Mackie Onyx 1620i 16-Channel Premium Analog Mixer with FireWire Interface

zZounds' Take on Mackie Onyx 1620i

When you're recording a band, track count can add up fast. For one thing, that drum kit alone is going to need 6 or 7 mics. And you were planning on tracking the bass direct and miking up the amp, right? That's why the Mackie Onyx 1620i has 16 channels: 8 clear, detailed Onyx mic preamps plus 4 stereo channels that can handle line-level inputs like keyboards or drum machines. Best of all, as part of Mackie's Onyx-i Series, the 1620i has a built-in 16-in/2-out FireWire interface. That's right: with this mixer plugged into your computer, you can send all 16 channels into your DAW software with no need for a separate interface. With the 1620i, you get all the robustness of a Mackie analog mixer, plus complete integration with your digital recording setup. Onyx preamps and high-quality Cirrus converters make the Onyx 1620i a clear winner as the analog front-end for any DAW.

A Robust Analog Mixer

Even if it didn't have a built-in FireWire interface, the 1620i would still be a serious analog mixer. First of all, it's a Mackie -- a company known for tank-like build quality. Mackie boards have long been indispensable in can't-fail environments like broadcast studios, live venues, and mobile recording rigs. Plus, the Onyx name means you're getting Mackie's flagship mic preamps -- 8 of them, in this case. Onyx mic pres are designed for accuracy, transparency, and detail. The first two channels have a dedicated switch for accepting a Hi-Z input like a direct guitar or bass. And every channel has Mackie's "British-style" Perkins EQ, named for the veteran engineer who developed these natural-sounding filters. Because the 1620i is a full-fledged analog mixer, it's an excellent real-time monitoring solution: just use its 4 aux sends to build headphone mixes in the analog domain with zero latency, regardless of what is going on in your DAW.

Send 16 Channels To Your DAW Over FireWire

The Onyx 1620i really starts working its magic when you plug in a FireWire cable. Your 16 channels sail through high-end Cirrus A/D converters, through FireWire, and into your DAW at up to 24-bit, 96 kHz resolution. Each channel has a pre/post-EQ button for the FireWire output, so you can record your tracks with or without the Perkins EQ and inserts applied. For example, if your bassist needs lots of low-end punch in his headphones during tracking, you can kick on his EQ, but press his channel's "pre" button so only the clean, un-EQ'd signal is sent out through FireWire and into your DAW. Or you can insert your trusty hardware reverb for the vocal channel for monitoring, but still record the vocal track "dry." However you set up the routing, FireWire is fully integrated into the Onyx 1620i -- making external interfaces or converters completely unnecessary.

Compatible With Your Rack Gear -- And Your Plug-ins

Got outboard gear? With 1/4-inch insert plugs on the first 8 channels, you can easily insert your favorite hardware compressor on that vocal track. And with 4 aux sends, there's plenty of room to patch in your hardware reverbs and return them to the 4 stereo channels. Now, if you're of more of a plug-ins power user, that's where the 1620i's FireWire integration comes in handy. For example, say you're multitracking a band on the first 12 channels. Press a button to send a "copy" of auxes 1 and 2 out on FireWire channels 13 and 14 -- now you can use a software plug-in as an effects processor while you're tracking, returning the "wet," processed output to the 1620i's last stereo channel for monitoring. And if you'd like to capture the "board mix" in real time off the 1620i's high-headroom summing bus, just press a button to send the main stereo mix out FireWire channels 15 and 16. Flexible routing is the name of the game with the Onyx 1620i.

Ideal For Tracking Live Shows

Because it's so great at integrating with DAW software, we like to think of the Mackie Onyx 1620i as the heart of a home recording setup. But the 1620i is equally capable as the brain of a small PA. For starters, FireWire makes the 1620i perfect for playing music between bands: hit the "Assign to Main Mix" button to play a playlist from your FireWire-connected computer, or assign your FireWire returns to channel 15/16 for background music while the stage mics stay on. And that's just the beginning. If you'd like to record live performances, the 1620i lets you capture up to 16 tracks individually over FireWire -- completely independently of the house mix. And with 4 switchable pre/post-fader auxes, you've got 4 flexible stage monitor sends. There's simply no excuse not to archive your live shows, when setup is as simple as running a FireWire cable from the mixer to your laptop.

All told, the Mackie Onyx 1620i packs a whole lot of power into a very small footprint. You get 8 great-sounding preamps, 4 flexible stereo inputs, Perkins EQ, and built-in 16x2 FireWire integration for your home recording setup. Of course, you get legendary Mackie build quality. And if you're setting up to record live shows right off the board, the 1620i can't go wrong. Try this mixer and replace your cheesy interface with real analog hardware!

Features:

-8 Onyx mic preamps with individual phantom power, plus Hi-Z instrument inputs on channels 1 and 2
- 4 stereo line inputs
- Musical Perkins EQ section on each channel
- Integrated 16-in/2-out FireWire interface at up to 24-bit/96 kHz resolution
- Pre/post switch sends channels to FireWire with or without EQ, inserts pre/post EQ switch on all channels
- Built-in talkback mic
- Tough Mackie build quality throughout

Manufacturer's Description for Mackie Onyx 1620i 16-Channel Premium Analog Mixer with FireWire Interface

The 16-channel Mackie Onyx 1620i FireWire Recording Mixer combines the benefits of a powerful computer interface with the tactile, hands-on control of a sleek, space-saving premium analog mixer. Proven, professional features like eight Onyx mic preamps and classic Perkins EQ only accentuate the mixer's ample connectivity and clear-cut workflow.

The Onyx 1620i allows you to send channels, aux sends or master L/R signals discretely to your Mac or PC for recording. Compatible out of the box with most major DAWs, and qualified for use with Pro Tools(R) M-Powered(TM) 8 via downloadable driver upgrade at Mackie's website It's a premium analog mixer that integrates seamlessly with your favorite DAW.

Features

- Premium 16 channel super compact analog mixer with integrated FireWire I/O
- Qualified by Mackie for use will all major DAWs, including:
-- Logic(R)
-- SONAR(TM)
-- Cubase(R)
-- Ableton(R) Live
-- Final Cut Pro(R)
-- Pro Tools M-Powered 8 (Requires $49.99 USD driver upgrade at www.mackie.com)
- Includes Tracktion 3 Music Production Software for Mac/PC
- 8 mono channels (mono mic and mono line inputs)
- 4 stereo channels (stereo line inputs)
- 8 Onyx mic preamps with sound comparable to boutique preamps
- 4-band Perkins EQ iwth sweepable mids on mono channels
- 3-band Perkins EQ on stereo line channels
- Flexible FireWire routing with up to 16 channels pre/post EQ, aux sends and master L/R routable to computer
- 2 channels of FireWire monitoring routable to either the control room or channels 15 and 16
- 4 independent aux sends with separate pre/post switches
- Selectable instrument inputs on first two channels-no DI box needed
- Individual 48 volt phantom power switches on all microphone inputs
- Talkback section with built in mic and flexible routing
- Planet-Earth switching power supply for worldwide use

Recording and Mixing
Send all channels, aux sends or the master L/R straight to your computer for recording. Pre/post EQ taps on every channel allow you to integrate our renowned Perkins EQ into the record path. Plus, returns from your DAW are assignable to the control room section or straight back into a channel for mix integration.

Powerful Effects Engine
With all aux sends routable to your DAW, Onyx-i allows you to use your favorite plug-in as a realtime effect. Just route an aux send to your DAW, apply the plug-in and assign your DAW outputs to the control room or to a channel strip for instant integration into the mix.

Live Recording
Live sound recording could not be simpler with Onyx-i. The ability to record individual channels either wet or dry allows for studio quality multi-track recordings for later editing and mixdown. Or simply record the main mix, allowing for immediate creation of CDs right at the gig.

* NOW for a very limited time, the driver will be absolutely FREE.

People who purchase Onyx-i mixers will be able to go to http://www.mackie.com and download the Mackie Universal Driver Upgrade completely free of charge. zZounds is an authorized dealer of Mackie products.

Minimum System Requirements For General Use
FOR PC
- Microsoft Windows 7 32 / 64 RTM, Vista 32 / 64 RTM or XP 32 SP 2
- Pentium 4, Celeron or Athlon XP processor
- 512 MB RAM

FOR MAC
- Mac OS X 10.4.11 - 10.6.2
- G4 processor
- 512 MB RAM

Minimum System Requirements For Pro Tools M-Powered 8 Use
FOR PC
- Microsoft Windows Vista 32 SP2 or XP 32 SP 3
- 1GB RAM

FOR MAC
- Mac OS X 10.5.5 - 10.5.8
- 1GB RAM

The following computer systems have been qualified by the Mackie test department for use with all major DAW's including pro tools(r) m-powered(tm) 8. This list does not represent the only systems that will function faultlessly and is intended to be a guide, however we cannot guarantee or support problem free system setup outside of these qualified systems.

For PC:
- HPCP7700P
- Chipset Q963
- Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 @ 2.13GHz
- 2GB RAM
- Ultra ULT40109 8 port FireWire / USB 2.0 card (VIA chipset)

FOR MAC:
- 8-core 3GHz
- Mac Pro (first generation, second revision)
- 4GB RAM
- MFG date April 2007 Power Mac G5

PowerMac (third generation, 7th revision):
- 2x 2.3 GHz

Using your Onyx-i Series Mixer with any other major DAW?
Onyx-i Series mixers are compatible with all major DAWs. This list includes (but is not limited to):

- Logic(R)
- SONAR(TM)
- Cubase(R)
- Ableton(R) Live
- Final Cut Pro(R)
- Tracktion(TM)
- Digital Performer(TM)

Register your Onyx-i mixer with Mackie and you will be given Instructions for the Mackie Universal Driver and Mackie Authorization Application that unlocks your mixer for use with Pro Tools M-Powered 8. The driver purchase allows your registered mixer to work with as many supported computers running Pro Tools M-Powered 8 as you have access to.

Our 30-Day 100% Satisfaction Guarantee applies to the Mackie Onyx Mixer. Buy it, and if it isn't just right for you, return it!

M-Audio Pro Tools M-Powered Recording Software cannot be returned once opened due to copyright law.

Dimensions and Weight in Packaging

Base Item

Shipping Weight: 21 lbs

Shipping Dimensions: 23 x 23 x 10 in