www.radialeng.com True to the Music MC3 ™ Studio Monitor Controller User Guide True to the Music www.radialeng.com Radial Engineering Ltd. 1588 Kebet Way, Port Coquitlam British Columbia, Canada, V3C 5M5 tel: 604-942-1001 • fax: 604-942-1010 email: info@radialeng.
Radial MC3 User Guide ® ™ Table of Contents.......................................................Page Overview......................................................................... 1 Feature set...................................................................... 2 Balanced vs unbalanced................................................. 4 Connecting the MC3....................................................... 5 Using the level adjustment trims.....................................
® True to the Music Overview The Radial MC3 is a studio monitor selector that enables you to switch between two sets of powered loudspeakers. This lets you to compare how your mix will translate on different monitors which in turn will help deliver more convincing mixes to the audience. Because most folks today listen to music with an iPod using ear buds or some other type of headphones, the MC3 features a built-in headphone amplifier.
® True to the Music FEATURE SET 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Front Panel 1. DIM – When engaged, the DIM toggle switch temporarily reduces the playback level in the studio without having to adjust the MASTER level control. The DIM level is set using the top panel LEVEL ADJUSTMENT control. 2. MONO – Sums the left and right inputs to test for mono-compatibility and phase problems. 3. SUB – Separate on-off toggle switch lets you activate the subwoofer. 4.
® True to the Music FEATURE SET 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 REAR Panel 12. SOURCE INPUTS – Balanced/unbalanced ¼” TRS inputs receive the stereo signal from your recording system or mixing console. 13. CONFIG – Recessed toggle switch used to configure the monitor-A and B outputs for balanced or unbalanced operation. Set the toggle switch to match the type of cables you are using to connect the MC3 inputs and outputs. 14.
® True to the Music Typical MC3 setup The MC3 Monitor Control is typically connected to the output of your mixing console, digital audio interface or laptop computer represented as a reel-to-reel machine in the diagram. The outputs of the MC3 connect two pairs of stereo monitors, a subwoofer and up to four pairs of headphones. B B A A S Balanced vs Unbalanced The MC3 can be used in either balanced or unbalanced mode by setting the configuration (CONFIG) switch on the rear panel to suit.
® True to the Music Connecting the MC3 Before making any connections, always ensure levels are turned down or equipment is turned off. This will help avoid turn-on transients that could harm sensitive components like tweeters. It is also a good practice to test signal flow at a low volume before turning things up. There is no power switch on the MC3. As soon as you plug in the power supply, it will turn on.
® True to the Music Setting the trim controls The MC3 top panel is configured with a series of recessed trim controls. These set & forget trim controls are used to fine tune the output level going to each component so that when you switch from one set of monitors to the other, they play back at relatively similar levels. Although most active monitors are equipped with level controls, getting to them while listening is difficult.
® True to the Music Connecting a Subwoofer You can also connect a subwoofer to the MC3. The SUB output on the MC3 is actively summed to mono so that the stereo input from your recorder sends both the left and right bass channels to the subwoofer. You would of course adjust the sub’s crossover frequency to suit. Connecting from the MC3 to your subwoofer is done using an unbalanced ¼” cable. This will not affect the balanced monitor-A and B connections.
® True to the Music Headphones The MC3 is also equipped with a built-in stereo headphone amplifier. The headphone amplifier 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.
® True to the Music Specifications* Radial MC3 Monitor Control Circuit type: ����������������������������������������� Relay switched passive stereo with active headphones and subwoofer outputs Number of channels: �������������������������� 2.
THREE YEAR TRANSFERABLE LIMITED WARRANTY RADIAL ENGINEERING LTD. (“Radial”) warrants this product to be free from defects in material and workmanship and will remedy any such defects free of charge according to the terms of this warranty. Radial will repair or replace (at its option) any defective component(s) of this product (excluding finish and wear and tear on components under normal use) for a period of three (3) years from the original date of purchase.
