So for those of you using multiple studio monitors to reference your mixes, what are you using to switch between them? My SSL 2+ has two pairs of outs but it would be ideal to have just one pair going to some sort of high quality switcher to choose between them. Didn’t Mackie have something like that years ago (“Big Knob” or something)? Is there a more modern solution?
They still do: Big Knob Series Monitor Controller & Interfaces | Mackie (you probably want to check out the Big Knob passive, as it doesn’t have an interface). I’m not recommending it as I’ve never used it, but I’ve always wanted to buy one, because by surname is Mackie and it suits my infantile humour. Probably any passive monitor switcher would be suitable though I think.
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Wow that’s been in production a long time then… thanks for the heads-up. Looks like the passive version is the one.
I was looking into a monitor switch a while back. Presonus do an interesting unit with plenty of I/o too. Worth checking out.
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Unsure if it covers the bases for you
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That looks very impressive but is more device than I personally need. Would be great in a proper studio situation however.
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I liked the multiple source inputs. So I could route the desk through one and still have the ability to plug into the other inputs. I was thinking of the occasions when I don’t want to go through the desk or for A/B comparisons between reference material and the desk/DAW outputs
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Hmmm that is interesting. Can you control that via iOS app? Or do you need to do it on a Mac/PC?
Its a desktop application, but they have a model with LAN access, that is maybe via browser. I use windows - it can store several settings for your monitors (room correction) and it works as switching matrix i.e. 2 stereo in, 4 stereo out. I have an L shaped room with 3 monitors.
With the switching matrix i can reuse the corner monitor to have 2x stereo setup. (1x synth corner , 1x daw) Was cheaper than buying an extra pair. I use genelec GLM though, but i had used it with REW and KRK RP8 before.)
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I use a Presonus Monitor Station V2. It works great, and allows me to switch between three pairs of monitors.
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SM-Pro Passive-1: I had to reseat a connector inside the box once but otherwise does everthing as advertised.
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I’v just ordered the drawmer CMC2.
Seems that the cheap ones al have some issues(light bleed, messing up stereo image at low level etc…)
I will put a review here when I get it installed and tested.
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A little off topic.
I use Mackie Big Knob Passive with a single pair of monitors just because of BIG SMOOTH VOLUME KNOB. Mono, mute and dim buttons are very useful as well.
I didn’t notice any sound differences with this passive block in the sound path.
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So Ive got the Drawmer CMC2 installed
Master out on xlr mixer desk to Input(source) 1 on the CMC2
Stereo out 2 of AI to input/source 2
Speaker outputs A(CMC2) connected to my monitors
Speaker outputs B to hifi stereo amp/speakers
Its small and compact (desktop format), for me its the perfect size
Its one metal box, build like a tank and what I really like are the heavy rubber feet, that thing won’t be push away on your desk, but when you want to move it a bit, you just lift it because its that small light and compact.
The master volume knob is big, had a nice smooth touch and go, just what you expect.
I can definitely set the volume with much more precise.
The mute beneath this big knob only mutes the master volume, not the headphone
but you have a Dim button and with the switch active the output level is attenuated by 20db
The push buttons for selecting the source and the speakers, feels off very high quality, and have a nice back metallic finish, with a led indicator beneath with a brightness not to hard not to soft for on/off
The headphone amp on the cmc2 is clearly better than then the headphone amp of my mixer(Mackie onyx24:4)
I have zero bleed.
Very satisfied, great product if you are in need of a compact monitor control
Compared with for example the mackie big knob( which it’s passive by the way) I’ve noticed the cmc2 is something different, something else 
My only disappointment with mine is that I really wish it had trims per output. My lyd7s are way hotter than either my vs4s or the avantone, annoyingly so, even with the sensitivity turned down.
I have a piano keyboard on a stand at 90-degrees to my desk. My speakers are on the desk, either side of my computer monitor.
When I play the keyboard , the sound comes through those speakers, from the side, which I don’t like. I was thinking I might get a third speaker, so I could have two pairs, switching the center speaker from left to right depending on which pair is in use.
How could I wire this though? I already use a Mackie Big Knob, which can switch between 2 sets of speakers. The problem is, I have Genelecs, which have a single XLR input each. I would somehow need to connect two inputs to one speaker, like so:
Ideas?
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Great time to bump this thread, as I’m looking into similar stuff!
I have the same keyboard/desk setup as you, but my solution was to run two speakers wide- one on the right side of the desk and the other on the left side of the keyboard - and then just drop a Behringer PA on the ground in the middle (a kinda mono, sub-esque center speaker)
It serves me well! I will say, this setup is made for jamming and music listening as well, so I appreciate having the wide monitors and PA speaker to have a nice sound. Probably not the best for mixing, but I’d use headphones for that mostly anyways.
I am using the double main outs on my Mackie mixer to achieve this but something like the Big Knob would really add a lot of flexibility. (not to mention, would be an interface upgrade)
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I’m lusting after Heritage Audio’s smallest switcher for my modest setup:
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/BabyRAM--heritage-audio-baby-ram-2-channel-monitoring-system
They make bigger ones, too.
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You not only need to switch side speakers between each other, but your middle speaker should act as left or right one depends on the switch state. Otherwise, stereo image will be flipped.
I don’t have exact solution which you’re looking for, but I would look at patchbay and change routing manually in this case. The only problem here is you want to mute your speakers when you switch them to avoid loud clicks. Patchbay can’t do that.
Another common solution is an additional pair of small speakers for the piano. Something like iLoud Micro.
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