FAQs

The “To 2-Track” and “To Cue” buttons, associated with talkback, are momentary. All other buttons are latching.

Neither Big Knob Studio nor Studio+ are bus powered. Each has its own external power supply.

The Big Knob is a desktop interface and command center. Currently, there is no rack mount option.

Yes, there is a Mono button on all three Big Knob series controllers that will accurately sum the selected output to mono.

The Studio+ has an XLR input for connecting an external mic for talkback. There is also a 1/4” footswitch jack for easy on/off control of your external mic.

Yes, if you do not need to use the audio interface of the Studio and Studio+, the Big Knob is still great as a monitor controller!

Yes, there is a 16 segment high resolution input meter on the Studio and Studio+.

Yes, the Studio and Studio+ have 48V phantom power for both mic pres.

The BIg Knob Studio and Studiop+ offer a USB 2.0 audio interface to the computer.

Big Knob Passive is a simple A/B switcher that offers two stereo sources and two stereo monitor outs with the classic Big Knob volume control.

Big Knob Studio offers 3 sources including, 2 Onyx mic preamps along with a stereo line in and USB return. It also offers A/B switching for two stereo monitor outs.

Big Knob Studio+ offers 4 sources including 2 Onyx mic preamps and 2 stereo line ins plus USB return. The Studio+ also offers 3 stereo monitor outs, 2 track out and a Studio/Phones Amp output.

The Onyx mic preamps provide up to 60dB of gain.

Yes, all 3 models offer a -20dB dim switch.

Yes, there is a separate adjustable trim pot on each monitor output to allow you to match each output of the monitor connectors to unbalanced, -10dB inputs, balanced +4dB, and anything in between!

Yes, the TRS inputs have a +/- 12dB trim adjustment control.

Yes, the Studio and Studio+ have an input monitoring section that are latency free.

Yes, the Studio and Studio+ both have talkback.

There is Big Knob Passive, a simple 2x2 option, as well as the Big Knob Studio and Big Knob Studio+ Monitor Controller/Audio Interface options.

The Studio and Studio+ are 16 or 24 bit.

You may set the Studio and Studio+ to the following sample rates:

44.1 kHz, 48kHz, 88.1 kHz, 96 kHz, and 192kHz

On the back of the Big Knob, next to the USB connector, is a toggle switch labeled USB REC SRC SELECT. Units ship with this switch disengaged, which sends your 2-track monitoring sources to the computer for recording over USB. This means that any source with its associated 2-track button engaged on the top of the unit will be sent to the computer, including the USB source. This can create a feedback loop as the computer records the audio it’s sending back to the Big Knob while recording new material.

If you already have pre-recorded material and are overdubbing more tracks, then you should engage this switch. This will instead send inputs 1 and 2 discretely to the computer, whether or not you’re monitoring the inputs with the associated 2-track button. This causes the unit to function more like a typical audio interface rather than a monitor controller. Alternatively, you can disable input monitoring on the Big Knob’s inputs in your DAW to stop the feedback loop, though you will still re-record any existing tracks in your DAW’s session.

If you have multiple sources that you want to merge before they hit your DAW or are broadcasting various sources without live USB playback monitoring, then you may want to leave the USB Source Selection disengaged on 2-track. If so desired, this allows you to send all 6 inputs as well as USB to your computer simultaneously.

To summarize:
USB Recording Source Select switch disengaged - record any and all sources that are currently being monitored
USB Recording Source Select switch engaged - record only inputs 1 and 2, regardless of monitoring

Play with both switch positions to find which option works best for your application. And, as always, thanks for choosing Mackie!