Monitor Controller

[JPK]

This is a product we are working on that could be of interest for some forum members.
It will be available as a kit.

- 6 stereo sources, selectable bal/unbalanced, -10dBV/+4dBu (2 XLR, 2 jack, 1 RCA, 1 RCA/front mini-jack),
- 4 stereo output or 3 output+sub, selectable bal/unbalanced (2 XLR, 2 jack),
- Relay driven passive stepped level control, 64 x 1dB steps,
- Dim, Mute, Mute left/Mute right, Mono, left-right difference,
- External Dim input for talkback,
- programmable input, output, Mono, Diff, Dim and global offsets,
- "Wire with gain" headphone amp with 2 programmable gains,
- Minimalistic audio path,
- Single buffer between input and output makes it independent of source and destination impedances,
- Controllable by an TV remote, with the ability of learning the IR orders,
- Expandable to surround by stacking several units,
- Fully differential throughout,
- All switching done by relays,
- No capacitor in the audio path,
- Bandwidth: DC to 250 kHz (-1dB),
- Distortion: immeasurable (by us).

After input switching, the circuit uses four unity gain buffers (one for each stereo differential signal), followed by four passive logarithmic ladder attenuators feeding the output selector.
The buffers are switched to provide gain when the input is a -10dBV level.
All switching is done by 39 relays controlled by a PIC microcontroller.
What this unit doesn't do: Mixing & Talkback.

 

[flaheu]

Waouw !


Great !!!

Any idea when it will be available and at what cost ?

 

[zamproject]

La classe !

Je n'ai jamais utilisé vos outils (pour l'instant), mais lorgne régulièrement le site et les nouveautés

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Some questions.

Is that also possible to use a wire remote troughs the link connector ?
How work the input/output selector? individual on/off ? Meaning for example 2 input can be send to one output.
Or "destructive" solo?

I like the "digitast" key switch, is there any chance for some hidden code into the pic allowing 808 step sequencer  ?

Best

Zam

 

[JPK]

The MC624 should be hopefully available in September at 499€ (599 incl.VAT).
There is no wire remote available yet but the link connector will allow connecting one when/if available (depends if enough requests). I personally think an IR remote is very convenient.
The input selector is exclusive, allowing one input at a time (there is no mixer).
Same thing for the output selector, except output four which can be configured as a sub output and selected in addition to one of the first 3.
There is still some free program memory in the PIC microcontroller so it will be possible to add some more functionalities in future (like a 808).

 

[Spiritworks]

Greetings Jean-Pierre.
That looks really nice, and will go nicely with that side car that I have been building. Looking forward to more information.

 

[mylesgm]

Looks great, why no talkback?

 

[JPK]

The talkback will be better handled in our future quad (or 5x if space allows) headphone amp unit. The monitor controller has a Dim input which can be activated by an external talkback system.

 

[culteousness1]

- "Wire with gain" headphone amp with 2 programmable gains,

Any details on that headphone amp?

Cheers,
Carsten

 

[kante1603]

Hello Jean-Pierre,

a very nice project indeed!
May I ask the following questions:

1.The jack inputs (stereo 3 & 4),are they balanced?
2.The meter outpus,are they balanced?
3.Where does it (the meter o/ps) pic up the signal (somewhere after the input selector before the monitor level I guess)?

Thank you in advance,best,

Udo.

P.S.:+1 on a wired (small) remote!

 

[JPK]

The Headphone amp is based on a LT1206 current feedback amplifier. I will publish the schematic in a few days.

The jack inputs 3 and 4 are balanced,
The meter outputs are balanced,
You are correct, they take the signal after the input selector and buffer, before the functions switches (mono, diff, dim, ...) and level.

 

[kante1603]

Thank you very much Jean-Pierre,looking forward to building one of them......my current controller is at the end of days now,hahaha.....

Best,

Udo.

 

[flaheu]

I'm preparing my wallet for a kit !!!
but hush..... don't tell my boss (wifey) otherwise she will kick my but  ;D

 

[Indecline]

Stunning and well done!!

 

[ctrl+z]

Great! I am getting one.
+1 for a basic (level/dim/mute) wired remote.

 

[mbjr]

I'm +1 with Ctrl+Z on a remote with basic functions.
Looking forward to it.

 

[Bornhorst]

I'm +2 on a remote!

 

[AlexKP]

Interested! A remote would be great too...

 

[Touf]

What about digital inputs ?

 

[ruairioflaherty]

What about digital inputs ?

Hardly a trivial addition.  Designing good converters is a specialist business.

 

[kante1603]

Hardly a trivial addition.  Designing good converters is a specialist business.

Accurately what I wanted to say.
You can always add an external D/A converter if you need it,the choice is up to you (.....and your wallet...).

Best,

Udo.