The Glensound SPARK 3 is the most technically proficient commentary/announcer interface available in such a small design. For applications where desk space is at a premium, but quality and features are still paramount, Glensound proudly introduces the Spark 3. This model has the same capabilities as the base Spark, but has 3 extra talkback channels and monitors.
Glensound Grade Mic Amp
The Spark includes the highly regarded Glensound Grade mic amp system. This results in a clean audio input without distortion or clipping that can be taken live to air with confidence and without any further processing. The mic input is on the rear panel via a 3-pin XLR socket. A small pot adjusts the gain level, and there is a switch for 48v phantom power. You can also set mic gain, phantom power, and the compressor via the GlenController remote software.
Glensound Referee Compressor/Limiter System
Glensound has been fine-tuning the way input signals are managed for decades. Glensound boxes are used in live news and sports environments, where the announcer can get immediately overenthusiastic and be screaming down the microphone. Glensound manages this input in two ways. One is by giving the input a high headroom to prevent clipping in the first place, then by using a specially configured compressor/limiter system. This system does not affect the general dynamics of the audio, so there is no lifting of levels. It only becomes active as the signal reaches peaks and approaches clipping. Then a gentle compression is added that, in a uniform manner, becomes harder and harder as the signal approaches clipping. The result is a background system that does not affect the general dynamics of the input, but prevents it from clipping.
Headphone Mixer
The front panel has a small monitoring pot that is routed to the headphones from the inputs on the Dante network. This is a sprung pot that is kept flush with the panel when not in use. Pressing it in slightly allows it to spring out to make adjustments, and then return to the flush position. This method allowed the functionality of pots for the monitoring input, but also allowed us to keep the overall dimensions of the Spark to a minimum. Using the GlenController remote, a total of 4x inputs can be adjusted directly (with only one adjustable directly on the unit), and each input can be set to a separate pan position. The pot can also be set to cut at the full anti-clockwise position, or just to a dim level so that the user cannot turn the monitoring input all the way off. These features are also present on the further auxiliary and background monitoring inputs.
Latest Dante Broadway Design
This Broadway Design can receive audio from multiple network connections and allows a higher number of Dante inputs and outputs across the network. The design on the Spark actually presents itself in Dante Controller with 8x inputs and 8x outputs.