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Studio Forums Main Index On the Bench: Dot's Gear Tests Re: PreSonus Central Station vs Mackie Big Knob|
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2nd kyu |
Hi Folks,
Working from a laptop with no mixer, so I need to pick-up something like these boxes. Has anyone had hands-on experiences with both? Any comments you think I should know about when making a decision? Thanks! Dan |
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5th kyu |
We have the big knob at our studio- it is great. One of those thigns you never knew you needed until you have it. The talkback mic works realyl well, and all sources are routed to where they need to be. Defintiely a cool box. Less expensive than the Central station, which is why we opted for it.
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2nd kyu |
Hey mrufino1,
Thanks. What I wonder about is the passive vs active circuit design. I wonder if there is any discernable difference. One thing I do like about the Central Station is the huge level meter. The problem is that up here in the relative isolation of the New York state northcountry is that there are few "real" music stores, so I dont have the opportunity to A-B them. |
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Shodan |
Hi MickGael,
I opted for a Central Station after doing some research. I paid $400.00 for one on E-Bay. Yes the Meters are great and the sound is good. i haven't used the DA yet but the specs on that are pretty good as well.It is rack mountable as well which i like. Cool blue lights , onobtrusive and sounds great. You can always purchase both the Big Knob and Central Station online and return the one you don't want. I have a friend using the Big Knob and he is happy with it as well. UPS is a wonderful thing and so are the return policies from most online gear venders. I don't know where in the Northcountry you are but Guitar center has a store in Albany. If they carry both it might be worth the drive. Peace, Carl |
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Shodan |
Just checking my sig and avatar...
best, Carl |
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2nd kyu |
Hey Carl,
Thanks! I'm about 3 1/2 hours north of Albany (actually, I am about an hour away from Montreal). It might well be worht a day trip south.  |
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Shodan |
Hi Mickgael,
Your welcome. GC is on Wolf Road in Albany,also a couple of decent stores on Route 9 ,I believe, in Clifton Park on the way down. Parkway Music, http://www.parkwaymusic.com. Pretty nice store run by great local musicians. Best, Carl |
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2nd kyu |
Thanks Carl - that's really helpful!
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5th kyu |
I use the spdf connection for the D/A conversion and prefer it over the analog inputs. Terry |
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Shodan |
Hey Terry,
I still haven't given it a go yet. I am using an EMU sound card (1212) which has good sounding converters(some other things about it are more problematic) but I will give it a go soon. What D/A conversion are you using when you go analog into the Central Station? Carl |
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5th kyu |
Carl, I'm using a Delta1010. Not sure how those compare with your EMU 1212, but going directly into the Central Station via spdf gives improved clarity and imaging. Going analog from the Delta into the Central Station gives a woolier sound that isn't quite as clearly defined. Wish I could tell you more! Terry |
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Shodan |
Hi Terry,
From what I've read I think the Presonus converters have better specs and should therefore have a better sound than the Delta 1010. (I say Should as i have never compared them myself and specs don't always mean everything) Going analog into the Presonus should not color the sound... Pretty much get back what I put through it. I think the fact that the Presonus has D/A converters that are usable and even an improvement is a very cool bonus and something not too many folks seem to mention. Carl |
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5th kyu |
Carl, I should probably clarify a bit. If I go directly from the Delta card into the CS via spdf it sounds better than if I go analog from the Delta breakout box into the CS. Not sure if I was articulate enough on my previous post. Terry |
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Shodan |
Hey Terry,
Using the spidf will bypass the converters in the Delta... sounded clear to me Best, carl |
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Shodan |
sp sp sp spdf
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Sandan |
S/PDIF - Sony/Philips Digital Interface
Sometimes I have trouble remembering how it's spelled too, so I just remember what it stands for.  _____________________________________________ "Human beings, almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so." -Douglas Adams, Last Chance to See |
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Shodan |
Been away... thanx vox. Nice to include the history in the abbreviation. Bet most folks never think about it that way, at least most folks like me
Carl |
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6th kyu |
The Central Station is more transparent sounding since the signal does not run to ic chips like the Mackie. Also it has a remote that you can put on your desk. No wire or cables run to it as you would with the Mackie, so you would have a cleaner setup with the Central Station
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Sandan |
Just a quick point of clarification. Wires do run to the Central Station's remote! It's handy, but it ain't wireless. |
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1st kyu |
I use the Central Station, and I think it's a very nice piece of gear.
I purchased one, and within a couple week's use, I noticed the stereo image was drifting off to the left. It got bad, and I was trimming the pots very extremely to get a balance, but the image was still twisted. It also had troubles with the speaker outs. With A hooked up, B wouldn't toggle on. With A unhooked, B would work fine, and toggle on and off. So I sent it back, and the replacement has been working fine for months now. $460 shipped @ BSW.com Allen I Make Demos, Bitch Studio "Let me turn your dreams into mud" |
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Studio Forums Main Index On the Bench: Dot's Gear Tests Re: PreSonus Central Station vs Mackie Big Knob