NEW DANGEROUS MUSIC MONITOR CONTROL

[theblue1]

Call me old fashioned -- but if I was paying that much for a knob and some buttons -- I'd want a knurled knob. I like having a little traction when I'm grabbing the master in an emergency...

But, that and minor aesthetic points aside, I think it looks kinda cool.

[jdunn]

The knob is fine. I have no issues with it. I do wish it had a single LED on the pointer to indicate position though.

[HDGuru]

jdunn, question. Will the input monitor sum the inputs? In other words, can you push Analog 1, and Analog 2 at the same time, and hear both inputs summed?

[xqtion]

What kind of connections are on the back of this unit?
XLR's or DB 25? Thanks.

[jdunn]

It's got DB25 connectors in Tascam pinout format. One for input, one for output. They fan out to 8 XLR's each. There are a few XLR's on the back. 2 for aux inputs and a cue output too I think. I can take a picture of the back if there's not one on the Dangerous Music website.

[Greg Heimbecker]

no pics of the back on the website yet

Jason did you just get the ST at this point in time?

[pigpen]

Originally Posted by jdunn

The knob is fine. I have no issues with it. I do wish it had a single LED on the pointer to indicate position though.

Any new reviews for us jd?
I am seriously about to order one...just wanted to hear a few more opinions on it.
Help us po' folk out!

[jdunn]

Well, let's see..... What more can I say about it?

The sound is kick ass first of all! Chris Muth has really done a nice design job on this one. The Computer Gain Control he created sounds very even at all volume and frequency levels.

I used it on an overdub session recently in the studio. It was just a few guitar and sax overdubs, so I brought in my MOTU 896 laptop rig with an outboard mic pre and converter. The mic pre I was using has both XLR and 1/4" outputs. I fed the XLR to my converter, and the 1/4" to one of the 2 Aux Inputs on the Monitor ST. Then it was just a matter of turning up the 'Aux to Cue' knob and that's it. The musician gets a direct feed out of the mic pre mixed with the DAW track.

There's also a talkback mic right on the front panel of the rack unit, so it's a lot more than just a volume control. I can't recommend this unit highly enough! Sorry I haven't posted a picture of the back, but it's in a rack now. I'll snap a picture later, I promise.

[edit] Don't forget you'll need a pair of 8 channel DB-25 -> XLR snakes for the input and output connectors. One with male XLR and one with female. I'm using some Pro Co Acculinks from the local Sam Ash and it sounds fine. Got a good deal on them too!

[theother]

found this...

I think I'll go for the Avocet. It works out only £200 more for me (which I will save almost on the snakes - prefer the XLR's on the AVOCET) and has digital ins and meters on the remote. Also buffered outputs for external meters (don't know if the Dangeous has them..)

[pigpen]

Thanks JDunn!
Awesome!

[jdunn]

The Dangerous Monitor SR Surround unit has buffered meter outputs. I don't think the stereo unit does though.

Also don't forget that Chris is working on an analog/digital switching module that will interface with the Monitor ST/SR's Additional Inputs. There will be D/A converter modules, video switching, etc...

[thephatboi]

Originally Posted by etherize

I'm in need of a piece like this but the presonus central station is more within my budget. However I want a device that has a great headphone amp.

Hey Etherize, I have a Central station and can tell you my experience with it. i actually think for the money it is damn good and sounds really natural to me. Of course Dangerous makes great stuff and is in another league, I am sure their unit blows the CS away but bang for the bux the CS is cool. i/o and flexible switching options gives me everything I need to connect lots of stuff, including my cd player and turntable. The only thing I found wrong with mine is when you turn the vol way down super low the image goes off to one side, I called Presonus about this and they said to send it in under warranty, sounds like a defective pot. just been too busy working to deal with it. Another plus is a spdf digi input with decent converter. Headphone setup is good but I get a really nice headphone sound straight out of my apogee trak 2 and into their HP4 headphone box, which is really cheap but I have to say works and sounds great. I have had clients comment that they could hear themselves on headphones better at my studio
than anywhere else they had been including big dollar places....go figure, I was ready to hate the HP4 but it really impressed me. That said, if you have the budget, the Dangerous stuff is no compromise gear. I love my 2 bus LT and those guys at Dangerous keep on coming up with fantastic well thought out gear. Best.

[theother]

Originally Posted by jdunn

The Dangerous Monitor SR Surround unit has buffered meter outputs. I don't think the stereo unit does though.

Also don't forget that Chris is working on an analog/digital switching module that will interface with the Monitor ST/SR's Additional Inputs. There will be D/A converter modules, video switching, etc...

What makes you think the Dangerous is a better buy than the Avocet?

I'm thinking to buy either the Dangerous or Avocet. With the SR module, to have buffered meters, I pay about the same as on the Avocet. I don't need surround.

The Avocet remote looks a bit chunky, which I don't like but on the other side has nice meters built in. And then there are the digital ins. And you have XLR's. No need for a DSUB snake.

And I don't like the new finish. The brushed aluminium was definitely more appealing to me.

[pigpen]

Originally Posted by theother

What makes you think the Dangerous is a better buy than the Avocet?

I'm thinking to buy either the Dangerous or Avocet. With the SR module, to have buffered meters, I pay about the same as on the Avocet. I don't need surround.

The Avocet remote looks a bit chunky, which I don't like but on the other side has nice meters built in. And then there are the digital ins. And you have XLR's. No need for a DSUB snake.

And I don't like the new finish. The brushed aluminium was definitely more appealing to me.

I am in the the exact same boat, maybe we should start a Dangerous vs. Avocet thread. For that kind of money, I want to make the right choice. (FYI, they are doing the brushed aluminum. The pic from Jdunn is not what the rest of the units will look like. I spoke ot Dangerous the other day.)

Of course the Dangerous looks the coolest, but the Avocet has the DA I think I need. And the DSub situation of course leans to the Avocet.

TB...I think I read that the mic for the TB is on the rack unit on the Dangerous...is that correct? That doesn't make much sense to me. The Avocet does not have a built in mic, but apparently has an XLR on the remote to add one?

I guess for me I am looking for an all in one box. I need:
Monitoring from my PT rig, CD, Tape machine, mac
TB
Headphone capabilities
I currently have 2 sets of speakers (planning on adding a set of Auratones/etc..)

So my list is not that long. But I want it to totally replace the Control 24 monitoring section. I do not want a single button left to be pushed in that crummy area!

Anyone with an opinion...bring it!
Thanks
daniel

[jdunn]

To address 'theother', nowhere in my post does it state that I "think the Dangerous is a better buy than the Avocet". Those words did not come out of my mouth, nor did my fingers type them.

It's okay though, I'm not upset about it. No big deal.

I don't think the Avocet has the Cue Mix capability of the Monitor ST. And does it have talkback? I think the Avocet may be more purely for mixing/mastering, while the Monitor ST has these features that are useful for overdubbing with native DAW systems, etc...

And yes, pigpen, the talkback is on the rack unit. It would be pretty tricky to put it on the remote I'm guessing. You can also use a remote talkback mic, so if your Monitor ST rack unit is too far away, just plug in another mic.

The Avocet does have D/A converters, but I'd bet they don't do DSD. The Dangerous will have D/A converters in that separate switching module soon. I like this approach.

I'm sure the Avocet is a great product as well. You can't go wrong with either, just depends on your needs. The Dangerous has a few more features that are useful to engineer/musicians IMO, but if I were just doing mastering the Avocet would probably be fine.

[theother]

Originally Posted by jdunn

To address 'theother', nowhere in my post does it state that I "think the Dangerous is a better buy than the Avocet". Those words did not come out of my mouth, nor did my fingers type them.

You misunderstand me! Since you seems to know a lot about the Dangerous and have a good opinion about it I thought you could point out what would make it more appealing then the Avocet.

[jdunn]

Okay. The differences I can think of are pretty much what I've already pointed out.

I haven't used an Avocet myself, but I am quite familiar with Crane Song products, having owned an STC-8, original HEDD and Flamingo. They are very good.

The Dangerous Monitor ST seems to be a little more suited to overdubbing situations than the Avocet. The Avocet has the buffered meter outputs and D/A. So I think there's not much more I can add.

I wouldn't be too put off by the DB-25 connectors though. I guess if you want to use some fancy cable it might be a hindrance, but once it's wired up properly I don't really care what the cable termination is. And I got the DB-25's at Sam Ash for $60/each, so it's not that much expense.

The Monitor ST is a single rack space unit that you can easily bring into the studio for overdub sessions. Put it near you and you've got your own talkback system too. The DB-25's actually help to avoid an overly cluttered cable setup in these situations.

The Avocet is designed more for just mastering it would appear. I looked at the Avocet and Grace M904, but I'm happy with my decision to go with the Dangerous Monitor ST. And it's expandable, so I'll continue being happy should I need surround or onboard D/A converters, video switching, etc...

[syra]

I am between the avocet and this one too...the sub option I think is great. ...the lack of D/A bothers me though...I'm waiting for it.

[jdunn]

There will be D/A available in the near future, with the new switching unit.

I'm just running my DV-RA1000 master recorder into it, which has analog outputs. So it's not an issue for me at the moment. This way you can choose the D/A converter you want to use, and it won't have to be sent in for an upgrade when the formats change. And a new module can be built for the switching unit when new formats do become popular.

Both are great products. I'm sure you can't go wrong with either one, or the Grace for that matter.

[pigpen]

Again, thanks jdunn, you have been super helpful. I am so back and forth between the 2 units it is ridiculous...right now, I am back towards the Dangerous....Ughhhhh!

[theother]

thanks jdunn!

I had the Dangerous already on order and switched to Avocet later.

In the end I think you can't go wrong with either.

[jdunn]

Yeah you really can't go wrong with either. It just depends on which features you need right now.

One thing that made me take a good look at the Dangerous Monitor ST was a comment that Brad Blackwood made on his PSW forum about it. He is a respected mastering engineer and Avocet user. He said that the remote on the Dangerous appeared to have the most logical layout.

BTW, someone is selling an Avocet here in the Second Hand section.

[xqtion]

If I get the Dangerous ST, would I be able to use a 2.1 system (I'm planning on maybe Genelec 8000 w/sub) along with 2 other stereo monitors ?
How exactly would I make the connections? I'm kinda confused. Thanks.

[theother]

I just got news from Crane Song that they are not able to ship Avocets for a couple of months, because they upgrade/redesign the converters.

So I cancelled my order.

Bummer.... back to the drawing board

[pigpen]

Are they out yet with their new paint job?