NEWS  Music Production  November 27, 2023  Reading time: ~1 minute)

Max (RS editor)

Tokyo-based audio solutions innovator, Hayakumo, has declared the imminent debut of Izarai, a sleek desktop passive monitor controller boasting a stepped volume mechanism. Developed in collaboration with recording and mixing maestro Gregory Germain, Izarai caters to studio professionists seeking a seamless, high-quality solution for toggling between inputs and multiple monitor setups, all while maintaining meticulous control over output levels.

This passive marvel operates without power and flaunts two stereo inputs and three stereo outputs. Noteworthy is the third output's unique ability to be independently toggled, ideal for seamlessly sharing a subwoofer across distinct monitoring systems.

Central to any monitor controller's prowess is its level control accuracy. Hayakumo has intricately crafted the Izarai around a 23-step rotary switch, delivering fixed attenuation values and ensuring consistency between left and right channel levels. Adjustments occur in precise 5 or 10 dB steps at the extremities, with the -50 to -20 dB range boasting an even finer 2dB per step.

Beyond its main controls, the top panel of the Izarai accommodates additional buttons for monitoring functionalities like mute, mono summing, and dimming, the latter of which can be tailored to either -10 or -20 dB. The device's commitment to excellence extends to its purpose-built machined aluminium knobs and buttons, showcasing the brand's dedication to quality craftsmanship.

Key Specifications:

• I/O Connections: Quarter-inch TRS
• Attenuator: 4-Pole 23-step rotary switch
• Attenuator Resistance Value Tolerance: 1%
• Maximum Input Level: +30dBu
• Input Impedance: 2kΩ
• Recommended Load Impedance: 5kΩ or greater (C-SELECT inactive: 5kΩ or greater, C-SELECT Active: 10kΩ ×2 or greater)
• Dimensions: 162 × 98 × 138 mm
• Weight: Approximately 1.04kg

Pricing & Availability:

The Izarai is slated for release in December 2023, with a price tag of $530.

For more details, visit Hayakumo's official website