- Set up the Big Knob Studio as an audio interface on Mac<\/strong><\/a><\/li>
- Set up the Big Knob Studio as an audio interface on PC<\/a><\/strong><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nRegister the Mackie Big Knob Studio series<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Before we dive in, the first thing to do is to register your Big Knob Studio or Big Knob Studio+ with Mackie. The device is registered, you\u2019ll receive a free an exclusive Mackie plug-in package, Waveform OEM, as well as the DAW Essentials plug-in collection.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n\n- Log into your Mackie account<\/a>. If you don\u2019t have one, you can create one here<\/a>.<\/li>
- Click the Register New Product<\/strong> tab, then click the green Register New Product<\/strong> button.<\/li>
- On the next page, type Big Knob, select either the Big Knob Studio+<\/em> or the Big Knob Studio<\/em>, then click Register Product<\/strong>.<\/li>
- Fill out the necessary information, then click Register!<\/strong>
- Once registered, licenses for all of the software will appear in your Mackie account.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
![\"Mackie-Registration-page\"](\"https:\/\/www.sweetwater.com\/sweetcare\/media\/2020\/10\/Mackie-Onyx-Registration-page-1024x643.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nClick the image to register your Mackie Big Knob Studio<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nReturn to top<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nDownload and install the drivers (Windows users only)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The Mackie Big Knob and Big Knob Studio+ are both class-compliant on Mac computers, which means no additional driver software is necessary. However, if you\u2019re using a Windows PC, you\u2019ll need to download its driver from the Mackie website beforehand. Follow the instructions below to download the driver. If you\u2019re a Mac user, skip this section and continue to Mackie Big Knob Studio series setup and connections<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n\n- Go to the Mackie\u2019s Big Knob series product page<\/a>.<\/li>
- Click Downloads<\/strong>, and download the latest version of the Mackie USB driver.<\/li>
- Connect your Big Knob Studio to your computer, then power it on.<\/li>
- Navigate to your Downloads <\/em>folder, extract then launch the installer, then follow the on-screen instructions.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
![\"Big](\"https:\/\/www.sweetwater.com\/sweetcare\/media\/2021\/01\/Big-Knob-Studio-product-page-1.png\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nClick the image to download the driver for your Mackie Big Knob Studio<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nReturn to top<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nMackie Big Knob Studio series setup and connections<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The Mackie Big Knob Studio series is a handy, powerful tool in the studio, and it has tons of flexibility when it comes to input and output connections. The hardware setup is a breeze, which means you’ll be making music in no time! The setup procedure is the same with both devices, but the Big Knob Studio+ has additional connections that we’ll cover here, as well. To give you an example of how things should be connected, check out their diagrams below. For detailed descriptions of the different connections available, be sure to check out the Mackie Big Knob Studio series manual<\/a> for more information!
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n- Connect your instrument(s) or microphone(s) to the inputs. <\/li>
- Disengage phantom power (+48V)<\/em> before connecting condenser or ribbon mics as it can result in a pop that could potentially damage speakers. To be on the safe side, turn the channel’s gain all the way down as well.<\/li>
- (Optional)<\/em> Connect line-level outputs to source inputs 3 and 4. Inputs 3 and 4 accept both the \u00bc” jacks on the back and the \u215b” jack on the front.
- You can have devices connected <\/em>to both simultaneously, but the outputs can’t be used<\/em> at the same time. The \u215b” connection will take precedence over the \u00bc” connection.<\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Connect your monitors to the Monitor <\/em>output jacks. If you only have one set of monitors, connect them to the Monitor A <\/em>output.<\/li>
- Begin performing and adjust everything so it’s at a comfortable listening level.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nAdditional Big Knob Studio+ connections<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
If you own a Big Knob Studio+, there\u2019s an additional Studio\/Phones Amp<\/em> output jack that can be connected to either an input of powered studio monitors or to an external headphone amp (with multiple headphone inputs)<\/em> to accommodate more headphone connections. Please note that if the headphone amp\u2019s levels are not affected by the volume or control knobs on the Big Knob Studio+. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n![\"Big](\"https:\/\/www.sweetwater.com\/sweetcare\/media\/2021\/01\/Big-Knob-Studio-setup-example.png\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nMackie Big Knob Studio setup diagram<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n![\"Big](\"https:\/\/www.sweetwater.com\/sweetcare\/media\/2021\/01\/Big-Knob-Studio-setup-example-1.png\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nMackie Big Knob Studio+ setup diagram<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nReturn to top<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nUpdate your computer’s sound settings<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
One great thing about the Big Knob Studio series that sets itself apart from the rest is that you can use it as a recording interface, as well! If you do plan on using your Big Knob Studio series as an audio interface, the last thing you’ll need to do is update your computer’s sound settings. Most apps that aren’t DAWs are done from Sound Settings<\/em> (Windows) or Sound Preferences <\/em>(Mac). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
When using your interface with a DAW, you will need to choose the Mackie Big Knob Studio from the Playback Engine or Audio Settings window within your DAW. You can switch between record modes using the 2-Track <\/strong>switch on the back of the unit. If 2-Track <\/em>is engaged, only <\/strong>channels 1 and 2 are recorded. If it’s disengaged, both the inputs and the Big Knob Studio’s monitor outputs will be recorded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Follow these steps to select the Big Knob Studio series interface as your computer’s audio playback device.
<\/p>\n\n\n\nSet up the Big Knob as an audio interface on Mac<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n\n- From the Menu <\/em>Bar, click the Apple <\/strong>icon and select System Preferences<\/strong>.<\/li>
- Click Sound<\/strong>.<\/li>
- Under the Input <\/em>and Output <\/em>tabs, select the Big Knob Studio as your interface.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nSet up the Big Knob as an audio interface on PC<\/p>\n\n\n\n
IMPORTANT<\/strong>: You can use the Big Knob Studio series as an interface with any software supporting the ASIO and WDM driver protocol. However, it does not <\/strong>support aggregate devices (i.e., ASIO4ALL)<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n- Right-click the Speaker <\/strong>icon on the Windows taskbar and select Open Sound Settings<\/strong>.<\/li>
- Use the dropdown boxes in the Input and Output sections to select the Big Knob Studio as the default input <\/em>and output <\/em>device.<\/li>
- While in the Sound Settings menu, we highly recommend disabling Exclusive Mode to ensure the best performance possible. Check out our guide to learn how to disable Exclusive Mode<\/a>.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nBig Knob Studio not showing up as an audio interface?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If your computer isn\u2019t detecting your Big Knob Studio series as an interface, disconnect, then reconnect it. If the problem persists, try using a different USB port on your computer or a different USB cable. Also, be sure to visit our Windows <\/a>and Mac<\/a> guides for more tips on resolving audio interface issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n![\"TS](\"https:\/\/www.sweetwater.com\/sweetcare\/media\/2017\/11\/TS-Interface-Windows-UPDATE-Hero-1024x536.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLearn more about resolving audio interface issues on Windows<\/a>! <\/p>\n\n\n\nLearn More<\/a>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\n![\"Mac](\"https:\/\/www.sweetwater.com\/sweetcare\/media\/2019\/09\/Mac-Sound-Audio-Device-Solutions-Hero-1024x536.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLearn more about resolving audio interface issues on Mac<\/a>! <\/p>\n\n\n\nLearn More<\/a>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nReturn to top<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nRelated content<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLearn more about optimizing your Windows 10 computer for music production<\/a>! <\/p>\n\n\n\nLearn More<\/a>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLearn more about optimizing your Mac computer for music production<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\nLearn More<\/a>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLearn more about how loud you should mix<\/a> in the studio! <\/p>\n\n\n\nLearn More<\/a>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":1766696,"template":"","categories":[],"tags":[308034,44165,54779,54343,305462,36524,133283,308035],"storecat":[],"itemids":[149495,149496,270442],"manufacturers":[33516],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\t\n
- Use the dropdown boxes in the Input and Output sections to select the Big Knob Studio as the default input <\/em>and output <\/em>device.<\/li>
- Click Sound<\/strong>.<\/li>
- Connect your monitors to the Monitor <\/em>output jacks. If you only have one set of monitors, connect them to the Monitor A <\/em>output.<\/li>
- (Optional)<\/em> Connect line-level outputs to source inputs 3 and 4. Inputs 3 and 4 accept both the \u00bc” jacks on the back and the \u215b” jack on the front.
- Click Downloads<\/strong>, and download the latest version of the Mackie USB driver.<\/li>
- Go to the Mackie\u2019s Big Knob series product page<\/a>.<\/li>
- Click the Register New Product<\/strong> tab, then click the green Register New Product<\/strong> button.<\/li>
- Set up the Big Knob Studio as an audio interface on PC<\/a><\/strong><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n