An alternative to the Onyx 1200F?

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NashBackslash

NashBackslash

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I am really excited about the Mackie Onyx 1200F (more info at http://www.mackie.com/products/1200f/splash.html) but it seems like it's going to be awhile before it comes out.

What I really like about it is that I can pretty much get rid of a lot of my current setup and save tons of space. The thing pretty much fulfulls my band recording needs, 12 mic pre-amps, 4 headphone outputs, built-in talkback section, 2 MIDI ports... it's like everything I need crammed into one unit.

My problem now though is that there are no Mackie distributors in my country and as I said... it doesn't look like it's gonna be out anytime soon.

I am moving my studio this month and I kind of want to get rid of my 2 mixers and my MOTU 828MK2 because it's just taking up too much space. It's not that I can't wait for the 1200F but I kind of need something like it like, instantly, like right now.

Are there any other alternative brands that does what the 1200F does? In terms of features (everything crammed into one).

Thanks in advance.

- Nash
 
I also was going to go with the 1200F originally, but I changed up and went with a Presonus Firestudio, coupled with 2 Digimax FS's. See the Firestudio here. I will also use an ART Digital MPA Gold and run that through SPDIF inputs on the Firestudio, so that'll give me the capability to record 26 tracks at one time.

The Firestudios are well built with pretty good pre's and converters and good clocking. Coupled with their Monitor Station Remote, you get Talkback features and a host of other nifty things. The MSR will be out shortly.

I think this is a fantastic interface and setup for the money. There are a ton of features, ie. inserts, direct outs, DSP mixing, etc., all for $700, not bad.

Good luck!
Jonathan
 
Hi Jonathan,

The setup you were talking about does sound interesting, but unfortunately does not meet my requirement of having only one unit, period.

The Firestudio provides 8 mic pre-amps which isn't enough for my setup. Then, the Monitor Station Remote and the Digimax FS are two separate things that I'd need to buy. I don't think I have the money to buy so many units. :)

Thanks for your reply anyway, Johnathan.

EDIT: Hmmm... I wonder what I was on? A simple Google search was all it took for me to find that the Onyx 1200F is indeed already selling. How the hell did I get the idea that it's not shipping yet? :P It's a little on the expensive side but I really think it's a good investment. 12 mic pres, 4 headphone outputs, 2 MIDI ports, built-in talkback... it's like a wet dream come true for a small recordist like me. :P
 
What's your reason of upgrading to the 1200f? Lack of number of inputs on the 828mkII? If so, why not just get a second 828mkII and daisy chain 'em?
 
The main reason would probably be how it has all the features I want to use in one device.

I record bands playing live a lot. I have two mixers; a Yamaha MG164 mixer and (wait for it) Behringer 2442FX. I use the mixers for the mic pres, and with live bands, group them and stuff to compensate for the 828MK2's 10 inputs. This setup is taking way too much space. I plan to get rid of all this and replace it all with a single device. On top of that, I'll get tons of extras like 4 headphone outputs, 2 MIDI ports, dedicated talkback channel and I think that's killer.

Buying a second 828MK2 wouldn't really accomplish anything for me because the 828MK2 only has 2 mic pres.
 
Ummm, maybe I'm missing something, but if you're using the pres on the two mixers...you don't need an interface with more pres, just one that can handle more line inputs, which a second 828 would do. Or you could just sell everything and get a 1200F. It does look like a nice unit with lots of features. A little pricey and I've heard less than stellar compliments on Mackie's drivers. I have no experience with them, just pointing out what I've read on other forums.

YMMV

Jonathan

EDIT: The Onyx 1200F is not available yet, anywhere. And, it's $1600. So you get 12 channels on it and 4 headphone outputs. Why not buy a Firestudio for $700 from Sweetwater which comes with a free Presonus HP4 headphone amp that comes with the purchase. Find a Digimax LT or FS on ebay. The LT can be had for $475 and the FS can be had using a best offer for about $500 to $525.

So that setup could be had right now, brand new for a total of $1225, which would give you 16 inputs, inserts on channels 1&2 of each unit and direct outputs for all 16 tracks. Stable drivers, good preamps, good converters and great clocking. It would also give you the flexibility to add an additional 8 inputs with a second Digimax down the road. Use the HP4 and you've got your 4 headphone outs, plus one on the Firestudio. AND, you'd save about $400.

Hmmm, I know what my choice would be. That's why my Firestudio is supposed to be here Friday.

Jonathan
 
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Yes, you're missing something... I've stated twice that I do intend to sell everything I have and replace it all with the 1200F because I need the space. =)

Anyone here who owns the 1200F? Any advice you can throw here would be greatly appreciated. I'm particularly interested in how do the drivers perform.
 
Just edited my post, recheck.

Nobody owns one cause they're not out yet.
 
Okay, thank you for the clarification.

Unfortunately, SweetWater doesn't ship to my country (Malaysia). So... no free headphone amp for me. ;(
 
I'll go one step further...go to ebay and look up Hollywood Pro Audio as a seller and check out his ebay store.

I bought my complete rig from him and he's been fantastic to deal with. He throws in a ton of extras if you use his Buy It Now price. If you want to make a Best Offer, he'll take that too, but you get none of the free things, ie. Presonus HP4, MXL mics, Headphones, you name it.

I promise you, for less money you could get more tracking and monitoring capabilities in the SAME SPACE as a 1200.

Again, these are just my thoughts. YMMV

Jonathan
 
jabulani jonny said:
I promise you, for less money you could get more tracking and monitoring capabilities in the SAME SPACE as a 1200.
Click to expand...

But not quite the same quality in preamps and A/D conversion though. It's not a HUGE jump from Presonus to the Onyx pres, but it's significant enough for the discerning ear.

Besides, he wants one unit only. I can see why this would be appealing. You don't have to worry about secondary devices being patched in properly, clocking, etc...

Good luck. You'll love the Mackie. I've owned the 400F and still use an 800R in one of our mobile racks. The Onyx preamps hold their own with preamps that cost quite a bit more, IMO.
 
According to this page, Hollywood Pro Audio only ships within the USA.

Bummer. =(

When is the 1200F coming out anyway? I thought I saw an article that says that the thing is supposed to be out in October 2005... o_O
 
But not quite the same quality in preamps and A/D conversion though
Click to expand...

I'd disagree with this from the reviews I've read. Mind you, I haven't worked with either yet, but the pre's and the A/D conversion have been lauded for an interface in this price point. The clocking has also been reworked and has received lots of good feedback.

Either setup will do you fine.

Jonathan
 
NashBackslash said:
I am really excited about the Mackie Onyx 1200F (more info at http://www.mackie.com/products/1200f/splash.html)

My problem now though is that there are no Mackie distributors in my country and as I said... it doesn't look like it's gonna be out anytime soon.
- Nash
Click to expand...

Mackie is famous for that.

They did that with the 400F and then when it came out they had some major problems with it.

Good luck if you do decide to wait for Mackie
 
I don't think that can be trusted. Not saying that vendor can't be trusted, just that you may be placing a pre-order and not knowing. I would bet that Sweetwater would be one of the first companies to get the 1200F. When I checked yesterday they had an announcement saying it would be in December, but now it says January. They'll keep updating it until they actually get them in, but I would bet they would be one of the first. So, as soon as they have one available, you can bet others will as well.

Jonathan
 
Quick question regarding Presonus. I may consider scrapping all that I have and get two Presonus pre-amps to totally replace my setup.

What's the difference between the older Firepod and the new Firestudio?
 
Sorry to bump this but I fail to see the difference between the Firepod and the Firestudio.

Would someone kindly show me where are the big differences between the two?

(Or maybe I should go for two MOTU 8pres instead.)
 
Ok, I'll try to strip it down to brass tacks. There's a huge difference between the Firepod and the Firestudio...huge. For one, the Firepod offers no expandability other than adding additional Firepods via firewire. You can use up to 3 Firepods daisy-chained by Firewire. It is strictly a 10 input by 10 output interface, until you add another Firepod, then you double it, obviously. The pres are generally considered to be better quality than most of your other mid-priced interfaces, ie. M-Audio, etc. The Presonus drivers are considered to be good and they do a good job keeping them up to date. The Firepod does not come with DSP software for routing of inputs and outputs, you have to rely on your recording software to do that. I've heard that the Firepod's monitoring is a little clumsy, dialing between main mix and direct monitoring, but I have no experience with it.

Now, the Firestudio is setup a lot like the Firepod as far as its physical attributes. However it does have 2 Adat inputs and 2 Adat outputs. That allows you to add an additional 16 tracks using a standalone preamp, such as the Digimax FS or Digimax LT, or something similar. It also has SPDIF input so if you have a preamp that has SPDIF output you could add 2 more tracks for a total of 26 inputs and 26 outputs. The pres on the Firestudio have been upgraded from the Firepod as far as I understand. They have also upgraded the A/D converters and they have really upgraded the clocking. The JetPLL clocking technology that they mention on their website is the new deal. The Firestudio also has DSP Software to control routing of inputs and outputs and it is very powerful. It kinda runs in between the Firestudio and your recording software to route everything. Very powerful, a little confusing at first because of all the options.

So the difference between the Firepod and the Firestudio in my opinion is expandability and the quality of components. The pres, converters and clocking are better on the Firestudio from what I understand. The inclusion of the DSP Software for the Firestudio is pretty cool and very powerful. The Presonus Drivers and support for both products is great and will continue to be good. I should mention that you do get a free Presonus HP4 headphone amp if you buy a Firestudio at the retail price of $699. So both units would probably suit you well. You've already got a Firepod so it's possible to just buy two more and have a total of 24 XLR/Line inputs, with 2 channels of additional SPDIF on each of the three Firepods. That would give you 30 inputs and 30 outputs from 3 Firepods daisy-chained. Or, you could get a Firestudio and two Digimaxes with a Presonus HP4 and have about the same # of inputs and outputs with some higher quality components.

So those are the primary differences between the two units as far as I can understand it. Hope that helps.

Jonathan
 
jabulani jonny said:
I'd disagree with this from the reviews I've read. Mind you, I haven't worked with either yet, but the pre's and the A/D conversion have been lauded for an interface in this price point. The clocking has also been reworked and has received lots of good feedback.

Either setup will do you fine.

Jonathan
Click to expand...

So have you used your Firestudio yet (by your posts, I'm not sure)? I'd like to hear your real world experiences with it rather than what you've read in reviews, etc. We could talk about what we've all read about it all day long - I'd like to hear from someone who's used one. I'm interested because I owned a Firepod (and used it) and liked it alot. Sounds like very positive changes have been made in the Firestudio.
 
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