RSMCGUITAR
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robert_e_bone
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Re: What is this?
2016/09/16 17:03:18
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I'll take a giant pass on that thing.
Bob Bone
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drewfx1
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Re: What is this?
2016/09/16 17:57:14
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It's a potentiometer in a box.
The most expensive part in it is probably the box.
It's purpose is to turn down or mute the volume and nothing more (except perhaps to make money).
And I would say that it's an example of using very carefully worded but technically correct statements to get people to read something into it that they never actually say.
 In order, then, to discover the limit of deepest tones, it is necessary not only to produce very violent agitations in the air but to give these the form of simple pendular vibrations. - Hermann von Helmholtz, predicting the role of the electric bassist in 1877.
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RSMCGUITAR
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Re: What is this?
2016/09/16 18:46:22
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Cactus Music
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Re: What is this?
2016/09/17 11:15:12
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No one should purchase an audio interface that lacks a master volume but some people do. I think some of the Cakewalk/Edrol interfaces have an issue with sharing the master with the headphones as example.
And even if a powered monitor has a volume on the front,, your dealing with turning down both of them.
So those pour folks are faced with dishing out extra cash to add a feature that was missing. Therefore the existence of volume controls in a box.
Downside is it will certainly add another 4 connections and 2 more wires to the signal chain.
Sure you could build one with a project box and $10 worth of parts but that's true of a lot of gear.
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AT
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Re: What is this?
2016/09/19 00:43:54
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The TC Pilot(?) controller is nice and not that much more expensive, tho I believe they are out of production. A friend bought one when his SSL was getting worked on. It merely attenuates the full volume coming from you DA to powered speakers - you use it as a volume control. Once he got the SSL back he liked it enough to put it in the B room.
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Resonant Serpent
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Re: What is this?
2016/09/19 01:12:48
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It's a passive analog volume control. I have that exact one (older model that's blue instead of red), and use it to control the volume of the Mackie monitors that I have hooked up to my tv. It's a simple device, but does what it says on the tin.
The problem with having a master volume built into your interface is that they are rarely an analog passive solution. They're powered, and they usually color what goes through it depending on how high/low the volume is. They also have a tendency to be the first part to fail, which means you lose your entire interface for a repair. I use a Lynx card, and run it through a Big Knob because it doesn't have a master volume. Sure, there's one on the software, but I'd rather have a visible solution in front of me and keep everything in the box at unity gain. Between the Big Knob and my Allen and Heath mixer, I do all my monitoring outside the box, and don't have to deal with a lot of the stresses people often post about here on the forum.
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SF_Green
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Re: What is this?
2016/09/19 01:39:18
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When you use the software mixer to turn down the volume you actually reduce the bit depth of the audio. That with the issues that ResSerp brought up and the fact that it limits routing options, makes a built in Master Volume knob a little less desirable than you might think at first glance.
post edited by SF_Green - 2016/09/19 02:00:21
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mettelus
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Re: What is this?
2016/09/19 01:52:02
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Resonant Serpent
[...] use it to control the volume of the Mackie monitors that I have hooked up to my tv. [...]
One very good use for such a concept. A limiter to tame the volume of commercials is priceless.
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Cactus Music
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Re: What is this?
2016/09/19 10:35:04
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The problem with having a master volume built into your interface is that they are rarely an analog passive solution. I can see that this if is true that we need to know this but then again it's only our monitor system which will be flawed buy a zillion factors anyways. I can think of lots of uses for the passive control,, but better or worse I doubt.
post edited by Cactus Music - 2016/09/19 11:19:56
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drewfx1
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Re: What is this?
2016/09/19 12:18:43
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☄ Helpfulby Cactus Music 2016/09/19 20:37:23
SF_Green
When you use the software mixer to turn down the volume you actually reduce the bit depth of the audio.
With 24bit audio this is completely irrelevant, and it's not even close.
In order, then, to discover the limit of deepest tones, it is necessary not only to produce very violent agitations in the air but to give these the form of simple pendular vibrations. - Hermann von Helmholtz, predicting the role of the electric bassist in 1877.
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Mosvalve
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Re: What is this?
2016/09/19 16:21:27
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This volume controller is a big help for me since my interface is not within reach and the master volume knob on it is so small. It's been a pain using the software. There's is always a solution to everyone's situation.
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Cactus Music
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Re: What is this?
2016/09/19 20:19:36
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drewfx1
SF_Green
When you use the software mixer to turn down the volume you actually reduce the bit depth of the audio.
With 24bit audio this is completely irrelevant, and it's not even close.
I'm glad you chimed in on this one.. If it were true then one would think any software developer worth their salt would warn us not to use any of our digital controls.. It's like telling me I should not use the levels on my 01v :?
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ston
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Re: What is this?
2016/09/20 06:22:27
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☄ Helpfulby Resonant Serpent 2016/09/20 15:19:11
Back in the day, before the loudness wars, these devices were quite popular. We used to call them, "Volume Controls". For example, if we wanted our music to be a bit louder, instead of 100:1 ratio compression followed by brick wall limiting, we could *turn a dial* and the music would become louder! Such devices were viewed as a form of witchcraft and so were effectively banned and fell from public knowledge for many years. But a few were entrusted with this secret knowledge, an underground society which kept the 'potential ohm meter' alive, passing it on from generation to generation by word of mouth and an hieroglyphic form of electrical circuit diagram. Those highest in the order must have deemed that humanity, once again, is ready to be entrusted with this most sacred of controls.
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timidi
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Re: What is this?
2016/09/20 07:54:15
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Rob[at]Sound-Rehab
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Re: What is this?
2016/09/20 08:48:55
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this is a toy.
if thinking about a monitor controller, get one with at least two inputs (to be able to listen to your references CDs via your studio monitors) and outputs for 2 speakers ...
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KingsMix
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Re: What is this?
2016/09/25 11:20:43
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I got one of these in a JBL deal when I purchased some JBL monitors it was thrown in with a package deal free along with some hi quality cables. I thought it would be some gimmicky monitor control box that I would try and then throw aside. I was surprised how valuable it became to me in "my" workflow. I have it sitting on my desk and use it constantly as a volume controller and quick mute. More efficient for me than reaching for my interface volume all the time, kind of like a mini Mackie Big Knob, same concept with a few less features. I was actually looking to get the Mackie before I got this, but this is serving the purpose for me.
Would I have bought this alone, if it didn't come bundled with the monitors (before I had tried it)? Probably not. Would I purchase this at the right sale price now that I know how extremely useful it is for "my" workflow? Yes I would.
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