The SPL BiG [Studio] is a professional stereo image processor in 19″ rack format, designed for professional mixing and mastering environments, BiG [Studio] expands the stereo image with stunning clarity, depth, and precision — all while maintaining perfect mono compatibility. BiG [Studio] delivers truly larger than life sound with its new tube harmonic circuit and high-voltage ±18V internal audio rails for unparalleled sonic headroom.
 
Unlike traditional M/S processors, BiG [Studio] employs a completely new analog filter network to derive and process the stereo difference signal before blending it back into the mix. The result is an immersive stereo field that feels expansive, musical, and emotionally engaging — without introducing phase cancellations or unwanted artifacts when summed to mono.
 
The Range, Stage and Bigness controls are used to precisely define the frequency spectrum, change the spatial depth and adjust the intensity of the stereo extension. The newly developed Tube Harmonics circuit generates harmonic overtones that can be controlled via the Tube Harmonics control. This analog tube circuit lends the signal a subtle saturation and increases the spatial perception. The Harmonics switch activates the tube stage and indicates the warm-up status with a flashing signal during the warm-up phase.
 
An additional bass switch allows a targeted bass boost according to the AirBass principle of the SPL IRON Mastering Compressor. This uses an analog filter that boosts the low frequency range by 2 dB at around 42 Hz. BiG [Studio] works with electronically balanced XLR and TRS connectors, which are connected in parallel and support a nominal level of +6 dB. Thanks to the special signal processing, the processed signal remains free of phase shifts or cancellations even when summed in mono.
 
The robust housing is made of powder-coated steel, the 4 mm thick front panel is made of black anodized aluminium. Solid aluminum knobs ensure precise haptics and durability in daily studio use. The SPL BiG [Studio] is manufactured entirely in Germany at SPL’s own production facility in the Lower Rhine region. The device is therefore designed for professional studio use in the areas of mixing, mastering and post-production, where precise spatial control and overtone refinement of the stereo signal are required.
 
BiG [Studio] enlarges the stereo image in a new manner and opens up new creative ways of sound shaping.
 
Creative Control
Range
- Defines the frequency range that will be processed, allowing you to focus the stereo expansion exactly where it’s needed.
Stage
- Moves the selected frequency range forward or backward in the stereo field, letting you sculpt spatial depth with precision.
Bigness
- Controls the overall intensity of the stereo enhancement, from subtle width to massive dimensionality.
Tube Harmonics
- The Tube Harmonics control adjusts the intensity of the harmonics generated in the tube.
Harmonics
- When the Harmonics switch is activated, the tube circuit which generates harmonics is in the signal path. If this switch flashes, the device is in “warm-up” mode. The tubes are being brought to the optimum operating temperature.
More bass!
- The bass switch can be used to activate an additional bass boost
at the end of the BiG [Studio] processing chain. The bass boost is performed by a filter similar to the one used in the AirBass function of the SPL IRON Mastering Compressor.
Inputs and outputs
- All inputs and outputs of the BiG [Studio] are equipped with XLR jacks with gold-plated contacts and TRS jacks. The XLR and TRS jacks are connected in parallel. Signal transmission is electronically balanced at a nominal level of 6 +dB.
Ground
- The ground switch on the rear panel of the BiG [Studio] can be used to eliminate ground loops by disconnecting the internal ground from the housing ground when the switch is pressed.