The SPL Control One Monitor Controlleris a monitor controller in SPL's One series of high-quality audio equipment. This monitor controller offers two stereo inputs (one balanced, one unbalanced) as well as two speaker outputs, a headphone output, and a subwoofer output. As with the inputs, the output sections give you a choice of balanced or unbalanced 1/4" connection points.

An input selector lets you switch among the two sources, which you can also blend, if that is your desire. An output selector allows you to choose between your A and B output sets. Another front-panel switch sums the stereo output to mono, which can be useful for checking the integrity of your mix. You can also swap the left and right channels in order to ensure that your center elements are truly centered.

In the headphone section, note the Crossfeed knob; it engages the Phonitor Matrix, SPL's technology for emulating speaker positioning within a room, all in your headphones. With the Crossfeed knob, you can dial-in subtle amounts of the opposing channel to emulate the feeling of speakers. Mixing engineers might find this feature particularly handy when mixing in headphones.

The headphone amp itself utilizes a Class AB design and is able to power both high- and low-impedance headphones alike. You can go between your favorite consumer-grade closed-backs and your high-grade open backs without problem. A 12V external power supply unit is included.

Audiophile-Grade Monitor Controller    Built-In High-Quality Headphone Amp    2 Stereo Inputs, 2 Monitor Outs    Balanced or Unbalanced 1/4" Ins and Outs    Subwoofer Output and Headphones Output    Phonitor Matrix with Variable Crossfeed    Low Noise & Distortion Characteristics    Includes Power Supply

Two analog stereo inputs can be connected to the Control One for sources such as a DA converter, CD player, mixing console, synthesizer, analog tape machine, tape deck, or more. You can also listen to a mix of your two sets of inputs.

The selected input signal is output unchanged at the Line Out. This allows the Control One to be looped between devices. If several people want to listen via headphones, a headphone amplifier can be connected to the Line Out. You can also record the analog signal or send it to a mixer for further processing.

Three monitoring modes are on hand. In the middle is the default setting "Stereo". To check the mono compatibility, set the switch to Mono. The third setting is a channel swap, which swaps the left and right channels. This is a great way to test if center elements are in fact sitting in the center of your mix, as you intended them. It's also an easy way to correct incorrect left/right orientation while viewing media.

The output stage of the headphone amplifier is designed as a push-pull amplifier in class AB mode. The bipolar transistors share the amplification of the positive and negative half-waves, which produces a higher gain and a higher output voltage than in Class A operation, where only one transistor amplifies both half-waves.

The output stage transistors are thermally coupled and thus run particularly coherently, which contributes to a consistent and stable sound image.

The power supply has a buffer circuit with low source resistance, ensuring generous current reserves even when operating low-impedance headphones.

In the headphone amplifier is the Phonitor Matrix with adjustable crossfeed; you can use it to recreate the feeling of speakers inside headphones. The crossfeed knob determines the crosstalk of the channels—the so-called interaural level difference. The intensity of the crossfeed is fully variable.

At the beginning of the control path, the function is not in the audio path. It is only switched on by adding it via relay (hysteresis circuit). The audio signal therefore does not pass through the crossfeed stage if this is not desired.

Related Questions and Answers

Q: 1. Can this control the Sound Devices MixPre series (mk i and/or mk ii)? Or is that a different Novation controller?

A: Yes the Novation Launch Control XL is directly compatible with the Sound Devices MixPre series recorders. So is the Akai MIDIMIX, Korg nanoKontrol Studio and Korg nanoKontrol 2.

Q: 2. Are the XLR and 1/8" stereo mini-jack outputs active at the same time? Could I use the XLR for Left and Right monitors while using the 1/8" stereo mini-jack for a subwoofer?

A: No, the left and right XLR outputs and the 1/8" output are not able to be used at the same time for connecting speakers. You can either use the XLR outputs OR the 1/8" stereo output to connect speakers.

Q: 3. Can you plug good studio headphones into the stereo output on the back and toggle between the headphones and Nearfield monitors?

A: Yes, you can connect studio headphones and nearfield monitors and toggle between them. Depending on the headphones, you may want to use them with a headphone amplifier to provide more gain.

Q: 4. What is the best way to connect this to an iMac

A: You will connect it you your computers 3.5mm audio out jack to the ESIs 3.5mm audio input connector.

Q: 5. I think this would be very useful for me, but would'nt expect any "magic". It probably has the characteristic of most level controllers that use potentiometers: at low volumes, balance shifts one way or the other (due to less than 100.000% accuracy in having identical pots). Also, pots probably get dirty (noisy) after a while. Do folks experience these issues with this device? Thank you. DG

A: The ESI MoCo Passive Monitor Controller works just as described and does not add noise to the system. The potentiometer and switches should not get dirty if the environment where it is used is fairly clean and not dusty. If you are concerned about dirt getting inside, simply cover the unit with a cloth or a vinyl or plastic cover like you would use to cover a keyboard when it is not being used. We have had no complaints at all regarding the MoCo, only positive customer reviews which you can read for yourself. Why expect that there will be problems when customers have only reported having a good experience using this device?

Q: 6. Does lanc control work with the fx3, if so does touch to focus work?

A: The Sony FX3 Full-Frame Cinema Camera (B&H # SOFX3) does not have a LANC port, which will not allow for control on the Lilliput HT7S 7" On-Camera Control Monitor with LANC Camera Control.

Q: 7. can you monitor 4k 60p footage from the camera?

A: The Lilliput HT7S 7" On-Camera Control Monitor with LANC Camera Control can support up to a DCI 4K60p input via HDMI for monitoring.

Q: 8. Can you loop through HDMI input to SDI output?

A: The Lilliput HT7S 7" On-Camera Control Monitor with LANC Camera Control does allow for loop out with either HDMI or SDI.

Q: 9. Does this unit feature a locking barrel for the DC input?

A: No, the Lilliput HT7S 7" On-Camera Control Monitor with LANC Camera Control does not include a locking barrel power adapter in the box.

Q: 10. Can 2 Frontliners be connected for stereo operation of the processing modules?

A: Unfortunately the Frontliner is designed as a single channel unit with no linking features for dual or stereo operation.