Mackie Big Knob connection info

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chuckebaby
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2017/02/24 16:25:31 (permalink)

Mackie Big Knob connection info

I just picked up a Mackie Big knob.
I am going to run a multi monitor set up with it.
what im wondering is do I connect my Main (KVR Active monitors) monitors up to monitor A or DAW output ?
I've read the manual a few times over I just cant really understand the Studio and DAW Mix outputs.
 
Thank you for any suggestions.

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    quantumeffect
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    Re: Mackie Big Knob connection info 2017/02/24 19:23:12 (permalink)
    Coincidently, my PreSonus recently died* and I went ahead and replaced it with a Big Knob.
     
    If it were me ... I would attach the powered monitors to "Monitor A" (I am not familiar with KVR monitors).  Then you just toggle the monitor A button and adjust with the knob.  Alternatively, you could use the "Studio Out" (number 10 in the manual) and then adjust with the studio outs controls.
     
    The DAW output (I think) is there to feed back into you audio interface essentially using the big knob as a mixer.
     
    * The PreSonus was a bit more streamlined with fewer features than the Big Knob but I liked the idea of a monitor controller.  I was really happy with it until it died ... and not simply because it died but the way it died ... very loudly.

    Dave

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    "Everyone knows rock n' roll attained perfection in 1974. It's a scientific fact." H. Simpson

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    #2
    chuckebaby
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    Re: Mackie Big Knob connection info 2017/02/24 20:36:24 (permalink)
    Sorry to hear about your monitor controller.
    I was using a patchbay, then a small mixing board but decided it was time to step up my game.
     
    thank you for the suggestions. I will play around with it a bit more as im trying to feed different mixes in to my drum rooms and my control room.

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    #3
    Maarkr
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    Re: Mackie Big Knob connection info 2017/02/24 21:44:10 (permalink)
    I run my MOTU output into the DAW Mix, select the DAW Mix button, and plug my monitors in the mon A, B and C outputs.

    Maarkr
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    lawajava
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    Re: Mackie Big Knob connection info 2017/02/24 22:39:45 (permalink)
    Maarkr
    I run my MOTU output into the DAW Mix, select the DAW Mix button, and plug my monitors in the mon A, B and C outputs.


    What he said. Except I use a Focusrite. I have three sets of monitors, not including the headphones. I can alternate between or including any combination. The BigKnob is very convenient to work with if one has a budget for it. I recall I had to save up a bit before I could get it.

    Two internal 2TB SSDs laptop stuffed with Larry's deals and awesome tools. Studio One is the cat's meow as a DAW now that I've migrated off of Sonar. Using BandLab Cakewalk just to grab old files when migrating songs.
    #5
    Cactus Music
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    Re: Mackie Big Knob connection info 2017/02/25 11:15:14 (permalink)
    I think where they confuse people is calling an input DAW OUTPUT. 
    I got it right away but that's a pour choice of label,, I would have simply called it "Input 1" 
     After all, there are a few people out there still using a hardware multitrack
    A professional piece of gear should just have a few inputs and a swicth for -10 or +4 and be done with it. 
    But on Page 4 at the bottom right it is clearly noted. 

    Johnny V  
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    quantumeffect
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    Re: Mackie Big Knob connection info 2017/02/25 13:29:38 (permalink)
    Cactus Music
    I think where they confuse people is calling an input DAW OUTPUT. 
    I got it right away but that's a pour choice of label,, I would have simply called it "Input 1" 
     After all, there are a few people out there still using a hardware multitrack
    A professional piece of gear should just have a few inputs and a swicth for -10 or +4 and be done with it. 
    But on Page 4 at the bottom right it is clearly noted. 


    Just to clarify:
     
    The "DAW OUTPUT" in the "OUTPUTS" section on the back of the Big Knob is an output.
     
    The Instructions on page 4 are referring to "DAW MIX" in the "SOURCES" section.  The "DAW MIX" is the input.
     
    If you look at the Hookup guide on page 6, you will see that the "DAW OUTPUT" goes to the LINE IN on the sound card.  The LINE OUTS on the sound card go to the "DAW MIX".
     
    I agree, it is a bit confusing.

    Dave

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    Kev999
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    Re: Mackie Big Knob connection info 2017/02/25 16:18:47 (permalink)
    quantumeffect
    Cactus Music
    I think where they confuse people is calling an input DAW OUTPUT...

    ...I agree, it is a bit confusing.

     
    Similar terminology is used by Audient, but they call it "DAW Thru". I was baffled by it when I first read the iD22 manual. Even now I still don't totally get it.

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    #8
    chuckebaby
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    Re: Mackie Big Knob connection info 2017/02/27 07:12:02 (permalink)
    Thank you everyone for your input. I've spent a few days now playing around with it.
    My set up is as follows:
     
    Control Room: A  8 ft. X 14 ft. in size. This is where all my hardware, near feild monitors are.
    There is a large 4X4 ft. glass window looking in to the main sound room.
     
    Studio room: This is a 12 ft. X 12 ft. main room for Drums, Amps, Exc.
     
    Vocal Room: This is a small 4 ft. X 6 ft. Room for doing standing Vocals. (no monitors, just headphone jacks in the wall.
     
    Ideally I want to have the near field monitors in my Control room hooked to monitor A
    Then have the monitors in my studio room hooked to monitor B and Vocal booth running off the headphone.
     
    Im still testing the talk back feature to run for both Studio and vocal both.
     
     

    Windows 8.1 X64 Sonar Platinum x64
    Custom built: Asrock z97 1150 - Intel I7 4790k - 16GB corsair DDR3 1600 - PNY SSD 220GB
    Focusrite Saffire 18I8 - Mackie Control
       
    #9
    BobF
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    Re: Mackie Big Knob connection info 2017/02/27 09:26:14 (permalink)
    I avoided confusion and went with a Samson C-Control.  The only problem is that the knobs are all so small

    Bob  --
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    #10
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