MASELEC MTC-1X Stereo Mastering Console

MASELEC MTC-1X Stereo Mastering Console

The MTC-1 measures 3 U height with a depth ‘behind pa
nel’ of 260mm and 8kg weight.
The front control surface has 42 push-button controls with
 LED lights and 11 high quality rotary switches.
Gold XLRs are used for all audio connections, assisting the
 use of highest quality cables.
Connecting and rearranging external equipment is very e
asy.

The MTC-1 is structured into four different sections:

1. The Input section:

• Input source selection
• Phase invert for left and right 
• Separate Left and Right gain controls
• 5dB additional gain selectable for low level sources
• Low-cut and High-cut filters
• Independent Cut controls for left and right

2. The Insert section has six insert points and offers
additional powerful functions:

• M-S with gain control for the ‘difference’ signal
• Inserts 1 & 2 equipment swap (FLIP)
• Insert 4 or Inserts 2-4 cross-fade or additive mix with
• the use of a rotary switch. This function could be
• used for ‘parallel’ compression or adding reverb
• Inserts 4 & 5 equipment swap (FLIP)
• Insert 6 can be moved to Post Output. This is the
• preferred position for a brick-wall limiter.

3. The Output section:

• Separate Left and Right gain controls
• Elliptical filter with 20 frequencies
• Stereo Width control
• Output Cut control
• The stereo image circuits are identical
• to the famous controls of the MTC-2.

• 4 external Monitor Sources
• Monitor of the Input and Output sections
• 2 speaker feeds
• Monitor of the Stereo-, Left-, Right-, Mono-
• or Difference- signal
• Individual Cut controls for Left and Right speakers
• Progressive Dim function
• Meter output, which follows the monitor source 
• –6dB, -8dB and –10dB Meter Offsets

1.    Input Section
1.1  Input source.
Switches S1 and S2 select input SOURCE.  
This is independent of the MONITOR selection
which is located at the right hand side of the panel.
1.2  Input phase.
The PHASE of the input source can be reversed by
depressing either LEFT or RIGHT switches making it
possible to change the polarity of both channels.
The phase reverse function does not extend the
signal path or use any additional circuitry.
1.3  Input gain.
The input GAIN is controlled by a rotary switch with
discrete precision resistors. The range is +/-5dB with
0.5dB steps.
The +5dB switch engages a fixed increased gain on
both channels without extending the signal path.
1.4  Input cut
The two CUT switches cuts the signal at the input.
This function could be useful for setting up and adjustin
g processing equipment in the inserts.
1.5  Low Cut Filter
The LOW cut filter has a 12 dB/octave slope. It has a shar
per ‘knee’ at lower frequencies to optimise the
subjective performance.
Frequencies: 20Hz, 25Hz, 30Hz, 40Hz, 50Hz and 60Hz.
1.6  High Cut Filter
The HIGH cut filter has a 12dB/octave slope with a gentl
e ‘knee’ for the higher frequency settings.
This makes even the 27kHz filter useful for normal CD (44
.1K) preparation.  
Frequencies: 12kHz, 14kHz, 16kHz, 18kHz, 22kHz and 27kHz.

2.    INSERTS
2.1  Insert select
Inserts in/out is selected with six large push buttons.
The insert section is totally bypassed unless at least
one insert is in circuit. This ensures that the signal
path is as pure as possible.
2.2  Gear flip.
The GEAR FLIP function switches the position of the
equipment connected to the XLR connectors on the
back of the MTC-1. It does not alter the position of th
e
inserts. When FLIP 1 and 2 is engaged Insert 1 is still
the first insert in the chain. This function is also active
when M-S is selected.
Flip 4 and 5 works in a similar way.
2.3  Post output
The POST O.P. function moves insert 6 to post the
output section. This positions the insert between the
output amplifiers and the output XLRs.
The monitor of the output is picking up the signal from
the XLR connectors and correctly monitors the output
signal, post insert 6, when this function is used.
2.4  Insert 1 M-S
INS 1 M-S converts the signal in Insert 1 to MS (sum and
difference).
Left channel = Sum and Right channel = Difference.
When this function is engaged the difference signal gain
 can be adjusted +/-1dB with a rotary switch.
The DIFF GAIN control is located after the insert.
The Flip 1 and 2 can be used together with the M-S fu
nction.
2.5  Insert 4 Mix
The INS 4 MIX function makes it possible to mix processed si
gnals with the main signal.
This is done with the 23 position rotary switch.
The Mix function can be configured in two ways:
2.5.1 Cross-fade.
The control cross-fades between processed (after insert 4) a
nd non-processed (before insert 4) signals.
The output level remains constant in all positions (if th
e two levels are the same).
This is probably the most convenient way of mixing the sign
als.
2.5.2 Add
With this control engaged the signal from insert 4 is ad
ded to the main signal, much like a reverb return on a
mixing console. This could be useful when adding an effe
ct or a separate signal to the main programme.
2.6  2-4
When the 2-4 control is engaged, the signal processed in
insert 2, insert 3 and insert 4 is mixed with the
non-processed signal before insert 2. Only the inserts that
 are in circuit will of course be mixed. If none of
these three inserts are in circuit the mix control is tota
lly bypassed.
Together with the FLIP function the INS 4 MIX is a ver
y flexible and powerful tool and could be used for
parallel processing, using the equipment in up to three
 different inserts.
The headroom of the MTC-1 is not affected by this function

3.    Output Section
3.1  Output Gain
The output GAIN is controlled by a rotary switch with
discrete precision resistors. The range is +/-5dB in
0.5dB steps.
3.2  Output Cut
The output CUT controls both channels.
3.2  Image
The IMAGE circuit consists of two functions. Both are
controlled with rotary switches.
3.2.1 Elliptical Filter
This FILTER cuts signals that are out of phase and
converts non-correlated signal components to mono
below the frequency that the control is set to.
For example: If a signal below the set frequency is
only appearing on one side, it is moved to the centre
position (mono).
3.2.2 Stereo Width
The WIDTH control adjusts the image in 2 steps, from mon
o to extra wide stereo, without altering the mono
signal. This control does not use an M-S circuit but can be
 used to further adjust the image when the M-S
function is used in Insert 1.
The image controls are essential tools for vinyl disc cutting
 but are equally useful for other applications.
Both controls are totally mono compatible and do not cha
nge the mono signal.
The MTC-1 headroom is not affected by the image controls.

4.    Monitor Section
4.1  Monitor Source Select
External Sources:
S 1
S 2
S 3
S 4 / DAW
Internal Sources:
IP    Input section; post gain and filters.
OP  Output at the XLR connectors.
4.2  Source Mode
The monitor mode can be selected with five switches:
LEFT
Left channel only
y
RIGHT
Right channel only
STEREO
Stereo
MONO
Mono  
DIFF
Difference
The MONO and DIFF can be useful to check the compatibilit
y between the channels and monitor the affect of the
M-S insert processing.
4.3  Volume Control
The volume control is a rotary switch with discrete precision
 resistors for tight matching of the channels.
The gain can be adjusted between –55dB and 0dB in 23
steps.
4.4  DIM
The DIM control lowers the output gain progressively.
At 0dB it lower the gain with 26dB and at –55dB wit
h 6dB.  
4.5  Output Cut
The two CUT controls, LEFT and RIGHT, disconnect the mon
itor output XLRs from the amplifier outputs.
This function makes it possible to monitor either channel
(or mono / diff) in just one speaker
4.6  Speaker Select
There are two sets of monitor outputs: MAIN or AUX.
They are selected with the push buttons in the upper lef
t corner.
4.7  Meter Output
The meter level can be OFFSET with –6dB, -8dB or –10d
B, using the two push buttons located at the top of the
monitor section.

5  Mains Power
CAUTION!
Before mains power is connected to the IEC
connector on the back panel; make sure that the
voltage switch is set to the proper voltage.
The MTC-1 has two power switches:
Back panel: Mains power on/off
Front panel (above the monitor volume control):
Power on/off   Blue LED indicator.
The front control switches the power off to all
circuits.
Fuse: 1.25AT  (slow blow)
The EARTH plinth on the back panel is connected
to the case and the audio ground.
WARNING!
Do not open the case or remove any screws. There
are dangerous voltages inside.
Always refer servicing to qualified personnel.

Audio Connections
All audio connections are via 3 pin Gold Plated Neutrik
metal house XLR connectors.
All input output circuits are fully balanced.
Pin 2 or Pin 3 can be grounded to convert to unbalanced
.
Either Pin 2 or Pin 3 can be used as hot (there is no d
ifference in performance).
Maximum signal level: +28dBu (balanced)

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