Need an advice for monitor controller + room correction setup

[EricSabag]

Hi,

I'm a guitar player who mainly plays through studio monitors using an Axe-Fx III and a Quad Cortex. I’m looking for a high-quality way to switch my monitor inputs between the two units without degrading the audio signal. A volume controller would be a nice addition, but it isn't strictly necessary. Ideally, I'm looking for a passive A/B switcher—unless a passive signal path implies a loss in quality.

Additionally, I was looking into the IK Multimedia ARC Studio as a hardware solution for room correction, but then I discovered the Audient ORIA Mini. If I understand correctly, I could use the ORIA as both a room correction tool and an input switcher. I could run the Axe-Fx via S/PDIF into the Audient and the Quad Cortex into the analog inputs, then switch between them using the Audient.

How does the Audient (using Sonarworks) compare to the ARC Studio? Also, are the Audient's outputs high-quality enough that I wouldn't notice a difference between using the Axe-Fx's analog outputs versus running S/PDIF into the Audient?

I would appreciate your advice.

 

[Keith_W]

If you want an analog AB switcher, you can consider an automatic switcher like one of the Bobwire units. Reviewed by Amir here.

If you want a digital switcher with room correction, you will note that that IK ARC Studio you listed has only ONE input. Your switching will involve swapping cables. The ORIA is a bit better, it has one digital and one analog input. But it would be better if it had two digital inputs so that you can avoid an unnecessary DAC-ADC stage.

Nobody can tell you whether one is better than another because I don't think either unit has been independently measured by a third party.

There are a lot of hardware room correction DSP boxes out there. The most popular on ASR is MiniDSP. The question you should be asking is whether the device is fit for your purpose, and the most basic question is whether you can connect your equipment to it! If you choose a device with only one input like that ARC, what is the point?

Re: any switcher, whether analog or digital, I wouldn't worry about loss of quality. These devices are essentially transparent.

 

[EricSabag]

If you want an analog AB switcher, you can consider an automatic switcher like one of the Bobwire units. Reviewed by Amir here.

If you want a digital switcher with room correction, you will note that that IK ARC Studio you listed has only ONE input. Your switching will involve swapping cables. The ORIA is a bit better, it has one digital and one analog input. But it would be better if it had two digital inputs so that you can avoid an unnecessary DAC-ADC stage.

Nobody can tell you whether one is better than another because I don't think either unit has been independently measured by a third party.

There are a lot of hardware room correction DSP boxes out there. The most popular on ASR is MiniDSP. The question you should be asking is whether the device is fit for your purpose, and the most basic question is whether you can connect your equipment to it! If you choose a device with only one input like that ARC, what is the point?

Re: any switcher, whether analog or digital, I wouldn't worry about loss of quality. These devices are essentially transparent.

The Bobwire looks interesting but including shipping much pricier than other options. And in general I prefer not having another active unit. Does a passive unit can be as transparent too?

Two digital inputs aren't needed since the Quad Cortex doesn't have a digital output. I'm mainly wondering about using the digital inputs of the ORIA since I never used digital connections before. So an optional solution(and what I initially though I would need) is a monitor controller for switching + room correction hardware like the Arc.
I just discovered the ORIA which may solve both purposes.

One thing I noticed(using Gemini to investigate) is that the Axe FX SPDIF outputs aren't the same as the ORIA inputs. Which converter is needed? Does it affect latency/quality?

 

[EricSabag]

Bump

 

[Keith_W]

Re: any switcher, whether analog or digital, I wouldn't worry about loss of quality. These devices are essentially transparent.

I have already answered your question.

As for whether the SPDIF output of that Axe FX is compatible with the ORIA, I don't see any reason why it shouldn't be. Set both to the same sample rate / bit depth and it should work.

 

[EricSabag]

I have already answered your question.

As for whether the SPDIF output of that Axe FX is compatible with the ORIA, I don't see any reason why it shouldn't be. Set both to the same sample rate / bit depth and it should work.

I never tried and have no experience with SPDIF, but Gemini claims that the Axe FX uses a Coaxial port while the ORIA uses an optical one, so some kind of converter is required(which is powered and this routing with the converter will lead to another ~2.2ms latency).

I have no idea if this is true or Gemini is lying again, this is why I'm asking.

 

[Keith_W]

I never tried and have no experience with SPDIF, but Gemini claims that the Axe FX uses a Coaxial port while the ORIA uses an optical one, so some kind of converter is required(which is powered and this routing with the converter will lead to another ~2.2ms latency).

You need to look at the back of the units to find your answer. Some googling suggests that Gemini is right. Axe FX has RCA outputs, and Oria has an optical SPDIF. You will need a converter or another unit.

 

[EricSabag]

You need to look at the back of the units to find your answer. Some googling suggests that Gemini is right. Axe FX has RCA outputs, and Oria has an optical SPDIF. You will need a converter or another unit.

Which converter is recommended? Are there disadvantages for using one(sound quality, latency, etc)?

In case of using a converter, I wonder if I better have a dedicated passive switcher together with a room correction hardware.

 

[Keith_W]

Why not just buy a room correction device which has the correct input in the first place instead of worrying about converters? Something like a MiniDSP Flex, SHD, etc. all have coaxial RCA inputs.

 

[EricSabag]

Why not just buy a room correction device which has the correct input in the first place instead of worrying about connectors?

I didn't find one that's not way out of my budget(a room correction device that can switch between two input sources).