Anyone have one of these? It seems pretty interesting, especially since it comes with dedicated software.
Opinions? Thanks.
Opinions? Thanks.
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Mackie Onyx Satellite: Opinions?
- Thread starter Blackbird
- Start date
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...
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...
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.
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? 
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?
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.
I can comment with more assurance on Tracktion, though, because I've used that for years and love it.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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
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- May 3, 2002
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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.
