Mackie Onyx 1620 16-Ch. Premium Small-Format Mixer

by Mackie

Product Features

• Premium 16-channel small-format analog mixer with all-new circuitry
• 8 new ONYX mic preamps with sound comparable to boutique preamps
• New 4-band Perkins EQ with dual sweepable midrange controls on Mic/Line channels
• 96kHz FireWire option for streaming 18 independent channels of audio to computer with near-zero latency
• 2 channels of monitoring from computer via FireWire option card

Product Details

Product Manual [2.11mb PDF]

• Item Weight: 25 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 26 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B0002NPJ4W
• Item model number: Onyx 1620
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #81,587 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments)

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

The goal for Mackie's flagship Onyx series of small-format mixers was to bring premium analog sound, expanded features, and streaming FireWire connectivity to both recording and live sound environments. To pull all this off, we started with a team of veteran audio product engineers from the great Pacific Northwest (aka Woodinville, Washington). The Onyx team quickly set out by specifying the highest-quality analog components--from premium op-amps to IC chips costing exponentially more than previous designs. In many cases, we developed components completely from scratch. With Greg Mackie himself steering Onyx mixer layout and design, we took a "real world" approach to the entire process.

ONYX 1620 KEY FEATURES

• Premium 16-channel small-format analog mixer with all-new circuitry
• 8 new ONYX mic preamps with sound comparable to boutique preamps
• New 4-band Perkins EQ with dual sweepable midrange controls on Mic/Line channels
• 96kHz FireWire option for streaming 18 independent channels of audio to computer with near-zero latency
• 2 channels of monitoring from computer via FireWire option card
• 4 Aux sends w/ Pre/Post switches
• 4 stereo line-level inputs
• Built-in Talkback section for use with internal or external mic
• True hardware EQ Bypass
• "Planet-Earth" switching power supply for worldwide use
• Individual 48v Phantom Power switches on all mic inputs
• 60mm Logarithmic Taper faders for smooth, linear fades
• Balanced direct outs for every channel via DB-25 connections
• Selectable Instrument inputs on first two channels--no DI box needed

ONYX MIC PREAMPS Because a great mixer starts with great mic preamps, we invested significant R&D efforts into developing our new flagship Onyx mic preamps. These preamps build upon our already-impressive XDR design to meet or surpass expensive esoteric standalone mic pres in terms of fidelity, headroom and transparency--as well as improved radio frequency (RFI) rejection and wider dynamic range.

PERKINS EQ CIRCUITRY When it was time for the Onyx EQ section, we turned to veteran audio engineer Cal Perkins to develop our new Perkins EQ circuitry--a "neo classic" 3- and 4-band design based on classic "British EQ" circuitry from mixing desks of the '60s and '70s. Cal devised a way to give Perkins EQ that sweet "British console" sound, but with greater filter control and minimum phase shift.

FIREWIRE I/O OPTION CARD In the category of "Why didn't someone think of this sooner?", we gave the Onyx 1620 an optional FireWire I/O card, which bridges the analog-to-digital gap by providing up to 18 independent channels of high-quality 24-bit/96kHz audio that you can plug right into your FireWire-equipped Mac or PC. And bring a stereo mix back from your computer for monitoring purposes.

Product Description

The new FireWire capable Onyx 1220, 1620 and 1640 premium analog mixers come equipped new Onyx mic preamps and our completely new Perkins EQ circuitry.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Onyx Rules!, December 6, 2007

By 

JSan "JJSan" (San Francisco, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mackie Onyx 1620 16-Ch. Premium Small-Format Mixer (Electronics)

I'm in love with my new Onyx 1620. Excellent sound, warm and sturdy. The Perkins EQs are exceptional and there's plenty of routing options for my set up. I produce house music/remixes and the mixer more than serves its purpose. But, this is Mackie - one of the best. How could you expect anything less.