PRESONUS MONITOR STATION - V1.0, MONITOR STATION User Manual

MONITOR

STATION

Studio Control Center

User’s Manual v1.0

PRESONUS LIMITED WARRANTY

PreSonus Audio Electronics Inc. warrants this product to be free of defects in material and workmanship for a period of one year from the date of original retail purchase. Th is warranty is enforceable only by the original retail purchaser. To be protected by this warranty, the purchaser must complete and return the enclosed warranty card within 14 days of purchase. During the warrant y period PreSonus shall, at its sole and absolute option, either repair or replace, free of charge, any product that proves to be defective on inspection by PreSonus or its authorized service representative. To obtain warranty service, the purchaser must first call or write PreSonus at the address and telephone number printed belo w to obtain a Return Authorization Number and instructions of where to return the unit for service. All inquiries must be accompanied by a description of the problem. All authorized returns must be sent to the PreSonus repair facility postage prepaid, insured and properly packaged. PreSonus reserves the right to update any unit returned for repair. PreSonus reserves the right to change or improve the design of the product at any time without prior notice. This warranty does not cover claims for damage due to abuse, neglect, alteration or attempted repair by unauthorized personnel, and is limited to failures arising during normal use that are due to defects in material or workmanship in the product. Any implied warranties, including implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, are limited in duration to the length of this limited warranty. Some states do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts, so the above limitation may not apply to you. In no event will PreSonus be liable for incidental, consequential or other damages resulting from the breach of any express or implied warranty, including, among other things, damage to property, damage based on inconvenience or on loss of use of the product, and, to the extent permitted by law, damages for personal injury. Some states do not allow the exclusion of limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights, which vary from state to state. This warranty only applies to products sold and used in the United States of America. For warranty information in all other countries please refer to your local distributor.

PreSonus Audio Electronics, Inc. 7257 Florida Blvd. Baton Rouge, LA 70806 www.PreSonus.com

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 OVERVIEW

1.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................... 2

1.2 Features ................................................................................................................................................ 3

1.3 What is in the Box ................................................................................................................................. 4

2 OPERATION

2.1 Quick Start ............................................................................................................................................ 5

2.1.1 Connect the power .......................................................................................................................... 5

2.1.2 Connect the input sources ............................................................................................................... 5

2.1.3 Calibrate the LED meter ................................................................................................................ 6

2.1.4 Calibrate the input sources ............................................................................................................. 6

2.1.5 Connect the speakers ...................................................................................................................... 7

2.1.6 Calibrate your speaker levels .......................................................................................................... 7

2.1.7 Calibrate the talkback microphone ................................................................................................ 10

2.1.8 Connect the Cue and Main outputs ................................................................................................. 10

2.2 Sample Hookup Diagram ..................................................................................................................... 11

2.3 Advanced Modes .................................................................................................................................. 12

2.3.1 Speaker Select Modes .................................................................................................................. 12

2.3.2 Main and Cue Source Modes ........................................................................................................ 12

2.3.3 Input LED Meter Modes .............................................................................................................. 13

2.3.4 Reset All Modes to Factory Default .............................................................................................. 13

3 CONTROLS & CONNECTIONS

3.1 Front panel Layout .............................................................................................................................. 14

3.1.1 Talkback ...................................................................................................................................... 14

3.1.2 Headphones ................................................................................................................................. 15

3.1.3 Aux/Cue Control ........................................................................................................................... 15

3.1.4 Source Control ............................................................................................................................. 16

3.1.5 Speaker Control ........................................................................................................................... 17

3.1.6 Main Level Control ...................................................................................................................... 18

3.2 Back Panel Layout ............................................................................................................................... 19

3.2.1 Inputs .......................................................................................................................................... 19

3.2.2 Outputs ........................................................................................................................................ 20

3.2.3 Power .......................................................................................................................................... 20

4 TECHNICAL INFORMATION

4.1 Frequently Asked Questions .................................................................................................................. 21

4.2 Troubleshooting ................................................................................................................................... 22

4.3 Specifications ...................................................................................................................................... 23

4.4 Block Diagram ..................................................................................................................................... 25

1.1 INTRODUCTION

OVERVIEW

Thank you for purchasing the Monitor Station. PreSonus Audio Electronics designed the Monitor Station using high-grade components to ensure optimum performance that will last a lifetime. The Monitor Station is the ultimate desktop monitoring and communications system for your recording studio. Based on the award-winning Central Station, the Monitor Station provides talkback, speaker switching, input source switching and four ultra loud and clear headphone amplifiers to deliver everything you need to control your recording environment.

Please contact us at 225-216-7887 with any questions or comments you may have regarding your Monitor Station. PreSonus Audio Electronics is committed to constant product improvement, and we value your suggestions highly. We believe the best way to achieve our goal of constant product improvement is by listening to the real your Monitor Station.

Please pay close attention to how you connect your Monitor Station to your syst em. We suggest you use this manual to familiarize yourself with the features, applications and correct connection procedure for your Monitor Station before trying to connect it to your studio equipment. This will hopefully alleviate any unforeseen issues that you may encounter during installation and set up.

Thank you, once again, for buying our product, and we hope you enjoy your Monitor Station!

experts

, our valued customers. We appreciate the support you have shown us through the purchase of

OVERVIEW

1.2 FEATURES

The Monitor Station is the ultimate studio control center complete with everything needed for real-world, modern studio applications. The Monitor Station comes complete with a built-in talkback mic, three source inputs, three speaker outputs, four headphone amplifiers and control over the routing and level of every element connected to the Monitor Station – effectively giving you complete control over your entire studio environment.

Its stereo inputs are ready to accommodate virtually any input sources – such as Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs), analogue and digital mixing consoles, CD players, DJ Turntables, etc. Each of the five inputs features individual monitoring, which means you can quickly and easily toggle between them for a quick comparison or reference. The Monitor Station’s three stereo outputs with individual Speaker Level Adjust knobs and Master Mute, Dim, Mono and Level controls allow you to connect three sets of reference monitors and easily compare your mix on each of them. The four headphone amplifier outputs with individual source and level controls give you the ability to feed custom headphone mixes to you or any of the artists in your studio. All this combined with the built-in talkback microphone make the Monitor Station the cleanest, most powerful piece of gear custom-tailored to bring your studio together under your complete control.

Summary of features

• Three stereo inputs (two balanced ¼” TRS; one unbalanced RCA)

• Built-in phono preamp on RCA aux input

• Main input source selector for comparing/referencing inputs

• Cue source selector for tailoring headphone and cue mixes

• Three balanced ¼” TRS stereo outputs

• Variable Speaker Level Adjustment for fine-tuned calibration of output levels

• Speaker Select for quick A/B’ing of input source between reference monitors

• Dim button with variable attenuation level

• Mono, Mute and Main Level Control

• Built-in talkback microphone with variable input gain

• External talkback microphone input (balanced XLR)

• Four built-in headphone amplifiers (stereo unbalanced ¼” TRS)

• Individual level adjust knobs for each headphone output

• Main/Cue Source selector for each headphone output

OVERVIEW

1.3 WHAT IS IN THE BOX

Your Monitor Station package contains the following:

• Monitor Station Studio Control Center

• Monitor Station Power Source

• PreSonus Warranty Card

OPERATION

2.1 QUICK START

The Monitor Station Quick Start guide was written to help get your Monitor Station connected to your system as quickly as possible. The following step-by-step instructions are based on a common studio environment. Your actual setup may change based on your needs and applica tio ns.

2.1.1 Connect the power

Before connecting any power supply to the Monitor Station, ensure the power supply meets the input voltage requirements of the region or country you are using it in. PreSonus only supports the power supply shipped along with your Monitor Station. If it does not meet your requirements or yo u wish to purchase an additional power supply, please contact your local dealer or distributor.

1) “Zero” the Main, Cue and Phones level knobs by turning them fully counterclockwise.

If you have speakers or gear connected to the Main L/R outputs, you should also Zero them.

2) Ensure the power switch is set to the ‘OFF’ position ( O down = off ).

3) Connect the included power supply to the Monitor Station’s power input connector and to the appropriate wall socket.

4) Flip the power switch to the ‘ON’ position ( | down = on ).

2.1.2 Connect the input sources

1) “Zero” the Main, Cue and Phones level knobs by turning them fully counterclockwise.

2) Connect your primary audio source (such as a DAW or Mixer Main Outputs) to the Left and Right TRS inputs of ST1 on the back of your Monitor Station.

[Optional]:

(such as the auxiliary outputs of your interface or Mixer) to the Left and Right TRS inputs of ST2 on the back of your Monitor Station.

[Optional]:

RCA inputs of Aux/Phono.

Connect your secondary audio source (such as a CD or mp3 player) or cue audio source

Connect another secondary or Cue audio source or a DJ turntable to the Left and Right

OPERATION

2.1.3 Calibrate the LED meter

By default, the Monitor Station’s LED meters are calibrated so the red 0 dBVU LED illuminates when the selected source signals reach +10 dBu. This can be changed so that 0 dBVU references +4, +10 or +18 dBu.

+4 dBu

0 dBVU should reference +4 dBu if any of your monitoring devices have a maximum input of +4 dBu or if none of your input devices have a maximum (or nominal) output level greater than +4 dBu.

+10 dBu

0 dBVU should reference +10 dBu if any of your monitoring devices have a maximum input of +10 dBu or if none of your input devices have a maximum (or nominal) output level greater than +10 dBu.

+18 dBu

0 dBVU should reference +18 dBu if any of your monitoring devices have a maximum input of +18 dBu or if none of your input devices have a maximum (or nominal) output level greater than +18 dBu.

2.1.4 Calibrate the input sources

1) Press and hold the Cue Source ST1 button while powering on your Monitor Station.

1) Press and hold the Cue Source ST2 button while powering on your Monitor Station.

1) Press and hold the Cue Source Aux button while powering on your Monitor Station.

1) “Zero” the Main, Cue and Phones level knobs by turning them fully counterclockwise.

2) Turn the outputs of your primary audio source (connected to ST1) to their lowest setting.

3) Remove all effects processors (i.e. EQs, compressors, reverbs, etc.) from the signal path and play a clean 0 dB test tone (i.e., a 1 kHz sine wave) through the outputs of your primary audio source.

Select only ST1 as the Main Source, and begin turning up the outputs of your primary audio source to their Unity Gain setting or until the Monitor Station’s LED meter’s red 0 dBVU LED comes on. If you are not able to reach Unity Gain (or very close to it) without the red 0 dBVU LED coming on, ensure you have properly calibrated the LED meter (

section 2.1.3

) then repeat this step.

“Unity Gain” is the level or setting which does not boost or attenuate the signal level and is usually marked by a “0” on the audio device’s level fader or knob. In many digital interfaces and digital devices, its maximum level is often also its Unity Gain setting. Please consult your audio device’s user’s manual or manufacturer’s Website for more information on its levels and adjustments.

[Aux/Phono only]:

maximum level. Instead, engage the Phono preamp (if necessary) and increase the Aux Input Level knob starting from -80 until the red 0 dBVU LED meter just comes on (and no higher).

4) Repeat steps 1 through 3 for the secondary / cue audio sources connected to ST1 an d A ux/P h o no.

Do not adjust the output level of your audio device if it is set at its optimum or

OPERATION

2.1.5 Connect the speakers

1) “Zero” the Main level knob by turning it fully counterclockwise.

2) Connect your primary monitoring system (such as a pair of nearfield reference monitors) to the Left and Right outputs of Speaker A.

[Optional]:

different make or model) to the Left and Right out puts of Speaker B.

[Optional]:

or subwoofer) to the Left and Right outputs of Speaker C.

2.1.6 Calibrate your speaker levels

The essential purpose of speaker calibration is to ensure a specific metered audio level (typically 0 dBVU) equals a certain acoustic level (measured in dB SPL) in your studio environment. Depending upon the method and reference levels used during calibration, proper calibration can help reduce unwanted noise, minimize the risk of damage to your speaker cones and to your ears, maximize the reference capabilities of different speaker types and ensure you and/or your listeners are he ari ng the au dio a s the engineer intended.

There are many different methods for calibrating studio monitors. The methods discussed here should not be misconstrued as the different gear, clientele and audio mixes may ultimately benefit more from one of the many other methods available. PreSonus does not suggest the calibration methods provided here are in any way the best or only recommended methods of calibration when using the Monitor Station. If you wish to calibrate your studio monitors using a different method, we encourage you to do so.

Every calibration method has something in common, though: test tones. The most commonly used te st tones are 100 Hz, 1 kHz and 10 kHz sine waves, 40-80 Hz and 500 Hz -2.5 kHz bandwidth-limited pink no ise and 20 Hz - 20 kHz pink noise and white noise. Test tone CDs can be purchased from your local electronics or entertainment retailer or downloaded off the Internet from a variety of free Websites for use in many calibration and testing procedures. As a less technical, more subjective and not otherwise idea l alternative, the chorus of a modern commercial Rock song can be substi tu ted for ful l-b a ndw i dt h pi n k noise.

When calibrating reference monitors in a studio, the acoustic level or sound pressure level (SPL) should be measured from the mix position at seated ear height. The SPL meter should be held at arms’ length with the microphone pointed at the center point between the left and right speakers, angled at 45 degrees to ensure an accurate reading. You should also calibrate the left and right monitors independently; pan the test tone hard left, calibrate the left monitor, then repeat for the right channel.

When monitoring systems are calibrated using the same method, each system should generate the same acoustic level when given the same input source. This is especially important when referencing your mix on different monitoring systems (such as toggling between Speaker A and Speaker B for comparison), because in an incorrectly calibrated studio, the acoustic level will “jump” when toggling the different systems.

(For example, when calibrated properly, playing an audio through Speaker A then turning Speaker A ‘OFF’ and Speaker B ‘ON’ should not cause a change in level – though it may result in a slight tonal variance due to the different acoustic properties of the monitoring systems.)

Connect your secondary monitoring system (such as a pair of reference monitors of a

Connect another secondary monitoring system (such as a pair of large studio monitors

only

method or even the

best

method, because different studio environments with

+ 18 hidden pages

PRESONUS MONITOR STATION - V1.0, MONITOR STATION User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual