Subject: Feature Request / Logic Flaw: “Exclusive Listen Mode” to avoid phase issues with DIM
Text:
Hi everyone,
I’m struggling with a fundamental routing issue in the Control Room that affects my mixing workflow. I’m wondering if I’m the only one who works this way, or if this is a known limitation.
My Goal:
I want to use the Listen (L) function to “extract” a single track from the mix to judge its placement. I want to hear the track at 0dB (Listen Bus) and then slowly “fade in” the rest of the mix using the Listen DIM register until I reach a perfect balance.
The Problem:
Currently, when I press “L” and dial back the DIM, the track is still present in the main Mix Bus (at a lower volume) AND simultaneously sent to the Listen Bus.
This causes two major issues:
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Phase Cancellation / Comb Filtering: Even with delay compensation, having the same signal summed from two different paths (Mix Bus vs. Listen Bus) creates phase issues.
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Double Processing: If I have a Compressor or EQ on my Stereo Out (Master), the “Listen” signal (which is usually pre-master) and the “Mix” signal (post-master) no longer match. Summing them results in a completely distorted representation of the sound.
The Solution I’m looking for:
We need an “Exclusive Listen” mode. When activated, any track that is put on “Listen” should be automatically muted in its original routing path (Stereo Out / Group) so that it only exists on the Listen Bus. Like it is on a Analog Console, at least at my Zeck Console This would allow us to use the DIM feature to bring the rest of the mix “around” the track without any phase-doubling or summing errors.
Am I the only one who finds the current implementation “false” for critical listening in context? How do you guys handle this without manually moving faders to $-\infty$ every time you want to check a track’s placement?
Best regards,
Ronald