SM Pro Audio MPatch2 - Passive Volume Control / Switch Box
Additional Photos:
Our original M-Patch circuitry has been refined to further enhance attenuation performance and control. The M-Patch 2 provides an ideal desktop or rack mounted, stereo level control solution for any audio monitoring application.
A great way to passively attenuate stereo signals from soundcards, CD players, pre-amps, and mixers, the M-Patch 2 front panel rotary controls allow precise level adjustments for two input sources. Featuring balanced combo XLR/TRS input jacks and XLR outputs, RCA & 3.5mm jack inputs, mono/stereo summing switch, Mute switch, A/B output pairs, and a built in stereo headphone amplifier, the M-Patch 2 has all bases covered.
No more bit loss! One of the benefits of passive volume attenuation is that you no longer have to control volumes with your software master volume fader. Reducing audio levels from software only reduces your bit depth. It is much more appropriate to keep your software masters at unity and passively attenuate the audio to your active monitors.
No active circuitry, buffers, transistors, batteries, or power supply of any kind can interfere with the main passive output of the M-Patch 2. It simply delivers attenuated signal. That's it.. pure, simple transparent.
For users wishing to monitor the audio via the built in headphone amplifier, the included external power supply is required. Even with power connected to the unit the main outputs remain outside of the power circuit!
The M-Patch 2's dual rotary controls allows precise level adjustments within 1dB from 0 to -40dB, with .5dB interchannel accuracy to -60 dB. In addition, the M-Patch 2 features completely balanced operation with its combo XLR/TRS input jacks, and XLR outputs, and can be used in unbalanced applications with the RCA & 3.5mm stereo input connectors. Two stereo output channels are provided (A&B) with a selector switch on the front
panel.
The M-Patch 2 is a true problem solver. It will work seamlessly within your system, is very transparent and silent. You will now be able to keep your bit levels up in your system, eliminate using your mixer, and keep all volumes at an acceptable level. This is a very handy tool for a wide variety of applications.
You can use M-Patch 2 anywhere you want to trim the amount of gain; ie, reduce the volume of analog audio signals. For example, you could use one to trim the output of a microphone pre-amplifier. With its high-quality potentiometer, the M-Patch 2 passes signal more accurately, and sounds better than most built-in volume controls. Another use might be to trim the levels of a 5.1 or greater multi-channel monitor system -- either one pair of channels, or two, or all of them. You can also use a M-Patch 2 to trim the output level of a Digital to Analog Converter like those found in high end pre-amplifiers. Or as a local volume control for distributed audio systems. The possibilities are endless.
Handy application..
The M-Patch 2 is great for those times when you prefer to monitor directly from the outs on your sound card or audio interfaces main outputs directly to your monitors. When your monitors are on they are normally extremely loud. As a result, you may become a bit frustrated as the volume is often simply too high to be comfortable. Your only choices is to either hook up through an external mixer and attenuate the signal or to attenuate the signal in the computer outputs, thereby degrading your bit-levels. Neither solution is completely satisfying. Mixers adds color to the signal and reducing the digital output in the computer will compromise the fidelity of your audio.
Typically you should connect the output of your soundcard to the input of the M-Patch 2 using RCA, TRS or XLR jacks. Then you should connect XLR cables from the outputs of the M-Patch 2 to your active monitors or the amplifier that powers the monitors. Turn the volume all the way up on your monitors, software volume control, or amplifier and use the M-Patch 2 on your desktop to control your monitor level. Simple, effective, transparent.
Q & A
Reviews
Protect your investment with the Long & McQuade Performance Warranty
A warranty can be a very important factor when making a buying decision. Because repairs can be very expensive in terms of parts and labour costs, manufacturers usually only provide one year limited warranties that generally only cover items that malfunction due to a manufacturer’s defect. With an important purchase such as a musical
instrument or piece of studio gear, however, many people want to have the peace of mind in knowing that their investment will be protected should the product no longer be performing at 100%.
Because of this, Long & McQuade provides our customers with a FREE one-year Performance Warranty on most of our products. The Long & McQuade Performance Warranty supplements the manufacturer’s warranty to ensure that our customers receive complete “no hassle” warranty coverage within their first year.
How does the Long & McQuade Performance Warranty differ from most manufacturers' warranties?
- Performance Guarantee: Normal wear and tear is covered, so your product will be performing as well as the day you purchased it for the entire duration of the coverage. Band and Orchestral Performance Warranty does not include replacing pads or cleaning for woodwind instruments, unless deemed necessary by our repair staff. Ultrasonic cleaning for brass instruments will be provided if deemed necessary by our repair staff, but is not routinely offered under the Performance Warranty.
- Product Replacement: If your product cannot be fixed or costs too much to fix, we will replace it with the equivalent model for no additional charge. If this is not possible, a full refund will be provided.
- No Lemon Policy: Your product will be replaced should the same problem occur multiple times.
- Convenient: Easy drop off and pick up of the product at any Long & McQuade location.
- Guitar Setup: Guitars purchased at Long & McQuade come with 1 free setup, to be redeemed within 1 year for new guitars and 90 days for used guitars.
- Loaners Available: A loaner product may be given while the product is being repaired.
- Power Surge Protection: Your product is covered even if damaged from a power surge.
- Accessory Coverage: Any peripheral devices or accessories that come with your product (i.e. foot pedal, case) are also covered.
- Commercial Use Coverage: Music and recording professionals who purchase gear for “heavy-use” commercial purposes will still be covered.
Long & McQuade reserves the right to restrict the purchase of additional years of Performance Warranty. Used products come with a 3-month Long & McQuade Performance Warranty. Some products (i.e. computers, software, cymbals and other items) are covered only by the manufacturer‘s warranty. Consumables (i.e. strings, reeds, drum sticks, batteries, tubes, cross faders) are excluded as they are designed to be replaced. Cosmetic Damage, Accidental Damage, or problems caused by Humidity or Temperature Issues are not covered. Speakers damaged by overpowering are generally not covered. Our coverage does not provide compensation for loss of use. As of June 2018 the Performance Warranty is no longer transferable. The warranty is only valid in Canada.
Purchasing additional years of coverage
Some manufacturers provide warranties for longer than 1 year; however, these are usually limited warranties that do not provide the same coverage as the Long & McQuade Performance Warranty. Customers interested in more complete and convenient (but not necessarily longer) coverage are still able to purchase additional years of the Performance Warranty.
If you are interested in receiving this coverage for longer than one year, you have the option of purchasing additional years of the Performance Warranty. The pricing is as follows:
- NEW products: Starting at 4% of the current new selling price to double the warranty from 1 year to 2 years. Starting at 4% for each additional year.
- USED products: Starting at 4% of the current new selling price to increase the warranty from 3 months to 1 year. Starting at 4% for each additional year.
- GUITARS: 4% of the current new selling price to double the warranty from 1 year to 2 years. 4% for each additional year. $45 maximum. An additional free setup is not included with additional purchased years of Performance Warranty.
- BAND and ORCHESTRAL instruments: 4% of the current new selling price to double the warranty from 1 year to 2 years. 4% for each additional year.
Great Additions
Reserve in Store
| Product | SKU | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| MPatch2 - Passive Volume Control / Switch Box | 264778 |
