The RAM 1000 combines hands‑on speaker control with Bluetooth streaming.
In these post mixing‑console days, I reckon we could all use a good monitor controller: hands‑on control of the levels in your studio, whether the computer is switched on or not, is a good thing, as is an obvious analogue mute button that you can hit in the event of horrible noises emanating from said computer! Billed as “the solution for mid‑sized studios”, Heritage Audio’s RAM 1000 is a desktop‑format passive monitor controller that can cater for two stereo analogue inputs, two stereo analogue outputs as well as something which is less commonly seen on devices such as this: a stereo Bluetooth input.
Layout & Construction
The RAM 1000 is rather chunkier in the flesh than it seems in context‑free online images, and it has both rubber feet and reassuring heft: even though the input and output cables trail from the rear (as they do with all such desktop designs) those cables certainly won’t be dragging the RAM around your desk. The folded‑steel case forms a box with a sloped top panel whose top and bottom edges curve pleasingly, with a nice finish and no sharp corners or jagged edges.
All the analogue I/O are on the rear panel, with both XLR and TRS jack options available.Around the back are two pairs of stereo analogue inputs, one on Zwee‑branded combi XLRs, the other on TRS jacks, and the latter has a switch for +4dBu or ‑10dBv operation. When nothing’s plugged into the right‑channel jack, the left‑channel jack doubles up as a mono input. Opposite are the two stereo output pairs, one on dual male XLRs (this one also has a Rec/Mon switch) and the other, sans switch, on TRS jacks. Between the inputs and outputs you’ll find a single quarter‑inch headphone output (might it have been better placed on the front panel?) and a grounding point. There’s also a USB‑C power socket, because although the level control itself is passive, power is required for other functions, including a helpful input level meter. A short USB‑C to USB‑C cable is supplied. There’s no PSU but it’s not a ‘thirsty’ device, and it ran very happily off a MacBook Pro battery for quite some time.
On the top panel, the controls all feel reassuringly robust. There are switches for each input and output, to dim (‑20dB) or mute the output, and for a mono check, and these are all latching types. If multiple sources are selected simultaneously, they’re mixed, so all play through the selected outputs. I never had an issue with any of the buttons, but sometimes I did wish they had indicator LEDs, since it’s not always easy to see what’s selected at a glance, particularly in an ‘atmospherically’ lit studio.
The master level knob is a joy: it’s big and easy to turn and, since it operates a switch with 23 steps of 3dB rather than a pot, there’s good level matching between the left and right channels right through the range. This means it’s really easy to set and recall reference levels too: the steps are obvious, and the size of the knob means there’s an obvious physical distance between each one — it’s pretty hard to dial in the wrong setting by mistake. The headphone level knob also has plenty of range, and the amp drove my different studio headphones of various impedances effortlessly. My big sausage fingers would have preferred that this knob had greater girth, though, or perhaps a rubberised finish to aid grip. Still, it works and, once again, it’s easy to recall settings, particularly if you were to mark reference levels with a DIY label or chinagraph pencil. The only other control is associated with the Bluetooth input: a momentary button to reset the Bluetooth connection. Speaking of which, several Bluetooth codecs are catered for, to allow the best possible Bluetooth audio quality: it automatically matches the streaming device’s settings.
What’s Not To Like?
The RAM 1000 does what it says on the tin, and it does so very nicely too. It sounds good, with zero audible noise or distortion to my ears. The layout is intuitive, switching and recalling settings is easy as pie, and setting up a Bluetooth connection was easy, so if an artist brings a demo to your studio or you want to ask about references, they can play tracks from their phone over your studio monitors without fuss. It’s very handy that you can dedicate one output to the monitors and another to a recording device. I also like that power is over USB — you shouldn’t have any problem sourcing a replacement supply in the future or when on location, should you need to!
The RAM 1000 does what it says on the tin, and it does so very nicely too. It sounds good, with zero audible noise or distortion to my ears.
While the dim, mute and mono buttons all serve useful purposes, though, and that big master level switch is pleasing, I generally prefer to have more facilities available on a monitor controller and personally I missed a few things here. For example, I like to be able to mute the left and right output channels independently, and ideally to audition the Sides‑only signal (eg. by polarity inverting one channel). It’s possible to do that in your DAW or another device hooked up to the RAM, but the whole point of a monitor controller is to make this sort of thing convenient. Also, I did sometimes wish that I could mute the headphone output, so that I could leave open‑backed cans attached without hearing their spill, and without changing the level setting. There’s no dedicated provision for single speakers either, such as a subwoofer or Auratone‑style grotbox. To be fair to Heritage, though, they offer a range of monitor controllers, and some have more channels and functions.
On the whole, if you’re happy with the facilities on offer here — and I’ve no doubt that many will find them sufficient — then the RAM 1000 is a great‑sounding, robustly built monitor controller that could prove a great choice and seems like it would last a lifetime. The competition in this market has heated up in recent years, with good options available from the likes of Drawmer and Audient amongst others, but while you should always weigh up your options, I’d have no hesitation in recommending the RAM 1000.
Pros
- Stepped master level control for accuracy and recall.
- Sounds transparent.
- Can mix (not just switch) inputs.
- Bluetooth input is so convenient.
- Solid construction and neat build quality.
- USB power socket.
Cons
- Some may find it light on facilities.
Summary
A high‑quality two‑in, two‑out monitor controller, with a very handy bonus: a third stereo input via Bluetooth.
Information
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