Mackie

collapse expand iconDescription

The Mackie Big Knob passive monitor controller is an innovative solution for controlling studio monitor volume with precision and ease. Comprising high-quality components in a rugged yet compact design, this monitor controller provides seamless switching between two pairs of monitors, mute, mono and dim functions, and a high-resolution stepped volume attenuator for exact level control. Connect up to four monitors for versatile A/B comparison in your creative space.

High-Resolution Volume Control

The Big Knob passive monitor controller's high-resolution stepped volume attenuator allows for precise 0.5dB increments, giving you 64 steps of attenuation for exact volume control. Set levels for an accurate mix balance between your monitors with this high-quality stepped potentiometer.

Seamless Monitor Switching

Easily compare your mix on up to two pairs of monitors with this monitor controller's front-panel monitor select buttons. Switch between monitor sets with no delay or "popping" for seamless A/B evaluation.

Essential Monitoring Functions

In addition to precise volume control and switching, this monitor controller provides mute, mono and dim buttons for full monitoring functionality. Mute your monitors for silence, check your mix in mono to ensure balance, or temporarily reduce volume up to -20dB with the dim function.

Rugged and Compact

Housed in a rugged yet compact steel chassis, the Big Knob passive monitor controller is built to withstand the rigors of studio use while saving space on your desktop or rack. High-quality components provide signal integrity and clarity.

Mackie Big Knob Passive Monitor Controller
Mackie Big Knob Passive Monitor Controller
Mackie Big Knob Passive Monitor Controller

collapse expand iconFeatures

  • Simple 2x2 monitor controller
  • Choose between two sources and two monitor pairs
  • Classic Big Knob volume control
  • Professional mono, mute and dim functions
  • Pristine audio quality
  • Passive audio path with no power supply needed
  • Sturdy “Built-Like-A-Tank” design

Featured Articles

collapse expand iconReviews

4.25

12 Reviews

73%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend

Most Liked Positive Review

5

Really handy piece of kit.

I love the Mackie Big Knob. Also I couldn't find anything else on the market that does it's job, except for possibly something all the way in China. I have my studio laptop going to input A, and my tv going to input B so it doubles as a home theatre speaker controller. I bought Mackie Cr5x monitors and have another set of Bose desktop speakers to switch between. This is so great to do A / B speaker references. You can only listen to either speaker set A or B at a time, that's for better referencing. For home theatre I had to run an additional output direct from the tv to speaker set A so I can hear both speaker sets together. Still not bad because this isn't even designed for home theatre. I don't know what I would do without this, and the knob feels smooth as melted butter. Now if I can only get up from watching tv to produce a track!

VS

Most Liked Negative Review

3

Just a let down to me

I had high hopes that this would be the perfect unit for my home setup, I am extremely disappointed with the sound deterioration when using it... The sound is darkened, or lower, and I can't explain why because there is really nothing fancy about it... no converters or transistors, so that's strange. I want to keep it because it is straight forward, compact, and serves two very good purposes which is convenient volume control and speaker comparison... and it's priced good. But I am sending this one back... sound is far more important... when I hook the speakers directly to my MOTU what a difference...

Filters

Best Uses

  1. Home Studio9
  2. Amateur Recording5
  3. Professional Recording5
  4. Outdoor Events / Games1
  5. Pro Audio / DJ / Mixing1

Cons

  1. Poor Sound Quality2

Describe Yourself

  1. Experienced8
  2. Professional Musician3

Pros

  1. Easy To Use10
  2. Compact9
  3. Durable8
  4. Good Audio8
  5. Versatile3
  • Seemless, no level or quality loss for me!

    5

    Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

    submitted2 years ago

    byOtto

    fromWhitehall, PA

    Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

    These monitor selectors are getting harder and harder to find at a reasonable price. So far, this has worked amazingly well to switch between my Genelec & KRK's. No popping at all. Easy to setup in seconds, and plenty of on the fly options.

  • Really handy piece of kit.

    5

    submitted4 years ago

    byTony O.

    fromBloomfield Hills, Mi.

    I love the Mackie Big Knob. Also I couldn't find anything else on the market that does it's job, except for possibly something all the way in China. I have my studio laptop going to input A, and my tv going to input B so it doubles as a home theatre speaker controller. I bought Mackie Cr5x monitors and have another set of Bose desktop speakers to switch between. This is so great to do A / B speaker references. You can only listen to either speaker set A or B at a time, that's for better referencing. For home theatre I had to run an additional output direct from the tv to speaker set A so I can hear both speaker sets together. Still not bad because this isn't even designed for home theatre. I don't know what I would do without this, and the knob feels smooth as melted butter. Now if I can only get up from watching tv to produce a track!

  • Sound quality way down

    2

    submitted5 years ago

    byDirty

    fromSan Jose ca

    Bothers products to help me switch between multiple monitoring functions and speakers to be able to switch back-and-forth from Yamaha studio monitors as a second reference and main Adam audio three-way speakers as soon as I plug this product in The sound quality went down more than 75% as supposed to just using audio interface only good thing about this product is the knob size other than that not worth it

  • Didn't work for me

    2

    submitted5 years ago

    byD

    fromBeaverton, OR

    Overall this product is a nice quality for the price and exactly what I needed for my setup to A/ B between my two monitor sets. However the loss of volume is far too much to where in order for me to have it where I need it I need to crank my Adam studio monitor volume knobs and that causes the tweeters to hiss louder. Returned and I'll be upgrading to a powered monitor controller.

  • Does EXACTLY what I need it to do!

    5

    submitted5 years ago

    byJC

    fromHagerstown, MD

    This is a perfect addition to my home studio. I wanted a switch that would let me sample 2 different sets of studio monitors. I am using a Clarett 4 PRE going into an iMac with Bose S-1's and Kali LP6 monitors. I wanted the ability to switch back and forth. The Big Knob has 1 large knob for volume control. Then switching for: A/B monitor source, mono, must, and a dim switch to instantly reduce the volume. Exactly what I wanted. Heavy and built extremely well. Also....no noise introduction from adding it to the chain between the Clarett and the computer. Happy with this purchase.

  • Better than I initially thought...

    4

    submitted5 years ago

    byHu...

    fromTexas

    I did an initial review that I was taking it back to GC because it "colored" my sound and dampened it... after reading other comments out there in the web and watching YouTube I found that I needed to make changes to my equipment settings... which is odd because this thing is"passive".. but suddenly it started sounding as clear as if it wasn't there at all... I ultimately love this piece of gear and I wil be keeping it... I give it "4" stars because it should have sounded just like my original mix without doing anything else, because it is "passive"... I do recommend the Mackie BigKnob passive because it does not color sound (once you make seeing changes, mostly volume adjustments in your interface), it has the primary functions that you need like volume control within reach, speaker comparison, and mute... and it doesn't take up alot of real estate on your desk top... lastly the price for what you get is unbelievable... Hopefully it will last longer than my Mackie MCU Pro mixer did 🤣😂🤣😂

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collapse expand iconQ&A

Have a question about this product? Our expert Gear Advisers have the answers.

  • asked byJeffrey

    fromAustin, TX

    I need to attenuate a turntable with built-in preamp running to a set of studio monitors. Nothing else in the mix of components. Could I run unbalanced line-level into the Big Knob Passive and feed XLR to the balanced inputs of the Yamaha HS5's? Or do I need to convert unbalanced to balanced with something first?

    I need to attenuate a turntable with built-in preamp running to a set of studio monitors. Nothing else in the mix of components. Could I run unbalanced line-level into the Big Knob Passive and feed XLR to the balanced inputs of the Yamaha HS5's? Or do I need to convert unbalanced to balanced with something first?

    Open Reply - Thomas
    If you don't need balanced, you can run it
  • asked bycc

    fromny

    What is it used for? For recording?

    What is it used for? For recording?

    Open Reply - Charles
    This is for use in a recording studio to route up to 2 audio sources to 2 different pairs of studio monitors.
  • asked byDJ D.A.

    fromFort Pierce, Fl.

    Can you play both A & B outputs at the same time?

    Can you play both A & B outputs at the same time?

    Open Reply -
    No you cannot. There is an output switch that is either A or B not both.
    Open Reply - billtrego
    No, it's one or the other.
    Open Reply - johnwesley1
    No you cannot. There is an output switch that is either A or B not both.