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Trying to decide between Mackie Big Knob and Behringer Studio M as a first Passive Monitor controller

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Herbert
(@herbert)
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Title is self explanatory, but yeah they are both around $70. i know Big Knob is more well known but i heard a few negative things from some people but also a ton of positive things about Big Knob as well. and also some people saying the Behringer is as good or better. both same price.


   
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Charles
(@charles)
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What about Palmer Monicon and RCF MC-1, they are both similarly priced and from more renowned manufacturers?


   
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McKeddie
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I don't mess with Behringer after their recent shenanigens. I found the Big Knob to be a bit colored. I've since been using a cheap SSL2 interface with integrated monitor controls, much cleaner for my ears.

   
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Zara Godson
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I don't mess with Behringer after their recent shenanigens. I found the Big Knob to be a bit colored. I've since been using a cheap SSL2 interface with integrated monitor controls, much cleaner for my ears.

   
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Jasoned
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No experience with the ones you are considering other than reviews on the Big Knob years ago (which IIRC colored the sound at that time??), but may I recommend the Baby R.A.M. by Heritage Audio? I bought that to replace a NanoPatch passive controller which did alter (dull) the sound. The difference is quite noticeable and you get clean sound with a passive device, mute, mono, dim, and it handles 2 sets of monitors. It is built like a tank, with a metal body.

   
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Herbert
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Posted by: @mckeddie
I don't mess with Behringer after their recent shenanigens. I found the Big Knob to be a bit colored. I've since been using a cheap SSL2 interface with integrated monitor controls, much cleaner for my ears.

I thought passive controllers have zero coloring? are you talking about the Active big knob XL?

 


   
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Roberta
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I use the Behringer Monitor2USB with XLR cables (no usb). I compared it to the SPL 2 control which they *ahem* based it on, and there was literally no difference to my ears. Ethics aside, I'm extremely impressed.

   
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Herbert
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The whole debate about big knob is so confusing because on some places on reddit people will say its perfectly usable , does not color sound since passive, and they use it for year, and then here or other places, people will say the opposite, and it colors sound, lowers quality, starts making noise, breaks.
I am a professional, allbeit in an untreated room with monitors that are not great (very good headphones), i am more on the writing/production side than engineering/mix/master, but i still don't want a monitor control to alter my sound in any way versus direct to interface connection so i guess i will look elsewhere.
What about the Heritage Baby Ram? its $149 instead of $69 Big Knob, but it has a Stepped volume control that people say doesn't have the issues that the rotary knob has on the Big KNob?


   
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