Felix Klostermann
04.06.2024
4.5/5 stars

In the face of the booming video-on-demand market and the growing demand for Dolby Atmos setups, RTW presents TouchControl 5, a powerful symbiosis of Dante-supported monitor control and freely configurable RTW metering - in other words, a powerful DSP platform with a wide range of monitoring and correction options from stereo to immersive. The whole thing is packaged in a stylish PoE-powered desktop controller.

RTW is a German company that has been producing high-quality monitor controllers and metering devices for the European broadcast sector for a very long time. The small RTW TM3 and MM3 audio analyzers can also be found in numerous music studios - and of course in our test.

• Dante-based monitor controller for level control and measurement
• Up to 32 channels for stereo setups, foldbacks and immersive up to 22.2
• Freely configurable audio meter incl. PPM, True Peak and VU as well as SPL measurement with an internal mic
• 5-inch touch screen with a push encoder for volume control
• Analog stereo out, HP out and talkback mic (internal or external)
• Power over Ethernet, lockable RJ45 connectivity

The RTW TouchControl 5 is an ultra-compact immersive monitor controller with extensive SPL measurement tools, all ‘made in Germany’. It is integrated via the Dante AoIP protocol, with up to 32 channels.

With the RTW TouchControl 5, Dante-based audio interfaces and speaker setups can be conveniently and centrally controlled in terms of level and monitored visually - including various downmix and foldback options. There is also an analog line and HP output as well as a built-in mic plus extra preamp.
The volume is easily controlled via the single encoder, while the small faders on the display are used for submixes. The average latency is 8ms and the resolution is not compromised thanks to float operations.

The equipment also includes DSP effects for the individual speaker outs, including a 4-band EQ and corresponding delay correction. The circular speaker setups in the display support up to 22.2 systems.
The RTW TouchControl 5 is placed between the Dante streams of the speakers on the network. Additional stereo outputs can also be defined, as well as legacy inputs with A/B source comparison. In total, you can define up to four I/Os.
 

This makes handling speakers super easy: selecting and then muting, phasing or solo-listening is no problem. If you want, you can also quickly bring surround channels to the front and listen to them with an LF boost. Calibration tools and LFE/bass management for up to two subwoofers with crossover, HP and all-pass are also included.

The box, which is tilted towards the user, is operated and viewed via the 5-inch touch display and the central push encoder. There are practical presets for the most important setups: 7.1.4, for example; either with a focus on leveling, metering or monitoring.
 

The display layout then changes accordingly and also offers other soft keys. The variable options can also be customized via a web-based configurator using drag-and-drop to create your own personal bouquet of flowers.
In addition to the Dante controller, other routing tasks can also be performed here. This is interesting, for example, if you want to use the integrated signal generator or need the mic signal somewhere else.

In the old RTW tradition, the SPL metering of the many individual levels and their submixes is the central topic: How does it sound in immersive, in stereo and in mono? There are PPM and True Peak algorithms as well as plenty of virtual VU meters with bouncing needles. It would go beyond the scope of this article to list the options and detailed adjustments for each measurement process.
 

There is no FFT analyzer or loudness radar. However, the built-in microphone allows constant level reference measurements at the workplace and is also used for talkback. A, C, CCIR and K weighting as well as various integration times and models are available.

There is also a lockable XLR input with preamp on the device itself, which is intended for optional measurement/talk microphones. In conjunction with the integrated test tone generator, all speakers can be calibrated one after the other in the ‘old school’ way. Imports of external equalization profiles or even an automated calibration procedure are not (yet) available here.
As already mentioned, the whole thing is supported by a simple line-out on a mini-jack and a separately addressable, crisp headphone output on a large jack.
 

Incidentally, the RTW TouchControl 5 is powered exclusively via PoE, i.e. Power over Ethernet. This means that the power is supplied to the device via a network cable and a corresponding PoE power supply should be available. Alternatively, a PoE power supply unit from RTW can be plugged in between. Speaking of accessories: a bracket for easy mic stand mounting is also available.

I was really surprised by the possibilities of the RTW TouchControl 5: I wouldn't have thought the small tabletop device had so many options. Flexible monitor control, routing matrix, HP amp and the extensive equalization options including bass management - quite opulent! I think the current street price of 2,998 euros is quite justified, even if it's not a bargain.
 

Due to my previous experience with Dante, the setup was done in no time. The existing connections were redirected in no time at all and the monitor controller was immediately ready for use. Also nice: there is a demo mode that plays in 7.1.4, so you can try out all the options without any complications - very good!

The manual is comprehensive and detailed. There are also suitable YT videos that explain individual issues. A small stumbling block for me: there is a sidebar on the right that can be swiped to reveal additional commands and buttons. You need to know that. If you have opted for an extremely lush display, you will ‘miss’ the back button or the one for the presets. Of course, it's not really there, it's just moved to the sidebar... Now you know!

I like the basic calibration methods. With four bands they are sufficient, although certainly not comparable with a Trinnov. However, a few well-adjusted bands for manual equalization cannot be dismissed. And in the end, you do it once and never again.
The lack of automation for the calibration process is actually not that difficult, as you can easily integrate REW, for example, via the internal routing - without having to change the I/Os there. The TouchControl 5's calibration dialog takes care of this, which may not be immediately obvious, but it works!
 

Another small detail, which shows that the developers are familiar with the practice: ‘Negative’ delay times are also possible. In reality, of course, they only delay all other speakers as normal. Practical if, for example, you only want to ‘push back’ the center.

Personally, I think it's a shame that there is no spectrum analyzer here. The typical TC loudness radar, which I really appreciate on my TC Clarity, would also be a bonus! The encoder of the TouchControl 5 also rattles a little too loudly for me when I turn it. And finally, you could have thought about making one or two physical buttons freely assignable. Keyword: press without looking.
 

The RTW TouchControl 5 leaves a confident impression and comes with an impressive number of options, all of which are absolutely helpful when working with 7.1.4 and beyond - starting with the fact that you can now reliably control the level of all speakers with just one control, through to the extensive speaker management with filters and EQs. Added to this are the industry-standard RTW SPL algorithms for versatile measurement of individual levels and downmixes. Also noteworthy is the abandonment of the old license model, so that the TouchControl 5 now comes with all options at once. And then you can also customize the whole thing - 4.5 stars!
 

• Immersive-Monitor-Controller for Dante
• RTW metering with Premium PPM, True Peak and VU including SPL measurement via the built-in microphone
• Supports channel formats up to 22.2, including immersive formats such as 7.1.4
• Downmix, A/B source comparison, SPK select, calibrated monitoring with internal microphone or manual adjustment, SPL readout, solo, cut, swap, phase, mono, dim, mute and test tone generator
• Downmix instrument outputs 5.1 or 7.1 mix in stereo and mono, which can be monitored on loudspeakers, headphones or fed back into the device for measurement purposes
• Up to two LFE channels with adjustable crossover frequencies, full-range and smaller speakers can be matched and used in the same system
• WEBSITE: https://www.rtw.com/en/product-list/audio-monitors/touchcontrol-5.html
• MANUFACTURED IN GERMANY
• PRICE: € 2998,- (Street price on 4.6.24)

Pro

• Convenient immersive monitor controller for Dante networks
• Control and measure levels, permanently measure SPL in the room
• Speaker calibration with four bands and time alignment
• All licenses included

Contra

• No additional physical button