Mackie onyx 16 firewire

  • Thread starter Thread starter ecktronic
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ecktronic

ecktronic

Mixing and Mastering.
Anyone used one of these? Anyone know if the pre amps are any good. Only really looking for 16 good pre amps that can connect to my computer via firewire for less cables. But thought that the onyx would be a good idea.
 
I love my 1640, and the preamps are phenomenal. Way better than the VLZ stuff, which wasn't bad in itself. If you do most of your mixing w/a sequencer the Onyx is great. The limitation is that you can't control the individual channel output (volume, eq, etc.) from the sequencer through the mixer control surface. I use mine with Cubase SX3, and have had no problems (that I haven't been able to trace to Cubase.) I have had mine about 6 months.
 
Cheers Battle minnow.
I was thinking of purchasing SX3 also funnily enough.
Do you mean that the faders on the ONYX dont control the volumes in Cubase? If thats what you mean there should be a way to set it up.
The faders arent automated are they?
 
Do you need to buy a firewire soundcard for your PC as well as the onyx firewire card?
 
No way to set up faders AFTER the fact, but definately before. Here's why:

The FW card transfers up to 18 tracks of audio at a time (16 from onyx to CPU, two from CPU to onyx) and unfortunately there's no way to assign to specific channels through outputs, only inputs. Which, because most people mix on their PC mixer anyway, is usually not a big deal. So everything I do in works on the way in (I can ride the gain and fader knobs no prob) but output control is not yet an option.

You don't need a FW card for your CPU, just a FW input.

Oh, and you are correct, the faders are not automated on the Onyx.

Let me know if I can help out any more. I really love this mixer.
 
ecktronic said:
Anyone used one of these? Anyone know if the pre amps are any good. Only really looking for 16 good pre amps that can connect to my computer via firewire for less cables. But thought that the onyx would be a good idea.
Click to expand...

I've heard really good things about the Onyx pres, i'm on the look out for a new mixer i was considering the Onyx 2480.
 
The thing I don't like about the 2480 is that it doesn't have the firewire capabilities, and it seems a little pricier than some of the mixers in its class, but the preamps are really, really good. Same ones as on the mackie TT.
 
Thanks Battleminnow. Youve cleared alot up for me cheers. So all i need is a firewire input, cool.
So all the ONYX is used for in a studio is for the pre amps then. Is it not possible to get 16 pre amps with firewire for cheaper though? Almost seems like a bit of a waste.
 
Please don't misunderstand, that is not the only thing about this board that really shines. Price for 2 FW based firepods from presonus puts you in the same ballpark pricerange with no control surface and not as nice of preamps, plus you have all the routing options (6 aux outs, 6 independent aux. gain controls, Perkins EQ) plus the ability to gig with it as a FOH mixer (if need be) that will support many different monitor mixes and record your entire show with just one cable. I love mine for a lot of reasons, and I picked mine up from the local Guitar Center for about $1300 US including FW card (I buy a lot of stuff and get pretty great deals.)
 
Cool thats pretty cheap i suppose. Close to thinking this is the one for me.
Thanks for your help.
 
JAAABBIIIDDAABBBIDOOOO!!!!

I WIL ORDER MY ONYX 1640 LATER TODAY!!!! :D :D :D :D But I will not get it untill whensday....suddently, 2,5 days feels like a lifetime.... :D LOL...!!!
 
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