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Description

Elevate your studio setup with the Mackie Onyx 800R Preamp, a powerhouse of versatility and premium sound quality. This 8-channel rackmount preamp is designed for professional-grade recording sessions, offering both analog and digital outputs at up to 192kHz. Whether you're outfitting a home studio or upgrading a professional rig, the Onyx 800R delivers exceptional clarity with its ultra-transparent preamps, ensuring each note and nuance is captured with stunning accuracy.

What sets the Onyx 800R apart is its adaptability. With variable impedance on select channels, you can tailor the preamp to match your microphone's unique characteristics, making it an ideal choice for everything from ribbon to tube mics. The integrated Mid/Side decoder further enhances its versatility, perfect for sophisticated stereo recording techniques that capture a rich, expansive soundstage.

Convenience meets performance with front-panel mic/line switches and instrument inputs, eliminating the need for additional direct boxes. Each channel is equipped with individual controls for low cut, phase, and phantom power, giving you complete command over your audio environment. Built with audiophile-grade components and a rugged design, the Onyx 800R is built to withstand the rigors of both studio and live applications.

Key Features:

  • 8-channel 1U rackmount mic preamp with Mackie's flagship Onyx preamps
  • Variable microphone input impedance for precise preamp tuning
  • Simultaneous analog and 24-bit/192kHz digital output via AES/EBU, ADAT, and S/PDIF
  • Front-panel mic/line switches and instrument inputs
  • Individual low cut, phase, and phantom power control on every channel
  • Premium components and durable build quality

Product specs

Brand Mackie
Model Onyx 800R 8-Channel Mic Preamp with A/D Converter
Finish Dark Gray
Year 2004 - 2009
Made In China
Categories AD/DA Converters, Microphone Preamps

FAQs

What type of connections does the Mackie Onyx 800R Preamp offer?

The Mackie Onyx 800R Preamp features eight XLR/TRS combo inputs and ADAT optical outputs, providing versatile connectivity for various studio setups.

Does the Mackie Onyx 800R Preamp include an A/D converter?

Yes, the Mackie Onyx 800R Preamp includes an integrated 24-bit A/D converter, allowing for high-quality digital conversion of your audio signals.

Is the Mackie Onyx 800R suitable for recording multiple instruments simultaneously?

Absolutely, with its eight channels, the Mackie Onyx 800R Preamp is ideal for recording multiple instruments or microphones simultaneously, making it a great choice for larger setups.

What is the sound quality of the Mackie Onyx 800R Preamp like?

The Mackie Onyx 800R Preamp is known for its clean sound, impressive headroom, and dynamic range, making it suitable for professional recording applications.

Can the Mackie Onyx 800R handle ribbon microphones?

Yes, the Mackie Onyx 800R is designed to handle a wide range of signal levels, including microvolt-level signals from ribbon microphones, without adding noise.

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AES Vienna Video: Mackie Onyx 400F, 800R

Video thumbnail for AES Vienna Video: Mackie Onyx 400F, 800R by gearwire

AES Vienna Video: Mackie Onyx 400F, 800R

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Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Mackie Onyx 800R Preamp.

Features and functionality

  • The Mackie Onyx 800R provides reliable performance over ADAT, working well in combination with RME interfaces for additional analog inputs.

    Source
  • Some users appreciate the Mackie Onyx 800R for its transformerless design, which provides clean sound without coloration during normal use.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Users compare the Mackie Onyx 800R favorably to the RME ff400, noting it as a solid choice for expanding input capabilities without sacrificing quality.

    Source
  • Mackie Onyx preamps in the 800R are preferred over the older Mackie VLZ series for cleaner sound without distortion.

    Source
  • For those looking for clean gain, the Mackie Onyx series is often compared favorably against other brands in its price range, such as Focusrite and MOTU.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The 800R is particularly effective when used with RME Fireface interfaces for those needing to expand their setup with more analog inputs via ADAT lightpipe.

    Source
  • Mackie Onyx 800R is praised for extra drum preamps, especially beneficial for users expanding their setup with ADAT.

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  • The Mackie Onyx 800R is noted for providing sufficient clean gain for ribbon mics, which require more gain than typical dynamic mics.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners report the Mackie Onyx 800R offers reliable gain settings without the constant need for adjustments, making it user-friendly.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Mackie Onyx 800R

soundonsound.com

The Mackie Onyx 800R Preamp impresses with its robust construction and high-quality sound, combining eight Onyx preamps with a 24-bit/192kHz A-D converter in a compact 1U rack. Praised for its transparency and low distortion, it offers flexible connectivity with both analog and digital outputs. The unit boasts useful features like an M&S decoder and DI inputs, but falls short with no word-clock output and rear-panel M&S selection. Despite minor quirks, such as questionable A-D alignment, the Onyx 800R delivers a class-leading performance at a surprisingly affordable price, making it a top contender for those seeking versatile, high-quality preamps.

positive

Mackie: Onyx 800R 8-channel mic preamp | Tape Op Magazine | Longform candid interviews with music producers and audio engineers covering mixing, mastering, recording and music production.

tapeop.com

The Mackie Onyx 800R is a versatile and cost-effective 8-channel mic preamp that delivers clean and accurate sound. It's packed with features, including a Mid/Side decoder, 192kHz A/D converters, and DI inputs, making it a Swiss Army knife for studios. The preamps handle transients well and provide a modern, neutral tone, although they can be musically overdriven for certain sounds. Some drawbacks include limited LED level indicators and inconvenient Mid/Side decoder access. Despite these minor issues, its price and utility make it a great addition for budget-conscious studios seeking reliable performance.

positive

4.5 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 3 Ratings

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lucas_conforti

LOVE IT

awesome pres! every channel has phase, 48v and low cut. Impedance selector on first 2 channels. perfect gain staging.

perfect for drums and high SPL guitars cabs.

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