monitor management hardware?

darrell · Post by **darrell** » Fri Oct 09, 2015 11:20 am

Hi all,

I'm interested in experiences with/recommendations on console-top monitor management hardware, eg. Big Knob, etc. What I would like to purchase is something with the most pristine output to the speakers at a reasonable price. For instance, a Dangerous Music product would be great, but way over my budget.

Thanks!
Darrell A.

mikehalloran · Post by **mikehalloran** » Fri Oct 09, 2015 12:00 pm

There is no 'one size fits all' answer, here. It depends on what you are trying to do. Sweetwater has 65 listed from $89 to $6,250.
http://www.sweetwater.com/c417--Monitor_Management

I've seen the Big Knob in more studios than I care to count. It's as close to the industry standard workhorse as you will find.
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/BigKnob

I have used the Behringer MiniMON for a couple of years, now and it is much better than I expected it to be. I liked the control layout. It may be discontinued but I found mine for $40 on eBay.
http://www.music-group.com/Categories/B ... 3/Features

Then there's the simplicity of the TC Electronic Level Pilot. It doesn't have Mute, a -20dB switch or Mono summing – three essential features to me (but I am not you). But if you like the idea of a big passive knob, this is the ticket.
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/LevelPilot

The Radial MC-3 is very popular for a passive unit that does the job.
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MC3

The two PreSonus units, likewise, are very popular.
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MonitorStatV2
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/CentralStPl

OTOH, if you need a 5.1 surround controller, there are other choices. My MOTU 828mkII has done that duty for me on occasion as well.

labman · Post by **labman** » Fri Oct 09, 2015 2:20 pm

Have tried many. The only two that fit our sonic qualifications were SPL MTC 2381, which is just superb, and the i3audio Mission Control, which is great and clean. (I have one I am not using in my new rooms) Big Knob has great phone amp but pretty difficult to calibrate dead on. Not a fan.

magicd · Post by **magicd** » Fri Oct 09, 2015 2:24 pm

Gotta give props to the Big Knob. I've had one for years and it's one of the most practical bits of gear in my studio. Even has a phono preamp.

Dave

YouTube · Post by **James Steele** » Sat Oct 10, 2015 12:43 am

I have a Presonus Central Station and remote. Happy with it.

philbrown · Post by **philbrown** » Sat Oct 10, 2015 6:52 am

I had the Big Knob for years and after it went belly-up I got a PreSonus Monitor Station V2 which I think is quieter and a bit more transparent. Obviously there are even better ones out there for more money.

buzzsmith · Post by **buzzsmith** » Sat Oct 10, 2015 10:12 am

James Steele wrote:I have a Presonus Central Station and remote. Happy with it.

Me, too.

Buzzy

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

mikehalloran · Post by **mikehalloran** » Sat Oct 10, 2015 10:43 am

philbrown wrote:I had the Big Knob for years and after it went belly-up I got a PreSonus Monitor Station V2 which I think is quieter and a bit more transparent. Obviously there are even better ones out there for more money.

Do you still have that Big Knob?

I have yet to find the old piece of Mackie gear that I couldn't revive by taking it apart, burnishing all the internal connectors and reassembling it. Not saying it will always work but has so far...

monkey man · Post by **monkey man** » Sun Oct 11, 2015 9:37 am

The Monkey Method™ in its entirety entails

1) Scratching one's head, then butt
2) Spraying Caig DeoXit™ in haphazard fashion in general vicinity
3) Jiggling, turning or toggling button or knob
4) Scratching random area of body whilst waiting 1 minute
5) Jiggling, turning or toggling button or knob once more

Repeat steps 2 to 5 until device works.

HCMarkus · Post by **HCMarkus** » Sun Oct 11, 2015 9:40 am

MM works great for me. Key ingredient: DeOxit.

PS: Monitor Station user here. Better living through science.

darrell · Post by **darrell** » Mon Oct 12, 2015 9:19 pm

Thanks everyone!

Basstrup · Post by **Basstrup** » Tue Oct 13, 2015 4:24 pm

I like the functionality of the Presonus Central Station w the remote. However I am not happy with the sound. Some else mentioned the SPL which is good, I have settled on the Coleman Audio RED 48 http://goo.gl/K626oI. Which also works as a summing tool.

crescentoon55 · Post by **crescentoon55** » Tue Oct 13, 2015 6:29 pm

I have the NOS McONE Standard which is passive but wonderful to use. It does not color the sound. They will be releasing a powered unit soon. http://www.zenproaudio.com/brands/New-O ... d-Ltd.html
Also mammoth cave audio out of Denver has some really good products... http://mammothcaveaudio.com/products/

mikehalloran · Post by **mikehalloran** » Tue Oct 13, 2015 7:19 pm

crescentoon55 wrote:I have the NOS McONE Standard which is passive but wonderful to use. It does not color the sound. They will be releasing a powered unit soon. http://www.zenproaudio.com/brands/New-O ... d-Ltd.html
Also mammoth cave audio out of Denver has some really good products... http://mammothcaveaudio.com/products/

Ooooh... Knobs, step and toggle switches. Reminds me of my radio days. I like!

darrell · Post by **darrell** » Wed Oct 14, 2015 8:50 pm

The Mammoth Cave stuff looks really cool! Any experiences with this stuff, anyone?

MOTUnation.com

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