SPL Surround Monitor Controller

Model 2489

One-point stereo and 5.1 volume control, source and speaker management

"But the best part about the SMC was its sound, or rather lack of sound." (MIX Magazine, US)

The SPL Surround Monitor Controller (SMC) is a one-point analog volume control and switching matrix for system-independent 5.1 surround and stereo monitoring for essentially any audio application:

  • Surround and stereo production
  • DVD-V, DVD-A, SACD and DTS authoring
  • Film and video postproduction
  • Video and game production
  • A/V and multimedia production
  • Audiophile home entertainment systems

The advantages of the SMC become especially apparent in combination with modern audio and video production tools such as ProTools™, Nuendo™, Cubase™, Logic™, Deck™ etc.

One of the SMC's biggest advantages is the possibility to manage several input sources, i. e. for comparing and monitoring SACD or DVD material.

 

Who needs analog level control?

Simply put—most DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) users. A majority of D/A converters and sound cards provide nothing in the way of analog level monitoring control, and this means the necessity of varying signal levels at the converter outputs. The result is a lowered bit rate in the monitoring signal, which can lead to commensurate loss of audio quality.
Electronic controls (for example in AV receivers) employ VCA and DAC components which tend to produce more distortions, or the signal runs through further AD/DA converters for the volume control. Thus especially with high resolution audio (24/96kHz, SACD, DVD-A ...), only a high-quality analog, direct control of the source output ensures an unimpaired playback of the original information.

Rob James, Resolution (GB):

"Anyone seriously contemplating working in surround with a workstation-based rig should be looking at this box. It is built like a tank and is suitable for monitoring surround mixes in 5.1 formats all the way up to DVD-A and SACD mastering."