| Mackie ONYX 1640 Details
TWO YEARS IN THE MAKING - The goal for Mackie's flagship Onyx series of small-format mixers was to bring premium analog sound, expanded features, and streaming FireWire connectivity to both recording and live sound environments. To pull all this off, we started with a team of veteran audio product engineers from the great Pacific Northwest (aka Woodinville, Washington). The Onyx team quickly set out by specifying the highest-quality analog components--from premium op-amps to IC chips costing exponentially more than previous designs. In many cases, we developed components completely from scratch. With Greg Mackie himself steering Onyx mixer layout and design, we took a "real world" approach to the entire process.
ONYX MIC PREAMPS - Because a great mixer starts with great mic preamps, we invested significant R&D efforts into developing our new flagship Onyx mic preamps. These preamps build upon our already-impressive XDR design to meet or surpass expensive esoteric standalone mic pres in terms of fidelity, headroom and transparency—as well as improved radio frequency (RFI) rejection and wider dynamic range.
PERKINS EQ CIRCUITRY - When it was time for the Onyx EQ section, we turned to veteran audio engineer Cal Perkins to develop our new Perkins EQ circuitry—a "neo classic" 3- and 4-band design based on classic "British EQ" circuitry from mixing desks of the '60s and '70s. Cal devised a way to give Perkins EQ that sweet "British console" sound, but with greater filter control and minimum phase shift.
LISTENING TO OUR CUSTOMERS - We rounded out the Onyx 1640 feature set by answering some common requests from our compact mixer customers: adding individual 48v phantom power and balanced direct outputs on every channel; a full Auxiliary section with Pre/Post control; and a new Talkback section with a convenient built-in mic. We even developed a "Planet Earth" switching power supply for worldwide use.
FIREWIRE I/O OPTION CARD - In the category of "Why didn't someone think of this sooner?", we gave the Onyx 1640 an optional FireWire I/O card, which bridges the analog-to-digital gap by providing up to 18 independent channels of high-quality 24-bit/96kHz audio that you can plug right into your FireWire-equipped Mac or PC. And bring a stereo mix back from your computer for monitoring purposes.
Mackie ONYX 1640 Features
- Premium 16-channel/4-bus small-format analog mixer
- 16 new ONYX mic preamps comparable to boutique preamps
- New 4-band Perkins EQ with dual sweepable midrange controls provides warm, musical sound
- 96kHz FireWire option for streaming 18 independent channels of audio to computer with near-zero latency
- 2 channels of monitoring from computer via FireWire option card
- 6 Aux Sends w/ Pre/Post & Solo switches
- 4 stereo line-level Aux Returns
- 4-bus architecture for flexible sub-grouping of channels
- Built-in Talkback section for use w/ internal or external mic
- True hardware EQ Bypass
- "Planet-Earth" switching power supply for worldwide use
- Linear taper 60mm faders with ultra-smooth response on all channels
- Balanced direct outs for every channel via DB-25 connections
- Selectable Instrument inputs on first two channels-no DI box needed
- Rotating I/O pod for desktop or rackmount operation
Mackie ONYX 1640 Applications
- Live Sound
- Recording
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Recording Live Sound!
Mackie ONYX 1640 EQ Modification (Optional)
Standard Mackie Onyx mixers offer no access to the EQ (or insert) from the DB25 or optional firewire outputs. Front End Audio is now stocking and shipping modified mixers that are ready to go right out of the box.
Modification Features
- “Pre-Fader” option places the EQ (and insert) in the recording path when selected, and output to the DB25 & Firewire is before the fader
- “Post-Fader” option places the EQ (and insert) in the recording path when selected, and output to the DB25 & Firewire is after the fader
- EQ (and insert) is still bypassed via the onboard EQ switch
- Does not void standard Mackie warranty
The advantage of pre-fader output is the ability to adjust fader levels and use mutes without affecting the recorded signal, and skips the added fader circuitry for a shortened signal path to “tape”. The advantage of post-fader is the ability to record fader moves and mutes during the recording process if desired.
I personally had mine setup "pre fader" so I can still record live gigs with it and I can control the monitor mix easily without affecting my signal "to tape" (ok hard disk...). – Warren Dent, Front End Audio
If you have special requests give us a call or email us for a quote. All modifications are performed professionally by Sound Lab Recording in Lexington SC, standard Mackie warranty applies as usual plus Sound Lab offers a full 3 year warranty on the modification work! We offer free shipping in the continental US and most Onyx mixers standard or modified ship within 24 hours.
What We Think
Tight and focused, that is the sound of the ONYX line. Great preamps, very useable EQ, the board is quiet and clean…I don’t know what else you would need in a mixer! I use a 1640 for drum recording all the time but the preamps see many other uses, and they sound great on everything! The preamp design is actually above and beyond as Mackie states in their ads and in fact they're but a small step away from Rupert Neve's old AMEK desk preamp designs.These preamps deserve some attention in this price range. A great board at a great deal, and coupled with the Firewire option it’s a dangerous tool for recording in the studio or at your live shows. - Warren Dent, Front End Audio
Other Information
Manual
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