User Manual
Radial Engineering Ltd.
MC3 Monitor Controller
True to the Music
®
The MC3 is also equipped with a built-in stereo headphone amplier. The headphone amplier
taps the feed after the MASTER level control and sends it to the front panel headphone
jacks and the rear panel ¼” AUX output. There are two standard ¼” TRS stereo headphone
outputs for studio headphones and a 3.5mm (1/8”) TRS stereo out for ear buds.
The headphone amp also drives the rear panel AUX output. This active output is an
unbalanced stereo ¼” TRS output that is set using the headphone level control. The AUX
output can be used to drive a fourth set of headphones or as a line-level output to feed
additional equipment.
Be Careful: the output of the headphone amp is very powerful. Always ensure the headphone
level is turned down (fully counter-clockwise) before auditioning music through headphones.
This will not only save your ears, but save the ears of your client! Slowly increase the
headphone volume control until you reach a comfortable listening level.
As with all products capable of producing high Sound Pressure Levels (SPL) users must
be very careful to avoid the hearing damage that may occur from prolonged exposure. This
is particularly important as it applies to headphones. Prolonged listening at high SPLs will
eventually cause tinnitus and can lead to partial or complete loss of hearing. Please be
aware of the recommended exposure limits within your legal jurisdiction and follow them
very closely. The user agrees that Radial Engineering Ltd. remains harmless from any health
effects resulting from the use of this product and the user clearly understands that he or she
is entirely responsible for the safe and proper use of this product. Please consult the Radial
Limited Warranty for further details.
Top studio engineers tend to work in rooms they are familiar with. They know how these
rooms sound and instinctively know how their mixes will translate to other playback systems.
Switching speakers helps you develop this instinctive sense by allowing you to compare how
your mix translates from one set of monitors to another.
Once you are satised with your mix on various monitor speakers you will want to try listening
with a subwoofer connected and listening through headphones. Keep in mind that many
songs today are downloaded for iPods and personal music players and it is essential that
your mixes also translate well to ear bud style headphones.
When recording and mixing, listening in mono can be your best friend. The MC3 is equipped
with a front panel MONO switch that sums the left and right channels together when
depressed. This is used to check if two microphones are in phase, test stereo signals for
mono compatability, and of course will help you determine if your mix will hold up when
played on AM radio. Simply depress the MONO switch and listen. Phase cancellation in the
bass range is the most noticeable and will sound thin if out of phase.
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