SPL SMC 5.1 Surround Monitor Controller

The SPL Surround Monitor Controller (SMC) is a one-point analog volume control and switching matrix for system-independent 5.1 surround and stereo monitoring for essentially any audio application:

• Surround and stereo production
• DVD-V, DVD-A, SACD and DTS authoring
• Film and video postproduction
• Video and game production
• A/V and multimedia production
• Audiophile home entertainment systems

The advantages of the SMC become especially apparent in combination with modern audio and video production tools such as ProTools, Nuendo, Cubase, Logic, Deck etc. Monitor levels and source management can be handled independently of the software and with virtually no loss in quality. You no longer need to set up additional aux sends or an alternative surround master for monitoring. In addition, you won't have to worry about over- or underdriving the converters due to monitor levels.

One of the SMC's biggest advantages is the possibility to manage several input sources: comparing and monitoring SACD or DVD material is much easier than having to import all of your audio files and set up monitor mixes – not to mention the conversion of multichannel audio.

Standard A/V receivers are often used for this task. The problem with this is that the audio has to be either AD/DA converted or manipulated by signal-degenerating control circuitry (VCA's, DAC's etc.) for volume control, so you never hear the unadulterated audio – especially frustrating when you're working on SACD or DVD-A projects.

The SMC's rugged and ergonomic steel-blue desktop enclosure with its slanted front panel harmonizes perfectly with the desktop production environment and can be placed exactly where control is needed.

Rear Panel & Connections
In addition to a surround speaker set, a stereo pair can be connected to and managed by the SMC. A Sub-D input connector provides six surround and two stereo input channels. Eight additional RCA connectors allow easy connection of SACD, DVD, CD or DAT players. A slave output allows the stereo or surround input signal to be routed directly to a recording device. Volume control is handled by a discrete six-layer potentiometer and all switching functions by extremely durable precision push-buttons.

Who needs analog level control?
Simply put—most DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) users. A majority of D/A converters and sound cards provide nothing in the way of analog level monitoring control, and this means the necessity of varying signal levels at the converter outputs. The result is a lowered bit rate in the monitoring signal, which can lead to commensurate loss of audio quality. Electronic controls (for example in AV receivers) employ VCA and DAC components which tend to produce more distortions, or the signal runs through further AD/DA converters for the volume control. Thus especially with high resolution audio (24/96kHz, SACD, DVD-A ...), only a high-quality analog, direct control of the source output ensures an unimpaired playback of the original information.