Sound Skulptor MC624 - sits with the big boys as far as transparency goes. I've scoped it and the noise and THD was all very, very low at all the levels I measured it at. Monitoring on ATCs and I cannot tell a difference with it in or out of circuit...

Also, the feature set is great. It's very customisable, much more so than the monitor ST for example (which is great it must be said).

The only annoyance with the Sound Skulptor is the lack of any buffering on the monitor/VU outputs, but this can be solved with the addition of some transformers if you really want...

I'm using a Mac, and only issue I had was that I couldn't install it on my Pro tools computer because it isn't online, and the installer requires you to be online. Instead, I have the software running on a laptop, until the new remote ships.

Wow, that Antelope Satori looks amazing!

I was looking for this product about 4 years ago. If I ever go back ITB, this one is the one I would try first, based on feature set, for sure!

My personal opinions here are that no Monitor Control System needs or should have DAC/AD, thats ridiculous and redundant in a professional studio. Now if someone doesn't have a main conversion set up, and wants a "all in one" package (which is never a good idea in anything), then by all means I'd say the Cranesong would be your best bet. I haven't heard Grace, but not too thrilled when I hear their name for some reason, so I stay away. Cranesong got a good rep for good quality. But their gear is ugly as hell ! lol

Now, Dangerous Music's one here does a lot, I like that. The issue is, whats the deal with the "fruit loops" looking remote ? Total turn off for me. And like another poster said, I will not and do not use D-Sub. The Sound Skulpture seems decent, but no talkback, so to me, thats not a real contender, they must be in some other market or something. I wanted to like the Antelope, but man, been hearing bad things about the volume relays making funny whisping sound when you adjust the volume. Some ignore it and can deal with it, others (like me) thinks thats absurd to deal with. Also, I heard their talkback is bad sounding. I also notice it hooks up mandatorily to your computer via a USB cable (boo), and also the remote needs to go NOT to the main unit, no, but it goes to your computer too ! lol, So if you need a remote like I do, this thing will have 2 more ugly cables sticking out your computer just to monitor with. I am tired of the played out USB Desktop GUI's this company thinks is so cool. I want buttons man, real stuff to press and turn and LESS CABLES.

Sucks, cause I need a new monitoring system, .... but - So far, my old StudioComm has done me very very well, it looks great, sounds great, and the best thing is the remote does all functions, and looks outstanding and simple (I like simple) on my desk. I never even need to touch or even look at the main rack unit. So to save space of the higher valued rack real-estate, I rack my StudioComm main unit far away in the REAR of a rack cabinet. This is IDEAL for me and something I need. Sadly, this thing is having weird LED lights go out here and there after 14 years of use, and also I now need a 3rd Monitor Set, in which it does not give me.

Coleman Audio makes some great quality simply Monitor Control Systems with all XLR Ins/Outs (the proper way to do things), BUT they lack in the remote department. Dangerous Music's is great, but D-Sub and the Fruit Loop colors kill it for me, I won't have that anywhere near my desk. Grace is awesome seemingly, but I do not need to introduce another DAC in my system and why in the hell should I to monitor ?

Shadow Hills got a unit called Oculus. Now this thing looks good, and has all the features needed I believe and thank god has no DAC. BUT it has D-Subs... BUT it does have 1 stereo in and one stereo out in XLR. This could be my main, and I could D-Crap the others. I might need to settle for that unless I find something better. I will call them to make sure ALL functions are available on the remote. If so, I might get it.

I am just so upset all these companies seem to not get it. Or they listen to the wrong people when they go to chose design. Who the f' needs a DAC in a monitoring system ? And who the f' thinks using a old 1970's printer connector (D-Sub) is even a remotely good idea ? And who the f' doesn't make it so you never need to touch the main unit ? This is why I love StudioComm (my old one).. the main units face is literally just a piece of black steel ! lol, nothing to see or touch and the remote connects DIRECTLY to the main unit via a midi cable. Simple, and no cables to computer. Perfect ! ALL companies should take heed of this design. And it was made 15 years ago ! Go figure.

I agree with most of what you said. The Grace is available without the DAC, if that's your only concern with it.

Is it ? OMG, that may be a awesome addition to my one choice so far. lol Let me look further into it. Its spaceship look to me (digital volume read out, etc..) kinda made me feel it was not analog controlled. Which is another thing I would prefer.

Yes, it's the M905 Analog, and it's about $1k less expensive and gives an additional XLR input. It's all digital-controlled analog, I believe.

Which is your one choice so far? I like the Sound Skulptor MC624 features. I don't need talkback, I use one input on a small rack-mount mixer for that. But I can't find any reviews about the actual sound of it compared to Grace/Dangerous/Crane Song.

Thanks for the info Les ! My choice so far is the Shadow Hill Oculus and just dealing with the D-Subs because they at least offer 1 in and 1 out in XLR. This would allow me to put my primary source on the XLR and the others on the D-Sub. A settle I wouldn't kill myself over. I can 100% guarantee you the Shadow Hills sounds great too. These guys know how to do analog and are highly reputable to make quality gear with no compromises. My only question for it which I will call about tomorrow is, I need to make triple sure and verify that all the controls I need are accessible on the remote.

The Grace (thanks to you) is now also a option for me. I do like it. But the first thing I just noticed which may cause to be a issue is, unless I am mistaken, which I hope I am, but it seems to have a complete lack of source inputs for how large of a item it is and for how many features it boasts. I need a minimal of 4 analog stereo source inputs (preferably all balanced). The analog version looks like it would have that, but I am amazed that one of them is RCA. LOL, wtf ? Is this radio shack ? haha. Who in the world still uses RCA ? Ideally, I would want 4+ balanced stereo input sources.

Also, a big plus for me, is being able to assign more than 1 input source to listen to simultaneously. Yet another thing my StudioComm does. I am calling Grace and Shadow Hills tomorrow, I will report back as to what they say.

The Sound Skulpture, like I said in my first post here, I do like a lot. The way they talk about how they design the paths, and their take on analog audio circuitry is definitely impressive and right up my alley of approval (if that even means anything - haha) - But for me, I need talkback in my monitoring system, and a remote to sit on my desk with a giant volume knob is imperative. This it seems the Skulpture is lacking. Now I say, if you do not need a remote, nor talkback, then this possibly is the best option.

On a off note, did anyone notice the buttons on the Sound Skulpture ? They are dead on Roland TR808 buttons ! I can't decide if I like that or not. But I am definitely a fan of the TR808, as I got a mint condition vintage original one here.

You're more than welcome, I'm seriously considering the Grace so I've read up on it the best I can. I'm fairly certain you cannot have more than one input active simultaneously.

The Sound Skulptor is controllable by a TV remote, which would be enough for me. I'd probably just use a Logitech Harmony, mainly for volume control and input selection. If I knew the Sound Skulptor was up to snuff sound-wise, or lack-of-sound-wise, I'd order a pre-built one tomorrow. I just can't find any reviews other than people who upgraded from something like a Big Knob.

The Antelope Satori could have been perfect for me, too bad they made such silly design decisions and seem to have quality control problems. Same with the Antelope Pure2, it could have been great except for the silly design decisions centered around lack of connectivity.

Whatever you end up with, please come back and give us an honest review.

The SoundSkulptor unit has no Sound in my opinion. thats a good Thing.
I had an Avocet (V1) and a coleman. The SoundSkulptor was hearable better than the coleman to my ears and soundwise in the same league as the Avocet (Im not a reference).

If the Feature-set of the SoundSkulptor fits your Needs, you cant go wrong with this unit.

Though I haven't heard, used or been around a physical Sound Skulpture, I would say if you are ok with it feature wise, that thing will sound about as good as you can get. I can just tell.

And I agree with briczo, having "no sound" is what you want in a Monitor control system. You don't want to hear you control system, you want to hear what your recorded music sounds like. This is a hearing path only, its not being recorded, so no sense in adding "mojo" here, but at same time no way should it be taken away either. Its imperative you hear exactly what you have recorded, as this way you can dial in the sound you want to a tee and know thats how others will hear it too.