Audient has introduced Nero, its latest desktop monitor controller offering a comprehensive range of I/O, console style monitor control, an assignable sub output, Precision Matched Attenuation Technology and more.

Four stereo analogue inputs, including two line level inputs, a dedicated cue mix input, one aux input (RCA or Mini Jack) and both optical and coaxial SPDIF inputs give users a wide variety of connectivity options. These can be fed to three stereo speaker outputs (with the ability to set and match volumes), one assignable sub output, and four headphone outputs.

Audient has developed Precision Matched Attenuation Technology, which is designed to perfectly match the volume of the left and right channels of a stereo signal. Nero also features a range of flexible monitor controls, including dedicated talkback, cut & dim along with polarity, mono, speaker select and cue mix monitoring and the concept of Smart Touchpoints.

“Nero builds on our 20 years of expertise in analogue design heritage, courtesy of David Dearden designed circuitry,” said Audient marketing director Andy Allen. “As a studio grows, it can be difficult to keep a handle on monitoring but Nero will provide centralised, customisable control for all your monitoring needs – right from your desktop.

“Smart Touchpoints are configurable buttons that allow you to customise your workflow on the fly,” he continued. Hold a touchpoint down to enter setup mode, then simply route and configure Nero’s relevant monitor controls to create and save monitoring combinations that work for you. For example route your sub permanently to any or all sets of speakers without losing the ability to switch it on and off. Or permanently sum an output to Mono for your Mono reference speaker. When it comes to talkback, Nero features an internal mic as well as a dedicated mic input with phantom power, enabling the use of a dynamic or condenser mic of your choice.

“Nero utilises Audient’s vast experience in implementing monitor control in recording consoles and desktop controllers, and we feel that knowledge has led us to deliver the best sounding, most flexible desktop monitor controller available at this price point,” Allen concluded.

Nero is expected to ship in the second quarter of 2019 and will retail at $499 MAP.