Audient Nero Desktop Monitor Controller

I had been using a Mackie "Big Knob" prior to upgrading to the Audient Nero. The reason I chose this unit is that I had read that it has a microprocessor-controlled fader that allows for even trim of the volume at all levels. If you've used a Big Knob or similar passive monitor controller, you know that when the volume gets low, one channel fades out before the other. That problem does not exist at all with this device. Also, the digital ins (coaxial and toslink optical) allow me to select inputs from my CD player or my audio interface very easily. I love this little box and couldn't be more happy with its performance. For the price, you can't beat it! It's also one of the few controllers that has THREE sets of monitor outputs, which allows me to easily switch between midfield and nearfield monitors in my studio. Buy this unit! It's awesome.

Great build and construction. Awesome set of easy straightforward controls. Sounds great and really ups the game of my studio and productions. Wish I had purchased sooner. Priced right, lower then most of the competition.

My main monitor controller.

Extremely quiet, solidly built device.

My second one just bit the dust after three months… It was a replacement for the first one. Loud pop, then the right side went dead. I wanted to love this unit so bad, it sounds so good… But somethings not right.

The unit is functional as a switcher, although it causes loud on/off pops that my other monitor switchers do not cause. You will likely need an after market power supply to have a reasonable length cable. 4.5 feet is unreasonably short. In this price range, little things like potentially damaging pops and an extremely short power cable add up to dissatisfaction.