The updated SPL classic has been released with new features adapting it to the demands of modern music production environments. The next generation monitor and talkback controller offers advanced source and speaker selection, multiple monitoring modes, an integrated premium talkback system, headphone amplifiers with Phonitor Matrix. The MTC Mk2 also features an additional input for a dedicated artist mix, and an internal audio operating voltage of +/-18 volts.

Managing Partner Hermann Gier says, “The MTC Mk2 offers a lot more than just the standard feature-set of a monitor controller. Besides a premium talkback system, one of its game-changing new features is the SPL Phonitor Matrix, which enables the engineer to also create perfect mixes on headphones.” 

The recording space and headquarters to the Grammy Award-winning band Foo Fighters, Studio 606, is a treasure trove for audiophiles and rock music fans alike. Specialising in analog and direct-to-tape recording methods, the studio also houses the custom Neve 8028 recording console from Sound City, the studio where countless artists recorded some of their most notable work. To provide artists with isolated and well-balanced headphones while recording and mixing, engineers at Studio 606 selected the comfortable and reliable AKG K371 as their over-ear headphone of choice. 

As the majority of bands who record at Studio 606 prefer to track while playing live in the same room, the studio required high-quality closed-back headphones capable of providing sufficient noise isolation and preventing audio bleed. Additionally, to ensure accurate sound for recording and mixing, the studio’s engineers needed headphones with a balanced and uncoloured frequency response. To meet these requirements, the studio purchased eight pairs of AKG K371 headphones.

“Usually the musicians we record are sitting in the room with the drummer, so it’s loud,” said Studio 606’s engineer Oliver Roman. “It’s a huge live room and there’s a lot of reflections, so you’re sitting in there just trying to combat the sounds of cymbals and stuff. We had these headphones that were great for a long time, but they were starting to fall apart and weren’t the best at isolating. If somebody was blasting a click track or the music in their headphones, you could hear it throughout the whole room, which caused a lot of sound bleed. We were looking to upgrade, and the AKG K371 isolates really well while still letting you feel the liveliness of the room.”

Featuring 50mm transducers with oxygen-free copper voicecoils housed in a lightweight shell, the K371 offers properly isolated audio and comfort so that musicians recording together in the live room can clearly hear their individual mixes while still hearing the rest of the room. A drummer using a click track, for instance, will need their headphone mix to be loud enough to rise above their drum playing but not cause the click to bleed into the drum microphones through the headphones. After trying out numerous brands, the studio found that the K371 offered the best output and isolation without distracting or hindering the artists while recording. “You have drummers under ten or fifteen microphones, and since they want to blast the click as much as possible, you’ll hear the click every time they stop playing,” explained Roman.

Additionally, with an even frequency response from 5 to 40,000 Hz, the K371 ensures that mixes translate accurately and consistently to studio monitors and other speakers. From careful listening in the studio to casual use at home, the K371 delivers clear and balanced audio in any setting.

SPL’s philosophy when creating the Series One was to capture the pristine sound and performance of their flagship pro audio tools, scaled down to a desktop-friendly design and with an affordable price tag to appeal to their ambitious followers.

With an audience built around professional recording studios, musicians, music lovers and media creatives, the Phonitor and Phonitor One d aim to serve headphone duties; where as SPL’s newest additions are aimed squarely at monitor and recording control.

Introducing Control One & Marc One

The Control One and Marc One models both draw from SPL’s already renowned experience in monitor controller technology.

Control One is a modern monitor control centre capable of managing multiple audio channels including balanced studio monitor and subwoofer outputs.

Marc One extends the feature set of Control One by harnessing the power of AKM’s acclaimed AK4490 Velvet Sound Chip within its DA conversion stage. This enables playback and recording resolutions of up to 768kHz / 32 Bit as well as playback via Direct Stream Digital up to DSD4.

Both models incorporate SPL’s Phonitor Matrix technology, enabling 30º cross-fade mixing on headphones to emulate studio speaker monitoring and create a more translatable mix.

Each device is also software class compliant enabling seamless integration with Mac and PC platforms, as well as many mobile devices via USB camera adaptors.

“I am excited that with the Series One we have developed a new product line for the ambitious sound creator. It was a challenge to bring the famous SPL sound to this series – I’m really proud of the result – it’s something you can hear and see.” Jens Gronwald – Developer, Sound Performance Lab