Audient’s Nero is a customisable desktop monitor controller

Audient has announced Nero, a monitor controller designed to give you advanced, customisable control over your listening devices as your studio grows. With a full complement of I/O, assignable subwoofer output, precision matched stereo outputs and customisable setups, this looks like a capable monitoring hub.

Here are the details:

Controls

Onboard the device, there are monitor controls with capabilities based on Audient’s Centro controller. At your fingertips are buttons for talkback, cut, dim, polarity invert, mono, speaker select, cue mix and a new technology called Smart Touchpoints.

Smart Touchpoints let you configure and immediately recall your most commonly used monitoring setups, I/O routings and controls. Marketing Manager Andy Allen explains: “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.”

Attenuation technology

Joining the above controls is Audient’s Precision Matched Attenuation technology. This tech brings two advantages to a stereo signal. First, it matches the volume of the signal’s left and right channels. This might sound basic, but even minuscule differences in electronic components can mean an imbalance between left and right signals. Audient’s technology seeks to eliminate this issue.

Secondly, the technology is designed to prevent audio bleed between left and right monitors, known as crosstalk.

Connectivity

Nero boasts four stereo analogue inputs: two line-level, a cue mix input and an aux input with both RCA mini jack options. Meanwhile, S/PDIF digital connection is afforded via coaxial and optical inputs.

Talkback is handled via an in-built mic, but an external microphone can also be connected (with phantom power).

On the output front, Nero boasts three stereo speaker outputs, one assignable sub output and four headphone outputs. The headphone section, in particular, comprises a monitoring-grade output for sound engineers and three high-output foldback headphone outs tailored for artists.

Available from the second quarter of 2019 at £375. More info at audient.com.