Avocet users question. (or other encoder volume knob users)

[mouthbleed]

The jump in total functionality/clarity/accurate stereo tracking/workflow simplification, will render the relay clicks an afterthought. With a box that solves all your monitoring (MOST IMPORTANT PART OF YOUR CHAIN) problems, the clicks will just make you smile.

[MASSIVE Master]

I didn't like it -- for about ten minutes.

Now I'd probably freak if it didn't happen.

[Strut78]

I am using the dangerous monitor st which also has relay clicks when the volume is changed.

I really don't find it a problem. The main unit is mounted below my console/desk and I really don't notice it at all now. I generally don't search around on my volume control much, it is usually at the same reference position for most sessions. The volume may get turned up and then back down maybe a few times a day, maybe to check the tails of a track or a fade out. So from my experience it really isn't a reason not to consider a monitor controller.

[Jack Duelisis]

you're not supposed to change the listening level every 10 seconds.

I never find this relay clics to be annoying

[Jperkinski]

I personally don't find the clicking noise to be an issue. Ideally you're not chaning the level constantly anyway. The dim button is pretty useful too so you can set an ideal lisetning level and then use the dim (or mute) button to turn the level down or off if you somebody needs to make some comments or if you want to hear at a quieter level.

I've also seen some folks put the rackmount portion of the Avocet in another room room like a machine room so you don't hear the clicks. The controller comes with a pretty long cable (25 ft. I believe). It's also just a standard VGA cable so you can make it shorter or longer if needed.

The clicking is a small price to pay for something that sounds so amazing as well as all the features it has.

[Waltz Mastering]

Originally Posted by Strut78

I am using the dangerous monitor st which also has relay clicks when the volume is changed.

I really don't find it a problem.

Same here ...although I change levels quite a bit ..the clicks from the relay is not a bother.

[TranscendingM]

Doesn't bother me one bit. Don't even really think about it

[dhiltonlittle]

The clicks don't bother me.

What does bother me is it resetting itself all the time.

[Jperkinski]

Originally Posted by dhiltonlittle

The clicks don't bother me.

What does bother me is it resetting itself all the time.

I never shut mine off but I've been considering starting to do that.

Does it reset when you shut it off or are you saying yours randomly resets itself?

[Sir Chris]

Hey guys, been reading this thread and I have a question.

In my home studio I have HS10 monitors directly hooked up to my RME FF800. So levels are adjusted ITB.

Obviously with this setup my FF800 is handling D/A conversion. But reading this thread it got me thinking about what's actually happening to the signal when you add a separate hardware unit like a Monitor ST.

The impression I got is you guys have these units not just for convenience but because your getting better audio quality. Is this cause (in my case) the FF800 would send the signal digitally to the Monitor ST and the monitor st would handle the D/A conversion?

I was looking at getting a Little Labs Red Cloud or Mackie Big Knob for the convenience factor but if my analysis is correct then I'm thinking of going for a D Box instead, since it would add OTB summing capabilities as well. Currently I'm using Waves NLS for summing.

I appreciate your thoughts and your time for answering guys.



Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk

[Waltz Mastering]

Originally Posted by dhiltonlittle

What does bother me is it resetting itself all the time.

Which controller? With the ST you can store some parameters.
I assume you can do the same with the Cranesong.

[TranscendingM]

Originally Posted by Waltz Mastering

Which controller? With the ST you can store some parameters.
I assume you can do the same with the Cranesong.

I think, if I'm not mistaken, he's referring to the power issue some are having with the unit.

[SweetMastering]

Doesn't bother me at all... But the fact that avocet doesnt have a power Switch in the front panel of the unit and cannot shutdown and power on the unit using the remote control upset me... (to days after I installed a power switch in a 19" rack panel, put it on top of the avocet and this little issue was solved).
JA

[Franco]

Relay clicks on the unit don't bother me at all, I've also got a door with foam on the inside on the side of my desk where the main unit lives, the clicks are barely audible.

I've noticed that the Avocet will reset when the power drops below 105v at my place, it hasn't reset itself when there's more voltage than that (so when my wife is running the washer, dryer and wants to vacuum upstairs, I ask her to give me a heads up and power down my gear, because even my DAW starts to act a little strange when my rig is getting less than 110v).

[Babaluma]

i have a crookwood system, and i LOVE the audio feedback that the relay clicks give me, feels more "physical". i'd be worried of they went away.

[dhiltonlittle]

Sorry I was not a little more clear about the avocet resetting issue.

Here is a link to a thread I started a while back. Seems to be happening to a lot of other users as well...

Weird Avocet Issue

[Thomas W. Bethe]

The clicks are no more annoying than if you had a stepped attenuator and had to listen to the clicks as well as feel them when you rotated the knob.

I love my Avocet and it has really changed the way my studio is setup. I use my Benchmark DAC-1, which I was using for my main monitor controller, for my headphones.

GREAT unit and GREAT sound.

[Odeon-Mastering]

I never really thought about it, so I guess it is not bothering me


off topic

Originally Posted by Thomas W. Bethe

I love my Avocet and it has really changed the way my studio is setup. I use my Benchmark DAC-1, which I was using for my main monitor controller, for my headphones.

How do you feel the converters and headphone amplifier compares to the Avocet? (no need for a complete review, just your first thoughts)
(feel free to PM if you think we are derailing the thread too much)

[Thomas W. Bethe]

Originally Posted by Odeon-Mastering

I never really thought about it, so I guess it is not bothering me


off topic


How do you feel the converters and headphone amplifier compares to the Avocet? (no need for a complete review, just your first thoughts)
(feel free to PM if you think we are derailing the thread too much)

To be truthful I never used the Avocet's headphone amp.

[Jperkinski]

Originally Posted by Thomas W. Bethe

To be truthful I never used the Avocet's headphone amp.

I definitely have one of the versions that has the noisy headphone amp. It has a constant low hum. There is a mod for it of course but I don't trust my skills to do it and never seem to have the downtime to send it in.

Not a huge deal but kind of annoying once you notice it.

[Adam Dempsey]

Originally Posted by Thomas W. Bethe

The clicks are no more annoying than if you had a stepped attenuator and had to listing to the clicks as well as feel them when you rotated the knob.

My thoughts too... zero issue with switched control on the custom Manley console.

[Thomas W. Bethe]

Three things I would like to see on the Avocet. One is to get rid of the 16 bit button, which I never use, and the others are to allow me to swap channels L for R and R for L and another button to do a complete phase reversal so I can listen in absolute phase. I don't know how complicated this would be but in my work flow it would be nice. Other that those two "upgrades" the controller works GREAT and I am so HAPPY I got it.

[WBM]

Originally Posted by Thomas W. Bethe

Three things I would like to see on the Avocet. One is to get rid of the 16 bit button, which I never use, and the others are to allow me to swap channels L for R and R for L and another button to do a complete phase reversal so I can listen in absolute phase. I don't know how complicated this would be but in my work flow it would be nice. Other that those two "upgrades" the controller works GREAT and I am so HAPPY I got it.

The Avocet is a great unit, and after a while the clicks are part of the system.

The 16 bit try to ignore it and the other features, you can find it on the insert switcher Manley BB,

[Franco]

Originally Posted by Thomas W. Bethe

Three things I would like to see on the Avocet. One is to get rid of the 16 bit button, which I never use...

I like the 16 bit button, useful to hear your analog processors' translation down to 16 bit (they should have labeled it "Analog 3-D to CD Conversion Disappointment Button.")

[dcollins]

Originally Posted by Franco

I like the 16 bit button, useful to hear your analog processors' translation down to 16 bit (they should have labeled it "Analog 3-D to CD Conversion Disappointment Button.")

I believe that button is straight truncation.


DC

[Ruairi]

Originally Posted by Thomas W. Bethe

One is to get rid of the 16 bit button, which I never use

The 16 bit button is incredibly useful for listening at the target bit depth, it is truncation as DC says so you'll need to monitor with your dither in place. After a quick listen at the original bit depth I work with the 16 bit switch on all day.

[24-96 Mastering]

Originally Posted by Ruairi

The 16 bit button is incredibly useful for listening at the target bit depth, it is truncation as DC says so you'll need to monitor with your dither in place. After a quick listen at the original bit depth I work with the 16 bit switch on all day.

If you monitor with 16bit dither in place anyway, then subsequent truncation to 16 bits shouldn't make any difference.

[Thomas W. Bethe]

Originally Posted by 24-96 Mastering

If you monitor with 16bit dither in place anyway, then subsequent truncation to 16 bits shouldn't make any difference.

Exactly....

[Ruairi]

Originally Posted by 24-96 Mastering

If you monitor with 16bit dither in place anyway, then subsequent truncation to 16 bits shouldn't make any difference.

That hasn't been my experience but as is often said we have bigger fish to fry than dither issues.