Logo: If your computer is online, clicking the Plugin Alliance logo will take you to the Plugin Alliance website via your web browser.
License Info: The toolbar displays information about the type of license you’re running. Trial licenses are displayed along with the number of days until expiration; there is no note for full jlicenses, as these are unlimited.
Dollar Icon: If you are using a demo/trial version of a Brainworx product, you can click this icon to open a browser that redirects you to the respective product page in the Plugin Alliance store. Here, you can purchase a product without searching for it on the Plugin Alliance website.
Key Icon: Clicking on the key icon brings up the activation dialog, allowing you to manually reauthorize a device in the event of a license upgrade or addition. You can also use this feature to activate additional computers or USB flash drives.
Help Icon: Clicking the help icon opens a context menu that links to the product manual PDF and other helpful links, such as checking for product updates online. You must have a PDF reader installed on your computer to read the manual.;
- Open Manual… with your operation system’s preferred PDF reader. You must have a PDF
  reader installed on your computer to read the manual.
- Product Info… will take you to the product page of SPL BiG if your computer is online.
- Download Updates… leads you to the product page’s Downloads-Section.
- Legal Info… opens a pop-up window declaring legal usage of third party technology.
- Plugin Alliance Website… will take you to the Plugin Alliance website via your web browser.
- Usage Data Tracking… will open a pop-up window to activate or deactivate Usage Data Tracking.

Additional Information

Installation

Plugin Alliance – Installation Manager

SPL BiG is available with our free Plugin Alliance Installation Manager desktop application.

The Installer Manager lets you install any or all of our products in one go. You can also select the plugin formats you need to install (AAX, VST, VST3, AU).

For download and further information, visit https://www.plugin-alliance.com/en/installationmanager.html

Alternatively, you could download an individual offline installer from your account and the product page: https://www.plugin-alliance.com/en/products/spl_big.html.

Modifier keys

You can use the following keyboard commands to control SPL BiG.

Function	AU	VST / VST3	AAX
Fine Control	[shift]	[shift]	Mac: [command] Win: [Ctrl]
Jump between default and last setting	[option]	Mac: [command] Win: [Ctrl]	Mac: [option] Win: [Alt]

Usage data tracking

Help us improve your experience.

Plugin Alliance by Native Instruments is using data tracking to improve the user experience and usability of our products. Data tracking can be deactivated at any time in the help menu. This data is collected according to our Privacy Policy.

Online resources

SPL Audio homepage:

https://spl.audio/

System requirements & supported platforms:

https://www.plugin-alliance.com/en/systemrequirements.html

Details about your product:

https://www.plugin-alliance.com/en/products/spl_big.html

Installation, activation, authorisation and FAQ:

https://www.plugin-alliance.com/en/support.html

Credits

Concept and Hardware Development: Wolfgang Neumann, SPL Audio
Programming and Algorithms: Yunus Proch
UI-Design: Goran Lizdek
Product Management: Christoph Tkocz, Albert Gabriel

Documents / Resources

SPL BRAINWORX Mastering Compressor [pdf] Instruction Manual
BRAINWORX Mastering Compressor, BRAINWORX, Mastering Compressor, Compressor

References

User Manual

Welcome to SPL BiG