Customer Reviews

Mackie 802-VLZ3 8-Ch. Compact Recording/SR Mixer

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am relatively new to professional audio with my budding voice-over operation and small home recording studio. I read about a variety of mixers. There are many models and most do essentially the same things. What sold me (other than the extensive feature list) was a YouTube video in which Mackie engineers tortured the 802-VLZ3 and several other makes of similar smaller mixers. When the 802-VLZ3 survived being driven over by a Jeep and the others didn't, I was sold. For my home studio, the 802-VLZ3 has plenty of inputs and capabilities. The mike preamp is virtually noise-free. The controls are solid and smooth. The connectors are robust and solid. Everything has a solid feel. It's quality through and through. In the few months that I've used the mixer I have enjoyed trouble-free operation. I have yet to exceed its capabilities and my recordings come out great. This Mackie mixer is a solid performer and a great first mixer for the home recording newbie.

I was looking to upgrade my previous Behringer mixer of 6 years. I did some research and was eye balling a Yamaha usb mixer. I went to my local music store for the Yamaha and none were in stock. Debating whether I should in-store order the Yamaha the sales rep asked me what I was looking for in a mixer and I replied "Better quality than my Behringer" He then told me about Mackie's top notch quality. Now I've been to a couple of professional studios that have Mackie and a recording class I took in College used them, It never occurred to me that I could afford one for my home studio. The Mackie 802-VLZ3 fit within my budget so I bought it, knowing I'd return it if I wasn't satisfied.

I brought it home hooked it up and listened to music 2 hours straight, extremely pleased with the quality and low noise of this unit. Mabye it was the difference from my old mixer that wowed me but it was definitely worth the 2hundred I spent. I highly recommend a great pair of studio quality head phones or monitors to accompany this mixer if you don't have already. It also comes with a free 'Tracktion' recording software.

Now if only they can have usb connectivity for the same price!

Bought this Mackie 802 based upon the recommendation of a musician for use with my portable PA system. It improved the sound coming from my system immediately, made mixing microphone and music playback from laptop computer a high quality production. Very pleased with this mixer. Vocals via microphones are clear and easily balanced - a great tool for portable church work.

The item came quickly and in excellent shape! We installed it in a cafeteria room that we use for multipurpose activities. Sound is easy to adjust through this and all the equipment we use is managed well by it. It works great for our needs!

A solid piece of gear that does what it advertises at a great price. However, it's capabilities are only as effective as it's user which means that if this is your first mixer you will need to read up on various mixing techniques from other sources.

Best source for learning how to mix is to learn from someone who knows how. Keep in mind that audio production is a science in and of itself and that it is a lifelong process.

Highly recommended.

Beware! I did not receive $20 Mackie Rebate. No reply to my inquiry Email either.
Update! No sooner did I write this and the rebate showed up in the mail.
Did the Email work to nudged them to send the check? ...

Now only praise...

I use this unit as the heart of my living room stereo.
I have used the 402-VLZ3 and find it a great deal. A quality mixer for $100! Very low noise too.
So I was quite surprised to find this 802-VLZ3 to sound even better! I would say stepping into the audiophile category.
You get 3 stereo channels + an additional stereo channel if you used the line inputs on the xlr channels + the tape monitor input.
Except for the tape monitor, each channel has its own tone controls, level control and balance! I am so happy.

I have it hooked up to an RCF 312a powered speaker, my laptop and a Behringer microphone. It sounds OUTSTANDING, literally ZERO distortion or noise. It may not be the cheapest mixer in it's class but based on what I have researched and the results I have heard it's a really nice package that does everything I could hope for with room to grow. Can't wait to get a condenser mic and do some recording. It's built like a tank too....I like that!

The 802-vlz3 is a little more expensive than comparable 8-channel mixers from other brands, but it has cool features that the other brands don't have, like the alt 3/4 bus and independent control room and headphones volume knobs. It packs quite a bit of flexibility into such a small mixer. For only a hundred bucks more than the 4-channel version you get a lot more for your money. Definitely recommended.

I really like my Mackie, use it as a recording mixer. No noise, versatile, rugged, great instruction book. Insert points on two channels, 5 different ways to do anything you want with the thing.

The mixer is nice and solidly built and seems to work good. I have never
used a mixer before so some of the functions were a little confusing by reading the manual.