Mackie Onyx Satellite

$15.00 Price Tier: Budget

5.0 (1)

3 Critic Reviews

1 Review

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1 saved

Page last updated May 27, 2026

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$15.00 5 available Used

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Average Price: $15

Budget/Beginner

$150

$501+

Price Tier

In the Audio Interfaces category, Mackie Onyx Satellite is priced in the Budget/Beginner range. This is great gear to get started with or for creators on a budget.

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Description

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Discover the Mackie Onyx Satellite, a cutting-edge 2-channel FireWire audio interface designed for musicians who demand both portability and professional-grade sound. This innovative system features a modular design with a Satellite Pod and Base Station, offering the flexibility to record on the go or in your home studio without missing a beat. With its dual Onyx preamps, the Satellite guarantees pristine audio capture, while the 24-bit/96kHz converters ensure high-fidelity sound quality.

The Satellite Pod is bus-powered, making it perfect for mobile recording sessions, and its rugged build ensures it can withstand the rigors of travel. Snap it into the Base Station to unlock additional I/O capabilities, advanced routing, and surround sound mixing. The Base Station also provides talkback functionality and monitor switching, allowing seamless communication and control during sessions.

Whether you're recording vocals, instruments, or a full band, the Mackie Onyx Satellite offers versatile input options and professional features that make it an ideal choice for both budding producers and seasoned engineers. Compatible with both Mac and PC, it integrates smoothly with any ASIO or Core Audio software. Plus, it comes bundled with Mackie’s Tracktion 2 software, offering a complete out-of-the-box recording solution with unlimited tracks, VST support, and much more.

Key Features:

Modular 2-piece FireWire recording system
Dual Onyx mic preamps for superior sound quality
24-bit/96kHz A/D and D/A conversion
Portable and rugged design with bus-power capability
Base Station for expanded I/O and control room functions
Talkback and monitor switching features
Compatible with ASIO and Core Audio software
Includes Mackie Tracktion 2 recording software

Product specs

Brand	Mackie
Model	Onyx Satellite FireWire Audio Interface with Base Station
Finish	Dark Gray
Year	2006 - 2009
Made In	China
Categories	Audio Interfaces
Bit Depth	24-bit
Bus-Powered	Yes
Compatibility	Windows, macOS
Computer Connectivity	Firewire
Electronics	Analog, Digital, Solid State
Format	Desktop Standalone
Number of Analog Inputs	2
Number of Analog Outputs	2
Number of Channels	4
Number of Digital Inputs	0
Number of Digital Outputs	0
Number of Headphone Outputs	2
Number of MIDI Inputs	0
Number of MIDI Outputs	0
Number of Mic Preamps	2
Sample Rate	96 khz
Simultaneous I/O	2 x 2

FAQs

What type of connectivity does the Mackie Onyx Satellite use?: The Mackie Onyx Satellite uses FireWire connectivity, which is designed for low-latency, real-time recording to both Mac and PC systems.
How many mic preamps are included in the Mackie Onyx Satellite?: The Mackie Onyx Satellite includes two Onyx mic preamps, known for delivering superior sound quality for professional recording applications.
Is the Mackie Onyx Satellite compatible with popular DAW software?: Yes, the Mackie Onyx Satellite is compatible with all ASIO- and Core Audio-compatible software on both Mac and PC, making it versatile for various DAWs.
Can the Mackie Onyx Satellite be bus-powered for field use?: Yes, the Satellite pod of the Mackie Onyx can be bus-powered, which is ideal for portable field recording without needing an external power source.
What is the maximum sample rate and bit depth of the Mackie Onyx Satellite?: The Mackie Onyx Satellite supports a maximum sample rate of 96 kHz and a bit depth of 24-bit, ensuring high-quality audio recording and playback.

Videos

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[LetusaTV] MACKIE ONYX Satellite

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AES Vienna Video: Mackie Onyx Satellite

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Mackie Onyx Satellite And Mackie Tracktion: Setting Up Tracktion With The Onyx Satellite

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Mackie Onyx Satellite And Mackie Tracktion: Applying Insert Effects And Exporting Your Track

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Reviews

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Owner Insights

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

Software and compatibility

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Firewire is native through Thunderbolt on OSX, allowing the Mackie Onyx Satellite to be plug and play without additional drivers.
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Successful setup involves using a FW400-FW800 cable with a FW800-Thunderbolt 2 adapter, indicating adaptability to modern Macs with minimal hassle.
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Daisy chaining FireWire devices with Thunderbolt 2 adapters has been noted to work flawlessly for extended recording, highlighting the interface's compatibility with legacy setups.
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Some users experienced issues with FireWire 400 outputs on modern laptops, needing multiple adapters that may affect signal stability.
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Firewire cards compatible with Windows 10 can still be found, but require driver support from Windows 7-era systems.
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Features and functionality

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The A/D converters on the Onyx Satellite can be noisy, which is noticeable with quieter audio sources but manageable with louder inputs.
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Owners appreciate the ability to integrate older gear like the Mackie Onyx Satellite with modern setups through strategic adapter use, maintaining functionality without new purchases.
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The Onyx Satellite's smaller portion remains functional even if the larger interface part fails, providing some continued utility.
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User experience

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Users report stable performance on older MacBook Pros with extended recording sessions, suggesting reliable operation under continuous use.
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Owners have noted scratchy volume knobs on the Mackie Onyx Satellite's smaller portion, indicating potential wear over time.
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Some users reported the larger interface portion of their Mackie Onyx Satellite stopped working after several years, while other parts remained operational.
Source

Critic Reviews

Mackie Satellite

soundonsound.com

The Mackie Onyx Satellite is a stylish and solid audio interface with a unique two-part design that offers good sound quality and useful monitor control functions. However, it falls short with no MIDI or digital I/O options and a somewhat confusing input selection process on the Base Station. While the Pod's portability is a plus for mobile setups, the limitations on audio routing and mixing options may frustrate some users. Overall, it’s a decent choice, but not without its quirks.

neutral

Full Review

Review: Mackie Onyx Satellite — AudioTechnology

audiotechnology.com

Mackie's Onyx Satellite delivers an innovative dual-interface solution that combines portability with practicality, perfect for mobile recording setups. While its design may not win any beauty contests and concerns linger over the durability of its connectors, it excels in functionality, allowing seamless transitions between studio and on-the-go recording. The Satellite's lightweight build and straightforward installation make it user-friendly, particularly for Mac users. However, those needing more inputs or digital I/O might find themselves looking elsewhere. Overall, it represents a strong contender in the portable interface market, balancing convenience with solid performance.

positive

Full Review

Mackie Onyx Satellite review | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

Mackie’s Onyx Satellite stands out with its stunning industrial design and robust build quality, making it a solid choice for studio recording and on-the-go sessions. The two-piece configuration allows for flexible connectivity options, with ultra-low latency and excellent sound quality that meet professional standards. However, it does come with a few drawbacks: it requires mains power with some laptops, lacks MIDI sockets, and has no digital I/O. While these limitations may deter some users, the overall performance and innovative design make it a highly recommended audio interface for those seeking versatility.

positive

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5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 1 Rating

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ghostfader

284

about 6 years ago

Perfect studio/nomad inteface

Mackie products are incredible. The quality of Onyx preamps is well known and this interface is a perfect tool for recording. Use it in nomad environment, go back to home, connect the interface to the dock and you got more outputs and routing possibilities to work in studio. No need to get a Big Knob with this one.

Roles:

Music Producer DJ

Genres:

Electronic Hip Hop Reggae