PreSonus Central Station Studio Monitor Control Center

Passive audio path. 5 stereo inputs. 24-Bit/192kHz DAC. 3 sets of monitor outputs.

Item: PRSCENTRAL

  • Pricing
    • $499.95
    • Installment Plan:4 payments of $124.98
    • List: $699.99
    • SAVE 28%
  • Standard Shipping
    Ground
    free shipping
  • Expedited Shipping
    2 Day Shipping
    $14.99
     | Overnight
    $44.99

what's new?

  • In Stock :: Will Ship Today

Payment Plan: Call for 4 equal payments on most orders over $395. Installment plans available only by phone. See details.

Or call 800.ZZOUNDS (996.8637) right now. You get the same low price and shipping discounts online or by phone!

No Sales Tax. (Except NJ)

Seen a lower price? We'll beat it! details

Be a zZounds Spy!


customer reviews

Rate and Review This Product:

14 People rated this product : * * * * * * * * * * 6 out of 10

2 People wrote reviews

* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10

"This is the best purchase I've made in a long time."

Feature:
I can't mix without this box ever again. It is designed perfectly for professionals and allows you to check your mix through different speakers plus compare your mix with other sources. I have a CD player plugged into the optical inputs, my IPOD in the RCA inputs and my DAW coming in from SPDIF of my RME interface.

Quality:
It's built solid. Doesn't feel cheap at all.

Value:
Just buy it. You won't regret it. There's nothing that comes close to this below $3k.

Desirability:
Works perfectly. This is a great addition to any studio.

Sound:
what you put in is what you get out. Also the D/A converter sounded better than my interface.

Ease of Use:
It's really self explanatory. one thing i just discovered is the fact that you can send different mixes to the headphone amps than what you hear in the control room. GREAT FEATURE.

Support:
I haven't needed any support with the Central Station I've called Presonus in the past and they were very helpful.

Overall:
I really can't imagine doing a mix without the Central Station now that I've had it in my studio for a while. Only small gripe is that I wish it had AES inputs. But hey, you can't ask for too much with a $500 pricetag.

Submitted: 12/24/2007

* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10

"Everything was good the second time around."

Feature:
the features would be nice, but out of the box, the led's didn't work. besides that the talk back is nice, and the fact that you can hook up a sustain pedle as the controller of the t/b is really cool.

Quality:
again I wasn't to impressed with the quality. It was right out of a mint box, and the machine wasn't fully functional.

Value:
you might want to try the mackie big knob, thats what I was gonna get but they gave me this for the same price. Well now I know why.

Desirability:
it goes good on my rack with my fire pod and eurika

Sound:
its passive so you hear what you get no color, or any other additives. It sounds great.

Ease of Use:
real up and down, a monkey could do it.

Support:
the people were nice.

Overall:
as long as it works it will be my control station.

Submitted: 5/17/2006

Read all reviews...

Additional Images:

Main
Main
Rear
Rear

30-Day 100% Satisfaction Guarantee Applies On This Item - Buy it, and if it isn't just right for you, return it!

About This Product!
Description
Docs
From Our Catalog
The Ultimate Studio Control Center
The Central Station is the ultimate studio-monitoring interface for the modern digital studio. The Central Station features 3 sets of stereo analog inputs to switch between input sources such as: DAW, mixer, CD/DAT/Tape player, or keyboards/samplers. Two stereo analog inputs feature TRS balanced and the 3rd stereo input features RCA inputs with trim control for level matching of input signals. In addition, the Central Station will accommodate 2 digital inputs via S/PDIF or TOSLINK providing D/A conversion up to 24Bit/192kHz. This allows you to monitor DAW and CD/DAT outputs through the same professional quality converter for the most accurate A/B comparison and highest quality monitoring environment. The digital to analog converter offers the highest possible audio quality with over 117dB dynamic range and ultra high quality analog circuitry. The Central Station features 3 sets of monitor outputs, each with their own set of passive trim controls. The monitoring section also provides Mute, Dim and Mono switches. In addition, the Central Station includes a set of CUE outputs that can feed headphone amplifiers and a separate stereo Main line level output.

Features:
Passive Audio Path - no op amps or IC's in main audio path

5 stereo inputs (2 digital and 3 analog)

24-Bit/192kHz DAC (>117dB dynamic range) via SPDIF and TOSLINK

3 sets of monitor outputs; each with passive volume control

Talkback microphone with volume to feed headphone and cue output

Accurate dual 30-segment LED for metering

2 front panel headphone jacks with separate volume control

MAIN and CUE stereo output have independent input source

Optional console remote control with input, output, talkback, and volume

Purely Passive Signal Path
The Central Station features a purely passive signal path for ultimate sonic performance. The main audio path of the Central Station uses no amplifier stages including op amps or active IC's (integrated circuits) that add noise, color, distortion, and give that "pinched" sound. Distortion produced by op amps and IC's also gives added ear fatigue.

Signal routing in the Central Station is acheived utilzing 34 sealed mechanical relays (instead of active IC's) maintaining a minimal signal path design wherein extraneous electronics are hard-wire bypassed. Using relays ensures the most transparent signal path maximizing dynamic range, frequency range, and headroom, while minimizing noise and coloration. The Central Station uses the highest quality passive components including military grade 1% tolerance metal film resistors, multi-element potentiometers and ultra-durable connectors to deliver the highest sonic performance.

Metering
The Central Station features dual fast-acting 30-segment peak/hold LED's for accurate metering. The front panel of the Central Station includes both dBu and dBfs scale as well as peak/hold clear switch and meter alignment switch for addtional metering options.

Talkback
The Central Station has an onboard Talkback microphone which is routed through the Cue outputs for communication between artist and engineer. The Central Station also includes a Microphone XLR input on the rear panel for use with an external microphone. When Talkback is used the Cue mix is automatically "dimmed" for added ease of communication.

Optional CSR-1 Central Station Remote Control
The Central Station Remote Control (CSR-1) can be connected to the rear of the Central Station via DB9 connector to control Volume, Talkback, Mute, input source switching and speaker output switching functions. Keep the Central Station in your rack with your gear and use the CSR-1 for ultimate control and flexibility.

Technical Info

Audio Input
TRS 1 & 2 Type: 1/4 in. TRS Passive-Balanced
Input Impedance: 2K-5K Ohm (Speaker load and Trim level dependent)
S/N Ratio: Greater than 140dB
THD+N: Less than .0005% (1KHz @ 0dBu)
Frequency Response: Greater than 1MHz

AUX Type: RCA Active-Unbalanced
Input Impedance: 8Kohm
S/N Ratio: Greater than 115dB (1KHz @ 0dBu, Unity gain)
THD+N: Less than .002% (1KHz @ 0dBu, Unity gain)
Frequency Response: 10Hz-50KHz, -.5dB
Gain Range: -90dB to +20dB

S/PDIF Types: RCA 75Ohm-coax and Toslink optical
Dynamic Range: 117dB
THD+N: 0.0025% (1KHz @ -1dBfs)
Maximum Output: +18dBu (Active-Balanced)
Sample Rates: 44.1K, 48K, 88.2K, 96K, 176.4K, 192K

Note: All Input specifications (except Input Impedance) measured at Speaker A output, Trim and Main Level set to maximum.

Audio Output
Speakers Type: 1/4 in. TRS Passive-Balanced
Type-Mono Activated: 1/4 in. TRS Active-Impedance Balanced
Trim Range: -90dB to 0dB
Main Level Range: -90dB to 0dB
Dim Attenuation: -30dB

Main Type: 1/4 in. TRS Active-Balanced
Output Impedance: 51Ohm
THD+N: Less than 0.0025%
Frequency Response: 10Hz-50KHz, -.5dB

Cue Type: ? in. TRS Active-Impedance Balanced
Output Impedance: 51Ohm
THD+N: Less than .003% (1KHz @ 0dBu)
Frequency Response: 10Hz-50KHz, -.5dB
Gain Range: -90dB to 0dB
Dim Attenuation: -30dB (Talkback activated)

Headphones Type: 1/4 in. TRS Active Stereo
Maximum Output: 150mW/channel @ 60 Ohm load
THD+N: 0.015% (150mW/channel @ 60 Ohm load)
Frequency Response: 10Hz-50KHz, +1dB

Talkback
Dynamic Microphone Input Type: XLR Female Balanced

Input Impedance: 2400 Ohm

Internal Microphone Type: Electret Condenser

Sensitivity: -42dB

Mic Preamp Gain Range: 15-55dB

Input Meters
Type: Dual 30 segment LED with Peak Hold

Range: -48dB to +18dB (-66dBfs to 0dBfs)

Accuracy: Better than .25dB

Frequency Range: 10Hz-22KHz

Calibrate Range: +/- 18dB

Power Supply
Type: External A.C. Transformer/Internal Linear

Power Consumption: 40VA

Physical
Main Chassis Package Type: 1U - steel chassis
Dimensions: 19(W) X 1.75(H) X 5.50(D) inches
Weight 5.0 lbs.

External Power Supply Package Type: Molded Plastic
Dimensions: 2.5(W) X 2.3(H) X 4.0(D) in.
Weight: 2.5 lbs.
Get it together! The Central Station gives you 5 stereo inputs: 3 analog ins via TRS or RCA, and 2 digital inputs via S/PDIF or lightpipe at up to 192 kHz. Then you get passive volume, mute, mono, and dim controls over 3 sets of monitor outputs.

what our customers say about zZounds

"Very easy, nice site!" - customer on March 4, 2008

Free Catalog

First Name Last Name
Address 1 Address 2
City State
Zip Email

Would you like to receive periodic email notices of new items, special buys, and promotions? WE WILL NOT SHARE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS WITH ANYONE ELSE. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Tell us

Is there something you want to tell us? How can we serve you better? Want to see different products? Is this shirt ugly? Let us know!