Listen In & Cue Up
Monitr is a comprehensive audio output monitoring utility for eurorack systems. The module is equipped with a stereo VCA-controlled input mixer with master volume control and VU meters, plus a powerful headphone section for both live performance and detailed monitoring.
Stereo VCA Mixer
Monitr’s two stereo inputs, IN 1 and IN 2, are AC-coupled specifically for audio signals, with the R inputs normalled to the L inputs. These input signals are amplified and mixed via stereo VCA circuits to reduce noise and allow for external voltage control. The CHAN 1 and CHAN 2 parameters are for manual adjustments of audio levels, while the VCA1 and VCA2 jacks accept control voltages. The full range of each stereo VCA is 10 Vpp. The mixed stereo signal is buffered and passed on to the master volume circuit.
Master Control
The VOLUME parameter is a variable attenuator which controls the master stereo output level. It can also amplify the signal up to +6dB above unity gain.
The output volume is visually indicated by two 5-segment VU METERS, scaled appropriately for +4 dBu professional line-level output. Best practice is to keep the master signal volumes at or below +3 dBu (GREEN, YELLOW), with transient peaks occasionally reaching +6 dBu (RED). This will optimize the signal’s dynamic range when feeding into audio interfaces or amplifiers.
Monitr also features a MUTE OUTPUT switch that completely silences the main outputs. This is convenient once sound check levels are adjusted before a live performance begins, as the mute switch does not affect the VU meters or headphone cueing section.
Headphone Cue
The module’s headphone circuit is designed to drive a wide-range of headphones with enough detail and power for both studio monitoring and live performance. The LEVEL parameter adjusts the volume of stereo headphone plugged into the PHONES jack. Acceptable headphone impedance ranges from 32 Ω up to 600 Ω.
The headphone source is selected with a 3-way switch, which is useful for cueing during a live performance. The center position, MSTR (Master), monitors the primary master output signal post Volume, so the master VOLUME also affects the headphone volume. The other two positions, CH1 and CH2, exclusively monitor the two input signals respectively, and are not affected by their VCA levels (CHAN 1, CHAN 2, VCA1, or VCA2).
WARNING: Plugging a MONO cable into the PHONES jack and cranking the LEVEL can cause damage to the headphone output circuit, as this will short excess current directly to ground.
Balanced Output
OUT L and OUT R provide balanced line-level stereo output of the master audio signal via 1/4-inch TRS jacks, typically to an audio interface, mixer or amplifier. These balanced connections allow for low-noise signal transmission over longer cable runs, provided the destination input is also balanced. However, unbalanced TS cables can also be used and will simply carry the signal unbalanced.
Calibration Procedures
VU METERS
Feed a 1 kHz sine wave or similar into IN1 L and turn CHAN 1 all the way up. Use an oscilloscope to measure the peak-to-peak voltage from the OUT L jack (tip and sleeve), and set the VOLUME knob so the signal output is exactly 4.37 Vpp. Now adjust both trimpots on the bottom of the module until their respective RED LEDs just barely illuminate. In most cases it is better to match left and right as close as possible rather than be exact.
Patch Tips
SUBGROUP DUCKING – Patch a drum or drum mix into IN 1, while sending a mixed subgroup of other audio into IN 2. Patch an inverted envelope voltage triggered by the drum signal into VCA2 to “duck” channel 2 behind drum hits.
STEREO FX CONTROL – Patch just a reverb or other time-based effects return into IN 2, and a dry mix into IN 1. The effects level can now be controlled separately at the output, and modulated with CV at VCA1. Use abruptly changing voltages for more drastic results.
Technical Specs
Width: 10 HP
Depth: 1.57 in (40 mm)
Weight: 5.1 oz (145 g)
HP Output Impedance: 10 Ω
Power: +12 V 85 mA, -12 V 65 mA
How much is my shipping?
Shipping is automatically calculated before you submit your payment information. Simply add items to your cart and proceed to the checkout page, where you'll be offered shipping options and their prices. In the UK it's normally around £4 for order values under £150, and free above that. Shipping to mainland EU is typically between £7 and £20, depending on the shipping method and the size and weight of the order.
Do you ship to my country?
Almost certainly - the site will give you an estimate of shipping costs if you add an item to the cart and then enter your country and postcode. If you have specific requirements (such as if you prefer UPS over FedEx, for example) then let us know in advance and we'll try to work something out for you.
Shipping methods
We use a combination of Parcelforce, DPD, Royal Mail and UPS for the UK, and for international orders it's either Royal Mail, UPS, DHL or FedEx depending on where you are in the world. If you have a particular preference then try to let us know BEFORE you order so we can look into it for you. Please note that there may occasionally be additional shipping charges if you live in a remote area, depending on what surcharges are applied by the shipper. We'll get in touch to discuss this with you in such cases.
Dispatch times
For UK orders, we normally dispatch the same working day if we get the order before 15:00. If you have a really urgent situation then of course drop us an email before ordering and we'll always do our absolute best to accommodate you.
For international orders, we normally dispatch the same day if we get the order before 13:00 but again, occasionally it might be the next day before we can send it out, and sometimes FedEx or UPS may come a little earlier than scheduled which would also push an order into the next day.
Shipping times
Since April 2020 the couriers we use have suspended guarantees for shipping times, so even though we're paying them for priority services - 24-48 hours for most of the world - in practice it's often an extra day on top and sometimes it can be longer.
There is absolutely nothing we can do about this unfortunately. If you are outside the UK and it's a life-or-death situation where you absolutely MUST have that passive mult for the next day then... it may be better to find a local supplier.
Saturday shipping
If you're in the UK and you order before 15:30 on a Friday then we can send something for a Saturday delivery (NB: this applies to UK mainland addresses only). The success rate with DPD is about 95% so it's worth a punt most of the time. Please note that if you select Saturday shipping on an order placed earlier in the week, we'll wait until Friday to ship it.
Pre-orders
If a product is listed as a pre-order, it means we've ordered it from the supplier but it's not physically in stock yet. The product listing will include an estimated shipping date based on the best information we have from the supplier, but do bear in mind this is subject to change and is not a guaranteed date.
If you place an order containing a mixture of in-stock and pre-order items, we'll normally hold off on shipping anything until the pre-order item(s) have arrived, rather than splitting it into multiple shipments. If you need the in-stock items sooner, we'd recommend placing separate orders. As always, please get in touch if you have questions.
Product Overview
Listen In & Cue Up
Monitr is a comprehensive audio output monitoring utility for eurorack systems. The module is equipped with a stereo VCA-controlled input mixer with master volume control and VU meters, plus a powerful headphone section for both live performance and detailed monitoring.
Stereo VCA Mixer
Monitr’s two stereo inputs, IN 1 and IN 2, are AC-coupled specifically for audio signals, with the R inputs normalled to the L inputs. These input signals are amplified and mixed via stereo VCA circuits to reduce noise and allow for external voltage control. The CHAN 1 and CHAN 2 parameters are for manual adjustments of audio levels, while the VCA1 and VCA2 jacks accept control voltages. The full range of each stereo VCA is 10 Vpp. The mixed stereo signal is buffered and passed on to the master volume circuit.
Master Control
The VOLUME parameter is a variable attenuator which controls the master stereo output level. It can also amplify the signal up to +6dB above unity gain.
The output volume is visually indicated by two 5-segment VU METERS, scaled appropriately for +4 dBu professional line-level output. Best practice is to keep the master signal volumes at or below +3 dBu (GREEN, YELLOW), with transient peaks occasionally reaching +6 dBu (RED). This will optimize the signal’s dynamic range when feeding into audio interfaces or amplifiers.
Monitr also features a MUTE OUTPUT switch that completely silences the main outputs. This is convenient once sound check levels are adjusted before a live performance begins, as the mute switch does not affect the VU meters or headphone cueing section.
Headphone Cue
The module’s headphone circuit is designed to drive a wide-range of headphones with enough detail and power for both studio monitoring and live performance. The LEVEL parameter adjusts the volume of stereo headphone plugged into the PHONES jack. Acceptable headphone impedance ranges from 32 Ω up to 600 Ω.
The headphone source is selected with a 3-way switch, which is useful for cueing during a live performance. The center position, MSTR (Master), monitors the primary master output signal post Volume, so the master VOLUME also affects the headphone volume. The other two positions, CH1 and CH2, exclusively monitor the two input signals respectively, and are not affected by their VCA levels (CHAN 1, CHAN 2, VCA1, or VCA2).
WARNING: Plugging a MONO cable into the PHONES jack and cranking the LEVEL can cause damage to the headphone output circuit, as this will short excess current directly to ground.
Balanced Output
OUT L and OUT R provide balanced line-level stereo output of the master audio signal via 1/4-inch TRS jacks, typically to an audio interface, mixer or amplifier. These balanced connections allow for low-noise signal transmission over longer cable runs, provided the destination input is also balanced. However, unbalanced TS cables can also be used and will simply carry the signal unbalanced.
Calibration Procedures
VU METERS
Feed a 1 kHz sine wave or similar into IN1 L and turn CHAN 1 all the way up. Use an oscilloscope to measure the peak-to-peak voltage from the OUT L jack (tip and sleeve), and set the VOLUME knob so the signal output is exactly 4.37 Vpp. Now adjust both trimpots on the bottom of the module until their respective RED LEDs just barely illuminate. In most cases it is better to match left and right as close as possible rather than be exact.
Patch Tips
SUBGROUP DUCKING – Patch a drum or drum mix into IN 1, while sending a mixed subgroup of other audio into IN 2. Patch an inverted envelope voltage triggered by the drum signal into VCA2 to “duck” channel 2 behind drum hits.
STEREO FX CONTROL – Patch just a reverb or other time-based effects return into IN 2, and a dry mix into IN 1. The effects level can now be controlled separately at the output, and modulated with CV at VCA1. Use abruptly changing voltages for more drastic results.
Technical Specs
Shipping Details
How much is my shipping?
Shipping is automatically calculated before you submit your payment information. Simply add items to your cart and proceed to the checkout page, where you'll be offered shipping options and their prices. In the UK it's normally around £4 for order values under £150, and free above that. Shipping to mainland EU is typically between £7 and £20, depending on the shipping method and the size and weight of the order.
Do you ship to my country?
Almost certainly - the site will give you an estimate of shipping costs if you add an item to the cart and then enter your country and postcode. If you have specific requirements (such as if you prefer UPS over FedEx, for example) then let us know in advance and we'll try to work something out for you.
Shipping methods
We use a combination of Parcelforce, DPD, Royal Mail and UPS for the UK, and for international orders it's either Royal Mail, UPS, DHL or FedEx depending on where you are in the world. If you have a particular preference then try to let us know BEFORE you order so we can look into it for you. Please note that there may occasionally be additional shipping charges if you live in a remote area, depending on what surcharges are applied by the shipper. We'll get in touch to discuss this with you in such cases.
Dispatch times
For UK orders, we normally dispatch the same working day if we get the order before 15:00. If you have a really urgent situation then of course drop us an email before ordering and we'll always do our absolute best to accommodate you.
For international orders, we normally dispatch the same day if we get the order before 13:00 but again, occasionally it might be the next day before we can send it out, and sometimes FedEx or UPS may come a little earlier than scheduled which would also push an order into the next day.
Shipping times
Since April 2020 the couriers we use have suspended guarantees for shipping times, so even though we're paying them for priority services - 24-48 hours for most of the world - in practice it's often an extra day on top and sometimes it can be longer.
There is absolutely nothing we can do about this unfortunately. If you are outside the UK and it's a life-or-death situation where you absolutely MUST have that passive mult for the next day then... it may be better to find a local supplier.
Saturday shipping
If you're in the UK and you order before 15:30 on a Friday then we can send something for a Saturday delivery (NB: this applies to UK mainland addresses only). The success rate with DPD is about 95% so it's worth a punt most of the time. Please note that if you select Saturday shipping on an order placed earlier in the week, we'll wait until Friday to ship it.
Pre-orders
If a product is listed as a pre-order, it means we've ordered it from the supplier but it's not physically in stock yet. The product listing will include an estimated shipping date based on the best information we have from the supplier, but do bear in mind this is subject to change and is not a guaranteed date.
If you place an order containing a mixture of in-stock and pre-order items, we'll normally hold off on shipping anything until the pre-order item(s) have arrived, rather than splitting it into multiple shipments. If you need the in-stock items sooner, we'd recommend placing separate orders. As always, please get in touch if you have questions.
