Mackie Big Knob Studio Control Center

The Must-Have Audio Command Center for Desktop Studios.

Item: MACBIGKNOB

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  • More expected Thursday, January 8, 2009. Preorder today.
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Mackie Big Knob Studio Control Center reviews

Rate and Review This Product:

18 People rated this product : * * * * * * * * * * 8 out of 10

 

5 People wrote reviews

Read all Mackie Big Knob Studio Control Center reviews...
* * * * * * * * * * 8 out of 10

"Best Value"

Feature:
I cannot even think what to do with that much of outputs. Talkback is a very neat addition... I think this is the only monitor controller with so much features.

Quality:
I noticed that, at very low levels the stereo image shifts. I mean when i turn the volume knob up from zero, first the left channel starts to play and gradually right ch is coming. Phones level controls are a bit flimsy but studio out and talkback level controls are solid. That big knob is especially solid. Mono button causes st. image shift too.

Value:
i think this is one of the best values ever. I dont know any product offering this much of features... I would have bought one of the SPL controllers but they are twice as much as a price.

Desirability:
i think i like it.

Sound:
sound is good not excellent. I've been been hearing direct from DA converter to speakers... It was much clearer and stereo image was more solid. This is not bad though but it colors the sound a bit. I think especially the upper mids... Passive systems offer no degradation of sound.

Ease of Use:
Easy to setup but i wish it had XLR outputs. I had to change the connectors of my xlr-xlr cable. Other than that, it is relatively straight forward.

Support:
i didnt have to deal with...

Overall:
Overall this unit is sitting nicely on my desktop but i think it occupies too much space. They could have made it smaller... Another thing which is not cool is it gets pretty hot under normal circumstances.

Submitted: 7/23/2007

Style of Music: house, pop, jazz, funk


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* * * * * * * * * * 9 out of 10 zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us.

"Is there anybody here who doesn't want a Big Knob?"

Feature:
Terrific if you have a couple sets of monitors and like to switch between them. I like to switch between my Blue Sky Pro Desk monitors and some cheap computer speakers to see how my podcasts and voiceovers translate to equipment that everyone has. I don't have a control room separate from the "studio", but this unit is just the ticket if you do. Built-in phono inputs are great for ripping vinyl. And of course, there's the Big Knob itself. You'll love the ability to route inputs and outputs at the push of a button. Things I miss: should have just one more set of inputs! But then again, if you are recording more than a couple of tracks, you probably have a mixer or a multi-channel interface anyhow.

Quality:
Solid steel baby! No plastic crap. I like that. Doesn't move around on the desk unless you want it to. Good layout, easy-to-read labels. Some question about the rear trim controls though -- seemed a little loose at certain postions, but didn't seem to effect signal or usability. Unless you swap out equipment, the trim controls are pretty much "set and forget".

Value:
Seems a little pricey for what it does, but I can't complain. Don't see anything else on the market that comes close in quality and versatility.

Desirability:
Looks like pro equipment.

Sound:
Neutral as far as I can tell.

Support:
Have had no need for support. Mackie is quite responsive though -- just pick up the phone.

Overall:
Damn near essential for a home studio DAW setup, especially if you have two or more sets of monitors. I use it every day for basic tracking, recording teleconferences through a digital telephone hybrid, listening to CD's with headphones, and occasionally, ripping vinyl. Anticipate this unit will be on my desk for years.

Submitted: 11/22/2005

Style of Music: voiceovers, archival sound projects


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Additional Images:

Main
Main
Hook Up Guide
Hook Up Guide
Rear
Rear

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About This Product!
Description
Docs
From Our Catalog
Since the dawn of computer-based music making, folks have longed for a simple monitor switching and level control box with built-in Talkback functions. You know, something that sits right on your desktop, letting you easily switch between sets of studio monitors and different stereo sources. And send musicians custom headphone mixes while you communicate with them via a built-in Talkback microphone.

Introducing The Big Knob
The Big Knob is a simple yet powerful desktop audio control center that lets musicians and engineers get right to the business of making music in four major ways: Level Control, Studio Monitor Selection, Input Source Selection and Talkback & Headphone Control.

Precise Level Control
Using a big, convenient volume knob, Big Knob lets you adjust volume levels the way our ancient audio ancestors (Analogus Engineerus) did - with a simple, intuitive knob, not with a mouse and screen. The end result is a higher degree of precision and much quicker level adjustments.

Monitor Selection
When it comes to mixing, pros know it's best to get a second, and third, opinion. So Big Knob lets you quickly switch between 3 pairs of studio monitors, or 2 studio monitors and a subwoofer, or studio monitors and a home stereo, or any other combination of powered speakers.

Source Selection
On the input side, Big Knob lets you connect up to 4 stereo input sources at once. This means you can simultaneously connect to your computer/DAW outputs, CD player, cassette deck and even a turntable using the premium onboard RIAA preamp. You can even connect keyboards, guitars, drum machines, samplers - anything you'd like to hear - through your monitors. This makes Big Knob great for comparing your mixes-in-progress to your favorite CDs, for archiving your old LPs, jamming along to your favorite tune, and lots more.

Talkback Section & Headphone Control
With its built-in Talkback mic and spring-loaded activation switches, Big Knob lets you quickly communicate with musicians in both the studio and tracking room - no more hand signals through the glass! Big Knob also sports two high-powered headphone outputs with a discrete headphone mix bus, solving the communications needs of most computer-based studios.

All the Right Connections
Although its shiny silver knob is a head-turning feature, Big Knob's rear panel is equally impressive. There you'll find three distinct Monitor outputs with individual level control; 2-Track A and 2-Track B stereo outputs with level selection switches; a DAW stereo output for your computer; a Studio output with level control; a Phones Mix input with level selection switch; 2-Track A and 2-Track B Stereo Source inputs with level control; a DAW Mix input from your computer with level control; and even a Phono input with level control for direct connection to your turntable.

Sound Quality
Because Big Knob plays a crucial link between recording output(s) and studio monitors, we placed the utmost importance on pristine, no-compromise sound quality. For this reason, Big Knob features ultra low-noise op amps, extremely low-tolerance components and state-of-the-art surface mount technology. All of this ensures superb sound in critical listening environments and long-term reliability - even under daily, and nightly, studio use.

Applications
Big Knob is perfectly suited to a range of applications beyond desktop music making, including home stereo systems, keyboard/guitar rigs, high-end multimedia systems, archiving LP's to CD, classrooms and boardrooms, and more.

Features
Tabletop level control / monitor switcher / source selector & talkback box

Big, convenient volume knob for precise level adjustments

Switch amongst 3 sets of studio monitors

Built-in Talkback microphone for easy communication with musicians

Monitor 4 independent Stereo inputs including one for your DAW Mix

Dual Headphone outputs with independent volume controls and headphone mix bus

Phono preamp for direct turntable connection

High-end studio sound quality and robust construction

Perfect for computer-based studios

Humorous product name ensures years of off-color studio humor
Your DAW has a jillion-channel mixer, but where's the volume knob? Right here. The Big Knob takes any of 4 stereo sources and routes it to any of 3 monitor pairs. It also has a talkback mic, headphone outs, mute, mono, and more.

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