Drawmer MC7.1 Active Monitor Controller Reviews
Accurate monitoring is the cornerstone of great recordings. Designed for high-end recording and post-production environments, the Drawmer MC7.1 active monitor controller gives you the pristine transparency and ultra-low noise of the highest-quality 7.1, 5.1, stereo, and mono monitoring circuits, plus a set of invaluable mix-checking features. You get 20 input sources and balanced outputs for seven speakers, plus a dedicated mono subwoofer/LFE output. Individual trims provide complete control for level matching and precise A/B comparisons. Two pairs of headphone outs complete your monitoring package. Whether you're making hit records or mixing feature films, you'll be able to trust what you hear with the Drawmer MC7.1.
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Highest Rated Reviews
Excellent, best choice
I've been looking for a monitor controller for doing 2.1, 5.1 and 7.1 work of which there are limited and very expensive choices. The main contender seems to the the Dangerous Music (not fond of that name) ST, which gets very expensive in cost and rack space for 7.1. Feature wise the ST seems a little paltry, all it having (as far as I can tell without buying one) is the ability to set the volume and switch in/out various speakers. Plus the mute/solo switching on the remote is set up for 5.1, not 7.1 or above, though with additional SR units you can have that capability (not sure how to control it though, except through possibly a non-intuitive 'additional switching' bank).
Anyhow enter the MC7.1. Price is right - under $2k which is what I'm comfortable paying for a monitor controller, it has 7.1, 5.1 and 2.1 natively, PLUS a bank of extremely useful 'mix check' functions for 2.1 - phase invert, low/mid/high, L/R cut, etc. The surrounds all have individual or ganged cut/solo, and add in two 7.1/5.1 inputs and two stereo it's a winner in functionality and price. Plus it's a nice small unit that fits perfectly on my desk.
Technically one question I had was the volume control, which needs to be done electronically in a 7.1 system (large 7.1 pots being hard to find). This uses a VCA - voltage controlled amplifier approach, which is an excellent and not expensive solution. The ST apparently went with relay switched resistor matrix which is much more expensive, and not really necessary in my opinion.
Anyhow in use it's dead quiet, easy to set up and works beautifully. The switches have a nice click and aren't cheap, and the volume control has a great feel to it. The extra features (headphone outputs, talkback, preset level, mute/dim and phone input (D)) are all nice extras. It's easy and intuitive to control, while mixing I quickly and easily can check what I'm doing by flipping around the switches - I work in 7.1, quick check stereo, then check mono, phase, L-R swap and other features. This quickly and easily let's me see how I'm mixing for all the formats that my music will likely be heard in.
Brilliant solution and an excellent purchase.