Mackie Big Knob Studio 3x2 Studio Monitor Controller and Interface - 192kHz USB I/O

When they first released the new series I Was curious. I was also happy to see they made a couple variations. I didn't need 3 sets of inputs or outputs, and was happy to see both "studio" models included USB. The bonus for the money is the inclusion of 2 Onyx preamps and having high resolution recording. Honestly I Have never had a need to record above 48k but often find myself using 96k for acoustics and vocals just because I can. 90% of people listening to final mix downs created with 96k v 48k can't tell the difference - especially in the day of low Q MP3s and streaming. Anyhow. I have used the Onyx Pres and recorded direct with the stereo TRS ins from my HX Effects (using IRs). The result has been great. I have had people ask what studio I recorded my tracks in. The other side of the device is also exceptional as well. Having the trim controls in plain sight makes matching levels on both sets of my monitors a breeze, The fast-response LED above the Main knob is very accurate and having buttons which light up to show status is a total win for me as I often hit the Mute button when I walk away for a break and forget I have done so. The headphone outs are very powerful- good enough to cleanly drive a pair of DT770s. I have owned this device since early 2017 and it has yet to fail me.

My experience with the product has been a disaster. Three big problems, and all relate to noise. First, when you shut it down, you must (as Mackie has told me one must) shut your speakers down or off. When you shut it down a huge, frequency-full blast hits your speakers. Second, my unit has a squirrely high frequency static when I turn the knob. It is an odd phenomenon: it does not seem to be anything with the audio signal--rather, perhaps some material in the big knob that interferes with the audio-path circuitry. Worst of all: occasionally, the unit goes into a roar of white noise, full volume, in the left speaker, after the power cycles. The problem lasts for about five minutes. (That is, when you cycle the power again, the sound remains, but after about five minutes, it is back to its normal state.) I love the features and think it sounds good, but these problems are killers for my studio. I did not contact Mackie until too late, post-warranty. They said they might be able to help and sent me some diagnostics, but now they will not replace the unit and are asking me to take it to a service center. My bad, for not reporting the problem earlier, but, still, this unit shipped with some serious problems. And the shut-down noise seems to be present in all units.

Awesome monitor controller and the audio interface is a big plus. A I plug my bluetooth receiver into the stereo input and I'm able to play music from my cellphone without connecting wires.I love it!

With this price you can't beat it with a monitor controller/audio interface hybrid with the ability to record at 24 bit 196 kHz is awesome and you telling me this is under $300 Mackie you have a steel ... clean audio

I bought it for the combination of monitorcontroller and interface.

After waiting on it to arrive for 2 months, I am extremely pleased with the functionality.