Gainlab Lieutenant

Monitor controller

The Lieutenant is designed to be the studio's command centre. It lets you select between four sources and route them to three destinations, with relay-based volume control. Its built-in power sequencer can manage the studio's power distribution across three independent zones. The Lieutenant includes a separate cue loop with headphone output and a talkback system, as well as a main headphone output. The system consists of a rackmount unit and a desktop remote.

Four sources, three pairs of speakers

The four sources are two balanced stereo analogue inputs, one S/PDIF (Toslink) digital input and one Bluetooth 5.4 input. They are routed to three balanced stereo outputs. Each output's level can be trimmed manually or automatically: you switch from one pair of speakers to another with no jump in volume, which is essential for an honest comparison.

Precise relay-based volume

Volume is controlled by mechanical relays, with 0.1 dB step accuracy. Unlike a potentiometer, left/right balance stays perfect at every level. Pad (reduces the level by a preset amount) and Mute are one button away.

Focus, cue and talkback

The Focus function isolates a frequency range of the active source (low, mid or high) so you can listen to it on its own. Very useful for checking the balance of the low end or tracking down a problem in the top end. The Lieutenant has a main headphone output and a separate cue loop, with its own headphone output and a built-in talkback system, to send a dedicated mix to the artist.

Power sequencer

The sequencer has one mains input and three outputs. Three switches set each zone to manual or automatic power-up. Example: the computer and audio interface power on first, the monitors a few seconds later, while outboard gear is switched by hand. At power-down, the order is reversed: the monitors switch off first. No more clicks and pops in the speakers.

Specifications

• Analogue inputs: 2 x balanced stereo
• Digital input: 1 x S/PDIF (Toslink)
• Bluetooth: v5.4
• Analogue outputs: 3 x balanced stereo
• Mechanical relay volume control, 0.1 dB step accuracy
• Manual or automatic level trim for each output
• Pad and Mute functions
• Focus function: low, mid or high
• Main headphone output
• Independent cue loop with headphone output
• Built-in talkback system
• Power sequencer: 3 zones, manual or automatic power-up
• Dynamic range: 118 dB (10 Hz - 22 kHz, unfiltered)
• Frequency response (balanced input): ± 0.1 dB
• THD at 1 kHz (22 Hz - 22 kHz bandwidth, +20 dBu output): < 0.0007%
• Main unit dimensions: 482 x 270 x 42 mm
• Remote dimensions: 300 x 150 x 60 mm

For the digital source, the Lieutenant pairs well with a streamer such as the Eversolo DMP-A6 Gen 2.