Surround Metering

[scott waz]

On the good advice of Georgia and Marti (and over the years you two have provided a ton! TYVM), I am looking at DK-Audio series 600 meters. Problem is, I'm a bit confused as to which of the four in that series is just enough and which is more than I need. Currently, I am only bussing 8 channels of PT to a Tascam AES/TDIF interface over to a DM-24 mixer and forwarding that signal out the second TDIF to a DS-M7.1 (and then to a DA-98) and shortly, Dolby DP570 monitoring and a DP-571 encoder will be added. Where in this chain of events should the DK-Audio 600 metering go? And again which one OR which options should I be on the lookout for?

--side note-- Georgia, I am still interested in visiting. Sooner than later. AES convention time would be the latest. Still ok??

Scott Waz
Audio Post Philadelphia

[georgia]

If your looking for 5.1 monitoring I highly recommend the MDS600M it can be setup anyway you want. You can order a card with an AES IO only ( 2 channels ) or with Analog IO only ( 2 channels ) or with both Digital & Analog ( 2 channels of each ) you can get a card to have an additional Video Monitor out and you can get other special cards. We have an MDS600M with 3 Digital/Analog IO cards and the video card, as well as, a dual channel analog/digital IO out. This gives us not only. Digital and Analog 5.1 metering, but the ability to digitally route data and send digital data to analog IO outs for misc use. The MDS600M also has the ability to display various meter types for EBU / AES / SMPTE/ NBC / etc with peak/ave/RMS/VU etc. it also has the ability to run and display LEQM data.

I have a digital console so I use the following setup. I set up an insert post fader. On the digital insert I send my 5.1 to the DSM7.1 unit via the console in. I purchased a Digital AES card for the DSM7.1 for outputs, so I then send the return back digitally to the insert on the console. Now, I can pop the DSM7.1 in or out on a whim. I mult the output of my 5.1 tracks to
1. Analog to the DTS T2 tower or dolby gear then on to my Printmaster device ( DA98HR )
2. Digitally to my MDS600M for monitoring
3. Out to the control room speakers.

I also send my DSM7.1 master recorder TDIF to the DA98HR to monitor in-line.
Now, I can monitor the mix thru the downmixer and thru the DA98 or not, or any combination.


Drop by and I'll give you the demo.

Cheers
georgia

[oldmanpotter]

Georgia,

I realize the MDS600M is probably way more comprehensive than the Martinsound MultiMAX/MultiVU but how do they compare in price? I'm planning/designing a new dub stage, and would appreciate your input. (I've formerly used the PicMix for a monitor matrix, with good old Durroughs for metering.)

cheers,

Peter

[georgia]

It's a lot more expensive.. but worth every penny. I spend around $5k to $6k ( I actually don't remeber exactly ) but I'd never trade if for any other metering. If you're building a new dub stage I wouldn't skimp on acoustics, monitoring and metering....

Cheers

georgia

[dr sound]

[QUOTE]
Poster: georgia
Subject: Re: Surround Metering

It's a lot more expensive.. but worth every penny. I spend around $5k to $6k ( I actually don't remeber exactly ) but I'd never trade if for any other metering. If you're building a new dub stage I wouldn't skimp on acoustics, monitoring and metering....
Cheers
georgia
/quote]
dr. sound replies,
Like she said! I do like my Dorroughs and MultiMax . Hey Oldmanpotter give me a call. I'm in the Valley. You should come over.
Take care,

[P. Dennis Mitchell]

I offer an additional vote for the DK Audio MSD600M. I just finished using one for 6 months. It was quite simply the finest piece of metering equipment I have ever used. It does WAY more for the money than any other box. Phase corr.+ jellyfish + level all at once. A couple of keystrokes and you can look at frequency spectrum display. A couple more keystrokes and you can do a Leq(m) pass to make sure your mix meets TASA spec. The VGA output card is great as well. It makes it really easy to see everything. I hated having to give the unit back. I'm trying to find the $3-4k to buy my own.

PS The thing saved my bacon one night when a brownout caused my Logic 2 desk to get goofy without sounding goofy. Only the meter told me the truth. A quick reboot of the desk and everything was perfect again. It probably paid for itself that night!

P. Dennis Mitchell
Mix Engineer

[oldmanpotter]

Good advice, as I would expect from Georgia and the Doctor. Thanks for the offer Marti. Funny, I've been thinking of contacting you, since I really enjoy all your posts here and I'm in your neighborhood. I too come from a traditional film mixing style, and am now mixing "entirely in the box" which is hard to beat. I agree with you in that the one thing I miss is having really good outboard gear for reverbs and such, but keep in mind...you can cheat a bit by setting up anolog effects send/returns that feed your Lexicon 480 et. al. though of course they won't be saved along with your PT session. I also enjoyed your posts in the "pec/direct" thread. Finally, your post house looks beautiful...a very nice website!

Peter

p.s. Sad to say, for now the new dub stage I was helping to plan is dead in the water. The good news is, less potential competition for you!

[dr sound]

Peter,
Thanks for the kind words ! Sorry to hear about the expansion plans.Like I wrote above, give me a call( make it the end of next week if you are free).
Take care,