Mackie ONYX mixers

[thehurlatron]

Anyone using these for live or recording?

I'm interested in them, but looking for some opinions.
And I know TB is never lacking opinions

[tommixx]

I have a 1640 that I use for small stuff (like effects returns on bigger mixes) and location records I do on occasion and the pres in it are really great for the money...the EQs are decent and the features are quite good for the money...If you need more than the 16 channels I would suggest the Allen and Heath 2400. It has quite a bit more feature wise and you can pick them up new for under $2,000.00 now. If you go above the $2000.00 range you really can't beat the Midas Venice (about $4,000 for a 24 channel and case)....Hope that helps!

Peace,

T

[thehurlatron]

Thanks for the input!

I'm actually looking to downsize from the Allen & Heath I have currently. We aren't using our own gear for shows anymore. We are using a "smallish" local sound company. For the price they charge, it's cheaper than buying and maintaining our own stuff.

[DblG]

We currently use a VLZ 1604, which I think is set up very similiar to the Onyx. My VLZ isn't too hard to figure out and use, & sounds great as well. IIRC, the Onyx has better preamps in it and can be connected to a computer. A keyboard player who sits in with us now and then tells me that the guy who does his sound for one of his bands uses the Onyx and can record each channel into his laptop for easy editing later on. (that's coming second hand...maybe a more knowledgable user whe is currently using one will clarify this for you)
And that's all I know about it!

gg

[Koushaku]

I don't have one, but I'm planning on getting one in a month or so for my home studio (I want the 1640), the firewire option seems very nice since I work through a computer, and I've heard Mackie pres are really good for the amount of money their equipment costs.

Anyone else have more experience with these boards?

[thehurlatron]

I'm actually not going to be using the firewire card. (I'll save my $400, and it's currently not compatable with Macs with intel chips)

But I'd like to use the DB25 connectors to fan to TRS to go into my MOTU interface.

[tommixx]

Originally Posted by thehurlatron

I'm actually not going to be using the firewire card. (I'll save my $400, and it's currently not compatable with Macs with intel chips)

But I'd like to use the DB25 connectors to fan to TRS to go into my MOTU interface.

I use the DB25's into an Alesis HD24 when I do small live to 2 track or live to multitrack records (I ALWAYS record multi JUST in case!! LOL!) and it works perfectly!

Peace,

T

[Don't_Fret]

I use a 1640 with the Firewire I/O, and I'm building a home studio around it and my G5. Eventually I will upgrade, but it seems like the next studio-quality boards good for hard disk recording are significantly more expensive.

[Munjibunga]

Originally Posted by tommixx

I have a 1640 that I use for small stuff (like effects returns on bigger mixes) and location records I do on occasion and the pres in it are really great for the money...the EQs are decent and the features are quite good for the money...If you need more than the 16 channels I would suggest the Allen and Heath 2400. It has quite a bit more feature wise and you can pick them up new for under $2,000.00 now. If you go above the $2000.00 range you really can't beat the Midas Venice (about $4,000 for a 24 channel and case)....Hope that helps!

Peace,

T

Hmmm ... I paid about $3,200 for my Venice 240, and I've heard of even lower prices. It is a superb mixer with tons of features (like group inserts and direct outs).

Also, a great place to ask this type of question is over at ProSoundWeb in the lounge.

[tommixx]

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

Hmmm ... I paid about $3,200 for my Venice 240, and I've heard of even lower prices. It is a superb mixer with tons of features (like group inserts and direct outs).

Also, a great place to ask this type of question is over at ProSoundWeb in the lounge.

Hey Munji give me a break, I said WITH the case... LOL! Realistically it would be around $3800.00 or thereabouts with a GOOD road case with a doghouse....I have seen them for a little less too IF you can get a dealer to sell you one at Pro Net! The 32 Channel version would set you back about $800-$1000 more depending on the Dealer and the demand at the time...I have 2 of the 32 channel versions and with the GOOD case with the Doghouse I think I paid right at $4800.00 apiece with tax and shipping to me...Quality wise it kills evrything even close to its pricerange and the Onyx is not even in the same ballpark even though they are billing the larger 80 series as the "Midas Killer". The 80 series is nice for the price (near the same as the Midas Venice) considering some of the features included but it doesn't sound nearly as good as the Venice!!

Peace,

T

[Koushaku]

Originally Posted by Don't_Fret

I use a 1640 with the Firewire I/O, and I'm building a home studio around it and my G5. Eventually I will upgrade, but it seems like the next studio-quality boards good for hard disk recording are significantly more expensive.

That's about where I stand...I am building up my equipment, and paying twice as much for the next level of quality just isn't in the budget at the moment (especially since I know, in my case anyway, it would come at the expense of the other equipment I need to get like decent mics, but maybe in a year I could be ready to upgrade.

[Bard2dbone]

I am in this same boat. I am trying to build a home studio on basically NO budget.

The 1640 with the Firewire option looks like a winner to me.

Mostly I'll be doing scratch pad stuff where just a couple of inputs would work. But occasionally I'd like to have the option of being able to track live with other musicians, at least a couple of them, anyway.