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Average Price: $412

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Description

Dive into the world of crystal-clear audio with the Mackie Onyx 1620 - your studio and stage companion that packs a punch with its pristine Onyx mic preamps and seamless Firewire connectivity. Perfect for both recording and live settings, this mixer blends high-quality sound, versatility, and ease of use in a compact package. Whether you're laying down tracks or mixing live, the Onyx 1620 ensures your audio is nothing short of exceptional.

Key Features:

  • 16 channels equipped with eight Onyx mic preamps for superior sound quality.
  • 24-bit/96kHz conversion for studio-grade recordings.
  • Comprehensive Firewire routing with pre- and post-EQ assignment for flexible connectivity.
  • Four auxiliary sends and onboard DI for the first two channels, catering to various audio routing needs.
  • Perkins four-band EQ with sweepable mids, allowing for precise sound shaping.
  • 60mm individual and master faders for accurate control.
  • 48V phantom power switches on each mic channel to accommodate all types of microphones.
  • Built-in talkback section for easy communication between the booth and the stage.
  • Universal "Planet Earth" power supply for worldwide use without the need for voltage adapters.
Michal Patulski

Michal Patulski

another try on s6000/mpc60 plus live mixing on Mackie Onyx 1620

Video thumbnail for another try on s6000/mpc60 plus live mixing on Mackie Onyx 1620 by Michal Patulski

another try on s6000/mpc60 plus live mixing on Mackie Onyx 1620

Michal Patulski

Michal Patulski

Video thumbnail for Riparazione Mixer audio Makie Onyx 1620 by Matteo Rossi

Riparazione Mixer audio Makie Onyx 1620

Matteo Rossi

Matteo Rossi

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Mackie onyx 1620.

Features and functionality

  • The Onyx 1620 only records stereo mix to SD card; levels must be set perfectly before recording as post-adjustments are not possible.

    Source
  • It features 12 preamps, including 2 that can be Hi-Z, though it lacks the ability to record separate tracks to SD card.

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  • The 1620i requires high gain levels for optimal input into DAWs like Logic, highlighting a need for careful adjustment during setup.

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  • The only FireWire return is labeled FW 1-2, which can be monitored in the Control Room Source or assigned to channel 15/16.

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Comparisons

  • The Onyx 1640i, an older model, supports 16-channel simultaneous firewire recording, which newer models like the 1620 do not offer.

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  • The Tascam Model 16 is suggested for those prioritizing multitrack recording to SD, despite offering fewer stereo channels.

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  • The 1620i is more of an analog mixer with home interface capabilities, whereas the 1640i offers more extensive digital-to-analog conversion options.

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Software and compatibility

  • Firewire connectivity on older models like the 1640i is being deprecated in Windows, affecting long-term usability.

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  • Installing Windows 8 drivers on Windows 10 systems has been reported to allow the Onyx 1620i to function correctly despite official support limitations.

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  • Users have successfully run the Onyx 1620i on Windows 10 by using the latest available driver version, despite the lack of official compatibility.

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  • It's possible to retrofit the Onyx 1620i for Windows 10 operation, although this may require some experimentation with driver installations.

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Use cases and applications

  • The 1620i is noted for its utility in recording dialogue on movie sets, indicating versatility beyond traditional music studio applications.

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User experience

  • Users often reroute audio through an external channel (e.g., 1/8"-RCA on the 12th channel) due to issues with output not returning via FireWire.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Mackie Onyx 1620

soundonsound.com

Mackie's Onyx 1620 Mixer impresses with its robust build and user-friendly design, offering a warm, musical sound through its high-quality mic preamps and newly designed EQ. The optional Firewire interface makes it an excellent choice for DAW integration, providing a streamlined workflow with minimal fuss. However, the lack of a mono button and the use of D-Sub connectors for direct outputs might be drawbacks for some. Overall, the Onyx 1620 stands out as a versatile and well-engineered mixer, particularly when paired with the Firewire card for seamless digital recording.

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4.5 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 3 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
H

Great 16 channel interface

I see a lot of conflating in these reviews. The 1620 has 16 channels in; 18 if you include the stereo mix it sends as well, with FireWire option card. It is not the same product as the 1620i. I’ve been using it on Macs since its release, and it has never had a problem. No driver needed on Mac. It has 8 xlr’s with 48v and 4 stereo TRS channels adding another 8 inputs. Each channel with XLR also has a line input with TRS. The first two channels have a hiz switch for instruments.

jimmarchi1

You can mix some stuff live with this.

I repeat my 1620i review:

Sounds like a mackie with passable mic and line amps and watered down soundcraft EQ This was a cheap solution when I needed more than my rane and ashly line mixers could provide me like stereo returns for aux sends etc.... it mixes my live keybaord rig and FX. The Eq is tolerably okay and sounds vaguelly british in the toft/soundcraft/A&H vein, but not as good. Its not good or bad but tis harder to screw up your sound than with any other mackie. I've tried the mic preamps, they're not actually awful. The board imparts zero coloration unless you use the EQ and it ahs lots and lots of headroom like an old 8 bus or CR series, better than a vlz in that regard. DO NOT OVERLOAD A MACKIE. Worst clipping ever. They specialize in cheap and clean because you can't make 'em this cheap and get pleasant and gradual harmonic distortion from your busses. Totally serviceable stage mixer. Could do monitors.... wouldn't try FOH with it unless it was essential to be portable. This mixer is light for what it is...

You can't kill a mackie unless you sledgehammer it or immerse it in a pool for a week. Mine was dropped by the 1st owner, works fine. Its just dented. Does its job and nothing else.

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