Mackie Big Knob Studio+ Monitor Controller | Interface

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.

The Mackie Big Knob is your signal routing and monitoring solution for your DAW-based studio. Big Knob provides a control room matrix and the basic features of an expensive mixer, but tailored for the requirements of your DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) environment.

These features include selecting up to four separate stereo input sources, monitoring through three different speakers for A/B/C comparisons, providing a separate headphone mix and a studio output for the talent, and a built-in talkback mic for slate-to-tape
and headphone cueing. In other words, it gives you everything you need from a mixer, without the stuff you don't need!

Listening from multiple sources through multiple sets of monitors is the norm in professional studio. Managing all this can be a time-consuming and often a noise-ridden, confusing mess. With the Big Knob, you have complete control of all your sources and monitors without the annoying problems. Easily select from various sources and sets of monitors at the push of a button and control your level from one (big) knob.

Big Knob Studio+ Key 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
• 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

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.

The Mackie brand is used on professional music and recording equipment, such as mixing consoles, loudspeakers, studio monitors and DAW control surfaces, digital recording equipment and more. Call or chat with a RSPE representative today for more information.