Mastering-grade, transparent audio with comprehensive control for critical mix and mic placement decisions.
The Dangerous Monitor is the realization of four distinct functions, effortlessly integrated into two rack spaces: analog switching, digital switching, onboard D to A conversion and comprehensive mastering monitoring functions.
“The Monitor is as perfect and flexible a unit as I’ve ever used. There are so many ways to listen- the sound is wide open. I love the converter, and the digital thru ports let me monitor and buss without thinking about it. The stepped volume control is luxurious and actually sounds the same at any listening level. I’d recommend this unit to anyone.”
-David Kahne (Paul McCartney, Fishbone, Sugar Ray)
The Dangerous Music Legacy:
“Audio Integrity: non-negotiable.” This is the credo upon which Dangerous Music is founded. Conceived and designed by end users—not by engineers in lab coats--the results are products that resurrect dynamic range, punch, intelligibility and emotion. These high-fidelity, uncompromised signal paths are achieved by harnessing over 20 years of Chris Muth’s design wizardry; creator of infamous custom black boxes for world class facilities like Hit Factory, Masterdisk, Absolute Audio and Sterling Sound Mastering. Then the critical listening skills of golden-eared luminaries are applied, with the result being musical tools that fulfill the actual needs of today’s flexible computer based studio.
Analog Input Selection
• Feature: Silently switch between four analog sources.
• Benefit: Compare and contrast different mix sources (i.e. preprocessing and post processing).
• Tip: The selected source is sent to the functions group and the a-mtr feed on the back panel. The fourth analog switch selects the built in D/A converter that is fed by the selected digital source switches.
Digital Input Selection
• Feature: Silently switch between four digital sources.
• Benefit: Monitor every source through the identical D/A. Avoid murky mix decisions based on inferior converters. Don’t be fooled by converters aligned to different levels.
-6 VU Off Set
• Feature: Reduces meter sensitivity by 6dB.
• Benefit: Protects the meter from thrashing movements when auditioning loud mastered program material.
Individual Mute Switches
• Feature: Mute only the left channel, right channel or both.
• Benefit: Very powerful when used in conjunction with the mono switch. Isolate and correct issues quickly.
• Tip: Mute one channel, hit the mono switch and reference the isolated channel in both monitors.
Alternate Speaker
• Feature: Noiselessly switch between 2 different sets of monitors.
• Benefit: Not all switchers are equal! The monitor achieves this noiselessly, without drop outs or phase shift. .
D/A Switch
• Feature: This fourth analog switch selects the built in D/A converter. It‘s fed by any one of the four selected digital source switches.
• Benefit: Instantly audition every digital source through the identical D/A. Switch instantly between sources at different sample rates with no delay. Avoid murky mix decisions from dodgy converters.
Individual Phase Reversal
• Feature: Reverse phase on the left channel, right channel or both.
• Benefit: Powerful tool! Flip phase when the entire mix is 180º out of phase or use in conjunction with the mono switch (see tip).
• Tip: Select both the mono & one phase switch for listening to the difference channel individually (sides only).
Mono Switch
• Feature: The mono switch combines the left and right channels to the monitors.
• Benefit: Always check phase by depressing this button. Did things get quieter? Louder? Instruments missing? Tip: Select mono & reference the sum channel alone (middle only).
Dim Switch
• Feature: Depress this to lower the monitoring volume by -18 dB.
• Benefit: Instantly drop & resume listening levels.
Volume Control
• Feature: This 21 position output attenuator establishes the final level presented to the reference monitors.
• Benefit: Attenuators are far more accurate and consistent at all volume settings, whereas pots often alter the sonic characteristics and balance.
• Tip: In order to audition the noise floor, use the last two BIG steps.
Chassis & Ground
• Feature: Utilized for grounding systems where the chassis and audio ground need to be
separate (but equal).
• Benefit: Know what it means to telescope your shields? Drop in a grounding bus bar? Then this is for you.
Remote / Expansion
• Feature: The DB25 connector links the dim command from a dangerous mq.
• Benefit: Instantly drop & resume listening levels by -18dB when keying the mq’s talkback button.
• Tip: monitor to mq cable included with the mq.
Auxilary Out
• Feature: Feed an additional power amplifier, powered set of reference monitors or reference system.
• Benefit: Noiselessly switch between 2 different sets of monitors. (main & aux)..
Main Out
• Feature: Feed a power amplifier, powered set of reference monitors or reference system.
• Benefit: Noiselessly switch between 2 different sets of monitors. (main & aux).
Digital Meter
• Feature: The selected digital sources can be sent to a digital meter and phase scope.
• Benefit: Receive visual intel to improve the monitoring process.
• Tip: Meters like these look sharp and will help increase your hourly studio rate.
Analog Input
• Feature: There are three analog stereo inputs. Each is selectable via the switch group marked analog on the front panel.
• Benefit: Silently switch between three analog sources.
• Tip: Silently switch between analog and digital sources.
Analog Meter
• Feature: The selected analog sources are sent to meters and phase scopes.
• Benefit: Receive visual intel to improve the monitoring process.
• Tip: A breakout cable is provided for the A-MTR feed.
AES Input
• Feature: AES or SPDIF signals are plugged into the XLR(F) connectors. Up to four devices are selectable for seamless routing to the built in D/A converter and digital meter feed.
• Benefit: Monitor every source through the identical D/A. Avoid murky mix decisions based on inferior converters.
• Tip: Silently switch between analog and digital sources.
Digital Thru
Feature: Digital signals pass through the digital input to the XLR(M) flawlessly. The unique buffer circuit cleans & squares up dodgy feeds.
• Example: Monitor the main mix digitally out of your daw hardware. Pass this on through to any digital outboard gear. Now compare the effected version. Pass it back through into your software and apply plug-ins. Now compare that against the original and hardware effected versions. Pass through to an external recorder. Compare the output of the final recorder with all the aforementioned sources. To be informed is to be forewarned.
AC In
• Feature: External Power Supply (100-130v, 200-250v user selectable)
• Benefit: Spec’d specifically to increase headroom and lower the noise floor. One model for use anywhere in the known world.
• Tip: Plug in here first and then flip the switch (always good PSU etiquette).
