Help finding a monitor controller

[goodkeys]

Hi everybody,

Looking for a new monitor controller as my Palmer Monicon XL is playing up. Sometimes, the left channel is significantly quieter than the right. Switching mute and/or mono usually fixes the issue. Nevertheless, I'd prefer a controller that just works.

What I need:

- 1 x XLR input

- 2 x XLR outputs (or 1 x XLR output and 1 x RCA output).

- 1 x headphone output

It would also be nice to have a mono/stereo switch and a mid/side switch. That is not a must have though.

My setup is RME Aio Pro > monitor controller > Geithain RL906, Quad ESL 57 (= second set of speakers), headphones.

Ideally, the price should be below $150.

The Douk Little Bear MC2 is the only thing I have found so far. This looks perfect except for the missing headphone output. Another option is the TC BMC-2, which has a mid/side switch. However, there is only one XLR output. The other speaker output is digital.

Are there any other options that fit the bill?

Thank you for your help.

 

[G|force]

API, Grace, Crane Song, Heritage Audio all make nice MC's with stepped resistors, but $150 is a tough ask.

 

[JeremyFife]

I was wondering about these a while ago, but didn't go in that direction so I don't have practical experience - but the Behringer Studio M (passive, no headphone out, cheap) was on my list. I see that the Behringer Monitor2USB (powered) looks interesting too.

 

[pierre]

You could use a rme arc, ~150$? With a dac for aes to analog. You would get your 2 outs and all controls on the arc.

 

[goodkeys]

Thanks for chiming in everbody!

but $150 is a tough ask.

Unfortunately, that's what I'm finding out. I can't increase the budget by much. You'd think it should be possible to get a volume knob with two speaker outputs and a headphone output for that price. But alas, I am not finding many options.

I was wondering about these a while ago, but didn't go in that direction so I don't have practical experience - but the Behringer Studio M (passive, no headphone out, cheap) was on my list. I see that the Behringer Monitor2USB (powered) looks interesting too.

The Behringer Studio XL's measurements are so poor that I don't feel adventurous enough to try the Studio M, and I can't find any reliable data on the Monitor2USB. I think I'd rather sacrifice the headphone output and go with the Little Bear than take a blind chance.

You could use a rme arc, ~150$? With a dac for aes to analog. You would get your 2 outs and all controls on the arc.

Good idea! I am hesitating because of the additional DAC. A quick search suggests that an additional transparent DAC would exceed my budget quite significantly.

It's good to know that I did not miss an obvious choice at least.

 

[respice finem]

Just a thought (considering low budget): The Monicon XL is 5 years old, so, with a little luck, a tiny bit of good contact spray might give it another 5 years.

 

[Sokel]

Just a thought (considering low budget): The Monicon XL is 5 years old, so, with a little luck, a tiny bit of good contact spray might give it another 5 years.

Agree, only has to make sure it's the one without oil.

 

[pierre]

You could use a rme arc, ~150$? With a dac for aes to analog. You would get your 2 outs and all controls on the arc.

Add a spdif optical to rca dac for 30€ ?

 

[goodkeys]

Good idea to try contact spray. I will do that.

Add a spdif optical to rca dac for 30€ ?

Investigating this now. Actually, I wouldn't even need a DAC as I have a breakout cable with two XLR outputs for the AIO Pro. I might need two XLR female-to-male adapters, but that's not a problem.

With ARC, there is no safety net in case of software crashes. If TotalMix or Windows crashes and emits loud noise, I cannot quickly shut off the speakers. With a monitor controller, I can shut off the sound within a second or two. Not with ARC. Is this a concern for people who use digital volume control? Fortunately, it doesn't happen often. However, it has happened a few times with Cubase (in which case ARC would hopefully work) and once or twice with a Windows blue screen of death. I feel safer when there is a physical control to shut down the speakers. How do people with digital volume control deal with this?

Another smaller concern I have with ARC is the lack of volume indication. There is no readout on the device. I'd have to open TotalMix every time to check the volume setting.

Finally, my speakers produce a hissing noise when the PC shuts down. This can easily be shut off with the Monicon. I couldn't block that with ARC either.

 

[respice finem]

BTW: Don't apply too much of the spray, move the treated parts repeatedly and wait for the spray to penetrate (1-2 hours should do)

 

[G|force]

Maybe take a look at the Mackie Big Knob range?

They aren't as expensive as the others I mentioned but use a conventional pot for volume control so L/R channel tracking isn't perfect like a stepped resistor.