PreSonus Central Station Description

THE ULTIMATE STUDIO CONTROL CENTER

The Central Station is the ultimate studio-monitoring interface for the modern digital studio. The Central Station features three 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 third stereo input features RCA inputs with trim control for level matching of input signals. In addition, the Central Station will accommodate two 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 three 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.

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.

CSR-1 CENTRAL STATION REMOTE CONTROL (optional)

The Central Station Remote Control (CSR-1) can be connected to the rear of the Central Station via db15 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.

PreSonus Central Station Features

• Passive Audio Path - no op amps or IC's in main audio path
• Five stereo inputs (2 digital and 3 analog)
• 24-Bit/192kHz DAC (>117dB dynamic range) via SPDIF and TOSLINK
• Three 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
• Two 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

Presonus Central Station Review / See All ZenPro Audio Reviews Here: Review Page   I’ve been using the Presonus Central Station for several years now in my DAW setup, and have been pleased the entire time to use it. This single rack space solution packs more punch than just about any console master section ever could, and you can route pretty much any “intos” to any “out-tos” easily. The metering is big and can be read easily from across a football field, I like that! The Central Station features its own D/A conversion and SPDIF / TOSLINK connections, up to 192k at 24 bit. There are balanced TRS ¼” connections all over the thing for your ins and outs, and unbalanced RCA inputs for CD players and DAT machines. There is a built in talk back mic, and a preamp with phantom power if you want to bring your own mic to the game (you should).   In use with the remote option (CSR-1) it just makes sessions flow smoothly. The built in talk back on the remote is seriously convenient, but I must warn you the switch and relay make a very resonant “ PING” when engaged that can be pretty annoying for those on the receiving end. Do yourself a favor and use an external mic which will eliminate this issue (issue being that the mic is housed near the switch and relay and picks up on the resonance!). That is literally my only “complaint” and an easy one to remedy really. A small complaint I have is that the first 2 marks out of 20 the left to right tracking isn’t very tight. In other words, there is a slight stereo skew when first opening up the passive pot. After the first 2 marks though it pulls together tight with no noticeable float. I use the dim switch when monitoring and simply consider the second marker to be my lowest setting, works like a charm.   Overall the sound is pretty darn clean, likely cleaner than most console audio paths (the Central Station is a passive signal path). The digital conversion on board is quite decent, it surprised me how nicely it hung with the likes of Lucid DA9624 units. Being able to route cue mixes, CD players or the main mix to artists in headphones is great too. The A/B/C switching is flawless with no noticeable clicks etc, very smooth switching. The “C” output is meant for subwoofer use as it does not disengage either the A or B output but rather runs parallel with it. If you really wanted to use C for a third stereo pair, you could disable A and B easily and then turn C on no problem. The headphone amps on board are OK, nothing spectacular but loud enough for most tracking situations and useful to have at times.   Conclusion: The feature set and sound are a lot in any price range, Presonus really thought this one out very well and all major features for monitoring are covered here. Yeah there are a couple of tricks to getting the most out of it, but it’s so minor compared to the gains you experience by letting the Central Station take over your monitoring duties and talkback system.