[da goose]

Dear all,

All studios have at least one set of monitors which need easy volume control and switching between in and outputs and a mute, mono etc switches, specially when you are working computer based (DAW)
Some people use a small mixer for that which will color the sound, adds noise, adds distortion and so your monitors do not give the sound you really need.
Right now I’m in the middle of designing a 100% passive monitor controller with a 24 steps attenuator which is a LOT better!
My design is 100% passive which means no sound is going through any electronics, just relays for switching and hi precision resistor networks for a ‘what goes in comes out’ exactly the same way.

The prototype is done and I’m really satisfied with the result, it’s a 1 unit high 19 inch case with 3 stereo inputs and 2 monitor outputs and a separate subwoofer output, all switch-able from the panel.
Besides that it has a mono switch, left and right separated mute, a dim switch (instant 15db softer), input 3 has a extra 12 steps attenuator and it has a low noise, high output headphone out with volume control.
All the knobs are of really high quality and are illuminated with a 2 color led (red/green) so you see what is going on instantly just by looking at the switch.
The main attenuator is made in 24 steps going from 0db to -33db with 1.5db per step and it has a real BIG aluminum knob to tweak. Because of the 24 steps it’s really easy to use for a calibrated monitor setting (83db k-system) and it doesn’t have any stereoshift at all because of the precision resistors (less then 1%), standard pot meters have a real big disadvantage, they have a lot of resistance shifting (about 15%) between channels making it impossible for proper adjustment.
The box is completely balanced which is not really necessary for a monitor controller and makes it quite expensive but I thought it was worth it.

I designed this controller with my own studio situation in mind but now I want to make a version that will suit a lot of people and so I want to ask you some questions about what YOU search for in a monitor controller.
I would really appreciate it if you took some time thinking about what you would like to have in your studio for controlling your monitors, just use your imagination!
I have made a small list of items that will be on it but this could be changed depending on the results of my little ‘passivemonitorcontrollerinvestigation’

• 3 inputs with a 3 way switch (is 3 inputs enough?)
• 1 input with separate stepped attenuator (unbalanced)
• 2 switchable monitor outputs (could be more)
• Subwoofer output with in/out switch (stepped level control?)
• mono summing switch (check mono compatibility)
• dim switch (instant 20db dimming of the sound, is 20db ok?)
• Left/right separate mute switch (is just mute ok?)
• Headphone output with gaincontrol
• Main attenuator (goldplated Elma), 1.5db per step, 24 steps from 0db > -33db (could be any value, is -33db enough?)
• All outputs XLR connectors, 2x input XLR, 1x input 6.3mm jack (unbalanced)
• Should all input/outputs be balanced? (expensive because everything needs to be doubled L+-, R+-)
• What other options would you like to see?
• What color do you want it to be? (could be a custom color for fitting your studio’s design)
• What are you willing to pay for a box like this?

If you have any more questions, ideas or what ever, please feel free to contact me!

With kind regards,
Jeffrey de Gans