SPL monitor control

[Igotsoul4u]

Anyone have the SPC MTC 2381? Really interested in some user opinions. Can you sum input sources i.e. can i press multiple buttons and have them show up together at the main outputs.

[Lagerfeldt]

Yup.

[macleodgrant]

so what are the latest opinions on this unit, i'm seriously considering getting it to replace my Mackie Big Knob which is pretty crap sounding

you all happy with it?

[kittonian]

SPL really does make some great products and I'm glad to say that I've had a hand in one of their newest offerings being released at this year's AES show. It doesn't have all the bells and whistles of the MTC but it has more than the standard Volume2 (sorry, don't want to spoil the release with too many details). Let's just say it's a nice middle ground between the two products.

If you need all the functionality of the MTC, by all means go for it. Are there better monitor controllers? Sure, but they are exponentially more expensive (i.e. CraneSong Avocet, Dangerous Monitor/MQ combo). The MTC does a lot for not too much money and SPL's support is also really great if/when you need it.

[kittonian]

Just saw that SPL did a press release a couple days ago so I guess I can spill the beans. Take a look.

Harmony Central®: SPL Presents 2Control, a New Monitor And Headphone Controller

[mrbobb]

I have the unit and find it perfect for a studio of my size and capacity. I compared all of the major players in this field and even though the Big Knob and Central Station were the more popular choice, I decided to spend a bit more and go with the quality that SPL delivers. Been happy ever since I got it. The headphone amp crapped out on me a few months after I got it, but SPL took care of the repair very quickly. Get it.

[trustyjim]

I have had the SPL MTC for about a year and a half now. It works very well for my needs. The unit was perfectly reliable up until about two months ago, when one of the Speaker 1 outputs started shorting occassionally. After some experimenting I believe it is due to the fact that I often rest my elbow on the unit while I adjust other gear behind it. I only have two sets of speakers, so I solved the problem by using the Speaker 2 and Speaker 3 outputs.

The unit sounds good and is very flexible. I haven't used the Big Knob so I can't really compare the two. I think in order to outperform the SPL you would have to spend significantly more on something like an Avocet. The SPL does have a very, very, very low-level hiss which I imagine would be gone with the Avocet.

Hope that helps!

[kosi]

Yep, one of the big plus points is the ability to monitor different sources at the same time. I miss that now, as I upgraded to a Grace Design 904, cause I needed digital inputs, which the SPL doesn't have.

I had a problem with a scratching volume pot, but SPL did send a spare for free on the next day, so, that was easy. I liked the flexibility, but I hated the look.
It did a good job for 2 years, good value for the money.

[macleodgrant]

wow, it seems you all experienced a problem with the unit at some point. do you reckon it was a bad batch or something?

the BK is imo crap but it's built like a tank

any others loving the box and not experienced any problems with it?

[duvalle]

Originally Posted by macleodgrant

the BK is imo crap but it's built like a tank

i use the big knob too.
i don't think it sounds like "crap" but i do have the feeling that an upgrade is
necessary now. ;-)

i think the new spl 2Control thing looks very nice!

[TVPostSound]

I have had the SPL MTC for about a year and a half now. It works very well for my needs. The unit was perfectly reliable up until about two months ago, when one of the Speaker 1 outputs started shorting occassionally.

Contact :
Marty Druckman (SPL USA)
Phone +1 951 272 3465

He will arrange a warranty repair.
I had both he dim and mute buttons making noise, he had me send it to Thermal relief
in Las Vegas, Fedex'd out Thursday, had it back to me the next Thursday. (Im in L.A.)
Great service from both of them! Mine was the SMC 2489

The SPL does have a very, very, very low-level hiss

You might want to have that fixed, as mine never had noise!

[Nu Mixer]

I own the 2381. Perfect functionality for my studio.

BUT at lower volumes the stereo image moves drastically left.

AND now the main volume knob is very scratchy. (static when I change levels).

[macleodgrant]

Originally Posted by Nu Mixer

I own the 2381. Perfect functionality for my studio.

BUT at lower volumes the stereo image moves drastically left.

AND now the main volume knob is very scratchy. (static when I change levels).

seriously....that's a lot of issues in one thread. i might need to look at other options

[masterblaster]

I love mine but have the same issue with low volume monitoring. Everything goes left. not subtle.

[jchadstopherhuez]

Originally Posted by masterblaster

I love mine but have the same issue with low volume monitoring. Everything goes left. not subtle.

i've found the same thing...but if i use the DIM switch...everything is just fine at low volumes.

my spl 2381 has been a GREAT addition to my new room. i have an old discrete yamaha desk that i monitor with..(and sometimes mix) and the 2381 acts as the "center section".

i have 3 sets of speakers setup...and can monitor 5 seperate sources..(6 if you count the musician input.)

its a great box....clean...transparent...and great for the $$. the next step up would be the crane song avocet....in my opinion.

for the $$....the spl has worked out great for me.

no issues with the build quality either.

best,

jchristopherhughes

[David Rick]

I've owned a SPL 2380 SMC for several years. It's been completely reliable, despite being pulled off the desk several times by cats trying to climb the cabling.

David

[jchadstopherhuez]

p.s.

ZERO noise issues with my spl.

EONS better sound than the big knob.

best,

jchristopherhughes

[macleodgrant]

Originally Posted by masterblaster

I love mine but have the same issue with low volume monitoring. Everything goes left. not subtle.

this happens on my Big Knob too...what gives?

[CorkyTart]

Originally Posted by masterblaster

I love mine but have the same issue with low volume monitoring. Everything goes left. not subtle.

Seems to make it useless if thats the case.

[fooman]

My ATTY does the same thing, things go left when I turn it down. I actually have to monitor louder than I want in order to have the stereo image where it's supposed to be...

[Dopamine]

same here. would love to get this fixed! scratchy output knob is VERY annoying too.

[janek 68]

I use SPL and it`s much better than Big Knob i used previously.I should say that difference is huge.

[u b k]

Originally Posted by fooman

My ATTY does the same thing, things go left when I turn it down. I actually have to monitor louder than I want in order to have the stereo image where it's supposed to be...

turn down the input trim on your monitors. use an spl meter and tones to get them calibrated so that 80% on your atty = 85db in the room.

that'll keep you clear of the lower range on the pot.


gregoire
del
ubk
.

[SPL]

Hi all,

interesting thread, let me stress again the importance of proper gaining for the operation of volume controllers.
UBK nailed it, thank you. Proper gaining solves noise issues (see MTC noise specs) and "fading" pot issues.

MTC/pot and switch noise (scratching, clicks ...)
We often could relate the MTC "quality" aspects as described here to external problems, mostly caused by DC offsets. We admit sometimes it has also been a MTC component that failed, but far more often we have improved installations .
Grounding issues can produce DC offsets, but also other units can produce them. On proper grounding read the article from John Watkinson (link below), to check external units disconnect each one and re-connect on by one until the problem comes up. Contact us anytime if problems can not be solved.

On "fading" pots:
This is just normal for standard pots. In most cases you don't notice that because you don't use a pot at the start or end of its range.
The actually used volume scale on the MTC should range from about 10-11 o'clock (low levels - really!) to 14-15 o'clock for louder levels -- and above as you like...
The mechanical construction of a pot makes start and end positions esp. critical -- so don' t use them for critical listening. This is not an "SPL/MTC issue", it is a fact for every pot we use every day (that is why other companies were mentioned here, too).

We are permanently taking great care to get the best components for the money (alone to keep repairs low is a good reason for us!). We know all components in the different price ranges, for example up to the best potentiometers available in our mastering gear. But the volume pot of the DMC alone is not significantly cheaper than the MTC <http://www.soundperformancelab.com/index.php?id=73&L=1>

John Watkinson on grounding:
<http://www.resolutionmag.com/pdfs/DRAGONS/grounding.pdf>

Best regards,
Paul