PreSonus Central Station Studio Control Center

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Today's Bonus:

• Five stereo inputs: 2 digital, 3 analog
• Three stereo monitor outputs
• 24-bit DAC
• Purely-passive audio signal path
• Optional remote (CSR-1)

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Prior to buying this box, I had my DAW's analog output directly connected to my studio monitors and used an old stereo receiver as a headphone amp. I would not have expected the Central Station to make such a huge difference to my way of working but it's been incredibly convenient to be able to control the system volume with a real knob, switch between studio monitors and a cheap boombox and to have the built-in headphone amp with plenty of volume. I can't explain why but being able to run my sound card (Digital Audio Labs CardDeluxe) at full output has made my mixes come out better in the form of crisper sound and better separation of instruments. Next step is to hook up the DAW's digital output to the CS so that I can have a custom headphone mix and leave it up during the tracking process without disrupting whatever mix decisions I've made. This box did exactly what I needed and helped me streamline my workflow without degrading my audio quality.

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I got this one as an open box / slightly used.

Seems to work as design thus far.

I'm up and running without any issues so I'm happy,

They'll probably release a new version and make me feel bad next week! :)

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I've got a very clean signal path, excellent converters, excellent monitors (Genelec), I do all my matrixing and routing through an Audient ASP510, and all I wanted the Central Station for was talkback and the cue send to talent. I liked the fact that I could move the remote control around the room, so the client could use it and the rest of the time the engineer could use it.

I have three complaints: (1) for no reason it completely fails to pass signal and must be unplugged and started up again, (2) it overheats, and (3) oh my god it has the worst-sounding talkback mic I have ever heard. It desperately needs a hi-pass filter on the talkback circuit because it sounds like some evil demon of low frequency RUMBLE has taken over the sound whenever the TB mic is keyed. It DOES have an XLR input for a mic of my choice, but guess what? It has no phantom power, so condenser mics need not apply for the job. Total bust/total crap. The talent complain every time and I don't blame them.

One more gripe for good measure -how about some XLR inputs? Does everything have to be phono plugs?

Super cheap unit. I refuse to pass my mix buss through it, and people who praise the sound have no idea what good sound is. Take it from someone who owns Bryston SST amps and has been in the business of sound since 1983. Looking to sell mine on ebay right now.