Monitor Managers

[TuoKaerf]

I'm looking to pick up a monitor controller in the near future. I'm used to using the monitor sections on consoles, and know basically nothing about the single controllers. Any ideas?

I've used the Martinsound and the Dangerous systems before, however I can't drop that kind of cash.

It needs to have at least 2 selectable sources, and be able to control 2 pairs+ of monitors. I'd also prefer a stepped attenuator, for recall and calibration purposes. Talkback functions would be great also.

 

[TragikRemix]

i think you're more knowledged in this than i am, but what the hell, ill give it a go..

if it were me building a new (or adding) monitor chain, i would try something different, rather than using analog outs from my interface and get a D/A converter.

here's my thoughts;

Apogee mini DAC (non USB version) http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MiniDAC/ using the S/Pdif inputs (just because thats conveinent for me)

Presonus Central Station, (add the remote somwhere) http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/CentralStat/

now, im not sure what the stepped attenuator is, business, but i've got a slight idea..

for monitors, i would go for a pair of JBL LSR4328's, and a pair of NS10m's with a Crown D75, (old school meets new wave lol)

just a thought, i would buy that junk if it where me.

 

[orksnork]

i personally haven't heard much of an in between...

i've heard plenty of reputable people say they leave complete confidence in the quality of a presonus central station as their monitoring control....

moving from there...what you've mentioned (dangerous etc) seems to be the next step....

i've never heard, but could also MENTION, the mack big knob...either of those should have the right price for you short of getting the kuh-razy real shit




as far as stepped attenuation, i've got nothing for you...

 

[technominds]

Mackie do a monitor control with a talkback feature. Big Knob or something?

Yup, thats is.. http://www.mackie.com/products/bigknob/

Hope that helps

 

[xstatic]

I had the Presonus once for about 2 hours before I returned it. I did not like the way it changed the sound. Both the converter and the headphone amp were pretty dissappointing to me. I would take a look at the Hear Technologies Talkback/monitor control unit. You can even even talkback and monitor switching remotes to it

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/TalkBackMV/

If you can afford a little more here is one by SPL that I have not used but looks like exactly what you are looking for, and another by Coleman.

http://www.mercenary.com/splmtstmoand.html
http://www.mercenary.com/colaudtb4tal.html
http://www.mercenary.com/coaum3mk.html

Personally, the Coleman looks pretyt versatile, but something strikes me about the SPL. It looks like a lot of features in a well designed package.

 

[RAK]

Mackie Big Knob.
I mean, it's called the Big Knob. I haven't actually used it, but it looks pretty comprehensive.

 

[Audiocave]

I have the mackie big knob and am quite happy with it. It has the features that you are looking for with the exception of the stepped attenuator. I find it to be very clean sounding and like the balanced inputs. Here's a good description of it from Sound on Sound
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/feb05/articles/mackiebigknob.htm

Just be careful how you ask for one at your local music store I got a bit of a laugh when asked if they had a big knob for me.

 

[studiomaster]

The Mackie Big Knob is probably the most crucial piece of gear in my studio.

 

[kojdogg]

I've heard good things about the A-designs Atty2'd (clever name ) in terms of audio quality, but it doesn't have stepped attenuators sadly-- that's usually a higher ticket feature, nor does it have talkback, but it handles enough inputs to just patch one in from a mixer or something

 

[Massive Master]

I had a Central Station for quite a while - Thought it was wonderful. Transparent, easily calibrated - and a very capable D/A built-in.

 

[kojdogg]

I had a Central Station for quite a while - Thought it was wonderful. Transparent, easily calibrated - and a very capable D/A built-in.

good to know for future gearlusting!

 

[ofajen]

I have a monitor output built into my lowly M-Audio Omni I/O.

I just run it through a passive Shallco stepped pot I had made: 0 dB down to -20dB by 1 dB steps and then off. I use the monitor level adjust to calibrate the 0 dB setting to the RP 200 standard (-20 dBFS pink noise file produces 83 dB SPL at the monitoring position with one speaker driven). Some things I mix up at 0 dB, other stuff I might turn down, but never more than 6 dB. Turning down monitor gain, of course, forces you to mix louder and compress more to keep the same overall loudness. I usually make final decisions about loudness after I mix and keep a decent amount of dynamic range in my mixes.

I just run the signal from the Shallco pot to my power amp and large monitors. I don't mess with small monitors in the studio. I will check things on small systems, but I don't use them for mixing. But then, I'm weird.

Cheers,

Otto