SweetVinyl SugarCube SC-2 recorder/processor combines the amazing, real-time audio restoration capabilities of the SC-1 with integrated, archive quality recording capabilities.
SweetVinyl has created something of a stir with their amazing SugarCube SC-1; a real-time processor which is able to remove unwanted clicks pops and unwanted aberrations in real-time, and at the touch of a button! Amazing! Following on from the SugarCube SC-1 comes the predictably titled SugarCube SC-2; uniquely, the SC-2 allows real-time recording for archiving of precious records.
Let’s dive in deeper and examine the great features which make the SweetVinyl SugarCube SC-2 invaluable to the vinyl enthusiast…
SugarCube SC-2 – Archival and Restoration
Part of the joy of owning a large collection of records is the curation and enjoyment of a physical music library. Whilst it’s undeniable that online streaming offers great convenience, the joy and satisfaction of owning one’s own personal library of tangible media, is something very special indeed.
For all of us involved in collecting vinyl, we naturally gravitate towards records in the best possible condition and treat them with the care and respect they deserve. A regular regime of record cleaning and good handling procedures will protect and preserve your precious records for a great many years to come.
What if the only available recording of a particular work though is on an old record which has suffered the ravages of time? An obscure classical performance by a rare performer, of which it’s highly unlikely one would find a digital copy anywhere. What if the record is so obscure it would take considerable effort to track down and replace it with a pristine copy?
For these instances, the SugarCube SC-2 is a complete godsend: a high quality, real-time audio processor, which can not only “restore” records in real time, but also produce Hi-Res digital copies in real-time. For those with an interest in archiving and enjoying their vinyl collection, no matter the condition, the Sweetvinyl SugarCube SC-2 deserves close investigation.
Non-Destructive Restoration
We’ve all been there; a treasured record or beloved performance, ruined by one constant “tick-tick-tick”. Wouldn’t it be great to be able to push a button and have that go away? Wouldn’t it be great to hear the music as intended without the unfortunate effects of previous careless handling? With the SugarCube SC-2, that dream becomes reality.
A front panel control allows the user to engage the real-time click removal for instant “Non-Destructive Restoration”, a term SweetVinyl have coined to describe the ability the SC-2 (and SC-1) have in preserving the quality and nuances of the original recording. No sonic signature is added or removed; all that’s taken away is the invasive sound of pops and clicks – magic!
The audio path of the SC-2, just like it’s baby-brother the SC-1, is switched in and out via relay switching; many digital audio processors achieve a signal ‘bypass’ via bypassing the DSP code, however, this leaves the analogue signal needlessly digitised. With relay switching, your signal remains utterly untouched by processing when set to bypass.
Hi-Res Recording
Of key interest to those concerned with digitally archiving their collection, the SugarCube SC-2 adds the ability to make extremely high quality, Hi-Res recordings. The 192kHz/24 Bit converters employed ensure extremely high-quality levels of conversion, ensuring your precious record collection is preserved and archived in the highest possible quality.
SugarCube SC-2 is enabled with network connection capabilities; connect via cabled ethernet, or over Wi-Fi with the enclosed USB dongle. Whilst front panel operation of functions is possible, iOS and Android apps allow full control of the SC-2 via smartphone or tablet. Recording is simple with clever functions such as automatic LP metadata identification and tagging, track splitting and recording to connected USB storage.
There can be little doubt, that for the dedicated vinyl collector and those wishing to digitally archive their valuable record collections, the Sweetvinyl SugarCube SC-2 recorder/processor is an essential item.