SM Pro Audio M-Patch 2

I use this controller monitoring for two months and I am very satisfied. It has two switchable inputs and two outputs can be activated independently with two separate large volume buttons, plus a headphone output with volume knob a little. It has of course a mute button and the necessary switch mono / stereo that is so useful in a situation of mixing. I would have liked a button to switch the volume to-20db at once but never mind. For cons, I would have liked two headphone outputs, there is a real shame. No talkback circuit and then all the better: home recording studios are not precisely. Manufacturing is strong and I particularly appreciate two details: the legs can be screwed into six different positions to get the best angle during installation, thank you it's really nice to have thought, and the possibility of use the camera even without connecting to the sector (but the LEDs do not work in this case).
I also tried the Mackie Big Knob, but it was beyond my means. For the big advantage of the M-Patch is just that: € 125 on a famous site selling online German. It loses the input, output and the useless (in my opinion) talkback circuit. The sound quality seems equivalent (it is excellent), even though the knobs seem a little less good. But I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the device: I expected less, yet it turns out that the device is closer to German quality and quality in China. The metal shell makes good impression, it is stable and easy to use. The booklet and the intelligence of design are quite good signs, even if everything is a bit of superstition ...
I do it again of course this choice because the device is perfect for my needs, and is still blessed with this type of device to mix. For that price, not easy to do better. And frankly, I find the price of Big Knob abuse. Much to the model Presonus but this is even more expensive. There is also less at Behringer or Samson, but I, who used a Behringer mixer instead I say a big button and it's really important that the M-Patch has better quality than the UB-502 mixer, c is net. Now, not all close our eyes: we have few opportunities to test and compare controllers monitoring. If it is, the Big Knob has a reliability or a compliance signal even better. Only there is not enough choice for this type of product and no miles and cents to spend to equip this small but incredibly useful tool which we expect most of simplicity.
Just a note: it is a little more beautiful than the picture, but it is also slightly larger one has the impression, and aesthetically it is closer to the tank as the spacecraft. In fact, it reminds me of the distortion pedal for electric guitar metal ...

In conclusion, just because it changed my life to find a controller monitoring of excellent quality at an affordable price (because it was designed very simply but intelligently for home studio), Well I 10 put it, like: if it did not exist, I would not. It is a punishment for the products too expensive.

[edit] Ah shit, the Big Knob also has a 10 ... Ben and I hope still that all the people who can not afford to buy from Mackie (or who need just two inputs and 2 outputs) reflect on the product before throwing in the towel.

My opinion (July 26, 08) will be complementary to that of [small-night] of 06/01/2007

I communicate my disappointment only on the quality of the amp. Integrated headset (one of the reasons for my purchase). Compared hearing (Sennheiser 32 ohms) with the headphone output of the ML9600 ALESIS Masterlink, there was a glaring lack of serious.
So I made measurements on the impedance of 32 ohms, and found that the signal breaks down to 40 Hz (- 7 dB) compared to 1000 Hz

I had a mail in SM Pro who confirmed the validity of my analysis (below) and confirms that a correction be made ​​on future models. So to the owners of an older version and followers the soldering iron:
- The housing Ouvir
- Identify the NJM4556 next to the headphone jack and two condos next (47μF/25v or 106 Hz Low Cut Fr @ 32 ohms)
- Change by 470 μF/25v (mini or cut Low Fr 10.6 Hz @ 32 ohms). Take condos quality AUDIO (type ELNA)
- Remove the two 27 pF condos on the VC Op amp (under limiting acute)
This is not the best sound in the world but frankly it has become better (more punchy in the low and best attacks).

I just got it and frankly it's just what I needed. No frills, like 250 pairs of speakers online, with 125 MIMO decaf, cappuccino and more.
There just four outputs for two pairs of speakers wired XLR and XLR nickel for my sound card with an auxiliary input minijack or RCA format and a headphone output (power is only useful in the case of Using the headphone jack and it c good)! The knobs on the front and many nickels are progressive even if the first quarter was not too much sauce and switches are ergonomically designed. All smells good quality and listening on my Mackie MR8 there is no extraneous noise, but pure juice ... well I mean in terms of accurate reproduction of sound, if you got now played like a dung smells like a barn at the end of the day, always!
Really for 123 euros at MusicStore with cables (cables also MusicStore 4 euros c neutrik not seen but once connected you touch anything!) The price / quality ratio is unbeatable in view of the connector. I take off one point for the lack of decline over the long term.

I have been using more or less 3 years. It serves me as a volume knob between the outputs of the interface and the active monitors.

For the price, it plays its role. This allows a correct level output interface before attacking monitoring.

I am satisfied. This is not a war machine, in the sense that it is a little fragile to me. The button is very big it said ... but it must go smoothly into use.

It lets you toggle on various monitoring systems, also with a grafted with preamps + headphone (which I think is very bad ... but it may help to return additional headphone)

I will change afterwards with a SPL, but the budget is not the same. The equivalent SPL is much more pro.