tc electronic Monitor Pilot Multi-Monitor Switching Control Station User Guide

Quick Start Guide

MONITOR PILOT
Multi-Monitor Switching Control Station with
Elegant Desktop Controller and Calibrated Listening

Important Safety

Instructions

Terminals marked with this symbol carry an electrical current of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock. Use only high-quality professional speaker cables with ¼”  S or twist-locking plugs pre-installed. All other installations or modifications should be performed only by qualified personnel.

This symbol, wherever it appears, alerts you to the presence of uninsulated dangerous voltage inside the enclosure – voltage that may be sufficient to constitute a risk of shock.

This symbol, wherever it appears, alerts you to important operating and maintenance instructions in the accompanying literature. Please read the manual.

Caution
To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not remove the top cover (or the rear section). No user-serviceable parts inside. Refer servicing to qualified personnel.

Caution
These service instructions are for use by qualified service personnel only. To reduce the risk of electric shock do not perform any servicing other than that contained in the operation instructions repair have to be performed by qualified service personnel.

1. Read these instructions.
2. Keep these instructions.
3. Heed all warnings.
4. Follow all instructions.
5. Do not use this apparatus near water.
6. Clean only with a dry cloth.
7. Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
8. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat.
9. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type plug. A polarized plug has two blades one wider than the other. A grounding-type plug has two blades and a third grounding prong. The wide blade or the third prong is provided for your safety. If the provided plug does not fit into your outlet, consult an electrician for the replacement of the obsolete outlet.
10.  Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the apparatus.
11. Use only attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.
12. Use only with the cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table specified by the manufacturer, or sold with the apparatus. When a cart is used, use caution when moving the cart/apparatus combination to avoid injury from tip-over.
13. Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time.
14. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as a power supply cord or plug is damaged,  liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped.
15. The apparatus shall be connected to a MAINS socket outlet with a protective earthing connection.
16.  Where the MAINS plug or an appliance coupler is used as the disconnect device, the disconnect device shall remain readily operable.
17.  Correct disposal of this product: This symbol indicates that this product must not be disposed of with household waste, according to the WEEE Directive  2012/19/EU) and your national law. This product should be taken to a collection center licensed for the recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment (EEE). The mishandling of this type of waste could have a possible negative impact on the environment and human health due to potentially hazardous substances that are generally associated with EEE. At the same time,  your cooperation in the correct disposal of this product will contribute to the efficient use of natural resources. For more information about where you can take your waste equipment for recycling, please contact your local city office or your household waste collection service.
18. 18. Do not install in a confined space, such as a bookcase or similar unit.
19.  Do not place naked flame sources, such as lighted candles, on the apparatus.
20. Please keep the environmental aspects of battery disposal in mind.  Batteries must be disposed of at a battery collection point.
21. This apparatus may be used in tropical and moderate climates up to 45°C.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER
Music Tribe accepts no liability for any loss which may be suffered by any person who relies either wholly on or in part upon any description, photograph, or statement contained herein. Technical specifications, appearances and other information are subject to change without notice.
All trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Midas, Klark Teknik, Lab Gruppen, Lake, Tannoy, Turbosound, TC Electronic, TC Helicon, Behringer, Bugera, Oberheim, Auratone, Aston Microphones, and Coolaudio are trademarks or registered trademarks of Music Tribe Global Brands Ltd. © Music Tribe Global Brands Ltd. 2021  All rights reserved.

LIMITED WARRANTY

For the applicable warranty terms and conditions and additional information regarding Music Tribe’s Limited Warranty, please see complete details online at musictribe.com/warranty.

MONITOR PILOT Controls

Controls

(1) DC IN – Connect the included power cable.
(2) REMOTE – Connect the 6-pin remote cable so that the locking tab is properly aligned.
(3) MAIN LR INPUTS – Connect the main stereo input signal via balanced XLR cables.
(4) MAIN LR OUTPUTS – Connect up to 3 pairs of stereo monitor speakers. Note that engaging Out 3 will also engage the headphone output.
(5) HEADPHONE OUT – Connect a pair of headphones via 1/4” TRS cable.
(6) AUX IN – Connect a secondary audio input via 1/8” TRS cable.
(7) OUTPUT TRIM KNOBS – Compensate for differences in volume between speakers by turning each pot.
(8) MOUNTING BRACKETS – Install the I/O housing beneath a desk or on a wall using a pair of screws (not included).
(9) LEVEL KNOB – Adjust the overall output level.
(10) MONITOR SELECT – Select between the 3 outputs. Note that the 3rd output also activates the headphone.

Calibrated Listening

Calibrated listening is fundamental, giving you many crucial benefits. Most of them have to do with consistency, which is absolutely essential when it comes to delivering great-sounding mixes. Your aim should be to ensure that your mix will sound great not just in this room on these speakers for this particular format – but every time, for any delivery format.
Making sure that you mix at the same SPL level on a day-to-day basis is essential because you are likely to mix quite differently at different volume levels. If you calibrate your system, you simply will be able to achieve more consistent mixes. Calibrated listening ensures…
• Consistency between rooms: Create the same reference level across different mixing studios and editing suites.
• Consistency between sessions: Ensure the same reference level every day of the week.
• Consistency between speaker sets: Mix at the same reference level when you switch between speaker setups and audio formats.
Calibration standards: EBU R128, SMPTE RP200, ATSC A85
There are multiple standards available for calibration of your monitor setup. The right one for you depends on what type of mixing you do – music, TV, cinema, web, etc.
We suggest you use a measurement microphone or a mobile unit in combination with standard signals in your DAW to ensure that the audio level in your DAW translates to a  standardized SPL level in the listening position. Use the +/-9 dB trimmers on Monitor Pilot in combination with the sensitivity selectors on your monitors to find the optimal,  equal, and calibrated level across your studio monitor sets.
• Note that increased sensitivity on your studio monitors may increase the general noise level.
• The Monitor Pilot as a reference point has 0 dB gain at 3 o’clock setting on the remote controller if the output trimmers are set to max.
• If real calibration seems like a big task, you may simply just use the trimmers to ensure all speaker sets play equally loud.
• Tip: Speaker set 3 and headphones output are shared. In case you don’t have a third speaker set, use the trimmer for speaker set 3 to make the levels on your headphones equal to the level on your studio monitors.

General notes
• Monitor Pilot always starts up with speaker set 1 selected
• Only one speaker set can be active at a time
• Even though much effort has been put into ensuring that the Monitor Pilot behaves well in all situations, we suggest you power on
your speakers last and power them off first as a daily routine in order to eliminate clicks and pops that may harm your speakers.
• The internal limiter ensures that levels exceeding the maximum of the Monitor Pilot (likely also the maximum of your speakers) is limited. This could happen with hot levels and if the master volume control is set to max (+6 dB gain). The limiter is never active otherwise.
• The main XLR inputs and the auxiliary mini-jack input are summed internally in Monitor Pilot.
• We suggest you turn the Monitor Pilot and your speakers off when connecting/disconnecting the system.
The Monitor Pilot main unit is designed to either
• be put away for a tidy cable routing.
• be mounted under your desk at the front end giving easy access to headphones and auxiliary input and trimmers.
• or be placed at the back end of your desk also with easy access to headphones and auxiliary input and trimmers. You may use the supplied rubber feet to ensure table grip.

Specifications

Analog Inputs
Main input	2 x XLR, balanced
Input impedance	10 kΩ balanced, 5 kΩ unbalanced
Max input level	+22 dBu
Aux input	1/8 ” TRS, stereo unbalanced
Input impedance	500 Ω
Max input level	+5 dBu
Analog Inputs
Monitor out 1-3	2 x XLR, balanced
Output impedance	100 Ω balanced, 50 Ω unbalanced
Max output level	+22 dBu
Phones	1/4 ” TRS, stereo
Output impedance	50 Ω
Max output level	+22 dBu
System (XLR into XLR out)
Frequency response	+0/-0.2 dB, 20 Hz to 20 kHz
Dynamic range	> 105 dB, (0 dB gain) unweighted, BW 20 Hz – 20 kHz
Crosstalk	< -90 dB @ 1 kHz
Max gain	+6 dB
Trim gain per output pair	-18 to 0 dB
Power Supply / Voltage
Mains voltage	100-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz
Power consumption	12 W max
Power supply	12 V DC, 1000 mA (included)
Main Unit Dimensions / Weight
Dimensions (H xWx D)	39 x 261 x 70 mm (1.5 x 10.3 x 2.8″)
Weight	0.6 kg (1.2 lbs)
Finish	Powder coated black steel plate
Remote Dimensions / Weight
Dimensions (H x W x D)	37 x 53 x 78 mm (1.5 x 2.1 x 3.1″)
Weight	0.2 kg (0.4 lbs)
Finish	Aluminum anodized knob, plastic body with metal foot

Important information

1. Register online.
   Please register your new Music Tribe equipment right after you purchase it by visiting musictribe.com. Registering your purchase using our simple online form helps us to process your repair claims more quickly and efficiently. Also, read the terms and conditions of our warranty, if applicable.
2. Malfunction. Should your Music Tribe Authorized Reseller not be located in your vicinity, you may contact the Music Tribe Authorized Fulfiller for your country listed under “Support” at musictribe.com. Should your country not be listed, please check if your problem can be dealt with by our “Online Support” which may also be found under “Support” at musictribe.com. Alternatively, please submit an online warranty claim at musictribe.com BEFORE returning the product.
3. Power Connections.
   Before plugging the unit into a power socket, please make sure you are using the correct mains voltage for your particular model. Faulty fuses must be replaced with fuses of the same type and rating without exception.

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS
COMMISSION COMPLIANCE
INFORMATION
TC Electronic
MONITOR PILOT

Responsible Party Name: Music Tribe Commercial NV Inc.
Address: 5270 Procyon Street, Las Vegas NV 89118,  United States
Phone Number: +1 702 800 8290

MONITOR PILOT
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the  user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
Important information:
Changes or modifications to the equipment not expressly approved by Music Tribe can void the user’s authority to use the equipment.

Hereby, Music Tribe declares that this product is in compliance with
Directive 2014/30/EU, Directive 2011/65/EU, and Amendment 2015/863/
EU, Directive 2012/19/EU, Regulation 519/2012 REACH SVHC and
Directive 1907/2006/EC.
The full text of the EU DoC is available at https://community.musictribe.com/
EU Representative: Music Tribe Brands DK A/S
Address: Ib Spang Olsens Gade 17, DK – 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark

Documents / Resources

tc electronic Monitor Pilot Multi-Monitor Switching Control Station [pdf] User Guide Monitor Pilot, Multi-Monitor Switching Control Station, Monitor Pilot Multi-Monitor Switching Control Station

References

• Music Tribe
• Music Tribe
• Music Tribe
• User Manual