SPL BIG

Stereo image-expansion processor with tube harmonics

• 500 Series stereo imaging processor, dual-slot module
• Selective frequency processing: choose the band with Range and position it in space with Stage
• Bigness control to adjust the intensity and depth of the effect
• Passive bass filter after processing to maintain punch and solidity in the low end
• Dedicated bypass and signal LEDs on the left and right channels
• Circuit with through-hole components, built for daily studio use

SPL BiG is a stereo image-widening processor designed for professionals working in mixing, mastering, post-production, and sound design who want to precisely shape the stereo field without resorting to generic effects. It draws on the expertise of SPL, a leading German manufacturer of analog studio electronics, and brings a frequency-based approach to imaging to a Series 500 module: rather than indiscriminately widening the entire signal, you choose which portion of the spectrum to shift and where to place it.

Frequency-Selective Stereo Imaging with the SPL BiG 500 Series

At the heart of the BiG is a three-step workflow that’s easy to remember and intuitive to use during a session. First, you identify the frequency band to target; then, you decide where to place it in the mix’s depth; finally, you adjust how pronounced the effect should be. The result is zone-based control over the stereo image that preserves the elements that need to remain stable.

Range: Choose the frequency band to process

Use the Range control to select the frequency range to be processed. In practice, you can broaden only the mid-high range of a guitar bus or a pad, leaving the body and fundamental frequencies of the instruments unchanged, or work on a wider range when you need to open up the entire mix.

Stage: Move the selected frequency band forward or backward

The Stage control moves the selected range within the depth of the soundstage: to the foreground, to the center of the image, or further back. It’s the tool that allows you to create perspective in the mix, separating elements from one another and giving each its own space without relying solely on pan and reverb.

Bigness: Adjusts the intensity and depth of the effect

With the Bigness knob, you adjust how noticeable the processing should be—from a barely perceptible tweak during mastering to a pronounced widening on individual buses or creative elements in sound design.

Solid bass even with a widened stereo field

Widening the stereo image can rob the low end of weight and definition. SPL BiG incorporates a passive filter that engages after the stereo processing and restores presence to the low frequencies, so kicks and bass retain their punch and center even when the rest of the mix opens up to the sides.

In-session control: bypass and signal LEDs on the SPL module

The bypass switch lets you instantly compare the processed signal with the original one to verify that the processing actually improves the mix. The two signal LEDs indicate the presence of audio on the left and right channels—a useful visual confirmation when the module is mounted in a 500 Series rack with multiple processors in the chain.

Through-hole component construction

The BiG’s circuitry is built with through-hole components, a design choice SPL adopts for sound quality and long-term durability. Its dual-slot format makes it easy to integrate into any lunchbox or 500 Series rack already in your setup.

SPL BiG Technical Specifications

• Type: stereo imaging processor
• Format: 500 Series module, dual-slot
• Controls: Range, Stage, Bigness
• Passive post-processing low-cut filter
• Bypass switch
• Signal LEDs for left and right channels
• Circuit with through-hole components
• Weight: 0.9 kg