Main

Mackie 406M Powered Mixer (Mono, 500 Watts)

This mixer is designed to run all night into brutally low impedances and sound clean even when driven hard. Mackie starts with a massive toroid transformer and 2 unusually large storage capacitors with 720 joules of energy storage capacity. In fact, the PPM power supply is so robust that it can run on as little as 80 volts at the end of a long, skinny extension cord during a brown-out. Then they add their Fast Recovery circuitry that reduces latching distortion so PPM Series mixers sound good even when driven well into clipping. Also included is an SCR crowbar circuit for speaker protection. Learn More...

    • price too low to show!
Write a Review:

Overall User Ratings

Overall:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10

Individual User Ratings

Overall:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * . . . 7 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10

Feature:
This is the first professional-looking powered mixer I'd used so I didn't know what to expect. I would have rated this section higher had it had the ability to provide separate monitor mixes (volume levels) for two guitarists. This model doesn't so I'll be looking to upgrade soon. If it had that ability, and was a bit higher-powered, I doubt I'd be getting rid of it so soon.

Quality:
No complaints about the quality.

Value:
I bought the thing used. For the price I paid (about $450.00) I'd say it was good quality. Like some other people I wish it had more power. Another reason I might upgrade.

Sound:
Sound seems ok to me. Though I believe the sound quality from my (acoustic) guitar has more to do with the quality of the guitar processor I use. But the Mackie does a good job of faithfully reproducing that good sound.

Support:
I've never had to use their service but I'll rate it high because I rarely hear from anyone who has had a problem with Mackies support.

Overall:
Other than not having separate monitor mixes, and it needing a bit more power, I'd hold on to it. As it is I need to look at an alternative for the reasons stated.

Do You Agree? Was This Review Helpful to You?

yes

no

Overall:
* * * * * * * . . . 7 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * . . . . 6 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10

Feature:
High quality sound processer. Also has built in compressor, tho I don't notice any difference in the sound when it is activated.

Quality:
I have used this unit 3-4 nights a week and have had no problems with it at all. I would say the quality is there.

Value:
This mixer is a high quality reliable unit, but is is drastically underpowered for the price. I paid 579.00 for it new. Mackie advertises it at a 500 watt amp, which is true, but that is at 2 ohms. Its probably closer to 100 watts per channel at 8 ohms. There are many other reliable units with much more power and equal number of features for much less money.

Sound:
Sound quality is outstanding even when pushing unit to the limits.

Support:
have not had to deal with customer support.

Overall:
Nice features, good quality, just needs more power and a better price.

Do You Agree? Was This Review Helpful to You?

yes

no

Overall:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * . . . 7 out of 10

Feature:
The oversized cooling fins I think are a feature concidering I have used fan cooled systems and this runs quieter.

Quality:
So far everything is working as advertised. I do wish there was a quieter "break switch" though. It makes a pretty good POP when activated.

Value:
Good price for what you get. heavy duty little unit.

Desirability:
Unit looks good. i like the way it has the handle built into the side of it for ease of transporting

Sound:
Sounds ok. I use it with a recorded Bass and drum track at live perfrmances and it had performed ok so far. Wish I would have gotten the next size up though.

Support:
No comment as I have had no problem with this unit.

Overall:
I will gve it a 8 for overall.

Do You Agree? Was This Review Helpful to You?

yes

no