Good small monitor controller.

[Arpangel]

I’m now using my Motu and it’s out the way, studio is bigger,, all over the place, plus, a menu 3 pages in for output volume is not something I want to struggle with when making urgent volume adjustments.
I need a small maybe 2 in 2 out max monitor controller, good quality, with a nice big volume knob.
Any recommendations? as it’s something I’ve never really looked at or needed before.

[CS70]

The Drawmer is the usual recommendation but I've been using a passive M-Patch 2 for a few years before switching to my current controller, and big fat knob it has. It served me well and I have no problem recommending it.

[Arpangel]

The Drawmer is the usual recommendation but I've been using a passive M-Patch 2 for a few years before switching to my current controller, and big fat knob it has. It served me well and I have no problem recommending it.

Thanks a million, would that be one of these?

https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/sm-pro-m-patch-2

Trouble is can’t seem to find one anywhere, I’ll keep looking!
I’ve seen the Mackie Big Knob Passive too, don't know what that’s like?

[Kwackman]

Thanks a million, would that be one of these?

https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/sm-pro-m-patch-2

Trouble is can’t seem to find one anywhere, I’ll keep looking!

They're now made by/badged JBL M-Patch 2

https://jblpro.com/products/m-patch-2

Dunno if they're still available though.

[CS70]

Yeah exactly!

https://jblpro.com/en/products/m-patch-2

But Kwackman is right as they seem to have disappeared from the big distributors, so maybe there's just some remaining stock or you have to look in the second hand market.

[CS70]

For the Mackie Big Knob, I remember vaguely that the active version is noisy, the passive isn't. Something written by Hugh here sometimes, I think..

[Arpangel]

Thanks all, looks like the JBL is cool, but it’s a pricey, what about the the Nano Patch? the Big knob seems out of stock.

[Hugh Robjohns]

Dunno if they're still available though.

It appears to have been discontinued!

If Tony just wants a simple large volume control without all the other facilities of a monitor controller, then the TC Pilot X is a good bet at £46 or so. Balanced XLRs in and out. Keep your cables short between interface/pilot/speakers, and job done. (NB Do NOT get the Pilot C!, and the X is in stock at BAX.)

https://www.bax-shop.co.uk/studio-monitor-controller/tc-electronic-level-pilot-x-xlr-speaker-volume-controller

Or there's the JBL Nanopatch+ at £67. One currently in stock at Gear4Music...

https://www.gear4music.com/Recording-and-Computers/JBL-NanoPatchand-Volume-Controller/1GW0?origin=product-ads

I sometimes use a Nanopatch if I need a quick and easy passive volume control... but the TC is supposed to use a Bourns pot so might be better balanced...

[Arpangel]

Thanks Hugh, job done indeed, looks like it’ll fit the bill.

PS, just ordered it Hugh, delivered next Friday.

[blinddrew]

I was looking at the TC volume knob before a loan of a more comprehensive controller (thank you!) convinced me that having mono, sides, phase, and multiple inputs all added some value.
I went with a Drawmer and am very happy with it.

[Music Wolf]

I have a Nanopatch kicking around somewhere, it worked fine. I also have one of these

https://www.thomann.de/gb/swissonic_m_control.htm Which I would put between digital mixer and FOH speakers so that I had some physical control in case of emergencies when mixing from the stage.

[Martin Walker]

The Drawmer is the usual recommendation but I've been using a passive M-Patch 2 for a few years before switching to my current controller, and big fat knob it has. It served me well and I have no problem recommending it.

Thanks a million, would that be one of these?

https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/sm-pro-m-patch-2

Ah, my review of the M-Patch 2 always brings back warm memories, partly because it was one of the few occasions where SOS used a photograph I took during the review

Martin