Big Bang Orchestra: Dorado Percussion Ensemblesis a virtual instrument with a library consisting of six percussionists playing together in the large hall at Synchron Stage Vienna. The performers used a wide assortment of skin and metal percussion instruments to record monster drum sounds, thunderous toms, and smashing crashes of epic size designed to lend power and drive to any track for film and game scoring, trailer music, or sound design.

The instruments were lined up at three main positions onstage (left, center, right). All positions, with one or two instruments each, were played at once and recorded with multiple microphones, including an overhead mic for every stage position and close mics for every instrument.

By combining and balancing the frequency spectrums of various instruments and experimenting with placement in the room, the team achieved powerful and fresh sounds that capture human liveliness and musicality—not only when striking in fortissimo, but also at softer, more subtle volumes.

The software is compatible with Mac and Windows and operates in AU, VST, and AAX formats.

Monster Drums and Snare Ensemble    Thunder Toms, Super Crashes, and More    Six Percussionists Playing Together    Skin and Metal Percussion    AU, VST, AAX, and Mac/Windows

Monster Drums—Left/Center/Right 

• Huge Taiko (Odaiko Simonsen, 53"), Big Bass Drum (Kolberg), Big Surdo (Meinl)
• Big Taiko (36"), Small Bass Drum (Lefima), Small Surdo (Meinl)

Bass Drums—Left/Center/Right 

• Medium Taiko (Original, 20"), Small Bass Drum (Lefima), Medium Concert Tom (Yamaha, 12")
• Big Taiko (Original, 36"), Big Bass Drum (Kolberg), Big Concert Tom (Yamaha, 16")

Thunder Toms—Left/Center/Right 

• Small Concert Tom (Yamaha, 8"), Medium Concert Tom (Yamaha, 12"), Big Concert Tom (Yamaha, 14")
• Small Concert Tom (Yamaha, 10"), Medium Concert Tom (Yamaha, 13"), Big Concert Tom (Yamaha, 16")

Special Drums—Left/Center/Right 

• Big Surdo (Meinl), Big Temple Block (Original), Log Drum (Kolberg)
• Medium Taiko (Original, 20"), Mridangam (Original), Small Surdo (Meinl)

Snare Ensemble—Left/Center/Right 

• Snare Drum (Aural), Field Drum (Aural), Snare Drum (Kolberg)

Suspended Cymbals—Left/Center/Right 

• Medium Suspended Cymbal (Zildjian, 16"), Small Suspended Cymbal (Zildjian, 12"), Big Suspended Cymbal (Zildjian, 18")

Super Crashes—Left/Center/Right 

• Big Piatti (Meinl, 22"), Medium Piatti (Zildjian, 20"), Small Piatti (Zildjian, 16")

Big Metal—Left/Center/Right 

• Big Tam-tam (Wuhan, 120 cm), Low Plate Bell - C2 (Kolberg), Big Suspended Cymbal (Zildjian, 18")
• Small Tam-tam (Wuhan, 50 cm), Medium Plate Bell in F#4 (Kolberg), Anvil (Kolberg)

Small Metal—Left/Center/Right 

• Big Triangle (Kolberg), Small Jingle Ring (Kolberg), Big Suspended Cymbal (Zildjian, 18")
• Small Triangle (Kolberg), Big Jingle Ring (Kolberg), Medium Suspended Cymbal (Zildjian, 16")

• The close-mic positions of each percussion group can be independently adjusted in the integrated mixer of the Synchron Player, giving you more freedom to modify your overall percussion sound.
• 6 levels of reverberation and additional processed presets are offered for each microphone setup: Close, Classic, Wide, Distant, Ambient, and Wet.
• Change the level, panning, delay, and EQ settings for each channel. You can also insert any of the built-in FX plug-ins to further optimize your sound.

• You can select from a variety of articulations and their variations including ringing or secco (damped) single hits, played tightly or loosely between the musicians of the ensemble, with hard or soft beaters, one to four upbeats, and rolls, as well as crescendo rolls in various lengths.
• The included collection of MIDI loops can be played with the Synchron Player’s internal MIDI player.

Factory mixer presets are based on the room microphones, leaving the section microphones disabled. Section microphones can be added to emphasize certain instrument groups.

• Room Mix Presets: Based on a room mix created from all available room microphones.
• Stereo Decca Tree Presets: The Decca Tree is the microphone tree that is the heart and soul of every orchestral recording. It consists of a main stereo channel and a mono center channel, which capture the details of the room from the conductor’s perspective.
• Surround-to-Stereo Presets: Offer the massive sound of all available room microphones, including the Decca Tree mics down-mixed to a stereo signal.
• Surround Presets: With your Synchron Player inserted as a surround plug-in in your DAW, these presets provide the starting point for your surround setup.
• Processed Presets: Use the integrated compressor to achieve an even more powerful sound.

• Main (Decca Tree stereo)
• Main (Decca Tree center)
• Main surround stereo
• High stereo
• High surround stereo
• Overhead center
• Overhead left
• Overhead right
• Percussion center close
• Percussion left close
• Percussion right close

Related Questions and Answers

Q: 1. How mush weight will it hold?

A: It is designed for smaller cameras and camcorders. The weight rating is not listed but it should be able to support 2-3 pounds.

Q: 2. Does this unit come with cables?

A: The Mackie Big Knob Passive Studio Monitor Controller does not include any cables.

Q: 3. Can this be mounted on a lightstand like this one #IMLS96HABI, If yes how? With the help of an adapter or something?

A: The knuckle offers a 5/8" and 3/8 opening in order to attach to the top of a light stand.

Q: 4. Will it convert unbalanced to balanced?

A: This passive monitor controller accepts and outputs cables with either balanced or unbalanced connections, but it does not actively convert signals from balanced to unbalanced or visa versa.

Q: 5. Is this too heavy for a manfrotto 1052bac?

A: It is compatible but if you use it extended it might tip. And in general I would use it with a sand bag.And if you do you should use it with another grip.Note that an arm like that is not made for heavy items like studio strobes. It is really made for cards, gobos and smaller lights like speedlights.For heavier items it is best to use a boom. And those can be boom arms, boom kits or boom stand combos. But the boom arms you should use a heavier and stronger stand.

Q: 6. What is the payload at minimum extension?

A: Unfortunately, the manufacturer was not able to provide a load capacity at the minimum extension. However, they state that being that boom can hold up to 13.2 lbs at maximum extension, it would have the ability to hold much more at the minimum.

Q: 7. Is the DAW Essentials built in? If not, how are those options accessed?

A: The Mackie Big Knob Passive Studio Monitor Controller includes Waveform OEM software and the DAW Essentials Collection, which features 16 contemporary FX plugins including EQ, Compression, Delay, Limiter, Flanger, and more. The software can be downloaded from the manufacturer's website and the URL will be provided.

Q: 8. It says it has a 44lb payload capacity, is this at 90 Degree tilt also? I'm looking to use this as an overhead rig with a RED Cine Package on a dana dolly.

A: the max load capacity reflects it;s max load capacity even at close to the 90 degree angle maximum extension, As with all thing of this nature I'd recommend you test it personally before committing you camera package to it on a shoot

Q: 9. What option would I need to add a microphone thread to the end of this arm? Wanting to add a shotgun mic to this setup. Thank you!

A: You can use this mount. https://bhpho.to/3dG5PyW

Q: 10. Are these compatible with the Mini Mombo?

A: No. The wheels will only accommodate the following systems. Hollywood Combo Double Riser PN 369673 Hollywood Combo Double Riser Aluminum PN 369764 Hollywood Combo Triple Riser PN 366165 Hollywood Sky Hi Combo Triple Riser Steel PN 366065 Hollywood Combo Low Boy Double Riser PN 366066