Name: Onyx 1220
Brand: Mackie
SKU: 21050
Rating: 4.7 (10 reviews)

MGR/Hammer Time

Mackie Onyx 1220

Published on 01/03/09 at 15:00

This is a 12 channel small format mixer with 4 of the new Mackie Onyx preamps, 4 stereo line level inputs, harware eq bypass, 60mm faders, DB-25 direct outs, instrument direct inputs with no DI box necessary. I've been playing multiple instruments for years and have recently started building a small project studio for myself in my office. I'm more of a tweaker and gear head than an accomplished musician, but I play well enough to create musical ideas and write songs, just not very technical and accomplished.

I paid $579 for this mixer at Sweetwater online. The project studio I mentioned earlier needed a central unit to control all of my instruments, inputs and the like and run them...…

This is a 12 channel small format mixer with 4 of the new Mackie Onyx preamps, 4 stereo line level inputs, harware eq bypass, 60mm faders, DB-25 direct outs, instrument direct inputs with no DI box necessary. I've been playing multiple instruments for years and have recently started building a small project studio for myself in my office. I'm more of a tweaker and gear head than an accomplished musician, but I play well enough to create musical ideas and write songs, just not very technical and accomplished.

I paid $579 for this mixer at Sweetwater online. The project studio I mentioned earlier needed a central unit to control all of my instruments, inputs and the like and run them direct in to my PC for recording purposes. I ordered the unit on a Monday and it was there on Saturday, so Sweetwater rocks in my book. I figured 12 channels would be enough considering there were 4 mic preamps and two instrument level inputs on the first two channels. With 12 channels in all, I should be good to go for a long, long time.

Wow, let's start with the built in Firewire I/O card. Something that could easily cost a few hundred bucks and you'd have to buy extra is built in. Nice touch Mackie. I'm also a huge fan of the mic preamps. Mackie calls these their Onyx preamps, wasn't sure what the significance of that is, but they are crystal clear with very high headroom. Totally crisp. The faders are incredible quality as well. The rest of the unit is exactly what you'd come to expect from the folks at Mackie. I've been a fan of them for a long time and finally have one of my own.

There's nothing I have found that isn't absolutely great yet.

Build like a brick $hithouse - ever hear that phrase? The 1220 has a thick, almost armored shell, is built heavy and all the controls are tight, not flimsy like you'll sometimes see on cheaper models. First class all the way.

Overall, I would say this unit was price competitive with other 12 channel mixers, but totally blows everything else away as far as features are concerned. The built in Firewire I/O and the excellent preamps are probably some of my favorite features, but the high-end EQ's aren't far behind. Just a super unit for under $600. I actually stretched a little to get this, originally, I was looking in the $400 range for an 8 channel, but I'm glad I upped my range a bit, because I really have nothing but good things to say about this unit and it has the capability to last me for a long, long, time.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

See less

00

»

FP User

Published on 10/31/08 at 16:00

Theres is nothing missing, i have the firewire so it great. I wish i could have bought the one with 4 buss on it, but my budget limited me. It has all you need to record anything.

Price paid

1000

UTILIZATION

Its very easy to use and the fire wire is plug-n-play so it loaded up smoothly. Also the low latency abilty really helps out when im working on bigger projects.

Its very heavy duty can take a bit of a beating. but its my baby so i make sure its says in great shape.

SOUNDS

I love it everything that comes through it sounds great. The preamps are great!

OVERALL OPINION

I just love it, i was using an Edriol UR-80 so its a vast improvement as far as recording. I have many more...…

Theres is nothing missing, i have the firewire so it great. I wish i could have bought the one with 4 buss on it, but my budget limited me. It has all you need to record anything.

Price paid

1000

UTILIZATION

Its very easy to use and the fire wire is plug-n-play so it loaded up smoothly. Also the low latency abilty really helps out when im working on bigger projects.

Its very heavy duty can take a bit of a beating. but its my baby so i make sure its says in great shape.

SOUNDS

I love it everything that comes through it sounds great. The preamps are great!

OVERALL OPINION

I just love it, i was using an Edriol UR-80 so its a vast improvement as far as recording. I have many more options and have the ability to ugrade other equipment w/o having to worry if its gonna handle it. Great purchase!!!!

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: J2thaP ( 7-, 2005)

See less

10

»

FP User

Published on 10/31/08 at 16:00

Everything and more's there. A couple of handy functions like the talkback section and the Alt 3-4 output for muted channels. Great preamps, great EQ's, great mixer.

Price paid: €1000 with firewire option

UTILIZATION

It's very easy to use, I figured it all out without the manual, but if it takes more time for you to figure something out, you can always use Mackie's great manuals.

It's solid as a rock to me. I treat it with love, so I think it'll never break down on me.

SOUNDS

Sounds great! I've done some big things with it in the studio and it never disappoints me.Great preamps!

OVERALL OPINION

I love it like it's my baby. Enough said.

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com

Everything and more's there. A couple of handy functions like the talkback section and the Alt 3-4 output for muted channels. Great preamps, great EQ's, great mixer.

Price paid: €1000 with firewire option

UTILIZATION

It's very easy to use, I figured it all out without the manual, but if it takes more time for you to figure something out, you can always use Mackie's great manuals.

It's solid as a rock to me. I treat it with love, so I think it'll never break down on me.

SOUNDS

Sounds great! I've done some big things with it in the studio and it never disappoints me.Great preamps!

OVERALL OPINION

I love it like it's my baby. Enough said.

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: spliffonius ( 1-, 2006)

See less

10

»

Ingmar

Published on 07/09/04 at 10:40

(This content has been automatically translated from French)

Prompt notice after a few hours of use ... I have not had the opportunity to test the mic preamps, so patience!

For specifications, see Mackie.com, there is!

Finally a feature solo by solo against the level is not adjustable, it is surprising quantity was inadvertently dropped the master. The channel peak meters are very useful, are clearly illuminated mute. EQ with Bypass, but flat, and on, the eq does not color and I wonder why this button?

Very good finish, largment than the Soundcraft Spirit M4 I had for some time. The faders are a little firm but it's going. The knobs are plastic rods, such as the M4 for that matter, but appear to be sufficiently firm and specific.
…

Prompt notice after a few hours of use ... I have not had the opportunity to test the mic preamps, so patience!

For specifications, see Mackie.com, there is!

Finally a feature solo by solo against the level is not adjustable, it is surprising quantity was inadvertently dropped the master. The channel peak meters are very useful, are clearly illuminated mute. EQ with Bypass, but flat, and on, the eq does not color and I wonder why this button?

Very good finish, largment than the Soundcraft Spirit M4 I had for some time. The faders are a little firm but it's going. The knobs are plastic rods, such as the M4 for that matter, but appear to be sufficiently firm and specific.

UTILIZATION

Implementation child, I have not opened the doc.

The spacing of the buttons is not enough to affect other buttons by mistake.

SOUNDS

Sounds at least small qu'auparavent Mackie, and you really get away. Much less crosstalk than the M4, not the evils EQ, even on stereo channels can be corrected or an mp3 or add / remove from the presence in a synth without a problem. I would have preferred a smaller Q in the semi-parametric midrange, but it's even pretty good. Simply great value.

OVERALL OPINION

I am very happy with my choice, I hope the Firewire card will also be promising. This console is built, the buttons are clear and pleasant, Neutrik everywhere, Silk-screen Printing net. In addition to standard format, it takes very little space, even if it is thick at the back. It is not worth a Neve VR ;-)