Mackie Big Knob - opinions?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Myriad_Rocker
  • Start date Start date
Myriad_Rocker

Myriad_Rocker

New member
I tried using the search feature to research this item some more but I couldn't really come up with anything useful. Just some posts generally mentioning it.

I have one concern...will it degrade the signal going to my monitors?

It seems like a pretty handy device and I think I could benefit from one as long as it doesn't have any adverse affects on how my monitors sound (coloring the sound or otherwise).
 
Myriad_Rocker said:
I have one concern...will it degrade the signal going to my monitors?
Click to expand...
IMO, compared to the Presonus, it will.... it's far better choice than the equivalent Samson product though!
 
Blue bear, which Presonus do you speak of...?

I use a Presonus HP4 to control monitors and headphones but I like the Bog knob for the talk back feature... (which I need)
 
It's a mixer with a big knob for a master fader. I personally don't see what's so amazing about it. I guess the seperate stereo outs for different monitors might be kinda neat though, but I've got group outs.
 
peopleperson said:
It's a mixer with a big knob...
Click to expand...
And an interesting distinction between this one and the passive ones- they can not combine inputs. I just went through this (and a slight re-alignment of my formerly well laid new routing plan) with my new CentralStation/Coleman LS3 combo.
But all is well as the whole point was to get the mixer (2408 and all it's little stupid pet tricks) out of primary path.
Good riddance, should have done it long ago. ;)
 
Last edited:
Thanks everyone. I'll probably forget about getting the Big Knob if it colors the sound.

That's too bad too... :(
 
A less expensive option for absolutely colorless level control is to use a passive stepped attenuator. Look at Goldpoint and Dact.

-RD
 
I was seeking something with a talkback feature and all the other things the Big Knob had as well. Thanks, though.
 
Myriad_Rocker said:
I'll probably forget about getting the Big Knob if it colors the sound.
Click to expand...

I wonder if you can tell the difference in a A/B test though. I wouldn't get too caught up in the passive versus active monitoring path thing without giving it a listen (which I admittedly haven't done).
 
I've used one before at a studio I rented out, and I thought it was kinda' neat. It had the footswitch on it, so you could just hit the pedal any time you wanted to talk to the fellas on the other side of the glass. And it really makes you feel all high tech to hit a button and switch back and forth between the Genelecs and the NS-10's.

I'm not sure if it really "does" enough to justify spending real money on one, so I figure I'll just wait until the Behringer clone comes out.
 
How do you think the presonus HP4 would compare to the big knob in coloring sound. I don't need the talkback feature and I only have one pair of monitors, I just need a way to control the volume.
 
The Central Station is much more elegant than the Mackie Big Knob, although more expensive. Another issue with the Big Knob is the location of all the jacks. You would have a spaghetti nest of wires running out of it and all over your mixing desk.
 
I dont find much, if any coloring of my sound with the HP4...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top