Styled in a black finish, the SPL DMC is a comprehensive mastering console that gives you the ability to process audio from four sets of stereo inputs, manipulating their level and polarity on a per channel basis as you hit the insert stage (i.e., your external compressors, EQs, and such). After processing audio from your external gear, you can use the DMC to monitor through four sets of speakers, a sub, and a headphone amplifier.

Monitor controls are on hand for -20 dB dimming, level compensation, L/R solo, L/R polarity, and mute. All XLR terminations—and there are many of them, rest assured—are secured with Neutrik connectors to ensure durability. At the core of the mastering console is its formidable 120 VDC power rail, which has a palpable effect on the maximum level the circuits can handle. This translates into an extremely low signal-to-noise ratio, a large dynamic range, and much in the way of headroom. Indeed, you can push this system quite hard and loud before noticing distortion.

4 Sets of Recording Inputs    4 Sets of Source Inputs    Comprehensive Monitoring Section    4 Sets of Speaker Outputs    Sub Output and Headphone Amplifier    Dim, Mute, Mono, and L/R Polarity Flip    Insert Path with Neutrik Connectors    GPI Button for Talkback    120V Power Rails for Increased Headroom

Four sets of stereo inputs sit at the right of the panel. At the input, prerecording stage, you can flip the polarity of any input source, sum them to mono, adjust the recording gain, and use the input trim knobs (left and right) to either lower or drive the input to your inserts. The separation of input trims allows you to adjust for any perceived stereo imbalances.

These four input-pairs can be assigned to your DAC, a tape machine, or whatever media device you use for mastering. Pressing any active input button a second time lets you instantiate direct input monitoring, effectively bypassing processing at the monitoring stage, allowing you to compare the original material with the processed path without affecting the recording stage.

Following the recording input path are four sets of stereo source inputs; these can be monitored, but not processed. You can place an external reference source (your DAW's return, a tape machine, a record player, a CD player, etc.). Pressing the source button for a set of inputs will allow you to listen to them.

You'll find four speaker outputs for selecting among your various monitors. Three of these (A, B, and C) are stereo, while the fourth (D) is mono. Below these are the on/off buttons for your headphone amplifier and your sub. To link a sub to any speaker button, press and hold both the sub button and the applicable speaker button until they blink. Once connected, you only need to use the speaker buttons to maneuver between differnt sets of monitors or monitor-sub combinations. Please note, this sub output is full range, so you'll need external bass management hardware to manage the frequencies of this output. The headphone amplifier output can be set to mute your speakers and subwoofer when engaged. To do this, you only need to press and hold the HP Out button until its LED flashes.

The monitoring section offers a large knob, Monitoring Level, to control the level of the signal in your room. Mono and mute buttons are on hand, as is a -20 dB dim switch, a ±10 dB monitor level offset for loudness compensation, solo L or solo R channels, and polarity switching for both the left and right signals. This setup lets you compare your source material with the processed result, compensating for level differences in a variety of ways: through the direct input path, with inserts bypassed or engaged, or from the source input. An auto-bypass switch is on hand to streamline the level-compensation processing.

A General Purpose Interface button has been offered to use as a switch for a talkback mic or to activate a recording indicator (a red light, for example). Its signal path is discrete and does not affect audio.

The insert path provided is for connection to external mastering gear such as compressors, EQs, and stereo processors. It offers balanced female XLR plugs. It cannot switch the order of your chosen outboard gear; it is not a mastering patch bay in this respect, and will need to be paired with an external device capable of switching.

Related Questions and Answers

Q: 1. What is the largest card I can use in this camera. I have a 128 gb card I wondered if it will work.

A: Hi, I think you'll love the camera! I just took it on its first vacation outing to Newfoundland, and it performed like a champ. Alan M's answer below is precisely right according to Panasonic's own engineering site. I will add though, that if your 128GB card isn't SDXC, using it probably won't hurt the camera. Historically, when a card's capacity is beyond a camera's design specs, the camera will stop sending image files to the card when limit for which the camera is designed is reached. In other words, I think you could still use a 128GB SD or SDHC card (if such exists), but you may not get 128GB of storage out of it. Another thought: I generally like to use more smaller cards rather than fewer big ones... because if a card fails, you lose fewer images!

Q: 2. What is the recommended external flash for this camera?

A: This camera does not have connectivity for an external flash.

Q: 3. Is there a view finder to look through?

A: Yes, there is a EVF

Q: 4. Can you operate the camera using ac power directly into the USB charge port? (meaning without the battery)

A: No, the micro USB port on the camera is used to charge the battery or as a source of download or upload. The camera must be turned off in order to charge the battery. If the Panasonic DMW-BLG10 lithium pack is not inside you can not turn on the camera.

Q: 5. Does this camera have clean HDMI output?

A: Yes, you can have the unit output a HDMI signal so only the image is output or you can change it to output the display as it appears on the LCD.

Q: 6. Panasonic case DMW-CT60K, which is described as for ZS50 is listed under accessories for ZS100 - is this an error or does this case also fit ZS100? (they seem to have similar tripod mount position but ZS100 listed as being slightly thicker than ZS50)

A: I don't think it will fit as the both the height of the closed lens and thickness of the body is greater. I too have been on the hunt for a case and have found no fitted case that I believe will work yet. I made a fitted pouch out of deer leather for the time being just to protect it when its in my pocket. Good luck in your search

Q: 7. Does this have a lad articulating screen ?

A: This camera does not have an articulating LCD display.

Q: 8. Does it have the on-screen touch shutter function?

A: Yes it does. It's a feature that has to be enabled. Page 63,4 of the manual describes how, as well as changing exposure of a subject that way.

Q: 9. Can I buy an instruction booklet for this camera?

A: The user's manual for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS100 Digital Camera & Memory Card Kit (Black) can be located using the following link: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/lit_files/319150.pdf.

Q: 10. Can this camera utilize a remote shutter release, perhaps even via the Wi-F- connection?

A: You can connect the camera to a smart phone via wifi and then control functions of the camera.