Mackie Big Knob Passive teardown & demo with audio samples

The Mackie Big Knob Passive is a simple studio monitor controller, but how well does it work? We go through this one and try out all of the feature, with audio examples so you can listen along and judge for yourself.
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episode: 258 First Uploaded: May 18 2022
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[@jimmyrotn]

I’ve noticed that the signal might be attenuated. I have a set of Yamahas and some aura tones and the volume is much different from the Big Knob than from the 2i2 direct.

[@bThomps]

I have the TC Level Pilot. It’s also a passive balanced xlr in/out volume control. It’s a more minimalist design without the buttons and a single cable to the knob means that the cable connections are all hidden behind the desk. I’m also running the AVIO Dante to analog with DVS. It’s a good setup! Thanks for the videos and the in-depth breakdown of the Big Knob!

[@DcSoundOp]

I’ve always liked how those looked on the desk!

[@Douglas_Gillette]

I think there is some level adjustment in the Dante controller for some devices like some of the AVIO adapters.

[@Andrea-zk7my]

Hi, has anyone experienced “humms” with knob all the way up? Thanks!

[@zzyzx13]

One thing I noticed when I had one of these in my audio chain, was that even with the knob all the way to the right, and the dim button disengaged, there was still some signal loss from in to out. I found this out by simply doing a full bypass of the Big Knob for one monitor channel... I'm curious if this was just my unit or if it's due to the device not being truly balanced internally.

[@DcSoundOp]

Thanks for the message. I'm going to do some more testing soon with this one. The office A/C has been out for a week or so now, but once we're back in there this one is on my list. Thanks for watching as always.

[@robertharker]

Going back to Audio Electronics 101 the clicks may be a result of not using "make before break" type switches. In make before break switches the contacts engage the new contacts before releasing the old contacts thus avoiding a momentary floating connection.

[@DcSoundOp]

Thanks for the message Robert, it is great to hear your thoughts on this one. That would have been a good sub-topic to squeeze into this video as a demo. Maybe one you can do on your channel if you have the parts on hand? Hope you're well!

[@theuntouchables808]

How do you get rid of the crackle

[@JustinoKusinero]

Did the same test with my unit just now, mine doesn't make those pops when you press the buttons, but my pot is scratchy down at the the 7-8 o clock area

[@DcSoundOp]

Thanks for the message! I guess consistency from one unit to the next is probably not to the tightest tolerances with these. Appreciate you checking out the video.

[@PresetsDiscovery]

Good content...never seen this type of overview...well done. However, I wish you would have looked at that audio in a stereo view vs a mono. On my unit, I've noticed big time when you turn the volume knob from zero to where you can hear audio....I notice the audio (on the very low volumes) will only be coming from one speaker vs. both evenly. This would be a good test. Unfortunately you do have to turn the unit up to get both monitors to have even audio, and it is difficult to listen at low levels because of this issue. I have two Big Knob units and they both do this.

[@DcSoundOp]

Hey Shay, I answered your message directly in the latest video. Trying something new to see if folks like it, thanks for your idea, I hope you enjoy the video response - kzbin.info/www/bejne/oXnacouOmJiEmLs

[@jtsotherone]

it's near impossible to match 2 pot tracks consistently at the edges to give accurate dual-level control. If this is what you need you need a controller with a stepped attenuator where it is switching matched pairs of resistors to be super-consistent. The downside is you obviously only have a limited number of 'clicks' as your adjustment range.

[@YUNGJIMMY]

hello sir,, when i connect my interface(focusrite solo 3rd gen) to the big knob, the volume reduced a lot. I always set my interface volume knob to 12o clock(without the big knob). after i connected it i have to turn the big knob all the way up to sound like my usuall setting. i'm wondering why this happen..

[@DcSoundOp]

Thanks for the question. The Big knob is a passive device, which means it cannot add gain to the signal (it cannot turn anything up) it can only turn things down. So unity gain on these (the point where you get a 1:1 relationship between what you input and output) is ALL the way up. If you've set it at 12 O'clock, you've essentially got it turned down halfway (relatively speaking, but half of the knobs resolution anyway). Does that help clear things up? Let me know if I misunderstood your question!

[@mpbcelta]

Hello! Thanks for the video. Beside the low volume of the signal, I felt that the quality of the audio has decreased. Do you think it's possible? Or it's just equivocated perception? Thanks a lot!

[@DcSoundOp]

Hey thanks for the message. It can be really hard to tell quality differences at varying volumes... it's certainly possible that you could be hearing a difference though with anything in-line at this price point.

[@mpbcelta]

@@DcSoundOp You are right! Even the quality of cables may interfere. I will try to do some more tests. Thanks for your answer!

[@agsforever.2023]

Yo tengo 2 y no se cómo se usan alguna persona le interesa podemos negociar precio accesible 😊

[@anderslandgren6745]

If the block diagram is correct, the circuitry inside this unit isn't balanced. Kind of fake, electrically.

[@DcSoundOp]

Hey Anders, where are you located?

[@anderslandgren6745]

@@DcSoundOp Knee deep in snow right now, mate. Sweden.

[@aahl1680]

WTFUWTD?

[@DcSoundOp]

?