Moonface Studio adds SPL Charisma 8 to the rack...

In our never-ending quest for great sounds and unique ways to draw out every bit of audio quality we can from a given instrument, amp, mic....even performer, we are *constantly* looking at new or different gear that will help us on this quest. While it is true that quality is relative, and that a good performance and technique are the most important elements of making a great track...having some high-quality, esoteric gear in the rack never hurts!

We were looking for a way to make our drum sounds ‘bigger’ and more ‘dangerous’. We had considered many options. We have what we believe are the right microphones, preamps, compressors, etc...but it sounded like something  was missing. When we stumbled across an SPL Charisma 8, we thought that might be the ticket.

We were right! This is an 8-channel tube processor that provides fantastic sonics, coupled with ‘natural’ compression and limiting, as well as granular control over gain and ways to shape tone.

The unit has 8 individually controlled channels. Each channel has 3 controls -Drive, Charisma and Output. The Drive knob controls the amount of tube saturation the signal is imparted with. the Charisma control is a unique control that, essentially acts like a compression ‘curve’. CCW rotation imparts a ‘soft-knee’ type of natural tube compression. CW rotation imparts more of a hard-knee, limiting type of compression. A lot of control is offered between the first 2 knobs. The final, Output knob allows for rolling off the gain if necessary to compensate for added Drive.

The sound that this unit gives to drums is amazing! It gives the drums and almost ‘finished’, fat, punchy tone and feel. The natural compression  is the perfect touch to taming drum dynamics, adding huge punch and keeping cymbals under control.

We couldn’t believe how much this unit improved the sound and control we had over our drum chain!

What’s better? Well - it isn’t just for drums! This unit does its magic on guitars, vocals, even bass. And, perhaps best of all, running the master bus through 2 channels of this unit gives the entire song a warm, saturated, punchy sound...kind-a like the sound you get from recording to old, analog tape!

This one is definitely a keeper! SPL no longer makes the 8-channel version of the Charisma. We feel very lucky to have found one in perfect shape! SPL still sells a 2-channel version. If that were all that was available, we’d HAVE to buy 4 of them!

Come in and hear it for yourself!