Analog Monitor Controller 

RAVEN MTX Monitor Controller overview

The RAVEN MTX is a full featured monitor controller that facilitates high fidelity, intuitive and flexible listening on studio speakers, headphones, and CUE systems. Multiple inputs can be routed to multiple output destinations. The standard RAVEN MTX configuration operates in stereo (and mono), whereas an optional surround module enables the RAVEN MTX to operate in 5.1 or 7.1 surround.

Left Control Module 

Headphone Section

•	Headphone Source Selection Encoder:
Selects which audio source is being monitored on the headphones. 

•	Headphone Source LED Indicator: 
Gives visual indication of what audio source is being monitored on the headphones. 

•	Headphone volume encoder: 
Adjusts volume up or down. 

•	Headphone “ON” Button: 
Activates the headphone audio path.

•	Headphone “DIM” Button: 
Dims the headphone section by 20db.
Lighting, Metering, and Talkback Controls

•	Lights:
Selects illumination state for inactive pushbuttons.  Customize the look of your RAVEN MTX! All inactive pushbutton controls in the RAVEN MTX monitoring section have two illumination options: 

•	When LIGHTS button is ON, all inactive buttons will illuminate RED

•	When LIGHTS button is OFF, all inactive buttons will not illuminate

•	Meter:
Switches between the sources monitored on the VU Meter Bridge. 

•	Normal mode monitors Source outputs. Meter modes illuminate blue when activated.

•	Secondary Mode monitors CUE outputs. Meter modes illuminate red when activated. 

•	Surround mode monitors all speaker outputs. Meter modes illuminate white when activated. 

•	Talkback:
Injects the talkback microphone signal into the CUE system. 
•	Input: 

•	Internal talkback mic located in the meter bridge - a high fidelity electret condenser with built-in compression for clear sound.

•	External Talkback Mic input.  

•	Output:

•	Press and hold – keeps the talkback ON as long as TALKBACK is pressed.

•	Quick momentary press – Toggles TALKBACK ON.  Toggles OFF with another single press

•	Auto Talk – hands free means for toggling TALKBACK automatically: mic ON when the DAW transport is stopped, and mic OFF when the DAW transport is playing back. Keeps communication open and frees up your hands in between takes. 

•	Auto Talk functionality requires an audio signal feed from your DAW that plays at a steady level when the DAW transport is playing, and stops when the DAW transport stops.  When RAVEN MTX's Auto Talk circuit detects the presence of this signal (DAW transport PLAY) the talkback automatically mic shuts off.  When no audio signal is present at RAVEN MTX's Auto Talk input (DAW transport STOP) RAVEN MTX's talkback mic automatically turns on.  Viola!  Hands-free talkback.
Creating an Auto Talk track to trigger the talkback mic

 Make a new track in your DAW and name it Auto Talk.

Record a constant audio signal onto the Auto Talk track. An appropriate Auto Talk signal is a constant sound with little or no change in amplitude such as a test tone, white noise, or SMPTE time code, or a note on a synthesizer.  It really can be anything, as long as it's a steady sound.  Record this constant sound onto a dedicated track in your DAW. The audio in the track must be equal in length to the total session time (where the audio starts in your session to where the audio ends).

Route the Auto Talk track to the RAVEN MTX’s Auto Talk input. Route the Auto Talk track's output to its own analog output in your audio interface and patch that analog output to RAVEN MTX's Auto Talk input, channel 8 on the Aux I/O DB25.

Engage RAVEN MTX's Auto Talk circuit.  The Talkback mic should turn on right away. This button is located on the lower right of Control Module Right.

Adjust the Auto Talk track level so that it is outputting approximately -25dB.  

Press play on the DAW and see if RAVEN MTX's talkback mic turns off.  If the talkback mic does not turn off, try increasing the Auto Talk track output level in your DAW and make sure it's a constant signal with little variation in amplitude.
Surround Speaker Selection

RAVEN MTX can manage standard 5.1 and 7.1 speaker configurations, based on user preference or desired standard.

•	L = Left Front
•	R = Right Front
•	SL = Surround Left
•	SR = Surround Right
•	C = Center
•	LFE = Low Frequency Extension
•	RL = Rear Left 
•	RR = Rear Right

In 7.1 mode, SL, SR, RL, RR speaker locations can be defined by the user, based on a chosen standard or preference.

Cue 2 & Studio Section

•	CUE 2 & Studio rotary source selector:
Selects which audio source is being monitored on CUE 2 & Studio. 

•	CUE 2 & Studio Indicator LED:
Gives visual indication of which source is selected in CUE 2 and Studio. 

•	CUE 2 & Studio Volume:
Adjusts Volume for CUE 2 and Studio audio paths. 

•	CUE 2 and Studio “ON” Button:
Toggles Cue 2 and Studio audio paths off and on. 

•	Mix 1 to Studio:
Sends Mix1 source to Studio outputs. 

Studio Output

STUDIO output is a feed for speakers set up in a live tracking room and has many applications.

•	Monitoring without headphones:
Performers can monitor the audio without headphones and/or the engineer can Talkback to people in the live room who are not wearing phones.  
A classic technique for recording group vocals without headphones is to record the performance twice and flip the phase of the duplicate performance to cancel out the reference audio while leaving the recorded performances intact.  If the levels are matched in recording and playback and the tracks are panned to the same position in the mix, the reference audio that played from the studio speakers during recording will be largely cancelled out between the combined tracks.

•	Recording room ambience onto previously recorded tracks:
Assign the tracks you want fed to the Studio speakers to DAW outputs 5, 6, 7, or 8.  Chose the associated CUE output as the Studio Source on the Control Module Left.  Using a microphone and preamp set up in the room, record the sound of the room back into your DAW.  

•	Additional Talkback Com feed:
Since Talkback can be assigned separately to CUE and STUDIO, the Studio Output can serve as a discrete Talkback feed.

•	Additional stereo headphone feed:  
Feed to headphone amp. Talkback is injected when the STUDIO button is engaged in the Talkback section of Control Module Right.

Right Control Module

Speaker Select

Stereo Speaker Outputs:

RAVEN MTX sends attenuated audio to multiple pairs of speakers. In stereo mode, RAVEN MTX can send to three external speakers (A, B, & C) plus on-board “Betty” Laptop Reference™ speakers.  

SPEAKER C Subwoofer Mode:

•	SPEAKER C normally operates as a discrete stereo speaker output, just like SPEAKER A and B. But SPEAKER C can also act as a subwoofer On/Off selector and be paired with SPEAKER A, B or both. 

•	Activate SPEAKER C Subwoofer Mode by holding down SPEAKER A and then SPEAKER C. Thereafter, SPEAKER C output toggles On and Off with each momentary press, while SPEAKER A remains On. SPEAKER C Subwoofer Mode can also be paired with SPEAKER B by the same method. 

•	To deactivate SPEAKER C subwoofer mode, press and hold Speakers A and C together. If SPEAKER C has also been paired with B, un-pair them by the same above method.

Surround Speaker Outputs (optional surround module required):

•	In surround mode, RAVEN MTX can control two sets of 5.1 or 7.1 surround speakers on SPEAKER A and B outputs.  

•	Surround Speaker Configuration and SPEAKER MUTE / SOLO

•	Speaker MUTE / SOLO

•	Whether operating in stereo or surround mode, any connected SPEAKER can be individually muted or soloed via the Speaker Mute buttons. A momentary press will mute the selected speaker, while a 2 second hold will solo that speaker.  One can also mute or solo multiple speakers simultaneously by pressing two buttons at once. You may wish to solo two surround channels at the same time or perhaps solo the L, C, and R speakers together.

•	In Stereo mode, only the top two buttons are functional.  In Surround mode, all speakers up to 7.1 can be muted individually.  Normally the buttons will be blue, and they will turn purple when surround mode is activated. 

•	When the Surround Module is connected, the surround speakers are connected to OUTPUT1 DB25.  
SOURCE Inputs

RAVEN MTX’s source inputs are designed to integrate seamlessly with an 8-output DAW interface simply by connecting the interface’s first 8 outputs (often a standard DB25 to DB25 cable) to RAVEN MTX’s Input1 DB25. No patching will be required to instantly go back and forth between tracking and mixing, in Stereo or Surround (optional).

1.	MIX 1: 
Monitors the main analog stereo output of the DAW 

Inputs:
•	MAIN INPUTS DB25, channels 1&2 

Output options:
•	MASTER 
•	Console headphones
•	CUE 1 (always on, except in surround mode)
•	STUDIO (selectable)
•	Pre Fade Source Through (a non-attenuated output of the SOURCE selected)
•	Mix 1 becomes L, R in surround mode

1.	MIX 2: 
Monitors an alternate analog stereo output from the DAW

Main Inputs A: 
•	MAIN INPUTS DB25, channels 3&4

Output options:
•	MASTER
•	Console headphones
•	CUE 2
•	STUDIO
•	Pre Fade Source Through
•	CUE A/B, C/D

Function: 
Headphone CUE sends, four analog mono sources, two stereo pairs, or a combination thereof.

Main Inputs B, C, D: 
•	MAIN INPUTS DB25, channels 5,6 & 7,8

Output Options:
•	MASTER
•	CUE A, B, C, D
•	Console headphones
•	CUE 2
•	STUDIO
•	Pre Fade Source Through

1.	AUX: 
Monitors any additional stereo analog +4 line level source such as master record and playback devices.

Inputs:
•	Aux I/O DB25 channels 5,6

Output options:
•	MASTER
•	Console headphones
•	CUE (Aux select)
•	STUDIO 
•	Pre Fade Source Through

1.	DIGI: 
Monitors stereo digital sources up to 24 bit, 96kHz

Input:
•	Digital TOSLINK optical, or SPDIF RCA input on RAVEN MTX Aux I/O module

Outputs:
•	MASTER
•	STUDIO 
•	Pre Fade Source Through
	
1.	iDock: 
Monitors two stereo sources: 30 pin iDock for iPod, iPhone 4 and prior, or 1/8th stereo input for other devices.  

IMPORTANT:
When a plug is inserted into the 1/8th” jack, the iDock audio signal is interrupted.

Available outputs:
•	MASTER
•	STUDIO 
•	Pre Fade Source Through

Stereo and Surround Modes

RAVEN MTX is designed to seamlessly switch between stereo and surround monitoring modes by receiving the stereo SOURCE and CUE inputs on the same DB25 Inputs as the SURROUND inputs. By connecting the first 8 outputs of your DAW interface to RAVEN MTX’s DB25 Input1, no patching is required to instantly switch between stereo tracking, overdubbing and mixing mode and a surround mixing or voiceover mode. Of course RAVEN MTX easily interfaces with a patch bay as well.
Multi-Source Mode

RAVEN MTX can monitor multiple stereo sources simultaneously. Simultaneously press the inputs you wish to monitor at the same time.   Press any single source button to monitor only that input and automatically deactivate the other previously selected inputs, including multiple sources.
Talkback Selection

When STUDIO button is active, talkback is injected into stereo STUDIO feeds. 

When CUE button is active, talkback signal is injected into all eight CUE feeds.  
CUE System

RAVEN MTX’s CUE system integrates with multichannel artist CUE systems, providing 8 channels of pristine, customizable analog audio sources to artist headphones. RAVEN MTX’s CUE routing and outputs integrate easily with preexisting multichannel cue systems. When combined with a third party headphone mixing system, RAVEN MTX’s two stereo sources and 4 mono sources allow the performers to personalize their headphone monitor mix.  
CUE Sources

CUE1:

CUE 1 is always fed directly from MIX 1, typically the DAW main stereo outputs. CUE 1 is the leftmost knob on the RAVEN MTX CUE MIXER.

CUE2:

CUE 2 source is switchable between 4 stereo sources: MIX 2, iDOCK, DIGI, or AUX. The source selection is called CUE 2 & STUDIO SOURCE and is located on the Control Module Left.

RAVEN MTX Analog Rear Panel

RAVEN MTX audio connections are made on a 2-rack space unit that connects to the back of the main chassis. 

•	AC Inlet:
Connect your power cable to this connector

•	Aux Module:
Connections for power and activation of Meter bridge, iDock, Aux Module, DAC inputs, and external talkback mic. 

•	Stereo Module:
Connections for Left/Right control modules and input/output of all stereo signals. 

•	Surround Module:
Connections for surround outputs and surround 2 inputs. 

Aux Module 

•	Meter Bridge:
Connect the ribbon cables to these slots to activate RAVEN MTX meter bridge. 

•	iDock I/O:
Connect the iDock ribbon cable to allow signal to flow from iDock to monitoring section. 

•	AUX I/O:
Provides additional source and functionality via the following inputs and outputs on the DB25 connector.  

•	XLRM - Source Out Left (unattenuated pass-through of selected Main source(s)
•	XLRM - Source Out Right (unattenuated pass-through of selected Main source(s)
•	XLRM - iDock Out Left (boosts iDock audio source to +4)
•	XLRM - iDock Out Right (boosts iDock audio source to +4)
•	XLRF - Aux In Left
•	XLRF - Aux In Right
•	XLRM - Slate Out (line level talkback out for "slating" takes)
•	XLRF - Auto Talk trigger input (threshold at approximately -37dB)

•	DAC Inputs:
Connect stereo digital devices into these connectors, Optical Toslink or SPDIF, 24 bit, 96kHz.  When both SPDIF And Optical digital inputs are connected, SPDIF input will override Optical. The optical digital input is great for listening to the audio output of your Mac Pro, for example, instead of using the computer's low level 1/8th" jack.

•	External Talkback Mic: 
Connect the dynamic mic of your choosing to use for talkback. Adjust gain by the control to the left. 

Stereo Module

•	Left and Right Control Module Connections:
Plug your left and Right Ethernet cables into their respective slots to give power and signal to the Left and Right control modules. 

•	Cue Out:
Eight channel outputs for the Cue system. 

•	Stereo Speaker Output:
DB25 connector for speaker output. Use with a DB25 to XLR male snake and plug speakers into lines 1 and 2 for Mix1 stereo. 

•	Main inputs:
DB25 connection for connecting your audio interface. 

NOTE:
The Main Input connection is Surround ready. This slot is also the connection for Surround1 mix.

Surround Module

•	Stereo SPKR A/ SURR L,R – Alternate ¼” stereo outputs. 

•	Surround Speaker Output – DB25 connection for surround signals 1-8. 

•	Surround 2 Input – DB25 connection for the Surround2 source input. 

RAVEN Display OSD Settings

The only menu which may need adjustment beyond the default settings is the “PICTURE” menu.

We have found the default settings to be a good place to start, but you may want to adjust the brightness and/or contrast to best suit your studio’s lighting.

To adjust these parameters using the included remote, hit the menu button once, then hit the enter button which will allow you to navigate between the brightness, contrast, and sharpness parameters. To choose one of these parameters to adjust, simply select the parameters by moving up or down with the arrow buttons, and select the parameter you would like to adjust by hitting enter again and using the up/down arrows to adjust.

To get back the main menu, hit the menu button once. 

To exit the on-screen OSD menu, hit the menu button 1-3 times, until the menu disappears. 

NOTE:
To revert the RAVEN display back to default setup, navigate to the setup page of the OSD manual and select “Factory Reset” to start. This will reset all the display functionality to be exactly as it was when first powered on.