As monitoring is one of the most important aspects of music production, we’re going to look at some of the Best Monitor Controllers for audio setups ranging from laptops to consoles.
In this Article:Choosing the Best Monitor ControllersThe Best Monitor Controllers: Heritage Audio Baby RAMThe Best Monitor Controllers: PreSonus Monitor Station V2The Best Monitor Controllers: Drawmer MC 2.1The Best Monitor Controllers: SPL 2ControlThe Best Monitor Controllers: Dangerous Music Monitor STThe Best Monitor Controllers: Audient NeroThe Best Monitor Controllers: Radial Nuance SelectThe Best Monitor Controllers: Lake People MC50The Best Monitor Controllers: API MC531More about the Best Monitor Controllers:
These are by no means the latest or the most sophisticated monitor controllers available. Instead, they are tried and tested recommendations based on my experience with studios I’ve worked in and different artists I’ve collaborated with.
Choosing the Best Monitor Controllers
Everyone has different demands when it comes to music. While few home recording setups even require talkback, it’s important to be aware of what is available and why certain products are favoured over others.
The Best Monitor Controllers: Heritage Audio Baby RAM
The Baby RAM is a passive desktop monitor controller. Like all things from Heritage Audio, the design combines quality components, analogue signal path, and a retro sensibility.
Heritage Audio Baby RAM · Source: Heritage Audio
This is a perfect monitor controller for those still new to the world of audio. Also, a solution when you’re running low on desktop space. The vintage Neve console look might not be for everyone. However, the large red stepped pot makes it easy to precisely control your monitoring levels.
Overall, the feature set gives you all the essentials like mono, dim, and mute switches. The Baby RAM provides uncoloured signal path at an affordable price.
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Heritage Audio Baby RAM
Customer rating: (59)
$188.00 / £169.00 / 194.00€ at
Heritage Audio RAM 1000
Customer rating: (8)
$485.00 / £435.00 / 499.00€ at
Heritage Audio RAM System 2000
Customer rating: (16)
$839.00 / £749.00 / 859.00€ at
The Best Monitor Controllers: PreSonus Monitor Station V2
With the success of the first-generation model, it only makes sense to find the Monitor Station V2 on this list. PreSonus didn’t change much in the design between the two versions. However, there are a few features that set them apart.
PreSonus Monitor Station V2 · Source: Presonus
The layout has changed slightly, with the main source and speaker select buttons placed on either side of the LED meter. In addition to this, features like the Phono aux input have been replaced. Instead, you now have SPDIF and a mini-jack input for mobile devices.
There is also no longer the option to use an external talkback mic, so you’ll have to make do with the integrated one. Otherwise, it’s the same trusty centerpiece with two I/O paths, four headphone outs, and support for three sets of monitors.
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Presonus Monitor Station V2
Customer rating: (96)
$289.00 / £259.00 / 299.00€ at
Presonus Central Station Plus
Customer rating: (50)
$615.00 / £555.00 / 629.00€ at
Presonus MicroStation BT
Customer rating: (15)
$115.00 / £105.00 / 119.00€ at
The Best Monitor Controllers: Drawmer MC 2.1
Another manufacturer with a long history, Drawmer is known for creating quality analogue studio gear. At first glance, the MC 2.1 is rather tanky-looking, and its front panel layout may not be the most practical.
Drawmer MC 2.1 · Source: Drawmer
However, it does have a transparent signal path and all the features you’d expect in a pro monitor controller. The MC 2.1 provides one mono and three stereo speaker outputs, with two individually controlled headphone outs.
The built-in talkback mic works over the headphones channels and there is an additional mono talkback output. The unit is also rack-mountable, which makes it easy to incorporate into any scale of audio setup.
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Drawmer MC 2.1
Customer rating: (45)
$664.00 / £599.00 / 679.00€ at
Drawmer MC 3.1
Customer rating: (15)
$1,111.00 / £1,015.00 / 1,149.00€ at
Drawmer CMC2
Customer rating: (69)
$341.00 / £308.00 / 349.00€ at
The Best Monitor Controllers: SPL 2Control
The 2Control may be more expensive than most home studio users would like it to be, but SPL is a proven high-end manufacturer so it comes with the territory. Here, the design philosophy is far more functional and minimalistic.
SPL 2Control. · Source: SPL
The 2Control gives you exactly the features required for accurately controlling your monitoring levels. This certainly beats bombarding you with features you never actually use. The fact that all the I/O is XLR, save for the two headphone outs, just screams pro audio from the outset.
In addition, you have SPL’s unique crossfeed feature for simulating your monitoring environment when you’re using headphones. There is no talkback circuit, but Input 2 does allow you to switch between -10 and +4 dBU, and there’s a full-range mono out, which is perfect for a Mixcube.
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SPL 2Control black
Customer rating: (92)
$711.00 / £625.00 / 729.00€ at
SPL Control One
Customer rating: (6)
$545.00 / £479.00 / 559.00€ at
The Best Monitor Controllers: Dangerous Music Monitor ST
When Dangerous Music put together the Monitor ST, there must have been something in the water. From the time of its release, it instantly became the gold standard of monitor controllers.
Dangerous Music Monitor ST · Source: Dangerous Music
The level of R&D that went into the Monitor ST is extremely thorough, taking in decades of design ideas and creating something truly innovative. The price tag is formidable for an item many would regard as a peripheral studio tool. However, the Monitor ST is made to be the centerpiece of your studio.
Whether you buy it for the incredible analogue circuitry or the extensive routing and connectivity options, you’re unlikely to regret it.
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Dangerous Music Monitor ST
Customer rating: (4)
$3,079.00 / £2,777.00 / 3,149.00€ at
The Best Monitor Controllers: Audient Nero
The Audient Nero is a versatile desktop monitor controller with a wide range of connectivity options and customizable features that make it suitable for any recording setup that requires talkback and multiple studio monitor switching. For starters, the all-metal casing means the Nero is built like a tank and will last through the endless hours of use in your studio.
Audient Nero · Source: Audient
You can connect a wide range of devices simultaneously, with two balanced stereo TRS inputs, a set of stereo RCA inputs, a stereo minijack input, and a dedicated cue mix for creating separate monitor mixes for tracking. Meanwhile, you can also use digital coaxial and optical input sources if you want to monitor your external AD converter or audio interface.
For monitoring, the Nero has outputs for three sets of speakers, an assignable subwoofer, and four sets of headphones with individual level controls. Overall, with its Smart Touchpoints to set up custom workflows, the Nero is a great addition to any recording studio, and the talkback system can use the internal mic or an external one. Get it at Thomann.*
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Audient Nero
Customer rating: (35)
$418.00 / £375.00 / 431.00€ at
The Best Monitor Controllers: Radial Nuance Select
Radial Engineering has a habit of creating essential gear for both the studio and live sound environments that combines no frills design ergonomics with rugged build quality. The Nuance Select monitor controller is a prime example of this, with its steel chassis and milled aluminum control panel with bold chrome control knobs.
Nuance Select · Source: Radial Engineering
All your basic monitoring control functions are covered, such as mute, dim, and mono, and you have two sets of balanced TRS inputs for your two sources. Meanwhile, the outputs allow you to connect two sets of monitors and a subwoofer, as well as two sets of headphones, with an additional aux output for creating an additional monitor mix if required.
Radial also offers some more affordable solutions for specific applications. If you require talkback functionality without monitor switching, the Studio Q is ideal for project studios and mobile setups, while the Sat-2 provides basic level control for a single pair of studio monitors. Get it at Thomann.*
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Radial Engineering Studio-Q
Customer rating: (6)
$382.00 / £333.00 / 389.00€ at
Radial Engineering Sat-2
Customer rating: (9)
$192.00 / £171.00 / 198.00€ at
The Best Monitor Controllers: Lake People MC50
If you need your monitor controller to fit into your rack, the Lake People MC50 is a worthy option that suits mastering setups. The MC50 provides two sets of balanced XLR inputs that can be monitored simultaneously, and three sets of balanced XLR outputs for your favourite studio monitors.
Lake People MC50 · Source: Lake People
In addition, the MC50 is also equipped with a high-end headphone preamplifier with two jack sockets and a 4-pin XLR connection for a wide range of studio and audiophile headphones. In addition, there is a headphone crossfeed matrix for simulating the placement of your studio monitors when you’re working on headphones.
Besides the striking VU meters on the front panel, the MC50 also has a range of useful monitoring functions such as channel swap, polarity reverse, mono mode, and individual left and right channel monitoring. Overall, the MC50 is an impressive prospect, especially when one considers the quality standard of Lake People’s range of audio devices. Get it at Thomann.*
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Lake People MC50
Customer rating: (1)
$1,499.00 / £1,377.00 / 1,555.00€ at
The Best Monitor Controllers: API MC531
When money is no object, and you want that classic American console sensibility, the MC531 is a high-end monitor controller with API build quality throughout. The MC531 provides switching between five stereo sources, and the famous 2510 Op Amp is used on every input stage.
API MC531 front · Source: API
This includes three sets of balanced stereo TRS inputs, a digital input with a choice of AES and USB, and an aux input with stereo minijack and Bluetooth connectivity. The API MC531 allows you to connect three sets of studio monitors with a separate subwoofer feed, and there are two headphone channels that can be assigned to the control room or cue mix.
Besides the onboard LED meter, there is also a dedicated unity balanced send and return path for an external metering system. This will appeal to engineers who want the most accurate monitoring possible. Overall, the MC531 has it all, from classic console looks to talkback functionality and, of course, the coveted API sound. Get it at Thomann.*
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API Audio MC531 Monitor Controller
No customer rating available yet
$2,699.00 / £2,439.00 / 2,789.00€ at
More about the Best Monitor Controllers:
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Thomann’s guide to monitor controllers
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