Monitoring 5.1 surround sound can be a nightmare. In response to cries for help, Ted Fletcher has developed a 6 channel precision fader to control monitor outputs during surround sound mixes.

There are 2 situations where the P7 will revolutionise the studio setup:

1. 5.1 Mix. Most professional consoles now have a 5.1 capability, but do not have a 5.1 monitoring capability! I.e. You can mix and fade onto a recorder in 5.1, but there is no independent level control for the monitoring speakers. So, if you happen to have active or seperate amplifiers for your monitors, then choosing a suitable listening level is practially impossible. There are ways of getting a separate volume control such as using a second console to attenuate & 'remix' the recorder monitor feed, but this is very costly (although I have seen it done with a Yamaha 01/V!). The P7 is ideal here, since the unit can be placed right in front of the monitors' amplifiers to control the listening level easily, accurately and cost effectively. Also, the remote unit can be placed anywhere in the studio for ease of operation.

2. Computer 5.1 mixing. In 5.1 Music production or film post production, all the facility is on board the computer that is completing the mix or edit, and the speakers are connected directly to the sound card multichannel outputs. However, while the software may well have a 'volume' control for the master 5.1 output bus, this will only be a virtual volume control, so the listening level will be low, while the gain in the system will be very high. This can be dangerous! System information noises and sounds from other applications in this situation can be unbearably loud since they may not be attenuated by your software's volume control. I.e. Whilst working you decide to check your emails, and for some reason, the mail server cannot be reached? In this case you will get a 0dB 'exclamation' sound that will be unbearably loud, and potentially damaging since it bypasses your software gain control. The P7 allows you to alter the gain structure; turn down the monitors, and turn up the software, whilst maintaining an accurate 5.1 image. It will also improve the listening quality, since the comparative resolution of the sound leaving the computer will be higher and lower in noise; and all in a 1U rack space. The remote can be mounted at the workstation to make life even easier.

One of those engineers who demonstrated the need for the P7 (and inspired it's existence) is Paul White, editor, Sound on Sound Magazine, who currently uses the P7 in his home studio as a surround monitoring fader. 

The fader has 6 separate channels; each one is a passive balanced optical controlled-impedance fader. All 6 channels are controlled from a single rotary control, and 'mute' and 'dim' pushbuttons complete the functions. The user also has the ability to mute rear, centre, and sub channels independently. There is also a remote control for easy access anywhere in the studio (connected via 1/4" jack lead).

For situations where the rack unit is hard to reach, the included fader board can be installed to give easy access to the monitor/mix level. This board can easily be panel mounted anywhere in the studio, and connects to the master fader unit via a stereo 1/4" jack cable, 

Because the fader circuits are balanced and passive, the monitor audio signal retains perfect quality with no added noise or distortion.