5 essential monitor controller features

As we know, a monitor controller performs the functions of a master module in a recording console for DAW users who don't have, or need, a mixer through which their signals are routed.

DAW, monitor controller and control surfaces

Positioning is important. We need to be able to grab the volume control easily, so many studio owners position them close to hand at the monitoring position.

A well used (and worn!) Mackie Big Knob

Monitor controllers come in all shapes and sizes from the simple volume pot of the TC Electronic Level Pilot to the comprehensive Grace Designs m905.

TC Electronic Level Pilot

Grace Designs m905

Many audio interfaces have built in monitor controller features too, but whatever we choose we can all agree that some form of physical control (knobs!) over our monitor signals is preferable to grabbing a mouse and moving a virtual on-screen master fader (not least because many of us fear the potential damage to our monitors caused by a software glitch or crash).

Before listing what we think are the essential features to look out for, here's a list of typical features found on a monitor controller ..

1. Volume - this should be a reasonably large and robust pot.
2. Metering - preferable to having to look at on-screen meters when adjusting volume
3. Mute switch - mutes the volume
4. Dim switch - lowers the volume
5. Sum to mono switch - its arguable how important this is when virtually all audio is played in stereo, but perhaps you mix in mono for clubs?
6. Speaker select - many of us have multiple sets of monitors and checking mixes on low budget computer speakers or grot boxes in addition to our primary monitors is very useful.
7. Source select - for DAW stereo outs, CD player, laptop outputs etc.
8. Record player phono input is useful
9. Analogue and digital paths
10. Headphone output and level control
11. Talkback mic with latching button

Choosing the 5 essential features is harder when you consider that we all have very different needs. If you are relatively new to studio ownership multiple inputs may be of little use to you, whilst others will find it hard to do without inputs for their record, CD and DAT players. If you record in a single/control room, talkback may not be high on your list either. So with that in mind, here's are recommendations ..

1. Volume (doh!)
2. Mute switch - it's essential when you need to leave your monitoring level undisturbed
3. Speaker select - switching between main monitors and a typical consumer end-user system is invaluable
4. Headphone output and level control - the alternative is having to by a dedicated headphone amp and then figuring out how to integrate it
5. Talkback mic - even if you only record in your control room you'll find this essential when producing a performer, and we all run leads out to other rooms sometimes

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5 essential guitar pedals all project studio owners should own

Almost all guitar tones comprise a combination of ..

- guitarist technique
- guitar
- effect pedals
- amp / cabinet
- mic and positioning

If you are a project or home studio owner who either plays electric guitar, or records guitar players, you may want to have some pedals effects on hand.

Unlike other instruments, pedal effects are usually an integral part of a guitar tone and therefore recorded live as part of the signal. A guitarist's performance often relies on the way these pedals respond to their playing technique so adding them afterwards isn't always desirable or effective.

Here are 5 pedals you should consider owning ..

1. Compressor. Essential for transient and tone shaping, adding sustain, and smoothing out the dynamics of tight funky rhythm parts. Think Nile Rodgers. Celebrated models include the MXR DynaComp and the Xotic SP.

2. Overdrive / boost pedal. These pedals are used to drive an amp's clean channel into distortion by boosting the signal from the guitar. The amount of amp distortion depends on a guitarist playing technique. Hit the strings harder for more break-up. They differ from a distortion channel on an amp in which distortion is usually always present. Some of these pedals have additional distortion circuits controlled by a Gain or Drive control. Essential for those Stevie Ray Vaughn tones. Celebrated models include the Ibanez TS808 Tube Screamer.

3. Fuzz pedal. Essential ingredient in adding a synth-like sustained distortion to lead sounds. Fuzz pedals add a fizzy sustained distortion to a signal that can be toned down with a treble cut control. Think Ernie Isley and Shine On You Crazy Diamond. Celebrated models include ProCo RAT, Fuzz Face, and Electro Harmonix Big Muff.

4. Phaser pedal. For some reason the rich effect of pedal phasing has yet to be fully replicated in plug-ins. Celebrated models include the MXR Phase 90 and Electro Harmonix Small Stone.

5. Wah-wah. Essentially a foot controllable band pass sweep filter with resonance, this effect should be placed firmly under the control of the performer. Where would the Theme From Shaft be without it!. Celebrated models include the Dunlop Cry Baby.

Providing you have a re-amping box, all of these effects can also be used on keyboards, drum machines and any other line level signal you have recorded to your DAW.

There are of course, many other types of pedal but some, such as delay and reverb, are best added with outboard or plug-ins after recording.

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The perfect recording studio engineers chair

It's the last thing you think about when building your studio, and yet the right chair might just be the most important purchase you make. The ergonomics of setting up an effective monitoring environment have been discussed endlessly ..

- near field triangle
- distance between monitors
- acoustic treatments
- tweeters at ear level
- reflections from mixing surface
- etc

.. but how much attention do we spend considering the best way to support ourselves during the long hours of editing and mixing?

Having been through ten different chairs over the last 20 years, we think we have discovered the ultimate studio chair, and guess what, it's a 57 year old design that was never intended for use in studios. In our quest we have tried ..

- office chairs (cheap, plastic and creaky)
- designer chairs (couldn't take the use and abuse)
- stools (never again)
- dinning room chairs (too uncomfortable)

We learnt a lot from these failures, so and here are the qualities we think are required for the perfect chair ..

- castors - you've got to be able to move around a bit to reach all your gear
- swivel - of course it must turn
- height adjustable - get those feet flat on the floor
- comfortable back support
- leather upholstery - great for maintenance
- steel arm rests - to take the abuse

And the perfect chair is? The Charles Eames steel frame office chair. Not only does it meet all our criteria, but it's a design classic, and excellent reproductions can be had for £150 on eBay.

Thanks for watching and reading
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