The Fast and Complete Solution for High-Quality Tracking
The SPL Track One Mk3 is a compact powerhouse designed for modern recording studios, broadcast suites, podcasts, and live sound applications where speed and absolute sonic precision are essential. Completely revised with upgraded technical specifications, this 1U channel strip provides everything needed to shape raw microphone, line, or DI signals before they reach your digital audio workstation (DAW). By replacing complex multi-processor routing with a streamlined analog architecture, the Track One Mk3 ensures polished, professional results from the very first take.
Product Description
Dual Discrete Preamps with Pristine Clarity:
The input stage of the Track One Mk3 features two independent, sound-neutral preamplifiers designed to capture audio with open, transparent fidelity:
Microphone Preamp: Supplies up to +63 dB of clean gain along with +48V phantom power and a dedicated 6 dB/octave high-pass filter at 80 Hz to cleanly roll off muddy low-frequency room rumbles.
Line and Instrument Preamp: Features a dedicated, selectable front-panel low-noise, high-impedance ($1\text{ M}\Omega$) TS input providing up to +35 dB of gain—perfect for active basses, electric guitars, and vintage synths. A balanced line input provides up to +22 dB of gain for connecting external studio hardware.
Acclaimed Auto-Dynamic De-Esser:
To tame harsh sibilance ($S, Z, T$ sounds) naturally, the strip incorporates SPL’s legendary De-Esser technology. Rather than acting like a standard broadband compressor that darkens the entire vocal, this module dynamically isolates offending sibilant frequencies and mixes them back into the signal path phase-reversed. This cancels out the harsh frequencies invisibly while preserving vocal presence and transparency. Guided by an Auto-Threshold circuit, it compensates for a performer's fluctuating distance from the microphone, letting you dial in perfect correction with just a single S-Reduction control.
Adaptive Compressor / Limiter Stage:
Dynamic control is managed via a streamlined, signal-dependent VCA Compressor/Limiter. Utilizing adaptive time constants (attack and release), the compressor matches its parameters on the fly based on the characteristics of the incoming audio, allowing for effortless set-and-forget operation via a single knob. Flipping the Limiter switch transforms the circuit into a smooth, soft limiter where the threshold is governed by the compression control. A dedicated Make-Up Gain knob supplies up to +20 dB of clean level correction to balance your output gain structure.
Specialized EQ with High-Performance Air Band:
Voiced specifically for tracking vocals, acoustic elements, and electronic instruments, the 3-band semi-parametric equalizer offers smooth tone sweetening:
LMF Filter: Sweeps across low and mid frequencies from 30 Hz to 700 Hz (spanning 4.5 octaves) with $\pm$12 dB of cut or boost.
MHF Filter: Governs mid and high frequencies from 680 Hz to 15 kHz (spanning 4.5 octaves) with $\pm$12 dB of correction to adjust presence and detail.
Air Band: A specialized coil-capacitor filter with a center frequency of 19 kHz and bell characteristics, delivering up to $\pm$10 dB of boutique top-end sheen and vocal lift without introducing harsh artifacts.
Key Features
STREAMLINED 1U ANALOG ENGINE: Houses an ultra-transparent solid-state preamp, de-esser, compressor/limiter, and 3-band EQ in a compact single-rack enclosure.
SOUND-NEUTRAL MIC INPUT: Offers up to +63 dB of low-noise amplification with independent +48V phantom power control.
HI-Z INSTRUMENT INPUT: Low-noise, front-panel instrument path provides up to +35 dB of input gain tailored for guitar or bass tracking.
PHASE-CANCELLATION DE-ESSER: Advanced auto-threshold tracking isolates and actively phase-cancels sibilance to protect natural high-end vocal air.
ADAPTIVE COMPRESSOR/LIMITER: One-knob VCA compressor platform with automated attack/release response and a soft-limiter toggle.
3-BAND SEMI-PARAMETRIC EQ: Features overlapping 4.5-octave low-mid and mid-high frequency controls alongside a customized 19 kHz Air Band.
COMPRESSOR LINK CAPABILITY: Features two rear-panel 1/4" link jacks to pair two separate Track One units together for true stereo compression mapping.
PREMIUM REVISED CHASSIS: Features a robust 4mm thick black-anodized aluminum faceplate, solid-milled aluminum knobs, and a rugged powder-coated steel housing.
Technical Specifications
Feature
Specification
Device Type
Solid-State Analog Mono Channel Strip
Maximum Microphone Gain
+63 dB
Maximum Instrument Input Gain
+35 dB ($1\text{ M}\Omega$ Impedance)
Maximum Line Input Gain
+22 dB ($12\text{ k}\Omega$ Impedance)
Frequency Range (-3 dB)
10 Hz to 180 kHz — Ultra-wide linear response
Dynamic Range
115 dB
Equivalent Input Noise (E.I.N.)
-129 dBu (@ 150 $\Omega$ source impedance)
Noise Floor (Mic Preamp)
-97.5 dBu (A-weighted @ 20 dB gain) / -91.0 dBu (@ 40 dB gain)
Common Mode Rejection (CMRR)
80 dB (@ 1 kHz)
Compressor Type
VCA Technology with Adaptive Automatic Time Constants
Analog Inputs
1 x XLR Balanced (Mic), 1 x 1/4" TS Selectable (Line/Hi-Z Inst), 1 x 1/4" Line Input
Analog Outputs
1 x XLR Balanced (Main Out), 1 x 1/4" TRS Balanced (Line Out)
Link Interface
2 x 1/4" TRS Output (Compressor Stereo Link / Master-Slave selectable)
Power Infrastructure
Internal Linear Power Supply with Shielded Toroidal Transformer
Mains Voltage (Selectable)
230 V AC / 50 Hz or 115 V AC / 60 Hz
Dimensions (W x H x D)
482 x 44 x 300 mm (Standard 19-inch / 1U Rackmount format)
Unit Weight
4.15 kg (9.15 lbs)
What’s Included in the Box
1 x SPL AUDIO Track One Mk3 Mono Channel Strip Unit
1 x Standard AC Power Connectivity Cable (IEC)
1 x Ground-Lift Isolation Toggle Reference Sheet
1 x Official User Operations Manual & Analog Gain Staging Guide
