DAW users can now “switch to analog” with this entirely class A mixing and mastering device. Being able to subgroup our computers digital outputs and converting them to an analogue signal to be processed as a real voltage and not as a number is becoming increasingly important, moreover, using a single system from monitoring to mastering minimizes multi-device use lowering the interconnection time and costs.
Monster Master MS-166/16 is the answer to all stream mixing and mastering needs. Its features set it apart from other similar products on the market: each of the 16 mixing channels has an 11-step rotary switch for pannning, a 12-step rotary switch for level (going from +3dB to -2.5dB in 0.5dB increments), an input attenuation selection button (0dB, -6dB or -12dB) and mute and solo buttons.
The solo function is particularly useful as it works even if the channel is muted: signal is fed to the bus after the pan rotary switch to allow a correct and precise stereo positioning of each signal for each channel. The master section has two master level rotary switches that allow a 3dB-increase or decrease of the output level in steps of 0.5dBs. The internal summing summing section is totally symmetric (balanced) and built with highest quality components to guarantee maximum signal transparency and quality. The resulting noise is 10 to 12dB lower than other summing mixers.
A specific additional feature of the Monster Master is the “Summing Bypass” function, which is extremely useful for mastering an already mixed stereo track. This option allows selective feeding of channels 1 and 2 or 5 and 6 and not the entire summing output to the mastering section. This further reduces noise coming from unused tracks. When channels 1 and 2 or 5 and 6 are directly fed to the mastering section, the level and pan controls for these channels are bypassed and a unitary gain is used. Changing the internal jumper setup can easily restore the effect of the level control rotary switch.
The Monster Master is the “All-in-one” solution for the mixing and mastering engineer who do not accept compromises in sound quality and that want maximum flexibility and reliability. An exceptionally robust frame houses only the best available non-custom and non-SMD components.
Number of ChannelsPower Supply | 16 |
Power Supply | Linear Regulator (Balanced C-Core Transformer) |
Operating Voltage | 220V 50 Hz/ 110 V 60 Hz switchable |
Power Consumption | 50 W |
Input | Electronically balanced, Level +4 dBu max +24 dBu Impedance > 10 KΩ |
Channel Gain | 12-step level rotary switch from +3dB to -2.5dB in 0.5dB increments with input attenuator selection switch (0dB or -6dB or -12dB). |
Master Output | Electronically balanced, Output Impedance 50 Ω. (minimum external load 600Ω). |
Master Level | Level +4dBu, Max +29dBu, 12-step level rotary switch from +3dB to -2.5dB in 0.5dB increments. |
Master Sub filter | 20 Hz 12 dB/Oct Slope. |
DAC Input | Stereo, Line level +4dBu max +24dBu, balanced, Imp. >10kΩ. |
CD Input | Stereo. Level -10dBu, Imp. >10kΩ, unbalanced. |
Bandwidth | 5 - 200.000 Hz -1dB, perfect square wave up to 20 KHz |
Distortion + Noise | <0.005% ( typical 0.001 %). |
Front Panel Controls (each channel): Input Section | 12-step rotary switch from for level control (+3dB to -2.5dB in 0.5dB increments),
3 positions input attenuation switch (0dB or -6dB or -12dB), 11-Step pan rotary switch. 2 x buttons for mute and solo. |
Front Panel Controls: Insert Section | 4 x backlighted buttons (INSERT 1 to 4 enable).
3 x buttons (Insert 5, Insert OFF, Solo). |
Front Panel Controls: Master Section | 2 x 12-step level rotary switch, (+3dB to -2.5dB in 0.5dB steps) for L/R Channels.
2 x buttons (Subsonic Filter, Phase). Toggle switch input mode (1+2, Sum, 5+6). |
Front Panel Controls: Monitor Section | 4 x pots (Monitor, Solo, CD-level, Headphones).
5 x buttons (Mute L, Mute R, Mono, DAC, CD). 3-way toggle switch speaker mode (Speaker 1, OFF, Speaker 2). |
Front Panel Indicators | Input Section (each channel):
Insert Section:yellow LED (Solo), red LED (Mute), Master Section:4 x backlighted button (INS 1-4), 2x red LEDs (INS 5, INS off), yellow LED (Solo), Monitor Section: 3x red LED (Mute L, Mute R, Mono), 2X green LED (DAC, CD). |
Front Panel Connnectors | 4 x 1/4” TRS jack for INSERT 5 (send L-R, return L-R),
1 x 1/4” stereo jack for headphones Imp. >50Ω. |
Rear Panel Input Connectors | 8 x Balanced XLR female (Ch1 to Ch8),
DB25 female (Ch1 to Ch8), 2 x Balanced XLR female (DAC input), 2x RCA (CD/DVD input). |
Rear Panel Output Connectors | 6 x Balanced XLR male (Main, Mon 1, Mon 2).
1/4” jack stereo VU meter connection. |
Rear Panel Insert Connectors | 8 x Balanced XLR female: Send 1 to 4 (LEFT), Send 1 to 4 (RIGHT).
8 x Balanced XLR male: Return 1 to 4 (LEFT), Return 1 to 4 (RIGHT). |
Main Switch | Power On/Off switch |
Rear Panel AC mains | IEC C13 16 A connector, AC mains cord with IEC Schuko 16A. |
Construction | 19" rack mount metal box |
Dimensions | W 483 mm / 19”, H 222.5 mm/8.75” (5 RU), D 225 mm / 8.86”. |
Weight | 9 kg. |
FULLY BALANCED SUMMING BUS (FBSB) The summing busses in the ARREL Audio units are implemented by using active fully balanced summing busses for maximum audio performances and noise rejection. |
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LARGE BANDWIDTH (LBW) Large Bandwidth (LB) means a very fast transient response able to represent the original sound with the maximum temporal resolution. LB is required to improve the perception of a “real sound” and to represent the details of the original sound. |
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PERFECT SQUARE WAVE (PSW) Large bandwidth plus very low total harmonic distortion means a perfect square wave reproduction. |
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ULTRA LOW NOISE (ULN) Ultra Low Noise (ULN) active and passive components and ULN design techniques. This requirement is especially important when the audio bandwidth is large as in the case of ARREL Audio products. |
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VERY HIGH DYNAMIC RANGE (VHDR) Very High Dynamic Range (VHDR) means that the saturation probability of the output stages is extremely low. This is obtained by using special rail to rail circuits and by increasing the power supply voltage of the analog circuits. |
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ELECTROMECHANICAL FAULT TOLERANCE (EFT) Electromechanical tolerance means that electromechanical components are doubled in every situation in which maximum reliability it is important due to a frequent use (switches, push buttons, potentiometers). |
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THROUGH-HOLE TECHNOLOGY (THT) Through Hole technology means the maximum reliability in terms of thermal and mechanical stresses especially for connectors and electromechanical components. |