M1-3AI Stereo Mastering Console

M1-3AI Stereo Mastering Console

M1-3AI Console

The M1-3AI is our smallest M1 console. It is ideal for entry-level stereo mastering or production. It has 3 analogue and 3 digital inserts, plus analogue and digital machine inputs.  It can be expanded to a larger M1 at any time, and while it does not supports parallel analogue processing, with the -TP option you can add MS and level processing to the 3 analogue inserts

The M1-3AI has these features:

IO

  • 2 analogue sources
  • 4 digital sources
  • 3 digital destinations
  • 3 analogue inserts
  • 3 digital inserts
  • 1 monitor DA
  • 1 transfer DA & DA

Monitor sources

  • Choose between 2 analogue and 4 digital sources to listen to, plus internal monitor points
  • Choosing a digital source automatically inserts a monitor DAC without you having to do anything else
  • The internal monitor points are: before and after the analogue record chain, and before and after the whole record chain, so you can listen to the record path,. as well as the source machines
  • Easily apply amonitor only trim to any or every source. The trim is calibrated in 0.25dB steps, so you can A/B any source to any other, removing any level differences- hear the difference, not the level
  • Each source has a labelled button, and you can print out your own labels to label them with their proper names (eg DAW, or Sadie)

Monitor Controller

  • Choose what to listen to with the monitor selector and send it to one of 3 speakers, or a set of headphones
  • Each speaker has it's own level control, so you can switch between speaker sets with no jump in volume
  • The volume control has coarse steps below - 50dB, then fine 1dB steps from -50 to 0dB, so you can accurately adjust the level.
  • All levels are displayed on the panel LCD, so you can see where you are and recall levels easily
  • You can calibrate the controller to work to relative dB levels, with 0dB as your normal setting. This lets you easily compare mix loudness, and also operate Bob Katz's K system calibration if you want
  • You can make the nearfield speaker work independently, great for use with a external subwoofer
  • You can add our -BM bass manager option to get proper filtered outputs for stereo main speakers and stereo or mono subwoofers
  • There is individual speaker Left and Right Cuts(mutes) as well as a master cut (mute)
  • There is a programmable Dim switch, where you can adjust the Dim level
  • There are a range of mono functions: Mono Left, Mono Right, Mono Sum and Mono Difference - great for listening to the out of phase audio
  • There is a range of phase flip functions: Phase Left, Phase Right, and Phase Absolute
  • There is a Swap Left and Right function
  • There is an analogue meter output for metering all sources

Transfer Selector

  • Select any of the monitor source machines to be the input of the transfer(record) path
  • The source is automatically routed to the record inputs of all of the digital machines, so you just have to hit record to transfer
  • Digital and analogue machines are automatically routed via ADCs if required
  • The source is shown on the LCD panel, and the Tfr source button will monitor it

Insert Switching

  • Insert as many inserts as you like, in any order from 3 analogue inserts and 3 digital inserts
  • You can choose digital inserts before analogue inserts, or the other way around.
  • Transfer DAC and ADCs are automatically inserted when you insert an analogue insert to save you time and aggro
  • The order of the inserts is shown on the panel's LCD, so it's easy to see where you are, and easy to recall the positions
  • You can lock an analogue insert in place, so you can audition it, all from the front panel

MS & Level trimming option

  • You can trim before and after the analogue record chain to optimise levels
  • The trimmer has separate Left and Right trims, that can be ganged together with or without a L/R offset
  • The trimmer has fine 0.25dB steps over a +/- 6dB range
  • The MS system allows you to MS any insert or inserts, if you place the MS in 2 inserts. Alternatively, you can fix it to one insert.
  • The MS system gives you control of the S level, so the overall volume of the audio stays the same, while you work on the difference signal
  • All electronics, MS and trimmer have a hard relay bypass

Physical

  • 2 or 3 wide front panel units, fit into a 4RU 19" space, or a moveable wooden pod
  • 2RU of remote rack houses all of the electronics
  • Supplied with 18' (6M) of connecting cable from the racks to the front panels