Attenuator |
Analog power supply |
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Attenuator is a network of audio grade relays and precision resistors, similar to a stepped attenuator, except that it is mechanicaly lot more stable and durable.
As it is processor controlled it can be used for all level control functions simultaneously.. Monitoring signal passes just imput and output amplifier and attenuator inbetween. |
Tere is a separate power supply for analog and digital circuitry, relays and LED's..
It is a discrete analog design with high quality control element, with Elna capacitors and encapsulated toroidal transformer with electrostatic shield.
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Relays and impedance balanced outputs |
Illuminated switches |
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Relays are used for all audio signal switching. Toggle switches on main unit only switch relays.
All outputs are impedance balanced, to avoid unperfection of symetrical output stages. These are in fact single ended outputs with additional ground reference and noise cancelling performance of a balanced circuit.
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Lighted ITW switches provide remote control.
There are no menues. Each switch has only one, clearly labelled function. Only frequently used functions are available, while some others like downmixing etc are left to software.
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Should I use Control Room or an analog monitor controller?
When Steinberg introduced Control Room in Nuendo this was the question of the day. However, there are two good reasons to use (analog) monitor controller:
1-Volume control should always be analog. Pulling a fader in Nuendo down by 6 dB will lower the audio resolution by 1 bit. There is an interesting discussion of Don Lavry and Bob Katz on Prosoundweb about this:
http://recforums.prosoundweb.com/index.php/t/3078/0/
2- Loudspeakers should not be directly connected to an audio card. Imagine computer crash with all digital garbage going directly into the monitors, without any possibility to prevent it, except pulling the cables out.
Nevertheless, Control Room can be very usefull providing functions which are not easily available in analog domain, like Bass Management and Downmixing. MC06 has Bass management with limited founctionality. It is used to extend the lower range of the monitoring system mainly and not for various Bass Redirections etc. This is best left to software.
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