Mackie Onyx 1640 16-Channel Mixer 

Comments about Mackie Onyx 1640 16-Channel Mixer:

I've had the 1640 for about 3 years and use it live and in the studio. If you record to something like Protools it is a "must have" for monitoring at zero latency. I use the 1640's 6 Aux outs for 6 independent headphone mixes. I then come out of one DB-25 out to an M-Audio octane for CH 1-8 and from the other DB-25 out to my 003 Rack for Ch 9-16. Works and sounds like a million bucks. As to the negative reviews about the EQ and faders not effecting the mix to record,it is not something that most engineers do anyway. If you have good mics and take the time when you record you can always (provided your DAW will allow) add or subtract a little EQ later. This is without a doubt the biggest bang for the buck mixer out there IMHO. I would by it again 3 times if I had to.

Comments about Mackie Onyx 1640 16-Channel Mixer:

I dont know how other mixers work, but the fact that the mixer doesn't touch ANYTHING after the gain on the firewire is a godsend. I record into Adobe Audition, and use the mixing to provide monitors and mix-minus (cleanfeed) to skype callers. Its wonderful to be able to record the flat, unaltered sound, and still have the capability to mix for monitors and bleed speakers.Its use case is not of a digital mixer. If you want your faders to effect the digital recording, your looking at adding a zero to the price (though that is changing). If you really want to record the flat sound so you can mix for live and still have a great recorded sound, this is the setup for you.(Note..this mixer doesn't COME with the firewire card, at least it didn't when we got it.)

Comments about Mackie Onyx 1640 16-Channel Mixer:

Mackie Onyx 1640... Mackie's equipment is manufactured, built and supported by Loud Technologies. I purchased the board over a year ago for mobile recording and the power supply assemble failed in January. This unit is built with sub assemblies so changing parts is very easy. My issue with Loud is I ordered a new P/S sub assembly in Feburary and to this day it has been on back order. DO NOT purchase this or any Mackie equipment to use in an enviroment where down time will cost you money. Called on the status of the order today and was told it wont be until September now. Over the course of the past 2 months, I have unloaded all my Mackie gear for other brand equipment.

Comments about Mackie Onyx 1640 16-Channel Mixer:

This mixer does have some unbeatable atributes. GREAT sound, GREAT pres, GREAT EQ's, Six completely independent AUX sends (A real blessing), smooth pan, clean faders, and even FIREWIRE. BUT, buyer beware, if using the Firewire option, you get the initial input sound, and THATS IT! Your fancy EQ's, six AUX sends, pan, and level faders, are ALL USELESS!!!!!!!!!! The firewire option bypasses EVERYTHING but the initial gains! So you have basically bought a $1300 firewire interface with a bunch of useless knobs and faders. Even the return mix from the computer only sends back the LR stereo channels, not even the full 16 for more indipendent mix. I read the manual through, and they NEVER ONCE mentioned this little trick. As far as I'm concerned, it is an advertising GIMMICK! Spend $1300 for our GREAT mixer with GREAT features, and then spend another $400 on our firewire card to go with it and record directly to your PC or Mac, just to render the $1300 worth of potentially GREAT features COMPLETELY useless! This may not be a big deal to many, but to those of us who still like the control and funtionality of physical, outboard, periferals as opposed to the 'electronic' artificial sounding computer enhancements, this is a real thorn in my side.

Comments about Mackie Onyx 1640 16-Channel Mixer:

What can I say about the best firewire recording unit I have ever owned. This unit, as long as you have a fast workhorse computer, does a great job in my studio and Live! I have a Mac Pro with 4GB of ram and I'm recording 16 channels at a time without a glitch...EVER! Knock on wood. I have recorded over 30 live shows with it and have spent endless hours in the studio as well. This board is great and you can make the EQ's send to the recording if you choose to spend a few hundred extra to a company that does it. I recommend the onyx series to any musician no matter what your abilities are. I'm think the 24 channel may be my next purchase once I build my new studio. Keep it up Mackie.

Comments about Mackie Onyx 1640 16-Channel Mixer:

What can I say about the best firewire recording unit I have ever owned. This unit, as long as you have a fast workhorse computer, does a great job in my studio and Live! I have a Mac Pro with 4GB of ram and I'm recording 16 channels at a time without a glitch...EVER! Knock on wood. I have recorded over 30 live shows with it and have spent endless hours in the studio as well. This board is great and you can make the EQ's send to the recording if you choose to spend a few hundred extra to a company that does it. I recommend the onxy series to any musician no matter what your abilities are. I'm think the 24 channel may be my next purchase once I build my new studio. Keep it up Mackie.

Comments about Mackie Onyx 1640 16-Channel Mixer:

I have over 20 years worth of playing/sound tech/sound mixing experience... I don't claim to be a pro, but I know what I know. I got this board with the firewire and BINGO..! I can record entire shows of both bands, and mixdown whatever I want later. Understand that you will need to have a good computer to record onto, I use my laptop. Also, you will need to have a good recording/mixing/mastering software program and the know how to use it. If you have these things, you can mic up any band and if they have a good show, you are gonna have a great cd..! I have NEVER gotten such AWESOME SOUNDING mixes of our gigs. I wish they would let me post an mp3 so you could hear what I'm talking about. Anyway, if you are serious about live digital recording this is a good tool to have.

Comments about Mackie Onyx 1640 16-Channel Mixer:

I have had this mixer for about 6 months. I use it for recording and live shows. I don't worry about EQ until I mix so this is set up just right. I have recorded live shows and this mixer lets me do the live mix with no compromise on the recording direct outs. We should all learn more about microphone placement, if they are fairly good mics you will get the recording you need and have more flexibility to EQ at mix down. For the cost of this mixer its clean yet warm sound makes it a no brainer. Great improvement over typical live sound and recording mixers costing thousands more. Just use it right and it will be a great friend.

Comments about Mackie Onyx 1640 16-Channel Mixer:

When someone asked me the other day about how my ONYX 1640 "sounds", I was a little stumped because this is my first and only mixer. My best answer was, "I've never been able to get it distort" -- and then I thought about how incredible it is that I can say that after hundreds of hours of use, I've never had the mixer add even a hint of distortion to ANYTHING that I've put through it.The first time I used this mixer, I was still a little timid about touching an EQ knob. That changed quickly ? it?s very musical, and has made EQing vocals & instruments a pleasure.Lastly, for those worried about the firewire/DB-25 direct outs being pre-EQ, pre-fader, have no fear. A company called Front End Audio has been approved by Mackie to make the post-fader modification to the ONYX 1640. I don?t have this mod, but I still could record 8 channels post-fader if needed with a little creativity (6 post-fader AUX sends & 2 Sub mixes from channels 1-8 patched into channels 9-16). This also allows me to record any outboard gear through the inserts.

Comments about Mackie Onyx 1640 16-Channel Mixer:

This board is amazing at first glance! It is impressive even to a youngster like me. I grew up with Mackie and I know the "quality" they have. Put simply, This board rocks! I know that the EQ is bypassed through the FireWire card but that is ideal for anyone using the FireWire to their advantage. This board is perfect for live rock your face off shows and the sterile digital recording studios! An amazing first! Congrats Grampa Mackie!