AES Level Control ?

[soundonsound]

I want to send AES out my 192 into my RM1 Reference Monitors. What's the easiest way or piece of gear I can add to give myself some kind of external level control over this digital signal?

Right now, I can either turn down the gain on the back of the RM1's, or create a master fader and cross my fingers I don't blow my ears out. What would the pro's do to control AES input into to digital monitors?

I have a C|8 - works great for analog but useless now that I want to use Digital.

I suppose the new C|24 would do this, but I really just need something like a Mackie Big Knob but not the Mackie Big Knob.

Thanks!

[Drew Mazurek]

What would the pro's do to control AES input into to digital monitors?

This

[Craig F]

or something w/ meters

[soundonsound]

Whoa, time to get the credit card out. So if the pro's use that, then maybe the not so pro, like myself should just stick to using a master fader!

In your guys opinion, if normally do sessions at 48K or 96K and just use the converters on the 192 out analog into the c8 and out c8 analog into my RM1's. Would it really benefit me much to go digital out instead and have the RM1's do the conversion?

I haven't tried it yet, but didn't want to change my working setup if it's not going to be remarkable difference.

I guess I could just try and see.

[Drew Mazurek]

From a sound perspective, of course do some tests to see which way sounds best.

I don't think I would be comfortable directly connecting my speakers to an AES output and relying on a Master Fader as a volume control, too risky IMO.

[Stig Eliassen]

The Benchmark DAC1 sounds great, and has a stepped volume control on the front. AES in and analog out to the RM1's.

[soundonsound]

Thanks for the recommendation.

But I'm actually trying to go AES into the reference monitors so I can hear their conversion, not analog into them. I have a Command 8 that can do that fine.

Is there anything else out there that would just give me a passive level control on the AES signal without changing it any other way?

Sorry if I'm missing something.

[DooDooDoo]

Hi,
catching up with this thread.
I'm looking at a new pair of active monitors (small room)
RM1 look promising

I wonder if one can connect both analog and aes inputs at the same time.
analog for mixing (using analog control room return)
aes for mastering (using software master fader)

Would that set up work?

Thanks,

Remy

[Andre Knecht]

[…] Is there anything else out there that would just give me a passive level control on the AES signal without changing it any other way?

Dynaudio Acoustics’ line of Air monitors feature AES/EBU inputs and are controlled in the digital domain.

IHTH.

[Craig F]

[quote

Is there anything else out there that would just give me a passive level control on the AES signal without changing it any other way?

Sorry if I'm missing something.

[/QUOTE]

No, changing the level of any digital signal requires some form of DSP. Amplitude is part of the bit structure.