In the age of mixer‑less studios, monitor controllers are on the rise!
The first thing that springs to mind when you think of analogue consoles is likely their front end — the mic preamps, filters, EQs, dynamics processors, and so on — but their monitoring sections also played a hugely important role in the traditional studio, providing a convenient way to switch between input sources and speaker systems, set monitoring levels, communicate with artists and quickly check a mix’s mono compatibility, among other things.
Many studios today have no console; we often look to modern audio interfaces, DAW software and plug‑ins now to provide some of these facilities. But there still remain strong arguments for using a dedicated physical device. A hardware monitor controller can accommodate additional input sources and speaker outputs, without sacrificing interface I/O or even requiring you to boot up your computer. It can put dedicated controls for your most‑used functions within arm’s reach. Importantly, it puts a hardware volume control between your interface and speakers too, and could potentially save your equipment or ears in the event of unexpected level jumps or full‑scale noise caused by a computer or interface crash.
There’s no shortage of monitor controllers available now, and they come in various shapes and sizes. Some are passive, others use active electronics, and they range from simple stereo volume controls, through desktop devices with more features, up to very sophisticated rackmount units with remote controls that handle large amounts of I/O and incorporate cue‑mixing and talkback facilities. If you want to learn more about monitor controllers in general, and why certain facilities might or might not be useful to you, check out Hugh Robjohns’ October 2021 article (sosm.ag/monitor-controllers). This month, we’ll shine the SOS Spotlight on a selection of desktop monitor controllers intended for those working in stereo.
API MC531
API MC531
Designed to bring fully featured monitor control to DAW users, API’s MC531 is a standalone version of the centre section of their renowned analogue consoles. Three stereo line‑level inputs are joined by a switchable USB/AES3 digital input, while mobile devices are catered for by front‑ and rear‑panel mini‑jack inputs and Bluetooth connectivity. You get three stereo line‑level outputs along with a mono output designed for feeding a subwoofer (all with independent level trims) and an output for driving an external meter, as well as a pair of independent headphone amps that can either mirror the control room signal or receive any of the five inputs. Along with level control, the MC531 offers mono, dim and mute (left, right and overall) functions, and also features a built‑in talkback mic.
$2495£2495 including VAT.
Audient Nero
Audient Nero
Another manufacturer bringing their console expertise to the standalone controller world are Audient. The Nero combines a pair of line‑level inputs with a dedicated cue input and an alt source that will accept either unbalanced line‑level (via RCA or mini‑jack) or digital (coaxial or optical S/PDIF) signals. There’s also a built‑in talkback mic, as well as the option of connecting an external one. Three pairs of speaker outputs are joined by a mono subwoofer out, and there are four headphone outputs that each benefit from their own top‑panel level controls and source selection switches. The main level control utilises Audient’s Precision Matched Attenuation Technology to ensure perfectly matched volume in the left and right channels, and as well as dim, mute and mono buttons, the Nero includes a polarity switch, making it possible to audition the stereo difference (Sides) signal. Different monitoring configurations can be saved using a Smart Touchpoints system, which offers some handy features such as permanently setting an output to mono without preventing the mono switch from working on other sources.
$579£375
Drawmer CMC & MC Series
Of the seven monitor controllers in Drawmer’s range, you’ll find four desktop models aimed at stereo setups. The smallest, the CMC2, has a pair of balanced stereo inputs and an unbalanced mini‑jack input, along with support for two pairs of speakers, a dedicated mono subwoofer output and a built‑in headphone amp. Its larger sibling, the CMC3, adds a third stereo output and a second headphone amp, along with a digital S/PDIF input and both internal and external talkback options. Both are kitted out with mute, dim, mono and polarity switches, and the CMC3 adds individual left/right mutes, and the ability to store and recall a listening level.
Drawmer MC2.1
Next up is the MC2.1, which features two balanced stereo inputs along with an unbalanced input on both mini‑jack and RCA connectors, along with three stereo outputs, a subwoofer out and two headphone amps. All of the monitor outputs benefit from individual level trims, and there’s a built‑in talkback mic that can be routed elsewhere, thanks to a rear‑panel output. As for monitoring checks, the MC2.1 offers left, right and overall mutes along with dim, polarity and mono functions. Lastly, the MC3.1 expands connectivity even further with an AES (or S/PDIF) digital input and external talkback connectivity, as well as introducing a Cue section that can route any input to either headphone amp independently of the main output. A greater selection of monitoring checks are present, too, with low‑, mid‑ and high‑band solos joined by a left/right swap function.
Drawmer MC3.1
CMC2 $359£300, CMC3 $799£582, MC2.1 $799£543, MC3.1 $1249£849.
Hayakumo Izarai
Hayakumo Izarai
The Hayakumo Izarai is a compact controller that features a simple, passive design and employs high‑quality Japanese‑made components. Rather than a potentiometer, the unit uses a 23‑step rotary switch for level‑control duties, allowing it to offer adjustment in fixed steps (2dB increments in the most‑used range, and 5 or 10 dB steps at the upper and lower zones), as well as guaranteeing accurate stereo tracking. A pair of stereo inputs are joined by three stereo outputs, one of which can be switched in and out independently — a handy function to have when using the output to connect a subwoofer — and a thru output for feeding an external meter. You also get mono and mute functions, as well as a dim switch that can be set to apply either 10 or 20 dB of attenuation.
$530$530
Heritage Audio RAM Series
Heritage Audio RAM 1000
As well as their large rackmount System 5000, Heritage Audio’s range of monitor controllers includes a trio of desktop units that cater for a variety of needs and budgets. First up is the Baby RAM, a compact passive unit equipped with a pair of stereo inputs and outputs, a 24‑step rotary switch that offers level adjustment in 3dB steps, and a trio of buttons that provide mono, mute and dim functions. The larger RAM 1000 adds a headphone amp, an input level meter and a third stereo input that offers convenient Bluetooth connectivity. Stepping things up a gear, the RAM System 2000 features a trio of analogue inputs and outputs along with subwoofer and mix outputs, and includes both S/PDIF and Bluetooth inputs. There’s also a second headphone amp and additional stereo I/O connections for routing cue mixes to artists, along with a built‑in talkback mic with three routing options. A 64‑step switch offers volume adjustment in 1dB increments, and it’s possible to store and recall two preset listening levels.
Baby RAM $199£168, RAM 1000 $499£483, RAM System 2000 $999£739.
Lake People MC100
Lake People MC100
Lake People’s MC100 has a useful selection of analogue I/O, including two balanced stereo inputs, and unbalanced inputs on both mini‑jack and RCA sockets. It also includes a USB port that allows it to function as a high‑quality D‑A converter, capable of handling PCM signals up to 32‑bit/384kHz and DSD 556. The inputs can be activated individually or simultaneously, and can be routed to four outputs (three stereo and one mono subwoofer out) as well as a pair of slave outputs designed to feed external meters or recorders. There’s also a built‑in headphone amp with an adjustable crossfeed feature designed to emulate the experience of listening on loudspeakers. Level adjustment is handled by a 41‑detent ALPS RK27 potentiometer, and there’s a healthy selection of function switches including left, right and overall mutes, left/right swap, polarity, dim and mono. There’s also the MC100 Pro, which replaces the volume control used in the standard model with a 256‑step relay‑controlled attenuator.
MC100 €1899.89€1899.89, MC100 Pro €2399.90€2399.90.
Mackie Big Knob Passive
Mackie Big Knob Passive
Although the larger models in Mackie’s popular Big Knob range have now evolved into audio interfaces, the series still includes a dedicated standalone monitor controller in the form of the Big Knob Passive (not to be confused with the original Big Knob, which was active). As its name suggests, this device has a passive signal path, while Source and Monitor Select buttons make it possible to switch between two input sources and two pairs of monitors. Along with its large volume control, the unit is equipped with mono, mute and dim functions.
$69.99£73.15
Palmer Monicon XL
Palmer Monicon XL
Palmer’s Monicon XL has been designed to act as the centrepiece of a modern studio setup, combining input and speaker switching with talkback and cue‑mix facilities. There are two balanced line‑level inputs, and a third input that will accept either unbalanced analogue line‑level signals through a pair of RCA phono connectors or a mini‑jack input, or a digital S/PDIF on a separate RCA connector. The unit’s three speaker outputs all feature an adjustable level trim, and they’re joined by a summed mono output that’s intended for hooking up a subwoofer or dedicated mono reference speaker. As well as feeding the main monitoring path, any input can also serve as a cue mix, and there are two headphone amps that can be switched between main and cue mix paths — both signal paths can also be passed on to external gear using rear‑panel outputs. Volume, mute, mono and dim controls are provided and, as well as a stereo level meter, the Monicon XL also boasts a correlation meter that provides a visual indication of a mix’s mono compatibility.
$399.99£324
PreSonus Monitor Station V2 & MicroStation‑BT
PreSonus Monitor Station V2
The latest iteration of PreSonus’ flagship desktop monitor controller aims to offer a convenient and affordable way of managing a studio’s monitoring system. Two pairs of analogue stereo inputs are joined by a third channel that accepts either a digital S/PDIF signal on its own RCA connector, or unbalanced analogue via mini‑jack or RCA. You get three pairs of monitor outputs with individual level trims, and four headphone amps that can monitor either the controller’s main output or any of the three input signals. There’s also a built‑in talkback mic for communication with artists over their headphones, and the cue mix can be passed on to other devices thanks to a pair of rear‑panel outputs. Along with the obligatory volume control, the Monitor Station V2 is equipped with mono, mute and dim buttons. If you’re after a more compact solution, PreSonus also offer the MicroStation‑BT, which pairs a single stereo input and output with a subwoofer out and a wireless Bluetooth input.
PreSonus MicroStation‑BT
Monitor Station V2 $349.99£249, MicroStation BT $129.99£104.
Radial Nuance Select
Radial Nuance Select
Radial devices are well known for their bulletproof construction and impressive technical performance, and their recently introduced monitor controller is no exception. The Nuance Select is housed in a rugged steel chassis with an aluminium faceplate, and employs all‑analogue Class‑A circuitry that achieves an outstandingly low THD figure of less than 0.00001%! The device is capable of switching between two input sources and two pairs of monitors, and includes a mono output designed to feed a subwoofer. There’s also a pair of headphone amps with independent level controls and source‑selection switches, along with an unbalanced stereo output that allows signals to be passed on to other gear. As for monitoring functions, the Nuance Select’s large level control is joined by mono, mute and dim buttons.
$699.99£835.58
RCF MC‑1
RCF MC‑1
Housed in a compact, rugged steel chassis, RCF’s MC‑1 is a simple passive controller capable of switching between two input sources and two pairs of speakers. The first input accepts balanced line‑level signals via XLR/TRS combo sockets, while the second caters to both balanced and unbalanced devices with a pair of quarter‑inch TRS connectors and a stereo mini‑jack input — both outputs are provided on XLR sockets. On the top panel, you’ll find a pair of switches for selecting the active input and output, as well as a large volume control with mute, mono and dim buttons.
$149£84
SPL MTC Mk2 & 2Control
SPL 2Control
SPL’s range boasts some very serious, high‑end mastering consoles and surround controllers, but they also offer several more compact desktop units that are designed for simpler stereo setups. Their simplest is the Control One, which features a pair of stereo inputs and outputs, along with a subwoofer out, a line output for passing the selected input to another device, a mono switch, and a built‑in headphone amp with an adjustable crossfeed control based on SPL’s Phonitor Matrix. The 2Control then offers a pair of stereo inputs (which can both be active at once) with three stereo monitor outputs and a mono output for feeding a sub or single speaker, as well as adding a second headphone output. Their flagship stereo desktop unit, the MTC Mk2, still features four outputs (three stereo and one mono), but doubles the input count and includes a built‑in talkback mic. Additional cue mix, talkback and metering outputs are present, and one of the inputs can be configured as a dedicated artist cue mix. A healthy selection of monitoring function buttons is provided, including left/right swap, polarity, mono, dim and mute.
Control One $599£472, 2Control $699£568.99, MTC Mk2 $1299£1090.