A Designs Atty or SM Pro's Nano Patch - which is better?

[beefybassandsub]

torn between the two. Nano Patch looks better and has a nice big volume controller, but I am suspect on the quality as I read some bad reviews of the M Patch.

[Brad McGowan]

That is a good question. The Nano Patch seems like a handy thing to have considering the price. Anyone have one of these?

Brad

[oceantracks]

Originally Posted by beefybassandsub

torn between the two. Nano Patch looks better and has a nice big volume controller, but I am suspect on the quality as I read some bad reviews of the M Patch.

The M Patch 2 is getting good reviews, it's a different beast....

Tom

[whereisbkp]

i'm loving my ATTY
simple and functional

[mamm7215]

I just got the MPatch2. Love it. A bit more than the Nano but it's an awesome monitor controller.

[wanderlust8]

+1 on the MPatch2. I took a lot of time researching, and i keep mine completely passive by not using the optional power cable (for the headphone in the unit). Totally no power draw, completely passive device. Great job on the 2nd version.

[Getafix]

Been using a Nano patch for a few months now, so far so good.

[headwerkn]

I recently bought an M-Patch 2... the build quality is basic but for the money it sounds great (ie. you can't hear it) and it has all the main functionality you'd want from a stereo monitor controller.

Importantly the main volume knob is smooth and comfortable in size, though I do kinda wish it was a solid lump of alloy rather than plastic to give it a bit more weight. But given an even halfway decent controller cost 2-3 times as much and isn't passive, it's a very minor complaint.

[junior]

Originally Posted by whereisbkp

i'm loving my ATTY
simple and functional

+10 on the ATTY - love mine! Plus, Peter @ A-designs is a super nice guy with great customer support, if that matters to ya'... Def worth the extra few bucks, IMO...

[Mr Funk]

Not used the Atty, but expect it will be great.

However, the M-Patch 2 which I do own has to be the best deal out there.

The Nano Patch and I-Patch or whatever it's called will be of equal quality I believe.

I'm sure you could replace the plastic nob if you felt like it quite easily, but all in all, I think the build quality feels fine.

[xhavepatiencex]

I have the nano patch and it works great. My only complaint is in the very low part of its range it messes with the stereo image. Though it is not a big deal for me at least.

[Heartfelt]

Thanks for the heads up, guys. Just ordered a Nano Patch.

[Audio Hombre]

i'll be devil's advocate but i do value fletchers opinions

Originally Posted by Fletcher

BTW... we have 2x ATTY's in our shop... one was either junked or stolen... the other is on the shop stereo. The quality of the pot used is at best marginal, at worst criminal. It not only doesn't have a taper suitable for proper use in a professional environment [my opinion, YMMV], but the two sides track like ass from left to right causing the image of the audio to wag back and forth like the tail on a happy puppy. On a sonic level I have found it to add a measure of "bark" to the audio I don't find musically pleasing.

Yes, I am brutally aware that it is the only thing known to humans in the $100- range that does what it do... and that's a great thing!!! The problem being that when you're serious about your audio [even if you're trying to use the thing as an output level attenuator on the output of a mic pre] the sound of the pot [yes, I know it's passive... but that don't mean the audio won't be affected by it's addition to the signal path] is less than good.

As always... YMMV... but mine hasn't in all the years I've had those things around. They're good enough for the "shop stereo"... but no where near good enough for anything we'd even remotely consider printing.

[junior]

FWIW, I remember there being a problem with some of the earlier units having bad pots. When I got mine (second hand off ebay), I thought it was junk...

One call to Peter and he issued an RMA and had the repaired unit returned to me within a few days. Sounds perfect, built like a brick and terrific customer service.

I almost bought one of those SM Audio units (and I'm sure they're decent), but I'm glad I went with the A-Designs unit.

[Jimbo]

There's another product new on the market that you should consider.

Unfortunately, I can't remember the manufacturer. However, it provides passive attenuation for either 6 mono or 3 stereo channels, and the price is relatively low.

I believe TapeOp recently reviewed it, and I think it's made by one of the smaller, boutique-type places......LittleLabs maybe?

Someone help me out here.....I suffer from CRS (Can't Remember Shyte).

<edit> OK, I found it. It's the LittleLabs Redcloud: REDCLOUD 8810U8ERS BALANCED ATTENUATOR PACK </edit>

[Audio Hombre]

thanks for the info, jimbo. that looks really great, especially to have around when doing some drums where the guy kills his kit. LL is a company i would trust.

and knowing what i do of a-designs, if there was a QC prob with their early units, i'm sure they would have remedied it, pronto.

[Brad Lunde]

I think an ATTY solution is a good one. It sounds very neutral, I didn't have the sonic problem Fletcher reported.

The trouble is that a passive attentuator that tracks 100% perfect L/R at low level is like hundreds (or thousands) more. Active remote volume controls have a gain stage and they ALL sound worse unless they are extremely well designed (and expensive). So the ATTY still looks like the best for the least in a volume control that doesn't muck up the audio.

I think they are ideal for a remote speaker voume or a preamp output volume.

Brad

[mentat]

Just tacking onto this thread for anyone who has a M-Patch 2 - does anyone use the headphone amp? Is it a bit cumbersome to turn the main monitor volume down and then turn headphone volume up every you want to use headphone?

Asked that question and more here if anyone can help:

M-Patch 2 versus Nano Patch + Headphone Amp

[junior]

FWIW, I A/B'd a Nano Patch+ today against my ATTY. I didn't expect the difference to be much - boy, was I wrong. The ATTY sounded big, deep, 3D... the Nano Patch+ sounded kinda' small, smeared and had less depth / low end. It's too bad because I really liked the form factor and look of the Nano Patch+...

The extra $40 or so is -definitely- worth spending on the ATTY, IMO. Hope this helps... thumbsup

[Bill@WelcomeHome]

I have an ATTY and a Suzy. Both are fine for what they cost. Don't expect them to be what they are not.

[kinkyr]

has anyone tried the
TC ELECTRONIC LEVEL PILOT ??
very simple but should be better made
it uses xlr in and out and looks very apple mac fancy on your desktop
im between that one or the nano
anyone tried both ot these?

[krushing]

Originally Posted by kinkyr

has anyone tried the
TC ELECTRONIC LEVEL PILOT ??
very simple but should be better made
it uses xlr in and out and looks very apple mac fancy on your desktop
im between that one or the nano
anyone tried both ot these?

Haven't tried the Nanopatch but have the Level Pilot - it's super nice & simple. Doesn't seem to affect the sound in any way.

[Bill@WelcomeHome]

Originally Posted by junior

FWIW, I remember there being a problem with some of the earlier units having bad pots. When I got mine (second hand off ebay), I thought it was junk...

One call to Peter and he issued an RMA and had the repaired unit returned to me within a few days. Sounds perfect, built like a brick and terrific customer service.

I almost bought one of those SM Audio units (and I'm sure they're decent), but I'm glad I went with the A-Designs unit.

Peter responds, and what more can you ask? The product was improved due to user request. I have an ATTY as well, it is a handy box to have around or carry in your tool kit as a problem solver.

In a similar vein, don't forget the RME Suzy. Same idea, lots of gozintas and comzoutas.

[thecity]

I had a Nano Patch 3 years ago and that had a scratchy knob and shaky input after half a year. Then I bought the TC Levelpilot and that lasted around a year until the knob also became scratchy (with daily usage).

I'd be interested, if anyone has a sub 200$ solution that doesn't have a scratchy knob after 1-3 years. I read something that a stepped potentiometer would be a better knob.

[Bill@WelcomeHome]

Originally Posted by thecity

I read something that a stepped potentiometer would be a better knob.

But a dual deck stepped pot? Accurate between the two decks on all steps?

[thecity]

Originally Posted by Bill@WelcomeHome

But a dual deck stepped pot? Accurate between the two decks on all steps?

Yes, I think a stereo stepped pot.