MC7.1 Surround Monitor Controller — Drawmer Electronics

Ultimate Control, Accurate & Transparent

The Drawmer MC7.1 is a dedicated 7.1/5.1 surround and stereo monitor controller that delivers all the mix-checking tools needed for surround production without compromising stereo accuracy. It shares the pristine, transparent sound and rugged desktop wedge design of the acclaimed MC3.1, making it a versatile centrepiece for any professional studio.

As surround sound becomes standard across film, TV, streaming, gaming and immersive formats, engineers need tools that can keep pace. With the MC7.1, you can work in 7.1, 5.1, quadraphonic, DTS®, Dolby Digital EX™, THX Surround EX™, DTS-HD™ and more - all while maintaining Drawmer's trademark accuracy and transparency.

All The Control In One Desktop Unit

Unlike many surround controllers that overlook stereo, the MC7.1 excels in both. Whether you're mixing for film or fine-tuning a stereo master, it lets you switch instantly between formats. Its comprehensive stereo mix-check functions - identical to those of the MC3.1 - can also be applied to any surround channel routed to stereo, giving you full confidence across every mix format.

I can honestly give the Drawmer MC7.1 my highest recommendation - if you don't need all the capabilities of the MC7.1, I recommend giving the rest of their monitor controller range serious consideration.

View of the front of the MC7.1 showing the volume trim and headphone jacks

Preset Volume

A secondary preset volume control provides a calibrated, repeatable monitoring level. With a single switch, you can return to your preferred reference point without readjusting the main volume.

Well Connected

The MC7.1 offers maximum flexibility for modern workflows, with:

Two sets of balanced 7.1 inputs
A 7.1 thru connection
One balanced stereo input
A front-panel AUX input

Outputs include balanced 7.1 speaker feeds and an independent stereo main output with optional subwoofer, allowing mono, stereo, surround or eight discrete channels depending on your setup.

The underside of the MC7.1 showing the speaker trims

Advanced Monitoring Features

The mix-down function routes surround signals to the front L/R or stereo mains, while a powerful cut/solo matrix lets you isolate or combine any channel. Solo the rears, check the centre or LFE, or fold down to stereo for compatibility - all at the touch of a button.

Additional features include:

Switchable mono/sub output with level matching
Low/mid/high band solo for frequency-specific monitoring
Internal talkback mic with footswitch control
External talkback mic input

Together, these give engineers complete control and confidence when balancing complex mixes.

Built to Last

Smart, stylish and solid, the steel chassis is built to endure daily studio use. With premium components throughout, the MC7.1 is engineered for years of reliable, transparent performance.

Features:

Ultra-low-noise, transparent circuit design ensures accurate monitoring in both surround and stereo
20 input sources in total: two discrete 7.1 inputs (one via balanced jacks, one via 25-pin D-sub) with a thru output for multitrack recorders; one stereo input via Neutrik combi-jacks; and a top-panel 3.5mm AUX input with level control for smartphones, tablets or media players
Three sets of speaker outputs: one 7.1 (or eight independent channels in any configuration), one stereo pair and one mono/sub - each switchable individually or simultaneously for A/B comparisons, with level trims on all eleven outputs for precise calibration and channel matching
Flexible monitoring with solo and cut controls for each of the eight surround channels
Mix-down options allow 7.1 sources to be reduced to 5.1, stereo or mono, with any configuration of up to eight monitors supported depending on input type and speaker layout
Stereo monitoring (including mix-downs) available via the dedicated stereo outputs or the front L/R surround channels
Comprehensive stereo mix-check tools include low/mid/high solo, dim, L/R mute, phase reverse and more for complete mix control
Volume adjustable via a smooth variable front-panel control or repeatable preset level, both with excellent channel matching
Two high-quality headphone amplifiers with independent level controls
Integrated talkback system with level control, internal or external mic input, footswitch activation, headphone routing and dedicated mono output
100% analogue design - no crashes, reboots or firmware updates required
Rugged steel desktop wedge chassis with Kensington security slot
Designed and handmade by Drawmer in the United Kingdom

A line drawing of the front and rear panels of the MC7.1 showing controls and connectors

Specifications:

	Description	Value
CROSSTALK		>80dB
THD & NOISE	unity gain 0dBu input	0.01%
FREQUENCY RESPONSE	20Hz-20kHz	+/- 0.2dB
PHASE RESPONSE	20Hz-20kHz	+/- 2 degrees max

	Description	Value
POWER REQUIREMENTS	External Power Supply Input: 100-240V ~ 50-60Hz, 1.4A MAX. Output: 15V ⚎ 4.34A Voltage automatically selected by PSU EMC Standards EN55022:2006+A1:2007 / EN6100-3-2 / EN6100-3-3 Use only the external PSU supplied by Drawmer or an accredited partner. Failure to do so could permanently damage the MC7.1 and will also invalidate the warranty.
CASE	Depth	220mm
	Width	275mm
	Height	100mm
	Weight	2.6kg

In the interests of product development, Drawmer reserve the right to modify or improve specifications of this product at any time, without prior notice.

Downloads:

Below you will find various downloads to provide further information and resources.

	Description	Link
	MC7.1 User Manual
	Larger Images of the MC7.1
	Connection Diagram for the MC7.1
	Test Tones to help Calibrate your MC7.1 Setup

Reviews:

Obviously we think our products are excellent otherwise we wouldn't make them, but you don't have to take our word for it, view the impartial reviews from various magazines, websites and vloggers to see for yourself.

	Description	Link
	WATCH: MC7.1 Demo ~ TransAudio
	READ: MC7.1 Review ~ Don Gunn @ TapeOp.com

MC7.1

SURROUND MONITOR CONTROLLER