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Operation Guide

Oper

ation Guide

11

For example, the DAW’s 1-2 outputs can send the 

main mix to the DAW MIX

inputs on Big Knob, 

and the DAW’s 3-4 outputs can send a custom head-

phone mix to the DAW PHONES MIX INPUT. You 

can then use the PHONES/STUDIO OUTS SOURCE

button to select the mix for the PHONES

and STUDIO OUTS

.

 DAW PHONES MIX Level Switch

This two-position switch sets the input level of the 

DAW PHONES MIX inputs to 4 dB (bal-

anced input) or –10 dB (unbalanced input). Use the 

+4 dB setting for professional equipment or sound-

cards operating at the +4 dBu standard, and use the 

–10 dB setting for consumer equipment or sound-

cards operating at the –10 dBV standard.

 TALKBACK FOOTSWITCH

This 1/4-inch TS connector accepts a standard 

momentary footswitch (normally open), or a mo-

mentary handheld switch such as the Switchcraft 

ED900. This allows a producer standing at a remote 

location to activate the talkback circuit and commu-

nicate with recording talent. 

When an external switch is connected and goes from 

its “normally open” position to its “momentary closed” 

position, the front panel TALKBACK TO 2-TRACKS

and TO PHONES/STUDIO

buttons both acti-

vate, their LEDs illuminate, and the talkback circuit 

is activated just as if someone had physically pressed 

these two buttons. See “Appendix B: Connections” for 

a wiring diagram of the footswitch connection.

OUTPUTS

The following outputs are fed by the “control room 

bus.” This is the signal path fed from the inputs cur-

rently selected with the INPUT SOURCE SELECT 

buttons and routed through the Big VOLUME

Knob.

 MONITOR A OUTPUTS

These stereo 1/4-inch balanced/unbalanced outputs 

connect to the first set of external speakers. You 

can connect these outputs to self-powered speakers, 

or to a power amplifier driving passive speakers. 

 MONITOR A Trim Control

This trim control adjusts the sensitivity of the 

MONITOR A output signal. Use the +4 dB setting 

when connecting to balanced inputs on professional 

equipment operating at the +4 dBu standard, and 

use the –10 dB setting when connecting to unbal-

anced inputs on consumer equipment operating 

at the –10 dBV standard. The trim control can be 

adjusted to any setting between the +4 and –10 

positions if necessary to precisely match the levels 

among the MONITOR A, B, and C outputs.

 MONITOR B OUTPUTS

Works as described above for the Monitor A path.

 MONITOR B Trim Control

Works as described above for the Monitor A path.

 MONITOR C OUTPUTS

Works as described above for the Monitor A path.

 MONITOR C Trim Control

Works as described above for the Monitor A path.

Note:

 The overall level of the MONITOR A, B, and C 

OUTPUTS is controlled by the Big VOLUME

Knob 

on the front panel.

 2-TRACK A OUTPUTS

These stereo 1/4-inch balanced/unbalanced outputs 

connect to the inputs of the first external 2-track 

recorder. This could be a DAT deck, cassette deck, 

reel-to-reel recorder, etc. The signal at these out-

puts is whatever source is selected with the INPUT 

SOURCE SELECT buttons on the front panel.

 2-TRACK A Level Switch

This two-position switch sets the level of the 2-TRACK 

A outputs to 4 dB (out) or –10 dB (pushed in). 

Use the +4 dB setting when connecting to balanced 

inputs on professional equipment operating at the 

+4 dBu standard, and use the –10 dB setting when 

connecting to unbalanced inputs on consumer equip-

ment operating at the –10 dBV standard.

 2-TRACK B OUTPUTS

Works as described above for the 2-TRACK A OUTPUTS.

 2-TRACK B Level Switch

Works as described above for the 2-TRACK A level 

switch.

 DAW OUTPUTS

These stereo 1/4-inch balanced/unbalanced outputs 

connect to a pair of inputs on the DAW audio interface. 

 DAW Level Switch

This two-position switch sets the level of the DAW out-

puts to 4 dB (out) or –10 dB (pushed in). Use 

the +4 dB setting when connecting to balanced inputs 

on professional equipment or soundcards operating at 

the +4 dBu standard, and use the –10 dB setting when 

connecting to unbalanced inputs on consumer equip-

ment or soundcards operating at the –10 dBV standard.

By allowing balanced or unbalanced operation, as well 

as –10 or +4 operation, on an individual basis, you can 

connect any combination of professional or consumer 

2-track recorders and DAW soundcards that you have 

available in your arsenal of audio recording equipment.

Note:

 All three of the above out-

puts (2-TRACK A, 2-TRACK B, and 

DAW) produce the signal selected 

by the INPUT SOURCE SELECT 

buttons on the front panel. These 

outputs require no variable level output controls 

(aside from the +4/–10 switches), since the con-

nected 2-track recorders and DAW inputs typically 

have their own variable input level controls.

Summary of Contents for Big Knob Command

Page 1: ...POWER POWER MUTE DIM MONO TO PHONES STUDIO TO 2 TRACKS LEVEL LEVEL 1 O O MAX O O MAX 2 O O MAX O O MAX TALKBACK STUDIO OUTS INPUT SOURCE SELECT PHONES STUDIO OUTS SOURCE DAW MIX 2 TRACK A 2 TRACK B PH...

Page 2: ...ipment capable of producing high sound pres sure 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 operatin...

Page 3: ...ting 13 Repair 14 AppendixB Connections 15 XLRConnectors 15 1 4 TRSPhonePlugsandJacks 15 1 4 TSPhonePlugsandJacks 15 RCAPlugsandJacks 15 FootswitchPlugandJack 15 AppendixC TechnicalInfo 16 BigKnobSpec...

Page 4: ...e 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 d...

Page 5: ...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 some thing you ve already recorded or a demo track You...

Page 6: ...s 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...

Page 7: ...RACK B Turns on the signals connected to the 2 TRACK B stereo inputs PHONO Turns on the signals connected to the PHONO ste reo inputs INPUT METERS These six segment meters show the signal level of the...

Page 8: ...PHONES STUDIO OUT SOURCE switch described below PHONES 1 and 2 Level Control These rotary knobs control the volume of the stereo signal at the PHONES 1 and 2 headphone connec tors The same signal app...

Page 9: ...lkback MIC and sends its signal to the 2 TRACK A output connectors 2 TRACK B output connectors DAW output connectors TO PHONES STUDIO Pressing this momentary button illuminates the red LED above the b...

Page 10: ...ing DAW MIX signal by 10 dB unity at center detent This allows you to precisely fine tune the incoming level of the DAW MIX input so it matches the signal level of other incoming 2 track sources PHONO...

Page 11: ...necessary to precisely match the levels among the MONITOR A B and C outputs MONITOR B OUTPUTS Works as described above for the Monitor A path MONITOR B Trim Control Works as described above for the Mo...

Page 12: ...e studio per formance space This allows the performers to hear playback without having to use headphones and allows the control room engineer to communicate to the performers through the talkback syst...

Page 13: ...oes away you ll know which input source is causing the problem Sometimes it helps to plug all the audio equip ment into the same AC circuit so they share a common ground WarrantyService If you think y...

Page 14: ...the United States can be obtained through local dealers or distributors If you do not have access to our website you can call our Tech Support department at 1 800 898 3211 Monday Friday normal busine...

Page 15: ...d Tip Hot FootswitchPlugandJack The TALKBACK FOOTSWITCH jack accepts a 1 4 TS plug Shorting the tip and sleeve together activates the talkback circuit This is equivalent to pressing the TO 2 TRACKS an...

Page 16: ...Muted Level Off 90 dB 1 kHz Trim Control Range Input Trim Controls Center Detented 10 dB Output Trim Controls 14 dB to 0 dB Dim Switch 0 dB 20 dB Rated Input Voltage Line Inputs 4 dB Level Setting 4 d...

Page 17: ...are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders and are hereby acknowledged 2004 2009 LOUD Technologies Inc All Rights Reserved INPUT SOURCE S PHONES MIX INPUT OFF ON POWER POWER M...

Page 18: ...NPUT L R L MONO RIAA RIAA TRIM TRIM VDC VDC OFF ON TRIM VDC OFF ON TRIM VOLUME VDC DIM 0 dB 20 dB VDC OFF ON OFF ON R L MONO R L MONO R 4 10 dBV 4 10 dBV 4 10 dBV 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 VDC VDC VDC O...

Page 19: ...ice representative will at its option either repair or replace any such nonconforming product provided that Customer gives notice of the noncompliance within the Warranty Period to the Company at www...

Page 20: ...Red Road NE Woodinville WA 98072 USA US and Canada 800 898 3211 Europe Asia Central and South America 425 487 4333 Middle East and Africa 31 20 654 4000 Fax 425 487 4337 www mackie com E mail sales m...

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