The Gainlab Audio Lieutenant is a professional studio command station that combines relay-based monitor control, source management, talkback, cue routing, headphone monitoring and three-zone power sequencing in one central desktop and rack-ready unit. Switch between four stereo sources, route them to three balanced stereo monitor outputs and manage a complete studio workflow with precise level control and fast access to essential monitoring functions.
Product description
The Gainlab Audio Lieutenant is designed to become the operational centre of a professional recording, mixing or mastering studio. Rather than functioning as a simple monitor volume controller, it brings together source selection, loudspeaker management, calibrated monitor switching, artist cue feeds, talkback and studio power management in one integrated command station.
Lieutenant accepts four stereo sources: two balanced analogue stereo inputs, one digital S/PDIF input and Bluetooth 5.4. These can be selected and routed to three balanced stereo destinations, allowing engineers to move quickly between DAW outputs, external converters, playback systems, reference sources and client devices without interrupting the session or reconfiguring studio connections.
At its core is a relay-based volume control system designed for accurate, repeatable monitor-level adjustment. Output levels can be trimmed manually or automatically, helping multiple speaker pairs remain level-matched when switching between monitors. This makes Lieutenant especially useful in studios with nearfields, midfield monitors, alternate references or a separate mastering playback chain.
The monitoring section includes Focus filters for fast reference checks, allowing critical listening decisions without leaving the central control position. Three stereo monitor destinations provide the flexibility to compare different loudspeaker systems or route monitoring to separate rooms and production areas.
Lieutenant also supports recording sessions with an independent cue loop, dedicated headphone output and integrated talkback system. The cue path operates separately from the main monitoring sources, making it possible to create practical artist communication and headphone workflows without adding a separate talkback box or basic headphone distributor.
A distinctive feature is the built-in three-zone power sequencer. It can manage studio power distribution across three independent zones, helping users start and shut down monitor speakers, amplifiers, outboard racks and associated studio equipment in a controlled sequence. This makes Lieutenant especially practical for professional control rooms where multiple powered devices need a consistent startup and shutdown routine.
With analogue, digital and Bluetooth playback connectivity, Lieutenant can be used as the monitoring and communication hub for a DAW-based studio, hybrid analogue setup, mastering room, production suite or recording space. It provides the physical control, source flexibility and operational discipline that software-only monitoring cannot always deliver.
The Gainlab Audio Lieutenant is suited to engineers who want a single, reliable command point for source selection, speaker comparison, cue mixes, talkback and studio power. Its relay-based level control, balanced I/O, flexible source routing and integrated power sequencing make it a strong central controller for studios that have grown beyond a basic interface monitor knob.
Key features
Professional studio command station and monitor controller
Relay-based monitor volume control
Four selectable stereo sources
Two balanced analogue stereo inputs
One stereo S/PDIF digital input
Bluetooth 5.4 playback input
Three balanced stereo monitor outputs
Output level trimming for level-matched monitor switching
Manual and automatic monitor output calibration
Focus filters for critical reference listening
Independent cue loop with dedicated headphone output
Integrated studio talkback system
Master headphone output
Built-in three-zone studio power sequencer
Source management, speaker switching and monitoring control in one unit
Suitable for recording, mixing, mastering and hybrid studio workflows
19-inch rack-width chassis
Ideal for
Recording studios requiring cue mixes and talkback
Mixing studios with multiple monitor pairs
Mastering rooms with calibrated speaker comparison
Hybrid studios using external converters, analogue playback and hardware sources
Producers who require Bluetooth and S/PDIF reference playback
Control rooms with active monitors, amplifiers and multiple outboard power zones
Engineers replacing basic interface-level monitor control with a dedicated monitoring hub
Studios seeking safer, sequenced power-up and shutdown for speakers and equipment