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As a studio grows, it gets harder to control. One pair of speakers becomes two. A subwoofer arrives. Then comes a singer who needs a headphone mix, a phone to reference against, and a talkback mic you can never find. Suddenly the simple act of turning something up or down feels like air traffic control.

That is exactly the problem the Audient Nero was built to solve. Nero is a desktop monitor controller that centralises, connects and controls all of your monitoring from one intuitive unit. Building on over 20 years of Audient's analogue console heritage, it is designed to quickly become the core of your studio.

What Is a Monitor Controller, and Why Do You Need One?

A studio monitor controller sits between your audio interface and your speakers. It gives you a dedicated volume control, lets you switch between speaker sets, and adds the tools engineers rely on every day: dim, mono, talkback and headphone feeds. Instead of relying on interface software or tiny knobs, you get tactile, console-style control right on your desk.

Nero's goal is simple. Audient's own description of how it sounds? Well, it doesn't really sound like anything, because Nero gives you the cleanest monitoring path possible.

Precision Matched Attenuation Technology: Accurate Stereo, Every Time

The headline feature is Audient's custom Precision Matched Attenuation Technology. It perfectly matches the volume of the left and right channels of your stereo signal. Unlike many other monitor controllers, this prevents any deviation in level between your left and right monitors, so your stereo image is never unbalanced. The result is that you can monitor accurately and mix with confidence.

Inputs and Outputs: Connect Everything

Inputs

• 2 x stereo inputs for your audio interface
• A dedicated cue mix input for better monitoring for your artists
• A mini jack input to plug in your phone
• RCA inputs for a media player

Outputs

• Main stereo outputs for your favourite speakers
• 2 x alt stereo outputs, so you can reference your mix on up to three sets of speakers, each with independently set and matched volume
• A subwoofer output that you can assign to any monitor path
• 4 x headphone outputs: one monitor-grade headphone amp and three foldback-grade headphone amps, ready for the loudest sessions

Smart Touchpoints: Customise Your Workflow on the Fly

Smart Touchpoints let you route and configure outputs and monitor controls to suit how you work. Hold a Smart Touchpoint to enter setup mode, choose your routing, then press it again to save. With them you can:

• Assign the talkback mic to any or all headphone outputs
• Assign your subwoofer to any or all of the three stereo outputs, and still switch it on or off to audition without losing saved routing
• Build headphone mixes by assigning any input source with the SRC buttons
• Set any output permanently to mono, ideal for mono reference speakers
• Save all settings permanently by holding any two speaker output buttons

Talkback That Keeps Artists Comfortable

Nero's talkback section supports three input sources (internal, dynamic and condenser), has its own dedicated gain control, and can be routed to any or specific headphone mixes. You stay in control of the session, and your artist always hears you clearly.

Specs at a Glance

• Max input level (balanced): +18dBu
• Digital sample rates: 192kHz
• Dynamic range (DAC): 113dB
• Speaker output frequency response: 20Hz to 22kHz
• Speaker output THD+N: 0.0015%
• Headphone output THD+N: 0.0009%

Built to Last, Ready to Create

Nero has an all-metal construction and an Obsidian Black finish, so it looks and feels right in any studio. It is backed by a 3-year limited warranty, and it comes bundled with a free creative software suite including Cubase LE, plus industry-leading plugins and virtual instruments through Audient's ARC software, so you can start recording as soon as you open the box.

Who Is the Audient Nero For?

Nero suits home studio producers, mix engineers, podcasters, worship and broadcast spaces, and recording studios that need accurate speaker switching, a sub that behaves, and clean headphone feeds for performers, all without a full console.

Final Thoughts

The Audient Nero desktop monitor controller brings centralised control, matched stereo volume, flexible routing and talkback together in one durable desk unit. If your monitoring setup has outgrown your interface, Nero is a clear step up.

Want to learn more or get a Nero for your studio? Contact us today.

Sales@vibetoolsng.com