hey fokes

hope everyone is well. I have a question with regards to Volume control Centers. I have been looking around but not sure if that is the correct name for this type of device. An example of one i have found is a Mackie big knob. The write ups on these i have read so far are not too good so i was wondering if anyone has or uses one which they feel is of good standing.

And if i for example get an Apogee duet this would eliminate the need for a volume control unit i would think, as it operates as an external control unit for volume etc although i guess it would pose some limitations in comparisons to a mackie big knob for example - like limited number of outputs.

thanks heaps for any information provided.

ah also what are the benefits of a volume control centre is it merely the ability to have external control over your output?

thanks again

___________________

Last edited by Energy_3 on Aug-14-2009 at 20:06

quote:

Originally posted by Energy_3 hey fokes hope everyone is well. I have a question with regards to Volume control Centers. I have been looking around but not sure if that is the correct name for this type of device. An example of one i have found is a Mackie big knob. The write ups on these i have read so far are not too good so i was wondering if anyone has or uses one which they feel is of good standing. And if i for example get an Apogee duet this would eliminate the need for a volume control unit i would think, as it operates as an external control unit for volume etc although i guess it would pose some limitations in comparisons to a mackie big knob for example - like limited number of outputs. thanks heaps for any information provided. ah also what are the benefits of a volume control centre is it merely the ability to have external control over your output? thanks again

You have read not so good reviews on the Mackie Big Knob?

I think it's great personally. Simple functionality, multiple monitor outputs, input source selections etc. I think it's a brilliant addition to the studio, providing you can make the most out of it, as it's still not cheap.

quote:

Originally posted by Energy_3 ah also what are the benefits of a volume control centre is it merely the ability to have external control over your output? thanks again

There are other benefits obviously, like the ability to add additional monitors to the output. But with regards to volume, having a physical, external control for you to manipulate easily is a handy tool.

___________________

>>> Beatport Stuff <<<

quote:

You have read not so good reviews on the Mackie Big Knob?

some people were mentioning

quote:

Quality: I noticed that, at very low levels the stereo image shifts. I mean when i turn the volume knob up from zero, first the left channel starts to play and gradually the right ch is coming. Phones level controls are a bit flimsy but studio out and talkback level controls are solid

Cause i don't know a lot about these that is why i am concerned. I guess this could be an isolated fault with this persons unit too.

But essentially they allow you to swap between monitors with ease and regulate volume, besides input functionality?

___________________

Stay the fuck away from the big knob or any version of it.

It sounds like shit. I'm not being elitest at all when I say this but is really does colour the sound and the difference is clear when you unplug it to return it. I had to deal with a lot of returns for that very reason when I worked in pro audio retail and distribution.

I know at least three people personally (not on forums etc.) that bought it and returned it.

You're way better off going for the SM Pro Audio products such as the Nano or the Presonus central station if you have a bit more money or the Dangerous Audio Monitor ST if money is no object.

Sorry, but the big knob is a piece of shit.

As for the benefits of monitor controls, the first is being able to maintain your gain staging.

This is especially crucial for monitor calibration (which anyone out there should do if you have decent monitors). It lets you change the volume to nay levels without affecting the calibrated gain structure which is obviously important for checking you mixes at different levels.

Secondly, they let you utilize different monitors, such as your producing monitors and say a set of hifi speakers. Again, very useful for checking mixes on different speakers.

Finally, it lets you change volumes without having to use the software mixer (which I personally hate).

I am going to be revising the monitor calibration thread as I have defined it some more so I will post it up over the weekend. There will be some more info there on monitor controls as well.

My advice would me to get the SM Pro audio Nano Patch or M patch 2 depending on your needs.

if you need more connectivity than that then the Presonus Central Station is the best option by far.

Hope that helps.

quote:

Originally posted by DJ RANN Stay the fuck away from the big knob or any version of it. It sounds like shit. I'm not being elitest at all when I say this but is really does colour the sound and the difference is clear when you unplug it to return it. I had to deal with a lot of returns for that very reason when I worked in pro audio retail and distribution. I know at least three people personally (not on forums etc.) that bought it and returned it. You're way better off going for the SM Pro Audio products such as the Nano or the Presonus central station if you have a bit more money or the Dangerous Audio Monitor ST if money is no object. Sorry, but the big knob is a piece of shit. As for the benefits of monitor controls, the first is being able to maintain your gain staging. This is especially crucial for monitor calibration (which anyone out there should do if you have decent monitors). It lets you change the volume to nay levels without affecting the calibrated gain structure which is obviously important for checking you mixes at different levels. Secondly, they let you utilize different monitors, such as your producing monitors and say a set of hifi speakers. Again, very useful for checking mixes on different speakers. Finally, it lets you change volumes without having to use the software mixer (which I personally hate). I am going to be revising the monitor calibration thread as I have defined it some more so I will post it up over the weekend. There will be some more info there on monitor controls as well. My advice would me to get the SM Pro audio Nano Patch or M patch 2 depending on your needs. if you need more connectivity than that then the Presonus Central Station is the best option by far. Hope that helps.

+1

thanks heaps guys, BIG thanks for that...!

appreciate it, I take making music seriously so I dont want to get something that is not well worth the while. And, i agree using the software mixer is a pain in the ass. I will check out those one that you mention and take it from there, thanks heaps Eric and Rann & Acton appreciate it - greatly".

___________________

I had an SM-Pro Audio M-Patch 2. You get noticeable distortion at either of the extremes (no attenuation and full attenuation). In the middle 75% of the range of the attenuator, it is fine. However, I sold it because I wanted something better. The headphone amp is pretty crap too.

For the same cost as an M-Patch 2, you can get far better quality attenuators. All you have to do is get a project box from Dick Smith's, some XLR/TRS plugs and solder away. I haven't gotten around to it yet, but this is my plan.

For the record, I concur with the opinions of the others in this thread. Mackie Big Knob's use really shit quality opamps and are completely overpriced. Passive attenuators are far better, just make sure you keep your cable runs as short as possible - passive attenuators basically turn the cable into a high pass filter. The shorter the cable is, the less filtering you end up with. Over short runs, the filtering effect is negligible.

Not sure about having to keep cable runs short - they do not unbalance the signal just reduce the relative flow between conductors by passive resistance. Yes, the curve on a passive attenuator is always pseudo eccentric but these days they're pretty much exact.

I also don;t know how you had distorion at the extremes. The SM Pro audio kit (and the Central Station for that matter) is completely open at that point - so all conductors are completely connected;

Any passive attenuator at full on (i.e. at "0") = straight connection. There's basically no way it colour or distort. The

Not sure about having to keep cable runs short - they do not unbalance the signal just reduce the relative flow between conductors by passive resistance. Yes, the curve on a passive attenuator is always pseudo eccentric but these days they're pretty much exact.

I also don;t know how you had distorion at the extremes. The SM Pro audio kit (and the Central Station for that matter) is completely open at that point - so all conductors are completely connected;

Any passive attenuator at full on (i.e. at "0") = straight connection. There's basically no way it colour or distort. The sm range when you open them up are just attenuators so resist the signal so I just can't see how it could colour the signal that much.

I think you had a duff unit or something else in the signal path was bad

im getting this
http://www.vintageking.com/core/media/media.nl?id=61130&c=360669&h=d125992780c70bfde45a

___________________
*** Sig edited -> no banner advertising in sigs
http://promote.beatport.com/images/labels/1253/12531-blue-468_60.jpg

I've been looking at the TC Level Pilot myself, anyone used this?

TC Electronic Level Pilot

___________________
Kuroi
@ web/Kuroi Music
@ myspace/Kuroi Music

promo track: Mirco de Govia - Voller Sterne (Kuroi Remix)

Ive heard multiple times and places that BIG KNOB SUCKS ASS and colors the sound. SM Pro Audio iNano is what i have, total passive. I miss more outputs on it though and i Might get SM Pro Audio M-Patch 2 but its old and im waiting for something new. If u have alot of money then Presonus CentralStation is supposed to be great.