Mackie Big Knob

[moogulator]

What do you think about the Big Knob? Does it affect the sound notably or is it neutral as it should be?

[moogulator]

Anyone? With "affecting the sound" I mean if the Big Knob harms the sound quality in a certain way.

[bauwerk]

I'm using it and no it doesn't.

[BF_]

Never used one but have seen numerous reports of it being a source of coloration, which is not what you want in monitoring control. I use a PreSonus Central Station and quite like it. Monitoring control is passive and also has incredibly worthy D/A considering the price.

[BF_]

Well there you have it, yes and no.

[moogulator]

Originally Posted by BF_

Well there you have it, yes and no.

That's exactly what I wanted!

[nigel saunders]

I have put it in and out of the circuit with a metric halo uln 8 and it does not do anything bad to the sound and it is very convenient for changing sources, monitors, mono/stereo and of course talk back.

[mildheadwound]

The big knob is pretty clean, up to a point. It does make a slight overdriven distortion when the knob is over half, and you have your inputs fairly loud. Not an effect like distortion, just a little crackly. It's hard to say though, mine was kinda run over by a cab. For most controlled uses, it's pretty clean. I hear the presonus is cleaner.

[target_destroyed]

Had one for a couple years. It solved a lot of connectivity problems I had in my setup at the time. It's a useful unit and certainly not as bad as a lot of people will tell you. Only thing I absolutely hated about it were the headphone amps. They were extremely fatiguing and literally hurt my ears after 10 minutes of use, even at very low volumes. Upgraded to a Dangerous D-Box and couldn't be happier.

[GYang]

I was more-less OK with BK before I tried Avocet.
Depending on monitors and room, of course, it distorts more or less noticably and make sound less dynamic.
In basic setup with mediocre monitors (400-900/pair) it works just fine.

[machineintel]

I've read more negative comments about the big-K than positive ones. Probably best to steer clear.

Also, I don't have the need for a dedicated monitor controller, but if I did, I'd be looking into SPL products in addition to some of the others mentioned here.

[Liam Judah]

I use it... no complaints here.

[mike vee]

save for the d-box

[Odey]

Originally Posted by GYang

I was more-less OK with BK before I tried Avocet.
Depending on monitors and room, of course, it distorts more or less noticably and make sound less dynamic.
In basic setup with mediocre monitors (400-900/pair) it works just fine.

I thought you had a rnd console?

[thetalkinghead]

i have heard that the presonus central station and especially the big knob add a substantial amount of coloration to the signal. if you're using really nice speakers, this could be a problem. otherwise who cares!

[Stevil]

i'm content with mine. the imbalance at very low volumes is irritating. i'm sure i'll upgrade it someday when i get a permanent space, have it treated & upgrade all the weaker links in my signal path so it's deficiencies are more noticeable. but til then it works fine.

[BF_]

Originally Posted by thetalkinghead

i have heard that the presonus central station and especially the big knob add a substantial amount of coloration to the signal.

That is the first I have seen that about the central station. Are you sure it wasn't a comment on the PreSonus monitor station which isn't a passive device? I'd be interested in reading through your source(s) if you recall them.

[GYang]

Originally Posted by Odey

I thought you had a rnd console?

Ha,ha, did you mean it's snobish to comment Big Knob?
I worked a lot on 5088 and ordered one for myself.
For monitoring pre-mixing stages I don't intend to use console anyway and Avocet does this exceptionally well.
Although it is less than excellent I didn't sell Big Knob, it resides in synths' submix room together with Mackie Onyx mixer.

[Odey]

Originally Posted by GYang

Ha,ha, did you mean it's snobish to comment Big Knob?
I worked a lot on 5088 and ordered one for myself.
For monitoring pre-mixing stages I don't intend to use console anyway and Avocet does this exceptionally well.
Although it is less than excellent I didn't sell Big Knob, it resides in synths' submix room together with Mackie Onyx mixer.

I see... I really like the look of the 5088... I bet it's going to be a great console..

I actually opted for a coleman MP3H in the end. Not the cheapest option by any means but it is good at what it does and is a good passive monitoring management system..

Although I would probably get an X-desk if I was to do it again because whilst the x-desk can be set up for multiple speakers and headphones.. It also has a basic talkback section, lots of sends/cues, which is really handey for project studios and can do your summing and allows good integration for your hardware..

In fact, I might sell the Coleman and go for for an x-desk... And the monitoring should be really clean.. It is an SSL after all..

But to the OP.. Mackie BK sounds alright.. I would probably go for a Central station though...

[andivax]

Big Knob is not passive, so it DOES affect
try Presonus Monitor Station - it is passive.

[HomeProducer]

Originally Posted by andivax

Big Knob is not passive, so it DOES affect
try Presonus Monitor Station - it is passive.

Monitor station is active

[sleepwalker]

Originally Posted by moogulator

What do you think about the Big Knob? Does it affect the sound notably or is it neutral as it should be?

I had one for about 2 days. Thought something sounded weird(brittle). Connected the right channel directly to monitors and the difference was obvious compared with the left. I have terrible ears too.

[mattg082]

Rosetta 200/lunchbox here with a sm-pro mpatch and it's passive. The sm-pro is 200 and worth it. Doesn't even need power. has two sets of outs for monitors, one set of ins and rca for stereo/tv/ipod ect.

[Reptil]

Originally Posted by GYang

I was more-less OK with BK before I tried Avocet.
Depending on monitors and room, of course, it distorts more or less noticably and make sound less dynamic.
In basic setup with mediocre monitors (400-900/pair) it works just fine.

yes, it ALL depends on monitors & monitor controllers in the end doesn't it?
"if a converter burps in the forest is there a monitor to play it back?"

I'm a HUGE fan of passive controllers. though I'm using a (good) active one now as well.

[fragletrollet]

passive controllers can color too...

[Reptil]

Originally Posted by fragletrollet

passive controllers can color too...

If they're made with extremely crappy parts, sure. But even the cheap ones sound pretty transparent. As a manufacturer you'd REALLY have to make an effort to mess that up. I'm not talking about the (amplified) headphones out.
this is a good cheap one:
SM Pro Audio M-Patch 2 Passive Monitor Controller at Performance Audio
here's an expensive good one:
http://www.goldpt.com/sa2x.html

Originally Posted by someone,somewhere

Both DACT and Goldpoint use the same Elma switch which uses a pair of spring loaded ball bearings that ride on teeth inside the body of the switch. The springs in the stock switches are rather stiff and give an industrial clunk-clunk-clunk-clunk feel. Elma can supply what they call a light detent spring which isn't nearly as stiff and gives a very nice tactile feel and I'm pretty sure they're the same springs that Goldpoint uses as they feel the same.

I'm thinking that DACT is using an even lighter spring than this and/or a heavier spring in the wiper mechanism which would cause greater pressure and could also account for the gritty feel of the switch.

[theonlystudio]

I feel that it's very easy to overdrive the inputs and get quite noticeable distortion on the outputs. I need to experiment more though, but if anybody else has tips on how to set levels on this, that would be great.

Overall though, I can usually get the audio to a place where it's sounding pretty good.

[Chris190]

if you got a good treated room and good ad/da and good monitors I would stay away from it as it may be a weak link in your monitoring chain.....

I got a goldpoint sa1x and it's superb...

[nms]

Everyone has their preferences, but I wouldn't use one if it was given to me free. Not when there's the KRK Ergo box which does monitor control as well as room correction

[Krutzer]

Everyone should take a look at the new product from UBK.

Kush Audio Gain Train. The monitor controller is only 500 bucks and is solid.