Mackie Onyx Satellite: Opinions?

**Blackbird** · #1 08-13-2007, 03:16 PM

Anyone have one of these? It seems pretty interesting, especially since it comes with dedicated software.

Opinions? Thanks.

Standalone · #2 08-13-2007, 06:49 PM

I've heard negative stuff about it. I think it was mainly reliability stuff. I think that's why they lowered the price on them.

I dig the avatar. One of the saddest things about my hard drive crashing last summer was losing a very hot photo of my wife leaning on the piano with some AKG240's...

Richard Lindsey · #3 08-13-2007, 07:07 PM

I've heard some funky things about that piece of hardware. But that bundled sequencer that comes with it--Tracktion--is IMO a terrific piece of software.

**Blackbird** · #4 08-13-2007, 07:37 PM

Thanks for the replies so far, guys.

What do you mean by Funky, Richard?

Oh, and thanks for digging the avatar. I can look at it for hours.

Sorry about your hard drive crashing. Maybe you could ask the missus for an encore?

Richard Lindsey · #5 08-13-2007, 07:56 PM

I just mean that I've heard of a few people having trouble with the Onyx drivers. But these are anecdotal reports; you'd want to do some more research before coming to any conclusions.

I can comment with more assurance on Tracktion, though, because I've used that for years and love it.

Foamy · #6 08-13-2007, 08:38 PM

Don't do it!!!
The price is good.
However, when I tried it, I got a very high-pitch (like close to 20KHz) noise on my mic channels. They sent a new one, and it had the same problem. They claim to have fixed it in one they were going to ship to me, but I told them to keep it and I bought the PreSonus.
If you buy one, I can make you a real good deal on the carrying case, an extra 6' fw cable and extra power supply. :-)

Let me add.... Tracktion is pretty doggone cool. I still use it for all my recording.

dooft11 · #7 08-29-2007, 03:00 AM

i had been using it for a while, work very smooth with my mac, running garage band and trackion, i love the design as well.

PB+J · #8 08-29-2007, 07:55 AM

I have it and have been using with with my mac laptop--the preamps are excellent, it's hot-pluggable, which is important with a laptop, and it strikes me as a great value for the money. I haven't used the bundled software.

It runs warm to the touch, which was never the case with either the M-Audio 410 I used before, or the Moto Traveler I borrowed from a friend. It sometimes inexplicably will introduce crackles or pops when I start a new recording, but switching it off and on again makes then go away, and it's never ruined a take. I had some compatability issues when Apple introduced OS X10.4.10, but that maybe have been apple's fault, not Mackie's, and it's fixed now. It's been solid for me.

At 199 it's a great deal

Foamy · #9 08-29-2007, 12:05 PM

You guys without mic problems, are you running condenser mics? Or just normal mics? I used only condenser mics which required the 48v. That could've been the issue. The noise could've been coming in on the phantom voltage. This is a serious problem to consider, even if one has no condenser mics at the present - future use of condenser mics could happen after the warranty or return period happens. Then....you're screwed.

PB+J · #10 08-29-2007, 12:11 PM

I've used it with some inexpensive MXR condensers and had not trouble, but I wouldn't say I've had wide experience beyond that.

Foamy · #11 08-29-2007, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PB+J

I've used it with some inexpensive MXR condensers and had not trouble, but I wouldn't say I've had wide experience beyond that.

Hmm...odd.
I say that because mine clearly had a very high-pitched whine. So did the replacement, and then a third one that the guy at Mackie pulled off the shelf.
Oh well, all I can say is buyer beware, ye have beenst warned!

**Bryan R. Tyler** · #12 08-30-2007, 02:18 AM

I decided against getting one after visiting the forums on Mackie's site- the number of complaints having to do with Mackie's drivers and software compatibility seemed troubling, particularly because it was a well-known issue and Mackie wasn't resolving it. At this point a Firepod is nearly the same price- obviously the AD/DA converters aren't going to be as nice, but with a setup as small as an Onyx Satellite would offer you, chances are you don't need super-nice converters for recording, and the Satellite has very little in the way of features or in/outs.