SM Pro Audio has announced the MPatch 5.1, a passive surround volume controller.
Designed to provide true passive analog control over surround studio monitoring systems the MPatch 5.1 employs a newly designed multi gang passive switching system. No power has to be connected in order for the unit to opearate, the power is only needed for LED indication, it is a totally passive surround controler.
A 25 pin D-SUB input connector provides six surround (5.1) and two stereo input channels. In addition to a surround speaker system, a stereo monitoring pair can be connected to the MPatch 5.1. An additional 4 stereo input allows for other unblanaced line level input to be connected to the MPatch 5.1 (such as DVD players, CD players etc).
Adjustment of the attenuation in the MPatch 5.1 is handled by a 12 gang switching system utilising accurate precision metal film resistors which eliminates issues currently found in other passive systems at lower volumes.
Features :
• Balanced inputs (D-SUB)
• Unbalanced RCA surround inputs
• Balanced TRS stereo inputs
• Unbalanced RCA stereo inputs
• Dual Balanced XLR L/R outputs
• Balanced TRS surround outputs
• Balanced slave output (D-SUB)
• Rotary analog stereo volume controls
• 8 output selector switches with mutes
• -20dB pad switch
• Stereo/Mono switch
• Master Mute Switch
Pricing and availability TBA.