DRAWMER MC 7.1 Surround Monitor Controller

MC7.1 - Surround Monitor Controller

MULTIPLE SOURCE STUDIO MONITOR CONTROLLER FOR 7.1/5.1 SURROUND & STEREO APPLICATIONS.

The Drawmer MC7.1 Surround Monitor Controller is a combined 7.1/5.1 and stereo monitor controller. Designed to provide all the mix checking features required for surround recordings without compromising on those used in stereo monitoring. It has the same pristine & transparent design as others from the Drawmer monitor controller pedigree, with a rugged desk top "wedge" form factor as used in the popular MC3.1. 

Whether it is producing audio for film or television, or transporting the listener directly into the venue of an all encompassing orchestral piece, be it in 5.1, 7.1, quadraphonic, DTS®, Dolby Digital EX,THX Surround EX™, DTS-HD™, Dolby Atmos®, etc., one thing is sure, the number of users that wish to listen to audio within a surround setting has been growing and will continue to do so. There has been an ever increasing number of surround products coming to market, not only blue ray players and home cinema but also on mobile and media devices. For example, Apple devices have been capable of reproducing 7.1 surround since iOS 9.3. Therefore, it is likely that at some point every artist and engineer will consider trying surround sound, or fear being left behind. 

Boasting two sets of balanced 7.1 Inputs, a 7.1 through, 1 Balanced Stereo Input and a convenient front panel Aux Input, with Balanced 7.1 Speaker outs and an independent Stereo main out with its own sub woofer option, there are no shortage of connectivity options. The Drawmer MC7.1 is capable of supporting any speaker seup, from mono, to stereo, various modes of surround, or 8 independent channels, depending on input type and speaker positioning.

The MC7.1 is a powerful Surround Monitor Controller in its own right, but is also perfect for controlling and checking your stereo mixes. This is one area where other surround monitoring controllers fall short. All studios, whether dedicated to film audio post production, or small home studio will at at some time (if not most of the time) work in stereo as well as surround. Aside from the surround capabilities, the MC7.1 contains the same comprehensive set of stereo "mix check" functions that are presented on the MC3.1 and which can of course be applied to the stereo input channel or any of the surround channels when these are routed to stereo.

The ability to "mix down" the surround mix to the FL and FR speakers OR the independent Stereo main speakers combined with the comprehensive cut or solo matrix means any combination of the surround channels can be listened to in the front mains. Want to focus in on the rear channels? Simply mix down to the front stereo speakers then solo them out of the mix! Whilst soloing out the centre or LFE channels give a central mono representation across the fronts or stereo mains!

Speaker level matching with switchable Mono/Sub output, the popular Low/Mid/High band solo feature, Internal Talkback Mic with footswitch control, and External Talkback Mic input are all brought over from the MC3.1, completing the rich array of features available on the MC7.1.

• Pristine, ultra low noise & transparent circuit design gives you an accurate representation of your mix whether it be surround or stereo.
• There are a total of 20 input sources. These include two separate 7.1 inputs (one via balanced jacks and one via 25 pin D-sub) with a through output to send to a multitrack recorder, for example. A Stereo input via Neutrik combijacks, and a Top panel 3.5mm AUX Input & Level Control for connecting MP3 players, smartphones or tablets etc.
• 3x Sets of Speaker Outputs. One 7.1 (or 8 Speakers in any configuration), one Stereo Left/Right pair, and one Mono/Sub. Each can be switched individually & simultaneously or give A/B comparisons. All eleven outputs have level trims to provide precise channel matching and ease of calibration.
• Each of the eight 7.1 speakers can be cut or soloed individually.
• 7.1 channels can be mixed down to 5.1, Stereo and Mono, though any configuration of up to 8 monitors should be possible depending on the source and the speaker layout.
• Stereo outputs (including those mixed down from surround) can be monitored via the main stereo speaker outputs or the FL and FR from the surround speakers.
• When in stereo operation comprehensive Mix Checking facilities Including Low, Mid, High Solo; Dim; L/R Mute; Phase Reverse and more, help check every aspect of your Mix & Provide Ultimate Control.
• Volume can be set via the Variable Front Panel Knob or a Preset Control. Each has excellent channel matching and smooth feel.
• 2x Headphone Amplifiers with Individual Level Control.
• Built In Talkback with Level Control, Internal or External Microphone, Switching via Desktop or Footswitch, & Internal Routing to Headphones and also a Mono Output Jack.
• The MC7.1 is all analogue so won’t need to be rebooted due to software crashes, and doesn’t require firmware updates.
• Desktop 'wedge' form factor with a rugged steel chassis and a Kensington security slot for added protection.

• Type: passive
• Number of channels: 2
• Number of inputs: 2
• Input connections: XLR Combo / 3.5mm stereo jack
• Input type: balanced/unbalanced
• Maximum input level: +20 dBu
• Input impedance: 10 kohms balanced/ 5 kohms unbalanced
• Number of outputs: 2
• Output connections: XLR/m, 3.5 mm stereo jack
• Output type: balanced/unbalanced
• Max output level: +20 dBu
• Output impedance: 600 ohms
• Frequency response: 10Hz - 40 kHz +/- 1 dB
• THD: 0,001 %
• Max. attenuation: 85 dB (attenuator), 112 dB (attenuator + mute)
• Controls: Attenuation, Mute, Mono
• Housing material: sheet steel/wood
• Housing surface: powder-coated
• Width: 164 mm
• Height: 62 mm
• Depth: 85 mm

The M-Patch 2 is a compact desktop/rack-mountable sized passive volume attenuator and patch control device. Building on the success of the original M-Patch, the new M-Patch 2 is a feature packed passive problem solver for nearly all production environments. A great way to passively attenuate stereo signals from soundcards, CD players, pre-amps, and mixers, the M-Patch 2 front panel rotary controls allow precise level adjustments for two input sources. Featuring balanced combo XLR/TRS input jacks and XLR outputs, RCA & 3.5mm jack inputs, mono/stereo summing switch, Mute switch, A/B output pairs, and a built in stereo headphone amplifier, the M-Patch 2 has all bases covered.

- High quality? passive volume attenuator
- Great monitor switching device
- 2 x Input channels, 2 x Output channels
- Combo, RCA, & 3.5mm input connectors
- XLR outputs (balanced or unbalanced depends on the inputs selected)
- Mono/Stereo summing switch
- System mute function
- Built in headphone amplifier
- Quality components and rugged construction
- Desktop or Rack-mountable installation
- External 16Vac power supply (Supplied. Only required for operation of headphone amplifier)

The Nano Patch+ really comes into its own when connected between your computer audio interface/soundcard master outputs and a pair of active (powered) monitor speakers. One of the benefits of passive volume attenuation is that you no longer have to control volumes with your softwareʼs master volume fader. Reducing levels from your software only reduces the audio bit depth. It is much more appropriate to keep your software masters at unity and attenuate the audio to your active monitors with a passive controller like the Nano Patch+. This way you can maintain maximum audio resolution and attenuate your monitoring volume with the confidence that the sonic integrity of your audio is not compromised.

No active circuitry, buffers, transistors, batteries, or power supply of any kind can interfere with the main passive output of the Nano Patch+. It simply delivers attenuated signal. Pure, simple transparent.

- Super compact 2 channel analog passive volume control
- Rotary volume attenuation control
- Mute button
- Completely transparent operation
- No power required
- 2 x combo inputs (balanced and unbalanced)
- 2 x TRS outputs (balanced and unbalanced)
- 1 x Mini jack I/O
- available in black and silver
- No signal conversion from unbalanced to balanced!

CMC3 - Monitor Controller

FULLY FEATURED MONITOR CONTROLLER FOR STUDIOS OF ALL SIZES. PRECISE, COMPACT & AFFORDABLE.

The CMC3 Compact Monitor Controller consolidates the feature sets of Drawmer's 3 most popular monitor controllers: Whilst retaining the famed accurate, and transparent audio quality of the MC2.1, it has the precision and control of the MC3.1 and the low profile, compact design of the CMC2. It is equally at home in a serious home studio as in a professional recording facility.

There is one thing that should always be absolutely guaranteed - that you can rely on the accuracy of your monitor controller. Can you trust the audio that your current monitor controller is providing? Is it colouring the sound? There are far to many monitor controllers available that do in one way or another - Drawmer monitor controllers do not flavour, colour, warm, improve or brighten the signal, the active circuit has been designed to faithfully produce the audio signal whilst removing many of the problems that a passive circuit will bring. For all Drawmer monitor controllers it is imperative that what you record is exactly what you hear.

Accurate & Transparent

With the same Drawmer pedigree as the MC2.1, the CMC3 circuit is just as transparent and accurate. It has been designed to remove the limitations that a passive circuit brings, such as the ability to increase the volume for quiet passages and improved mix checking, without adding the artifacts that lesser quality active circuits introduce. 

You hear exactly what you've recorded!

Precision

The CMC3 supports 3 sets of stereo monitors, plus a dedicated mono speaker/sub-woofer output, each can be switched individually and simultaneously and in any order, especially useful for A/B comparisons. You can listen to multiple speakers with the same sub-woofer, or turn the sub-woofer off altogether. 

The volume control utilizes a parallelled custom quad pot for excellent channel matching and smooth feel, as does the secondary preset volume control on the front. This provides repeatable calibrated output level for the monitors, so that at the flick of a switch the engineer can hear the mix at the same predetermined volume, time after time, without having to meticulously adjust controls.

Multiple Connections

The CMC3 is very well connected with 4 stereo inputs in total: 1x SPDIF digital input (24 bit/192kHz), using the same DAC chipset as our established MC3.1 monitor controller, 2 stereo balanced jack inputs, plus a 3.5mm jack with variable level control for your Smartphone/MP3 Player.

In addition, it has a 2 professional quality headphone outputs with a separate amplifier and level control, that provide the same audio quality and mix checking as the CMC3 does through the speakers. Talkback is also included with internal or external microphone, level control and audio routing to a dedicated mono output jack & headphones.

Advanced Mix Checking

The comprehensive mix checking facilities of the CMC3 include dim, mono, phase reverse, left and right cut as well as an easy access mute switch, allowing you to check the quality of your recordings: tune into your mix to hear any unwanted artefacts, test the effectiveness of the stereo mix, check for phase cancellation, listen to the stereo difference. Features that many monitor controllers lack.

Compact

The CMC3 packs a lot of features into a small unit. The whole package is presented in a very low profile desktop enclosure of just 3.5cm high with a footprint of 27x16cm (10.5”x6.5”x1.4”).

Tough & Secure

Whilst being smart and stylish the rugged, all steel enclosure will withstand the knocks and bumps of the studio, and, coupled with the high quality components used, the CMC3 is built to last. In addition, a Kensington security slot provides protection from thieves.

• Ultra low noise and transparent circuit design.
• Source switches can be active in any combination. 4 Inputs in Total - 1x Digital SPDIF (192 kHz / 24 Bit) & 2 on balanced analogue 1/4" jacks & 1 3.5mm Front Panel Aux jack for your Smartphone/MP3.
• 3x Speakers Plus a Mono Sub can be switched individually & simultaneously or give A/B comparisons.
• Timed relay protection on all speaker outputs to prevent power up/down bangs.
• Volume can be set via the Variable Front Panel Knob or a Preset Control. Each has parallelled custom quad pots for excellent channel matching and smooth feel.
• 2x Headphone Amplifiers with Individual Level Controls with easy access to the jacks on the front.
• Front Panel 3.5mm AUX Input & Level Control for connecting MP3 player, smartphone or tablet etc.
• Built In Talkback with Level Control, Internal or External Microphone, and Internal Routing to a Mono Output Jack & Headphones.
• Comprehensive Mix Checking facilities Include Dim, Phase Reverse and Mono, Left and Right Cut as well as an easy access Mute switch.
• Kensington security slot (also called a K-Slot or Kensington lock).
• Very low profile desktop enclosure with a footprint of just 18x16cm.
• Stylish and Rugged Enclosure will withstand the knocks of the studio.
• Designed and manufactured by Drawmer in the UK.

• Latency-free analogue signal path
• Customisable
• Level indicator L/R with +4, +10 and +18 dBu calibration options
• Correlation meter for verifying mono-compatibility
• Two headphone outputs with volume controllers and main cue selector switches
• Three analogue inputs, one S/PDIF input
• Three loudspeaker outputs with volume controllers for level calibration
• Mono summed output for subwoofer or mono monitor
• Main and cue direct outputs