Question

I'm searching for a simple way enabling the two fundamental funtions at FOH: monitoring by headphone and talk back
until I have enough money for buying a CS18AI ;-)

My current setting is:
RM32 on stage, Touch-Notebook (Windows) to control the RM32 at FOH by using a wired or wireless connection to the RM32

For example: Is it possible to use my old "Monitor Station Remote for FireStudio (MSR)" in any way?
... eventually via the FireStudio Interface connected in addition to the Notebook?
... or by using one of my FireStudio Mobile interfaces?
... or ????

Answer 1

The SLAI/RM family does not "talk" to other products from PreSonus, so you have to create your own solution. The most simple and effective solution would be to run 2-3 long XLR cables from stage to FOH. Use one cable for talkback and another one for headphones. It may be that you need a headphone amplifier at FOH, but that doesn't need to be special or expensive. You may also consider buying or making a stage snake / multicore with 4 or 6 or 8 channels, if there is more audio needed at FOH (delay lines, auxes/subgroups, CD player at FOH). Another alternative is audio over ethernet. One CAT5 cable can handle 4 XLR signals. This was invented for lights control, but you can also use it for audio. Two special adapters are needed; the cable does not need to be special, but of course it should be "road ready". And if you add a router (dual band), a short CAT5 cable and an iPad (second hand...), you will have (almost) perfect control at FOH. RTA is still missing on iPads.