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telepathy
takin' a dinner break
Joined: 21 Nov 2003
Posts: 172
Location: Somerville, MA
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 Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2012 7:31 pm Post subject: monitor switching |
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what do you use for line-level monitor switching? passive or powered. the cheap stuff, the fancy stuff, or the DIY? I don't really need attenuation or level control, and I'd like to keep the cost down.
I've been thinking about the Coleman Audio LS3 or the new Radial MC3. this is for being able to keep my main pair hardwired to the "A" out on my console & have several pairs to choose from with the "B" speakers, while allowing for different power options for each.
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Gregg Juke
resurrected
Joined: 12 Jun 2010
Posts: 2286
Location: Buffalo, NY, USA
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| Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2012 7:45 pm Post subject: Re: monitor switching |
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We have a set of powered monitors and several sets of passive speakers. We now have the Central Station handling the bulk of the speaker switching/routing, but also use a couple of simple, inexpensive Radio Shack boxes. Prior to the Central Station, we had a Behringer board in the loop for foldback to the studio headphone amps, and more Rat-Shack boxes.
There is an argument that you need pristine signal path for everything, but I'm not sure that that's always true or appropriate. If we are trying to make sure that mixes translate, one way is to use more consumer type gear in the (secondary and tertiary) monitoring chain. And when you have a bunch of sets of speakers powered by various amplifiers (matched/self-powered, Ashley and Alesis stand-alones, Onkyo and Denon home stereo amps, and self-powered micro-watt USB iPod speakers), it might make sense to make things work the cheapest and best way you can.
If finances are an issue (and they usually are for all of us, right?), I wouldn't be afraid to try an inexpensive Radio Shack or DIY switcher to see if that meets your needs. Highly unlikely that you will significantly affect your THD figures...
GJ |
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dfuruta
buyin' gear
Joined: 08 May 2009
Posts: 504
Location: mpls
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| Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2012 8:20 pm Post subject: Re: monitor switching |
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| Build a box with a few sets of jacks and a switch? |
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rhythm ranch
moves faders with mind
Joined: 07 May 2003
Posts: 2623
Location: Corrales, NM
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| Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2012 9:33 pm Post subject: Re: monitor switching |
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I use, and have used for years, the Coleman Audio LS3. Works perfectly, is clean and never caused a second of problems.
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Every calculation based on experience elsewhere fails in New Mexico. - General Lew Wallace, author of Ben Hur and Territorial Governor of NM 1878-81 |
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Nick Sevilla
cryogenically thawing
Joined: 03 Mar 2008
Posts: 3655
Location: Los Angeles California USA
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| Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2012 12:07 am Post subject: Re: monitor switching |
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I have a DIY jobbie.
One rackspace panel, with one 3P3T switch (triple throw, triple pole).
One input to the switch, with either set of speakers on each selection.
It feeds from the monitor output of my console to my two self powered sets of speakers.
The consoles' volume knob controls each set, and I calibrated the speakers to be at the same level so when I switch them, there is no volume difference.
Cheers
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AndersonSoundRecording
audio school graduate
Joined: 12 Sep 2011
Posts: 18
Location: Big Apple
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| Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2012 1:35 am Post subject: Re: monitor switching |
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SM Pro Audio M-Patch 2 passive switcher/attenuator:
http://www.fullcompass.com/product/381649.html
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| Quote: | I heard they inserted a Jimmy Hendrix into the chain somewhere before the preamp.
...Anybody know what that preamp was, 'cause I'd also love to get that sound.
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telepathy
takin' a dinner break
Joined: 21 Nov 2003
Posts: 172
Location: Somerville, MA
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| Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2012 2:14 am Post subject: Re: monitor switching |
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| Gregg Juke wrote: | | There is an argument that you need pristine signal path for everything, but I'm not sure that that's always true or appropriate. If we are trying to make sure that mixes translate, one way is to use more consumer type gear in the (secondary and tertiary) monitoring chain. And when you have a bunch of sets of speakers powered by various amplifiers (matched/self-powered, Ashley and Alesis stand-alones, Onkyo and Denon home stereo amps, and self-powered micro-watt USB iPod speakers), it might make sense to make things work the cheapest and best way you can. |
this is exactly how I've been thinking about it, recently, and one of the reasons I posted this question in the first place. the fact that I'm looking to only switch my B speakers, which are (or would be) all bookshelf, Auratone, or computer-style speakers & amps seems to point to the fact that I shouldn't spend real money on the switcher....
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dfuruta
buyin' gear
Joined: 08 May 2009
Posts: 504
Location: mpls
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| Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2012 11:48 am Post subject: Re: monitor switching |
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| This really seems like the perfect thing to DIY. It'll be cheap, and should be as pristine sounding as any passive product you'd buy. Should be easy to build, too. |
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vvv
on a wing and a prayer
Joined: 13 May 2003
Posts: 5628
Location: Chi
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| Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2012 1:18 pm Post subject: Re: monitor switching |
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I use a old Techic SA-600 receiver for power that has the ability to do A, B and A+B. Then, I have a Rat-Shack 40-132 A/B/A+B switcher on the receiver's B side.
I currently switch between Tannoy PBM 6.5II's, Auratones, and Optimus 77's.
I couldn't find my (cheap) switcher on-line, but this or this might work well, if rather not really cheap.
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T-rex
dead but not forgotten
Joined: 05 Apr 2004
Posts: 2093
Location: Louisville KY
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| Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2012 5:56 pm Post subject: Re: monitor switching |
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| rhythm ranch wrote: | | I use, and have used for years, the Coleman Audio LS3. Works perfectly, is clean and never caused a second of problems. |
+1. Only had it about a year but it works perfectly and quietly. Amazing little box. |
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kjs
audio school graduate
Joined: 05 Jan 2011
Posts: 14
Location: Illinois
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| Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2012 10:20 am Post subject: Re: monitor switching |
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| I ended up with a Central Station a couple years ago. Pretty cheap used, handy, and reliable. The remote has a super long cable and is really convenient. |
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joel hamilton
TOMB Moderator
Joined: 19 May 2003
Posts: 8863
Location: NYC/Brooklyn
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trodden
on a wing and a prayer
Joined: 07 May 2003
Posts: 5106
Location: C-attle
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T-rex
dead but not forgotten
Joined: 05 Apr 2004
Posts: 2093
Location: Louisville KY
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| Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2012 5:54 pm Post subject: Re: monitor switching |
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| Yes, and you can select multiple monitors at a time. So you can have a sub on channel 3 and use it with either the speakers on channel 1 or 2 - or both if you are feeling frisky! |
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SafeandSoundMastering
gettin' sounds
Joined: 02 Jun 2011
Posts: 100
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| Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2012 8:49 am Post subject: Re: monitor switching |
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For those who pass by this thread who use passive speakers and a sole amplifier I use one of these and it is excellent:
QED SS21 2 way audiophile speaker switch.
cheers
SafeandSound Mastering
Mastering studio |
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