DeerSync McONE Active Monitor Controller Renders impressive design slanted desktop device
A praised name in monitor control renders an impressive active design
The McONE Active is a 10.25" x 6" x 3.25" slanted desktop device that weighs just shy of 4 lbs. It is finished in a white/cream color with black lettering and is capped on each end by thick wood side panels. If your studio furniture is contemporary and you also love to using some vintage gears, putting McONE Active in the studio, It looks like a cross between classic and fashion, It like a custom-made art thing for you.
This is a beautiful-looking and beautiful-sounding box that is well featured, well built, and fills in the midlevel price range well.
Overview
A great balance of simplicity and features
It starts with a pair of 3-position rotary switches marked A / B / C. The top switch is labeled Input and the bottom control is the Cue Select. You can send one of three input sources—like your DAW output, a console’s monitor mix, or a portable music player—to a pair of selected studio monitors, as well as to the Cue output, which in turn can feed a headphone distributor or a set of tracking room speakers. A similar 3-position Output switch selects one of three speaker outputs.
Four black latching pushbuttons are next, marked: Mono, Dim (–17 dB), Mute, and Sub (a stereo subwoofer out). Volume control is handled by a large black knob which uses a high quality Alps pot. It is super smooth yet nicely resistant and feels fantastic.
Highlights
Simple Input Switching
3 stereo 1/4" balanced inputs (accepts unbalanced as well for CD players, iPods etc)
Simple Output Switching
3 stereo 1/4" balanced outputs for three dedicated sets of monitors
Sub Output
Subwoofer dedicated output (with separate off switch to check mixes without it)
Cue Feed
Artist monitor output to feed headphone monitoring system (separate source select, and carries talkback mic signal to artists)
Talkback Mic
Feeds the Cue output, while dimming the speaker outs by -17dB
Powerful Headphone Amp
Caution: Loud and clean audio ahead, for use in the control room to check mixes on headphones
Dim, Mono and Mute
Take full control over the stereo mix, and hear every last detail
Features
Active balanced on all inputs and outputs
Also accepts unbalanced signals from iPods, CD players, etc
Clean, uncolored and detailed audio with uber flat response at all volumes
Table top, ergonomic design is easy to reach for
Cream color with black text is easy to read in dim lighting
Wooden sides bring an old school vintage vibe to your DAW studio
3 Inputs, TRS 1/4” Balanced, Selectable for monitoring or CUE feed
3 Speaker Outputs, TRS 1/4” Balanced for multiple stereo pairs
1 Stereo Subwoofer Output, TRS 1/4” Balanced with on/off switch
1 Stereo CUE output, feed your artist headphone system with three inputs + talkback
1 Headphone output for control room / engineer
Talkback microphone with talkback gain trim access on bottom of unit
Volume pot, high quality ALPS
Headphone amp volume control
MONO summing for checking mixes, affects 3 speaker outs and subwoofer
DIM function, -17dB value (engages during talkback)
MUTE function
Power switch with soft amber glow LED indicator
Universal power supply, auto sensing (standard IEC 3 prong)
Specifications
- INPUT: Maximum Input Level +26dBU
- OUTPUT: Maximum Output Level before clipping +29dBU
- SIGNAL TO NOISE RATIO: @ 0dBu unity gain 120dB
- CROSSTALK: L/R @ 1kHz -105dBu
- THD & NOISE: unity gain +24dBu input .005%
- FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 20Hz*20kHz +/* 0.3dB
- DIMENSIONS: 10.25”W x 6”D x 3.25”H
- WEIGHT: 3.55 LBS (1.6 KG)
- POWER REQUIREMENTS: 12-18V @ 1000mA (power supply is universal for worldwide use)