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11

Operation Guide

Oper

a

tion Guide

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 activate, 

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 fi rst set of external speakers. You 
can connect these outputs to self-powered speakers, 
or to a power amplifi er 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 fi rst 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 BIGK NOB

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: ...ety 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...

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

Page 4: ...8 24 INPUT PHONES 0 4dBu VOLUME MAX O O GettingStarted 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...

Page 5: ...ctive speakers and headphone amplifiers 3 Start playback on your DAW and play some thing you ve already recorded or a demo track You want to be able to listen to it over the moni tor speakers connecte...

Page 6: ...e 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 head...

Page 7: ...ACK inputs creating a circular loop that results in a terrible howl You must remember to turn off the 2 TRACK INPUT SOURCE SELECT button when recording to your 2 track recorder DAW MIX Turns on the si...

Page 8: ...f the 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 signa...

Page 9: ...TRACK B output connectors DAW output connectors TO PHONES STUDIO Pressing this momentary button illuminates the red LED above the button activates the internal talk back MIC and sends its signal to t...

Page 10: ...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 These stereo RCA unbalanced inputs are fed by the outputs of a...

Page 11: ...ecessary 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 Mon...

Page 12: ...to an amplifier and passive monitors in the studio per formance space This allows the performers to hear playback without having to use headphones and allows the control room engineer to communicate...

Page 13: ...them one by one When the noise goes 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 groun...

Page 14: ...nsible for any damage that occurs due to non factory packaging 5 Include a legible note stating your name ship ping address no P O boxes daytime phone number RA number and a detailed description of th...

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: ...s and are hereby acknowledged 2004 LOUD Technologies Inc All Rights Reserved INPUT SOURCE S PHONES MIX INPUT OFF ON POWER POWER MUTE DIM MONO MIC TO PHONES STUDIO TO 2 TRACKS LEVEL LEVEL 1 O O MAX O O...

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: ...d in the Service section of this manual 5 Contact the Authorized Mackie Service Center to arrange service or bring the Mackie product to them F LOUD Technologies and Authorized Mackie Service Centers...

Page 20: ...16220 Wood Red Road NE Woodinville WA 98072 USA US and Canada 800 258 6883 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 m...

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