Mackie Big Knob

[makerthemaker]

Just got the Mackie Big Knob and I don't like it, I LOVE IT!!!!!!!
This thing is awesome, it's built like a brick house and for the money it is unbeatable!!!!

[Steve MacMillan]

I'm running a 5.1 monitor system and I use the SPL monitor box. It sounds really transparent. No talkback though.

sm

[cc1]

i just bought a central station for use with a 96IO. the coax-in did not work out of the 96 (but it did from a different unit) - the central station did not work at 96K using optical spdif (which i think is a pro tools thing anyway). i returned the central station -and bought a NHTpro PVC for $100. i'll see how that goes.

rg,
-c

[mostlypost]

I also just picked up an SPL 5.1 controller. I chose it over the active options to eliminate extra DCAs, VCAs and cheap A to Ds. I'm very happy with it's transparency for the album I just mixed and happily sacrificed the feature set of the alternative contenders for a cleaner audio path. Rhythm, orchestra and vocals I recorded at Right Track A509 in New York came up with air and depth and without coloration or hash.

Of course I don't need talkback, down mixing or bass management from the monitor system in my setup.

[Matt_G]

In the higher end market, besides the Crane Song Avocet which isn't completed or priced, Manley Labs also have a new monitor controller in the works which also looks very tasty & will be compatible with full surround options. Get their 2RU Metering block to go along with it & it would be hard to beat.

http://www.manleylabs.com/containerpages/monitor.html

For the moment I have been using the Benchmark DAC-1 as a monitor controller it has 2 headphone jacks & a large detented volume attenuater with RCA or XLR out & 3 digital inputs which are switchable from the front panel. Extremely high quality & one of the best D/A converters available for only $975 USD. That is smart buying & will make your Protools rig sing. In the future I will probably get the Avocet or Manley once prices are set & compare these to the Crookwood mastering bricks.

http://www.benchmarkmedia.com

[btdigital]

http://colemanaudio.com

[cutyhoney]

http://www.studio-tech.com/StudioComm.htm

http://www.martinsound.com/pd_mmo.htm

http://www.martinsound.com/pd_mmu.htm

http://www.i3audio.com/features.htm

http://www.audient.co.uk/asp510main.html


IMO, I think the 'StudioComm Series' from STUDIO-TECHNOLOGIES, INC looks like one of the best monitoring system for DAW.

[IO Composer]

I've been looking for something similar to this but since the Big Knob only has a 4 discrete channel maximum capabability and my studio is surround, it won't work for me. Too bad too cuz it looks super cool.
I'm wondering if there are any opinions on the Behringer Ultralink Pro (MX882) unit. I'm basically just looking to attenuate 6 of the outputs from my 96I/O before it goes into my crossovers and it seems like this would do the trick. I'm literally just going to set my levels to 85db and never touch it again. But...I'm concerned about noise from low quality circuitry. This is just a passive potentiometer, right? Shouldn't mess things up too bad, right?

Any input would be greatly appreciated.
-Jamey

[Nick Batzdorf]

Dangerous makes a great-sounding monitor section with Troisi D/A converters. I'd buy it if I had a spare five grand...

Another option is the old HUI, which has a built-in monitor section that's very comprehensive.