Mackie Big Knob

Overview

As you know, lot of today's recording studios are sizing down and downgrading in its size. Lot of big and bulky mixing boards are discarded from studios and replaced with smaller devices that have similar monitoring functions. If you are on the medium budget, and want monitor/talkback controller, Mackie Big Knob will do the job and take it even further in its functionality and features.


Workflow

Since there is no board in your studio, Mackie Big Knob will provide you with the workflow of any large format console master/talkback channel.
There is also a mono switch which makes it really useful to switch your mix without going through complicated steps. Three input sources and phono input makes this controller stand out from its competition. Two headphone outs with option of sending custom headphone mix makes this device even more flexible. Studio outs will serve as another output with level control which could be used to take a pair of speakers to your tracking room. And definitely, input level meter comes in handy.

My Home Studio

I have purchased Mackie Big Knob exactly four years ago. Ever since then, it was used as a master DAW/talkback, headphone/monitor controller. It is pretty sturdy in construction. Great thing about it is that it has 3 monitor outs. I have been using two speaker and a subwoofer combination. Level control on the monitor output makes it easy to equal the volumes of the monitor for easier monitoring. All of Big Knob's features are constantly used and I can not imagine my workflow without it.

Cons

One of the biggest "flaws" in its design is that cables are sticking out from your desktop. To some people, this is not very esthetically pleasing.
Another con to note, and that is over time, the dust particles will enter inside the buttons and create static noises when button is depressed. Naturally, if some buttons are not used (Like DAW mix input for example) you will have to jiggle the button and clean it from dust. It could get annoying sometimes.

Overall

This device is a bang for the buck for its features and functionality and the sturdy construction makes it excellent device for your project studio.