Mackie Big Knob BIGKNOB Leaflet
Product codes
BIGKNOB
MACKIE „Big Knob”
INTRO
It is inevitable that in lots of studios conventional hardware equipment along with synths,
mixers and external effects are disappearing and following the current trend to work
computer based this trend is going to carry on unabated. One problem whilst mixing on a
computer based this trend is going to carry on unabated. One problem whilst mixing on a
computer is how to control the levels, how to switch between monitors and how to create
a personal headphone mix.
a personal headphone mix.
Mackie have listened to musicians and granted them their wish for a practical, small
machine that can sit on your desk and called it (for the British amusingly) the „Big Knob“.
The inner sanctum of musicianship has now decided that this is the ultimate monitor
control unit. So, let’s have a look at this big member and see if it lives up to its
The inner sanctum of musicianship has now decided that this is the ultimate monitor
control unit. So, let’s have a look at this big member and see if it lives up to its
reputation
Big Knob front view
INSTALLATION
The installation and setup is done and dusted quickly with some good diagrams and short
and precise instructions in the English manual helping the user along the way. It’s a pity
that MACKIE along with a lot of other companies do not offer multilingual instructions and
that MACKIE along with a lot of other companies do not offer multilingual instructions and
considering the price this wouldn’t go amiss. At the least a section on their website would
be enough.
be enough.
Anyway back to the matter in hand and the setup and integration into my system took
less than five minutes. Here’s a good Tip: if you turn all the knobs and switches to zero
before switching it on then nothing can go wrong.
USABILITY
Big Knob’s design is good on the eye and professionally done. It is pretty obvious from
the layout of the controls and range of connections on the rear that the people behind
the layout of the controls and range of connections on the rear that the people behind
the design have a lot of experience in the pro audio and music industry and are quite
rightly market leaders in this segment.
rightly market leaders in this segment.
Using the „Big Knob“ is fairly self-explanatory and I really like the large silver volume
control that gives it it’s name. Accurate and exact level control is absolutely no problem
control that gives it it’s name. Accurate and exact level control is absolutely no problem
and far more comfortable than using a mouse/software combination on a monitor.