Overview of 518

12

 

 

Overview as Mastering Processor (Type 2)

 

Recorder

 

Mixer

ADC

 

 

518

Recorder

 

DAT

 

 

Using 518 as a Mastering Processor

 

The 518 is closely related to the highly respected Meridian 618 Mastering

Processor; in fact 518 uses identical DSP to the 618 in this mode.

The Meridian 618 has been used for over three years by some of the world's most experienced recording engineers and there is a long and growing list of superior CDs that have used 618 in their production. See page 4.

A mastering processor is used during recording, editing and transfer processes. In the course of making a CD for example, the music may pass through 518 two, three or four times.

The diagram shows 518 between a recorder – which may be DAT, reel– reel, CDR, MO or hard disk – and a source which may be also a recorder or an analogue-to-digital converter (ADC).

The Mastering processor provides these important functions at each stage:

∙de-jittering

∙matching wordlengths output to input

∙translating between consumer and professional serial interface modes

∙stripping subcode and some flags

∙level-shifting to optimise dynamic range

∙fading during edits

∙multiple re-dithering options

∙DSP application of pre-emphasis or de-emphasis

∙RS232 control

Overview as Multimedia Processor (Type 2)

 

 

 

CDR

 

Computer

 

DAT

Mixer

ADC

518

Computer

 

CD/DAT

 

Speaker

Using 518 as a Multimedia Processor

The Multimedia application of 518 is somewhat similar to the Mastering

Processor just described.

Inevitably a PC is a very unfriendly place for high-quality sound for a number of reasons. The nature of the electrical environment, the block (i.e. 'jerky') access of hard-disc data and severe electrical noise combine to seriously limit the jitter performance of digital audio functions and the analogue performance of sound cards.

The principle benefits of using 518 in multimedia systems are:

518 User Guide