Palmer Monicon

It's quite a basic product but has great utility if, like me, you have to keep reaching for the output level of your interface to make master level changes. I, like many home producers, are limited by space so the possibility of including a dedicated mixer isn't always the most efficient use of space, especially as many/most of us do our mixing in the DAW anyway.

This takes up very little space in my work space and the XLR connections ensure that everything is securely fastened (and balanced, of course!) and there is a good weight to the unit to keep it from sliding around the desk. The attenuator has a silky smooth action and level adjustments are very linear with no surprises in the way of jumps up/down in level. The mute button has it's obvious use but the mono function is very helpful when wanting to quickly check your mix works in mono and it's difficult to believe that some other units of this type don't include this function.

The unit looks fantastic with a 'vintage' styling and the build quality matches the appearance too. There is no noticeable colouration to the sound as it is a passive unit and the biggest compliment I can pay is that I forget it is there even though I use it constantly.

In short, if you are considering this unit or any other at this price point then you will definitely not be disappointed with this

First impressions as this only arrived yesterday......

This is quite small but heavy. Way heavier than I expected. Connections feel like they are good quality. Mute and mono switches do their job and there is no clicking or any other unwanted sound when pressed. The rubber feet are grippy so it doesn't slide around. The metal work and wooden end-cheeks look and feel good.

The volume knob feels nice. Not loose, not tight, but comfortably in the middle. I would prefer a little tighter but that is not a criticism.

There is absolutely no hum, colouration or anything else that you don't want to hear. I haven't yet calibrated my speaker volume in order to use the entire range of the knob but just using the first 30% and teasing it up, I know it's good.

If you don't need the added features of other monitor controllers, don't let the low price trick you into thinking this one is low-end. My speakers are big ME Geithains and I don't think this controller is in any way a weak link.

I genuinely don't know how they can make this for so little money.

Design is good. Pretty solid box and nice smooth dial.
Buttons feel a little flimsy.
Stereo imaging is not that great until you turn the dial to 12 o'clock or further.
The mono button creates some phasing issues and does not actually render the signal truly mono. I tested this a number of times - the circuitry is problematic.
The mute button is ok - it causes a slight crackle before muting the signal, so not entirely smooth.
Inputs and outputs are clearly marked, although their orientation is slightly annoying - you end up having to cross your speaker output cables over one another due to the position of the left and right outputs - something I'm always keen to avoid.
Good value for money if you need a cheap and quick controller that's passive and easy to use.

I got this as a problem solver to make my recording life just a little more convenient. My studio layout is such that most of my gear including my mixing desk is off to the right and so I have to stretch over to turn the signal to my monitors up and down when I'm working at the computer. (I mix 'in the software' so I don't need the mixer in front of me for actual mixdowns.)

I considered several models but liked the look of the Monicon from the photos, and was also drawn by the fact that it had the mono switch as well as mute. And it had good reviews.

Glad I went for it. It's built like a tank - amazingly heavy for its size. The action of the knob is very smooth. The switches are great too. And because it's passive it's supremely quiet.