MACKIE Big Knob Passive - Review Revisited

[@dennispetersen6974]

I have the same exact issues with my Mackie Big Knob Studio+. In the beginning it was all fine, but after sending it for repair 3 times I give up. Had the same issue with the volume distortion, the buttons started to get flimsy and my mute button wouldn't go all the way back up so my sound would drop out sometimes. This is my second Big Knob and I've had the same issues also happen to with my first one. No more Mackie for me. What do you think about the Behringer Studio L? They look the exact same (not sure who copied who) but it looks more sturdy and fancier..

[@mattingramsound]

If you care about your studio, keep Behringer out of it! They do somethings well, but I would not trust them for anything in my listening chain. I'm looking at radial, heritage audio, or Audient controllers right now.

[@XTJ7]

Same with my Big Knob Studio+. And it is not just the big knob, the gain knobs for the input and the headphone knobs have the same issues. Mute button getting stuck is an issue I also have and the 2TR/CUE buttons next to the headphone knobs also go bad, so I sometimes have to press them in and out a few times or one of the channels might cut out. I had it for about 3 years now and problems started around the 2 year mark. I am not having a studio but just needed multiple inputs and outputs for my equipment, so this is only annoying to me but not a serious problem. If I were to use this in a professional setting, this would be absolutely unacceptable. Still not worth the money for the quality you get. I also have a pair of Mackie MR624 and they still work absolutely perfect. No issues at all. So clearly Mackie knows how to build quality products, but their Big Knob series is utter trash.

[@ElementoHostil]

⭐Hello dear friend! I have a question for you and your community, but first I must thank you because I almost bought a Big Knob Passive... In my studio I use two computers each with its own interface, but I only have a couple of monitors. I suppose one solution is to buy a couple of monitors to work comfortably. But... is there a switch to switch between two sound sources? What do you recommend?

[@mattingramsound]

Hello! Glad you found the video helpful! A monitor controller would be the right solution for you, I would just go with a better one than the big knob passive. You can check out this video I released to get a comparison of several options. kzbin.info/www/bejne/laSaqYtnl9x4gbM

[@pw7752]

I bought a second-hand one and use it daily. I did the phase-cancel test and I get silence, so I guess mine is okay - for now at least. It did get scratchy around 7o'clock (i.e. just up from silence) a while ago but some Servisol Super 10 sorted that out.

[@mattingramsound]

Good to hear. Like I said, I think they still have their place.

[@robertalanfine]

I have two of them. One has been a problem since the beginning: the mini input jack has a cold solder or something and buzzes until I physically maniupate the input cable's jack. Raging pain in the ass. The other thing are the stiffness of the functions buttons: they sound, for a better word, "unlubricated". The outside is built like a tank, but the insides are built like a go cart.

[@mattingramsound]

Sad to hear you've had so many problems. Have you gotten a new controller?

[@robertalanfine]

@@mattingramsound No, I decided to go with another brand. (I had called Mackie service, but they were strict about the warranty date.)

[@robertalanfine]

I went with a Heritage Audio Baby RAM

[@elno7072]

@@robertalanfine hey guys, thanks for this video! Same problems over here! is the Heritage Audio Baby RAM good? no loss of clarity?

[@robertalanfine]

@@elno7072 To be perfectly honest: I can't tell! On the other hand, it does the job perhaps a bit better than the BigKnob. Too bad, because BigKnob could have been great with a 10 percent upgrade on the buttons.

[@jouebien]

The easiest way to get rid of a ground loop is to cut the ground on a balanced run or a 1:1 ratio transformer (isolation transformer - like a passive DI but with a different ratio and the input has 2 legs on the transformer). No one should be lifting the ground on there power - good way to die.

[@mattingramsound]

Yes, you can start snipping ground wires in your cables, but I would really rather not have to do that. Without the big knob, there was no ground hum. With the other controllers I have reviewed, there has been no ground hum. This was a feature specific to the big knob.