SM Pro Audio M Patch 2 or Samson C Control?

[dickiefunk]

Hi. I've been looking to get a small mixer for monitoring and was advised on another thread to go for a passive volume controller.
I have seen 2 within my budget which are the :-

SM Pro Audio M Patch 2 Welcome to SM Pro Audio

Samson C Control Samson Audio - C-control

Which would you recommend as having the best audio quality and cleanest signal?

Many Thanks

[moledog]

I haven't used the Samson, so I can't give you a fair answer, however I'm very pleased with my M-Patch 2 - clean signal.

I really like the big, easy-to-grab knob for the main volume.

Also, if you can live without the lights/LEDs (and headphone amp) on the M-Patch, then you don't even need to power it (wall-wart) for it to work.

[moledog]

Just remembered another thing I like about the M-Patch 2...

It's got a Mono/Stereo switch, which is great for mixing.

[xist]

I agree, I had a good experience with m-patch2. For the price it's hard to beat!

[gsharp]

The M-Patch sounds better as it has no sound. The C-Control isn't passive; it has amps in the circuit. I had the C-Control first, tried the M-Patch (1) and preferred it. I kept the C-Control to use as a headphone amp/talkback mic.

[Sonics]

M-Patch 2. Totally passive... Dosent change the sound at all... But remember ,All the way up is as hot as the signal output is from your source.

[JRo]

I have the M-Patch 2 .. too. It's great. Sounds like whatever you put into it, big volume knobs.. you can hook up 2 different sets of monitors, headphones AND it does mono/stereo switching.

Works great!

[dickiefunk]

Thanks for the replies! I think I'm fairly decided on the M Patch 2. One thing I'm gonna miss is having the facilities to plug in a bass / guitar / synth for rehearsal purposes. If I were to get the M Patch 2, what would be the best way around this? Should I get a small mixer aswell for rehearsal purposes?

My current setup is an Echo Layla 3G, Behringer HA4700, Tannoy Reveal 8D's and soon the M Patch 2. If I were to add a small mixer, how should I connect it into this setup?

[dickiefunk]

Just read this on another forum. :confused:

Originally Posted by where02190

We tested the Presonus Central Station, Mackie Big Knob and Samson C-Control, and of the 3 the C-Control actually had the least coloration. All 3 were extremely quiet, no audible noise whatsoever. In blind testing here in an uncontrolled environment (cuz we're all so out of control....LOL!!!) we all picked the C-Control as the best sounding, but honestly I think they all sounded the same. We ran some electronic testing, and none had outputs that were audibly different from inputs. Doing phase inversion testing, the results of all were silence.

Welcome to NP Studios

Hmm? Might the Samson C Control offer all the features I need in one box without having to buy an external mixer? If the C-Control adds no noise then would it be better than my Soundcraft M8? The talkback on the Samson C Control is another handy feature that I'd find useful.

Am I splitting hairs here in terms of audio quality between the M Patch 2 and C Control or is the M Patch noticiebly quiter and uncoloured than the C Control? (sorry if I'm dragging this thread out but I'm unable to audition these units myself due to location and have to rely on other peoples experience)

Thanks

[Confusionator]

Buy 'em both; return the one you don't want; post your results!

[Finnish]

+1 for M-Patch 2, I like it a lot and for the price it's

[mrufino1]

To confuse you further... I have the c-control, just got it recently, and it works really well, I am very happy with it and don't notice anything adversely affected sound-wise. I also have an smpro pr8e and have been very happy with it, so I don't think their stuff is bad at all, and the head of smpro (Danny) is very helpful and will answer any questions you have.

[cable]

my c-control audibly "clicks" a little bit when the buttons are pushed or when the volume knob is brought from 0 up a bit. other then that i've had no problems with it and it sounds great.

[slaves666]

C Control here, I had the main volume knob replaced after around 6 months. Besides that I think its great. I will soon upgrade to the Central Station, but only after a few new pre-amps. :)

[drycounty]

Just set up my 2nd set of monitors (thanks Warren) and got the SMPro MPatch2 hooked up. Looks great in a rack and the controls couldn't be easier. Now I'll have less stress on my Firepod.

Quick question for those who have set the MPatch up -- I've got XLRs connected to my smaller nearfields. My alternate set of monitors are some vintage Altecs that used to run out of my firepod via RCA cables. I know I can get an XLR-RCA adapters, just curious what this might do to the signal and if it might somehow affect the other channel (being unbalanced). Just curious, thanks.