SM Pro Audio unveiled the MPatch 2.1 Passive Volume Control/Monitor Switcher. Designed to provide true passive analog control over studio monitoring systems—thereby eliminating the loss of bit-depth associated with digital attenuation—the third-generation MPatch 2.1 features dual inputs with independent volume controls, a newly-designed master attenuator utilizing state-of-the-art 0.5% tolerance SMD resistors, a headphone output with separate volume control, and a subwoofer output with variable crossover. Both balanced combination XLR / 1/4” TRS and unbalanced RCA inputs are provided, with input selection, mute, stereo/mono summing operation, and subwoofer in/out selectable from the front panel.
“Thousands of MPatch units are in use around the world,” explained SM Pro Audio director Danny Olesh. “And as a company dedicated to „solution-oriented‟ products, we‟ve taken our users‟ feedback and incorporated their requests into the MPatch 2.1.” Most notable is the added support for 2.1 systems, which includes the unique ability to return the signal from the subwoofer back into the MPatch 2.1 and control it, along with the left/right monitors, from the master volume attenuator. Switches are provided to mute either the subwoofer or the L/R mains, making it easy to A/B mixes with and without the subwoofer. A rear-panel jack also allows the subwoofer to be muted via a remote control switch.
Elegantly simple in both performance and operation, the MPatch 2.1 accepts dual stereo signals from virtually any source, including computer audio interfaces, mixers, mic preamps, CD players, and the like, and allows users to perform a wide variety of level-matching, mixing, monitoring, and volume control functions—all without adding any coloration or noise, thanks to the 100% passive circuitry. A few quick minutes with the unit and it‟s easy to see how the MPatch series earned its “I can‟t live without it” status.
Designed for desktop or rack-mount use, the MPatch 2.1 carries a suggested retail price of $199.99.