Mackie Big Knob Studio Command System User Manual

5 (3)

Operation Guide

INPUT

OL

8

0

4

8

24

0 = +4dBu

PHONES

1

OO

2

OO

 

INPUT SOURCE SELECT

MIC

 

 

DAW

2-TRACK

2-TRACK PHONO

 

MIX

A

B

 

STUDIO OUTS

OO

POWER

MONITOR SELECT

A B C

TALKBACK

MAX

PHONES/

STUDIO OUTS

SOURCE

MAX

INPUT SOURCE(S)

OFF

PHONES MIX INPUT

ON

MAX

 

 

 

VOLUME

 

 

 

MONO

 

DIM

 

OO

MAX

MUTE

OO

MAX

LEVEL

LEVEL

 

TO

TO

2-TRACKS

PHONES/

 

STUDIO

STUDIO COMMAND SYSTEM

BIG KNOB

Important Safety Instructions

1.Read these instuctions.

2.Keep these instructions.

3.Heed all warnings.

4.Follow all instructions.

5.Do not use this apparatus near water.

6.Clean only with dry cloth.

7.Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

8.Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat.

9.Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type plug. A polarized plug has two blades with one wider than the other. A grounding-type plug has two blades and a third grounding prong. The wide blade or the third prong are provided for your safety. If the provided plug does not fit into your outlet, consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet.

10.Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the apparatus.

11.Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.

12.Use only with a cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table specified by the manufacturer, or sold with the apparatus. When a cart is used, use caution when moving the cart/apparatus combination to avoid injury from tip-over.

PORTABLE CART WARNING

Carts and stands - The Component should be used only with a cart or stand that is recommended by the manufacturer.

A Component and cart combination should be moved with care. Quick stops, excessive force, and uneven surfaces may cause the Component and cart combination to overturn.

CAUTION

AVIS

RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK

DO NOT OPEN

RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE

NE PAS OUVRIR

CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK

DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK)

NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE

REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL

ATTENTION: POUR EVITER LES RISQUES DE CHOC

ELECTRIQUE, NE PAS ENLEVER LE COUVERCLE. AUCUN

ENTRETIEN DE PIECES INTERIEURES PAR L’USAGER. CONFIER

L’ENTRETIEN AU PERSONNEL QUALIFIE.

AVIS: POUR EVITER LES RISQUES D’INCENDIE OU

D’ELECTROCUTION, N’EXPOSEZ PAS CET ARTICLE

A LA PLUIE OU A L’HUMIDITE

The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated "dangerous voltage" within the product’s enclosure, that may be

of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons.

Le symbole clair avec point de fl che l’int rieur d’un triangle quilat ral est utilis pour alerter l’utilisateur de la pr sence

l’int rieur du coffret de "voltage dangereux" non isol d’ampleur suffisante pour constituer un risque d’ l ctrocution.

The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user of the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the appliance.

Le point d’exclamation l’int rieur d’un triangle quilat ral est employ pour alerter les utilisateurs de la pr sence d’instructions importantes pour le fonctionnement et l’entretien (service) dans le livret d’instruction accompagnant l’appareil.

13.Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time.

14.Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as powersupply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped.

15.This apparatus has been equipped with a rocker-style AC mains power switch. This switch is located on the rear panel and should remain readily accessible to the user.

16.This apparatus does not exceed the Class A/Class B (whichever is applicable) limits for radio noise emissions from digital apparatus as set out in the radio interference regulations of the Canadian Department of Communications.

ATTENTION Le présent appareil numérique n’émet pas de bruits radioélectriques dépassant las limites applicables aux appareils numériques de class A/de class B (selon le cas) prescrites dans le réglement sur le brouillage radioélectrique édicté par les ministere des communications du Canada.

17.Exposure to extremely high noise levels may cause permanent hearing loss. Individuals vary considerably in susceptibility to noise-induced hearing loss, but nearly everyone will lose some hearing if exposed to sufficiently intense noise for a period of time. The U.S. Government’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has specified the permissible noise level exposures shown in the following chart.

According to OSHA, any exposure in excess of these permissible limits could result in some hearing loss. To ensure against potentially dangerous exposure to high sound pressure levels, it is recommended that all persons exposed to equipment capable of producing high sound pressure levels use hearing protectors while the equipment is in operation. Ear plugs or protectors in the ear canals or over the ears must be worn when operating the equipment in order to prevent permanent hearing loss if exposure is in excess of the limits set forth here.

Duration Per Day

Sound Level dBA,

Typical

In Hours

Slow Response

Example

8

90

Duo in small club

6

92

 

4

95

Subway Train

3

97

 

2

100

Very loud classical music

1.5102

1

105

Tami screaming at Adrian about deadlines

0.5110

0.25 or less

115

Loudest parts at a rock concert

WARNING — To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this apparatus to rain or moisture.

2

BIG KNOB

Table of Contents

 

Introduction................................................................................................................

4

Getting Started..........................................................................................................

4

Zero the Controls .......................................................................................................................................

4

Connections.................................................................................................................................................

4

Set the Levels ..............................................................................................................................................

5

Hookup.........................................................................................................................

6

Big Knob Features ......................................................................................................

7

Front Panel...................................................................................................................................................

7

Rear Panel....................................................................................................................................................

9

Appendix A: Service Information.........................................................................

13

Warranty Service......................................................................................................................................

13

Troubleshooting.......................................................................................................................................

13

Repair ..........................................................................................................................................................

14

Appendix B: Connections ......................................................................................

15

XLR Connectors ........................................................................................................................................

15

1/4" TRS Phone Plugs and Jacks ...........................................................................................................

15

1/4" TS Phone Plugs and Jacks..............................................................................................................

15

RCA Plugs and Jacks.................................................................................................................................

15

Footswitch Plug and Jack.......................................................................................................................

15

Appendix C: Technical Info ...................................................................................

16

Big Knob Specifications..........................................................................................................................

16

Big Knob Block Diagram.........................................................................................................................

18

Big Knob Limited Warranty..................................................................................

19

Guide Operation

Please write your serial number here for future reference (i.e., insurance claims, tech support, return authorization, etc.)

Purchased at:

Date of purchase:

Don’t forget to visit our website at www.mackie.com for more information about this and other Mackie products.

Part No. 0009001 Rev. B 4/04

©2004 LOUD Technologies Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Operation Guide

3

BIG KNOB

Introduction

Thank you for choosing the Mackie Big Knob, your signal routing and monitoring solution for your DAW-based studio. Big Knob provides a control room matrix and the basic features of an expensive mixer, but tailored for the requirements of your DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) environment. These features include selecting up to four separate stereo input sources, monitoring through three different speakers for A/B/C comparisons, providing a separate headphone mix and a studio output for the talent, and a built-in talkback mic for slate-to-tape and headphone cueing. In other words, it gives you everything you need from a mixer, without the stuff you don’t need!

Another important feature you’ve come to expect from Mackie is pristine sound quality, and Big Knob is no exception. This is studio-quality gear, and we made sure the audio signal suffers no degradation by passing through Big Knob. You can connect this baby between your expensive DAW and your really expensive studio monitors with no reservations. Big Knob will pass the test!

Big Knob is part of the growing family of Mackie computer recording products. Visit our website (www.mackie.com) to learn more about these products and the solutions to your audio and recording needs that Mackie has to offer, or pick up a catalog at your nearest Mackie dealer.

INPUT

OL

8

0

4

8

24

0 = +4dBu

PHONES

1

OO

2

OO

 

INPUT SOURCE SELECT

 

MIC

 

POWER

 

MONITOR SELECT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAW

2-TRACK

2-TRACK

PHONO

 

 

A

 

B

C

MIX

A

B

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STUDIO OUTS

 

 

 

 

TALKBACK

 

 

 

 

 

OO

VOLUME

MAX

 

 

 

 

 

PHONES/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STUDIO OUTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SOURCE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MAX

 

 

 

MONO

 

DIM

 

 

 

 

 

INPUT SOURCE(S)

OFF

OO

MAX

MUTE

OO

MAX

TO

TO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PHONES MIX INPUT

ON

LEVEL

LEVEL

 

2-TRACKS

PHONES/

 

 

 

STUDIO

MAX

 

 

 

Getting Started

Zero the Controls

The following steps will help you set up your Big Knob and get the levels adjusted correctly. Once you have made the connections and adjustments, refer to the Features section for more in-depth information about each input, output, switch, and control knob.

Most of the inputs and outputs on Big Knob have either a trim control or a level switch labeled –10 dB and +4 dB. This actually comes from two standard operating levels that have evolved in the audio industry:

–10 dBV consumer level and +4 dBu pro-

 

 

fessional level. Most consumer equipment with RCA

 

 

connectors operate at the –10 dBV level, while most

 

 

professional equipment with 1/4-inch phone jacks

 

 

or XLR connectors operate at the +4 dBu level.

 

 

As you might expect, the +4 dBu level is higher

 

 

(louder) than the –10 dBV level, so it is important to

 

 

match the input and output levels of Big Knob to the

 

 

equipment you have connected to it. For a Big Knob

 

 

input, the –10 dB setting accepts a smaller signal

 

 

and provides more gain than the +4 dB setting. For

 

 

a Big Knob output, the –10 dB setting produces a

 

 

smaller signal than the +4 dB setting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4

BIG KNOB

 

 

 

1.Turn off the POWER switch on the rear panel.

2.On the front panel, turn the Big VOLUME Knob

and all the LEVEL controls all the way down (counterclockwise).

3.Set all the switches to the up position (front and rear panels).

4.On the rear panel, turn all the trim controls all the way down (counterclockwise).

Connections

1.Connect the supplied detachable power cord to

the AC socket on the rear panel of Big Knob. Set the AC SELECT switch to the correct position that corresponds to the AC voltage you are using (100-120V or 220-240V).

For Monitoring:

2.Connect the audio outputs (stereo mix) from your DAW’s audio interface to the two DAW MIX input jacks on the rear panel of Big Knob.

3.Connect the MONITOR A output jacks on the rear panel of Big Knob to a pair of active studio monitors (or the inputs of an amplifier that is powering a pair of passive studio monitors). These will be located at your mixing position. If you know whether the inputs to the active studio monitors (or amplifier) accept a –10 dBV

(consumer) or +4 dBu input level, set the trim

control above the MONITOR A output jacks to the appropriate position. Otherwise, leave it

at the –10 dBV position for now. You can con-

nect additional speakers to the MONITOR B and MONITOR Coutput jacks so you can hear your mix through different types of speakers.

4.If you have a separate studio for recording,

connect the STUDIO OUTS to a pair of active studio monitors (or the inputs of an amplifier that is powering a pair of passive studio monitors).

These will be located in studio for the talent.

Set the trim control above the STUDIO OUTS output jacks to the appropriate position, or leave it at the –10 dBV position if you’re not sure.

5.If you have a headphone distribution amplifier

for monitoring while recording, connect the PHONES AMP output jacks to the inputs of the headphone amp. Set the +4/–10 level

switch above the PHONES AMP output jacks to the appropriate position, or leave it at the –10 position (pushed in) if you’re not sure.

For Recording

6.Connect the 2-TRACK Aoutputs to the linelevel inputs of any recording device, like a DAT or cassette recorder. This allows you to record

from your DAW to the recorder. Set the +4/–10

level switch above the 2-TRACK A output jacks to the appropriate position, or leave it at the –10 position (pushed in) if you’re not sure.

7.Connect the line-level outputs from the DAT or cassette recorder to the 2-TRACK A inputs.

8.Connect the DAW output jacks on the rear panel of Big Knob to the stereo inputs of your DAW’s audio interface. This allows you to

record from the 2-TRACK recorder back to your

DAW. Set the +4/–10 level switchabove the DAW output jacks to the appropriate position, or leave it at the –10 position (pushed in) if you’re not sure.

Set the Levels

1.With everything off, turn on Big Knob’s POWER

switch first.

2.Turn on all other external power amplifiers, active speakers, and headphone amplifiers.

3.Start playback on your DAW and play something you’ve already recorded (or a demo track). You want to be able to listen to it over the monitor speakers connected to Big Knob.

4.Press the DAW MIXbutton in the INPUT SOURCE SELECT section on the front panel. The LED above the DAW MIX button should light.

5.Press the MONITOR A button in the MONITOR SELECT section on the front panel. The LED above the MONITOR A button should light.

6.If you know whether your DAW’s audio interface output is at a –10 dBV level (consumer) or a

+4 dBu level (pro), set the +4/–10 level switch

for the DAW MIX inputs to the appropriate position. If you don’t know, leave it out (in the +4 dBu position). We can change it later if we need to.

7.Slowly turn up the trim control for the DAW MIX input until you see the meterson the front panel lighting and dancing happily. Adjust the control until the meters are lighting the “0” LED regularly. You want the “+8” LED to light only occasionally, and the “OL” LED to not light at all.

8.If you can’t adjust the trim control far enough to get the signal level up to the 0 and +5 LEDs on the meter, turn the trim control all the way down, push in the +4/–10 level switch for the DAW MIX input, and slowly turn up the trim control again. Now the signal should be strong enough to get the 0 and +5 LEDs to light.

9.Slowly turn up the Big Knob VOLUME control. You should begin to hear playback from your DAW through your studio monitor speakers. Adjust the VOLUME control to a comfortable listening level. If it seems like you have to turn up the VOLUME control all the way to hear

the monitor speakers, turn down the VOLUME control and check to see if the trim control

Guide Operation

POWER

~100-240 VAC

MONITOR A MONITOR B MONITOR C

OUTPUTS

 

 

STUDIO

DAW

 

 

 

SOURCES

 

 

 

ON

50/60 Hz 25W

2-TRACK

2-TRACK

DAW

PHONES

PHONES

2-TRACK

+4dB

2-TRACK

 

 

+4dB

 

 

 

 

 

A

B

OUTPUT

AMP

 

MIX INPUT

 

A

-10dB

 

B

 

 

-10dB

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(MONO)

 

 

(MONO)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U

L

R

U

L

 

R

 

 

-10dB +4dB

-10dB +4dB

-10dB +4dB

+4dB

+4dB

+4dB

+4dB

-10dB +4dB

+4dB

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

L

L

L

-10dB

-10dB

-10dB

-10dB

L

-10dB

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

L

L

L

L

L

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-10dB

+10dB

BAL/

-10dB

+10dB

 

 

BAL/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

UNBAL

 

 

 

 

UNBAL

AC SELECT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAW

+4dB

PHONO

GROUND

 

TALK BACK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-10dB

 

 

FOOT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MIX

 

 

100-120V

220-240V

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(MONO)

 

 

L

R

SWITCH

R

R

R

R

R

R

R

R

R

 

 

 

 

 

U

L

R

U

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-10dB

+10dB

BAL/

-10dB

+10dB

RIAA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BAL/UNBAL

BAL/UNBAL

BAL/UNBAL

BAL/UNBAL

BAL/UNBAL

BAL/UNBAL

BAL/UNBAL

BAL/UNBAL

BAL/UNBAL

 

 

UNBAL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DESIGNED BY MACKOIDS IN WOODINVILE, WA, USA • "BIG KNOB" & "MACKIE" ARE TRADEMARKS OF LOUD TECHNOLOGIES INC. • COPYRIGHT ©2004

Operation Guide

5

Mackie Big Knob Studio Command System User Manual

BIG KNOB

above the MONITOR A output jacks is in the –10 dB position (counterclockwise). If it is, turn the control up to the +4 dB position and then turn up the Big Knob VOLUME control. Now it should get louder, faster.

10.If you have monitors connected to the STUDIO

OUTS , make sure the PHONES/STUDIO OUTS SOURCE button on the front panel is out, and the STUDIO OUTS ON/OFF button is ON (LED above the button is lit).

11.Slowly turn up the STUDIO OUTS LEVEL control on the front panel. You should begin to hear playback from your DAW through your studio monitor speakers. Adjust the STUDIO

OUTS LEVEL control to a comfortable listening level. If it seems like you have to turn up the LEVEL control all the way to hear the studio monitor speakers, turn down the LEVEL control

and check to see if the trim control above the STUDIO OUTS jacks is in the –10 dB position (counterclockwise). If it is, turn the control

up to the +4 dB position and then turn up the LEVEL control. Now it should get louder, faster.

12.If you have a headphone distribution amplifier

connected to the PHONES AMP outputs, you should be able to turn up the volume for each headphone connected to the headphone amplifier and hear playback from the DAW. If it seems like you’re not getting enough volume from the headphone amplifier, turn down all the headphone volume controls on the headphone ampli-

Hookup

MONITOR A

Passive

Studio Monitors

MONITOR B

 

Mackie HR824 or other

MONITOR C

Active Studio Monitors

Powered

 

Subwoofer

Stereo Power

Amplifier

fier and check to see if the +4/–10 level switch

above the PHONES AMP output jacks is in the –10 dB position (pushed in). If it is,

switch it to the +4 position and then turn up the headphone volume control on the headphone amplifier. Now it should get louder, faster.

13.You can connect a pair of headphones to one of the two PHONES jacks on the front panel of Big Knob. Slowly turn up its associated LEVEL control to a comfortable listening level.

14.If you want to record from the DAT or cassette player to your DAW, start playback on the DAT or cassette connected to Big Knob.

CAUTION: See “A Cautionary Note” on the next page to avoid creating a feedback loop through the 2-TRACK inputs and outputs.

15.Push in the 2-TRACK A button in the INPUT SOURCE SELECT section on the front panel and turn off the DAW MIX button. Slowly turn

up the trim control for the 2-TRACK A input until you see the meters on the front panel light. Adjust the control until the meters are lighting the “0” LED regularly. You want the “+8” LED to light only occasionally, and the “OL” LED to not light at all.

16.Make sure the inputs to the DAW are selected for recording. Start recording and the playback from the 2-TRACK A input to Big Knob should be recording in the DAW application. If it seems like you’re not getting enough volume from the 2-TRACK playback, check to see if the +4/–10

level switch above the DAW output jacks is in the –10 dB position (pushed in). If it is, switch it to the +4 position. This will provide a stronger signal to send to your DAW.

Headphones

Reel-to-Reel

Headphone Distribution Recorder

Amp

STUDIO MONITORS

Mackie HR824 or other

Active Studio Monitors

POWER

~120-240 VAC

MONITOR

A

MONITOR

B

MONITOR

C

OUTPUTS

 

 

STUDIO

DAW

 

 

 

SOURCES

 

 

 

ON

50/60 Hz 25W

 

 

 

 

 

 

2-TRACK

2-TRACK

DAW

PHONES

 

 

PHONES

2-TRACK

+4dB

2-TRACK

 

 

+4dB

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A

B

OUTPUT

AMP

 

 

MIX INPUT

 

A

-10dB

 

B

 

 

-10dB

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(MONO)

 

 

(MONO)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U

L

R

U

L

 

R

 

 

 

-10dB

+4dB

-10dB

+4dB

-10dB

+4dB

+4dB

+4dB

+4dB

+4dB

-10dB

+4dB

+4dB

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

L

 

 

L

 

 

L

 

 

-10dB

-10dB

-10dB

-10dB

L

 

-10dB

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

L

L

L

L

 

L

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-10dB

+10dB

BAL/

-10dB

+10dB

 

 

BAL/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

UNBAL

 

 

UNBAL

 

AC SELECT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAW

+4dB

PHONO

GROUND

 

TALK BACK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MIX

-10dB

 

 

FOOT

100V

120V

240V

R

 

 

R

 

 

R

 

 

R

R

R

R

R

 

R

 

 

(MONO)

 

 

L

R

SWITCH

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U

L

R

U

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-10dB

+10dB

BAL/

-10dB

+10dB

RIAA

 

 

 

 

 

BAL/UNBAL

 

BAL/UNBAL

 

BAL/UNBAL

BAL/UNBAL

BAL/UNBAL

BAL/UNBAL

BAL/UNBAL

BAL/UNBAL

BAL/UNBAL

 

 

UNBAL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DESIGNED BY MACKOIDS IN WOODINVILE, WA, USA • "BIG KNOB" & "MACKIE" ARE TRADEMARKS OF LOUD TECHNOLOGIES INC. • COPYRIGHT ©2004

 

 

 

 

 

Turntable

Sound Card

DAT Recorder

Footswitch

LINE

OUTS

1

2

3

4

LINE

IN

MIC

IN

6

BIG KNOB

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