2400 Audio: Imperium NG Monitor Controller

As a writer, I try to be as transparent as I can when reviewing a piece of gear. I also feel compelled to include a bit of a backstory that shares what initially lead me to doing the review.

Many know that I moved my studio, SoundShop370, from Manhattan to South Nashville a couple of years ago. When establishing the "must-haves" for this new space, I was left with one piece of gear that I truly needed to address – my monitor controller. While the unit I had was adequate for nearly ten years, I felt I had no option but to upgrade to a piece of kit that was high-end, high-class, robust, offered several nonnegotiable features, and sounded truly transparent. Obviously, there are some very popular and full-featured controllers out there, and if you poke around online you'll most likely find at least one of them in most recording facilities. But for the individual who wanted to avoid spending upwards of $4000, I struggled to find any option better than "prosumer." That is, until I stumbled upon 2400 Audio and their Imperium NG digitally-controlled passive stereo monitor console.

Danish audio manufacturer 2400 Audio produces nothing but two distinct, handmade, monitor controllers; one 1U and one 2U model (the 2U allows for some additional ins and outs). The feel of the enclosure is solid. The enclosure extends about 8-inches behind the rack ears. Both Imperium NG units have an incredibly vast number of options that can be added to customize the unit and expand the feature set. I received the "mastering option," which comes with an internal WiFi card, USB card, and additional buttons on the front that allow muting the left and right speakers independently, swapping the L/R sides, and also monitoring the difference between L/R.

The WiFi card allows wireless control of the unit on your Mac/PC/Linux/iOS/Android device using TouchOSC – a low-cost, open source software app. While you can customize your own TouchOSC interface, 2400 Audio provides a download from their site which is mapped to all the controls on the front panel, as well as providing two additional "tabs" to access eight programmable user "level profiles," plus deeper controls if one chooses to involve Trinnov’s ST2 room correction or Barefoot Sound’s MEME monitor emulation modes (which can be completely controlled by TouchOSC). The first tab provides control for every single button on the unit as well as giving full control and volume adjustments of the dedicated eight volume buttons. If you choose to use the USB card option, one can hardwire the unit to a computer (for complete control from the desktop) or use with an Elgato Stream Deck (LCD button controller). Also, TouchOSC can be accessed via the built-in MIDI I/O ports using a MIDI USB interface (not all USB MIDI interfaces may be 100% compatible). I did have a slight hiccup when attempting to get the wireless portion of the unit up and running, but a firmware update (and very thorough videos on their site) cleared up the TouchOSC communication issue in a short amount of time.

While 2400 Audio's controllers are digitally controlled, the entire signal path is completely passive and entirely analog. All three inputs and three outputs are fully balanced, and all 20 front panel buttons are shallow to the faceplate, feel solid yet soft, and are incredibly quiet to the touch. There are zero artifacts, pops, or glitches when activating or deactivating any button on this unit. The front panel controls start at the left, with a dedicated power switch that is completely quiet when powering up or powering down – brilliant for speaker protection. Though the unit is passive, there is a wall wart power supply that powers the internal DC components. Following the power switch is a cluster of six buttons. The bottom three buttons control three individual input sources while the top three select "Parallel Output" (which would allow the adding of a subwoofer, for example) engage a dedicated "Insert" (loop) and "Bypass" for bypassing the volume control attenuation. The center section is likely where we all will be spending most of our time. A string of eight buttons provide eight individual volume levels that can be customized via the TouchOSC software. 2400 Audio even gives the end user custom cap options if you need to get creative with your monitor level naming. My unit arrived with a "Shhh…" button at the far left, as well as a "REAL LOUD," and "skull and crossbones" graphic for the right end button (Cheeky!). The 256 steps of volume attenuation are as smooth as any rotary potentiometer controller I have ever used (and I've used many). On the right side of the unit is another cluster of six buttons. The top three buttons activate a left channel polarity inversion, a Mono option, and a Cut (mute) function. The bottom three buttons allow for the three stereo output options.

Imperium NG provides deep integration with the TouchOSC software through the many add-on options that allow a great deal of monitoring flexibility. Also, the unit gives the listener a fully uncolored performance with no noise floor or headroom limitations. The stereo field has perfect imaging at all levels, and all of this is packed into a 1U high and incredibly intuitive design. I didn't initially know how I would feel about not having a rotary pot to adjust my monitor volume, but within a short amount of time I began to prefer this method of monitoring. Each of the eight volume buttons never deviate from their user-defined levels, so I was always listening with complete level consistency. The mixes that I was working on while reviewing the unit felt more alive, vibrant, and I could hear discrepancies that needed to be addressed with zero problems. I felt embedded "inside" my mixes like never before. While I know that many will appreciate the WiFi/USB remote options, I was surprised that I preferred having the unit at the top of my rack – at a distance (while still being in reach) – and being able to physically adjust the unit's features on the box itself. Obviously, this is simply my personal preference... at least for the moment.

I have finally found SoundShop370's monitor control, and with Imperium NG pricing starting around $950, I can unequivocally recommend this unit to any studio owner.