Mackie Big Knob monitor manager

Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 11:21 am

Hi All,
Does anyone has any experience with Mackie Big Knob monitor
management device ? Any opinion how good/bad it is ?

Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 12:09 pm

I test drove, before I bought my Avocet. Its not bad, although not what I was looking for. It does, IMO, colour the sound it passes. There is a slight 2-5k boost if I remember correctly. Nothing major, maybe only .5db or so. But it was enough for me pass on it. However I know a few of people quite happy with it.

The other one to check out in that price range is the presonus Central control. I have not tried it but, but again know a few happy users.

Anyway thats just my 2 cents I hope this helps.

Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 12:38 pm

Thanks, Link. You are right, I would not like .5 db boost either.
I know the presonus Central control, it is passive and quite accurate.
I was just curious if Mackie managed to make table top control of good
quality...

Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 1:46 pm

I would say typically mackie quality, nothing to drool over, but for the price point not to shabby.

Anyway if your budget is slightly larger check out dangerous music:
http://www.dangerousmusic.com/stsr.html

or the Cranesong Avocet:
http://www.cranesong.com/AVOCET.html

Which I am very much in love with!

Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 2:45 pm

Link,
I'm sure you enjoy the Avocet, no doubt. For me the Avocet
would be an overshot. In Dangerous Music ST I don't like idea
of using the snakes in this case. So, I think I'll check out the
Presonus Central, if I don't like haw it sounds I can always send
it back. Thanks for the info.

Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 4:52 pm

I have the Big Knob and I'm very happy with it. Basically, the Central Station is about twice the price of the Big Knob when you include the remote, and I just couldn't justify the extra money.

But I must say I went from the Samson C-control to the Big Knob, and that is a massive step up in quality. The color that the Samson imparts on the sound is obscene. The Big Knob is totally transparent in comparison.

Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 7:10 am

If you want a passive level control for active monitors, try the SM Pro Audio M-Patch2.

Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 12:06 pm

Thanks for additional info, guys. Appreciate it.

Posted: Fri Feb 29, 2008 6:32 pm

I have to admit that I'm extremely disappointed with the MPatch - the biggest problem being a level mismatch between both channels, which is even frequency-dependant.

So I'm also on the lookout for some monitor controller - does anyone know the Presonus Monitor Station, btw?

Rainer

Posted: Sat Mar 01, 2008 10:47 am

I recently picked up a big knob.

I was using a pro-co switcher for a/b-ing monitors and running headphones through my console.

I got a new bass management system and decided to try a monitoring system that handled everything.

Don't let anyone fool you - using ANYTHING to monitor with that has a volume knob and a transformer inside it will color the sound somewhat.

I tested the presonus first and didn't like the control features, the price was higher and the foot print not as nice to work with.

Go listen to the big knob, it's very small and logically laid out and a good bang for the buck.

Or you could spend a few grand and go with a Dangerous Audio system.

Posted: Sat Mar 01, 2008 11:56 am

"I recently picked up a big knob."
RemyRAD could have a field day with that statement...

To be honest, I would do without a control surface but that's me. So long as I have some means of turning the speakers down...but I neither have a studio, or any form of budget allowed.

Posted: Sat Mar 01, 2008 12:00 pm

nice! didnt even read it....

Posted: Sat Mar 01, 2008 12:03 pm

The whole "big knob" thing just seems to be surrounded by immature (but still funny) comments about whatever.

"the big knob, it's very small"
Hmm. Decisive.

Posted: Sat Mar 01, 2008 1:13 pm

Posted: Sat Mar 01, 2008 6:23 pm

likea45 wrote:

I tested the presonus first and didn't like the control features, the price was higher and the foot print not as nice to work with.

Do you mean the central station or their new desktop version?

I've found absolutely no gripes whatsoever with the central station. In fact, the DA conversion on it is friggin awesome sounding.

Also, their service has been absolutely excelleng. I had a bad pot in the remote after about 4 months - sent it off and had it replaced quite promptly.

J.

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