The RAM 1000 is for stereo monitoring with up to three input sources including Bluetooth wireless using either (depending on your device) APT®, AAC® and SBC® codecs. I'll always love and am familiar with my Heritage BT500 Bluetooth stereo receiver in a single-slot 500 module. This same technology is built into the 1000 and is super handy in the studio. When a co-writer or producer comes in with an idea or a melody or maybe a certain sound on their cell phone, just play it out on BT and everyone in the room hears it on the same monitor speakers you use every day.

The other two sets of stereo inputs can be either professional +4dBu level (XLR jacks) or -10 dBv level (TRS jacks) switchable. Besides being flexible, this is a very valuable feature for the accurate comparison of your mix's overall sound and loudness with what is "out there" streaming on Spotify® or YouTube®. All three inputs maybe monitored at the same time in any combination-they are mixed together so the loudest source wins!

Heritage Audio RAM 1000 Monitor Controller

Furthermore, both Stereo Outs work at the same time so Output 1 could feed your monitor speakers and Output 2 could simultaneously feed another cue system or another set of speakers out in your studio room. The Output 1 and 2 buttons are only on/off switches.

Besides monitoring up to three sources simultaneously, there are two VU meters each with six colored LEDs to see instantly, the actual electrical level of the audio. Other very 'pro' features I find important in music production studios are the good sized (easy-to-find) buttons for: -20dB Dim button, Mute, and a Mono button for summing the Left & Right channels in the monitors only without affecting the stereo mix. I also cannot work without a proper stereo headphone master volume control and the unit's large, easy-to-find impressive Master volume control knob.

I tried the Bluetooth system with my iPhone (AAC) and it paired immediately. The headphone amp is capable of driving any impedance headphones including my pair of Audeze LCD-X Planar Magnetics to louder than loud with good bass.

The Rec/Mon switch is located on the rear panel, right between the two Outputs, and when in Rec mode it will take its signal from Input 2 where you can choose between two levels: +4dBu or -10dBv. When in Rec mode, Input 2's level will not be affected by the main red volume knob. This can be very convenient when you'd like to practice or play along to another source signal. It is also possible to connect just one Mono signal as Input 2 has a Left/Mono input specifically for that.

In Rec or Record Mode, the Master volume control is disconnected and then the mix's volume control is back at your computer's DAW. That way any audio coming into the 1000 from any of the stereo sources can be recorded into your DAW without feedback. I would have never have thought of this feature! Brilliant!

RAM 1000 is powered via USB C socket on the back of the unit but a power supply was not included--no biggie since any small wall wart that'll charge a phone worked fine. It requires 5-watts from an USB--I used the wall wart that came with my iPhone. It comes with both a USB-C to C cable as well as USB-A to C cable.

This is a fantastic monitor controller for the modern project studio! It is easy to use and works and sounds great! The minimum advertised price (MAP) is $499 and here in the US, Heritage Audio is handled by RAD Distribution.

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