All user reviews for the Mackie Onyx 1220

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

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 but compared to other small consoles, mixes etc are sisters VLZ Pro. It stands out, remains to be seen the quality of the preamp!

- For racks ds table a standard rack must be purchased from the atria to the site of Mackie.

- 8 votes 12 entered:

4 mono input \ micro (with preamp) \ semi-parametric eq.
4 stereo inputs \ mono \ eq standard.

- 2 effect send: send in mono, stereo in return.

- 1 master output, 1 output "tape", a headphone output.

- 12 out of 2 ports DB25
- 12 outputs with optional firewire firewire.

UTILIZATION

>> Pretty disappointed with the faders, they are nice and have a little play: not at all like dj.

otherwise the eq are too tight.

the input jack is a little hard.

SOUNDS

Breath inaudible melody equalizer, great sound.

RAS on this point.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for 2 months, I like the bcp's, I like less the faders.

Other models that I tried was below the level of manufacturing quality, to find the right need to type in the Allen & Heath bcp and it more expensive.

value for money is good except for the firewire option but practical too expensive.

I would definitely do it again this election.

After less than a year of use. I tested reliability. I emissions with the firewire option in my home studio instead of a M-Audio Ozone. not need to say it has nothing to do, it was the revolution in my home. So many votes were taken rebuilt after a purchase.

UTILIZATION

A laptop (Sony Vaio advice I fe21b or fe31b), a Mackie Onyx firewire + option and you are a home studio with high quality.

SOUNDS

No lag, no bugs, 12 simultaneous tracks in my cubase. both in the studio for live catches. it's quality and I have the quality when I put the gear in 1000E.

OVERALL OPINION

I remake that choice again and if you have 1000E, you want to do good catches voices or instrument, having a home studio quality, feel free nomplus: Mackie Onyx Firewire Option (and I was m. .. rde tested before they can invest in this jewel pti).

Rackable finally I think I would personally ais hair is a little to herself
trs good connection but I prefried impdence an identical output on both hands out the most is the other 150 ohm 300 ohm

UTILIZATION

The manual in French on the console and map are available on the net it is clear trs
the console is very easy to use

SOUNDS

Nothing wrong at the same sound by comparing with the same brand MODELS we remain a cut above

OVERALL OPINION

I use this console for a year in home studio and sound and I do not really reget this purchase the only small snag is the price of the card fire wire out of it a little less for the talkback mic Intgr I find it too sensitive so I put one to me and I prfr of linear fader auxiliaries for returns than that of happiness!

Table rack, yes,
12 votes (4 mono, 4 Stereo) .. no effect .. etc. Intgr see data for the rest.
I have this table with the firewire option, having taken a long time hsit between the old sound card and firewire this table;

UTILIZATION

Ultra simple -> no possibility too simple routing, no clean editor of the onyx entrsortie
I use cubase ds and sometimes, even often have bugs. Cubase crashes, I tried to change the version cubase and reinstalled several times my pc but nothing this "sound card" is sensitive, and if you work with a lot of VST instruments and effects plug-ins, I think go your way! on the other hand To register as a group without much push Cards Software speaking (the ASIO driver), a rolling niquel! PRO is a good map, but a little young, it's the first cards mackie sounds. day level and frankly put driver on windows, it sucks!
manual clear.

SOUNDS

Its transparent, PRO!
zero-breath!
malheuresemnt equalizer inoprent numrisation in, but analog mode, what about?? poustouflant it for that price;

OVERALL OPINION

Trs meets the beginners, I dcu Today I met too many bugs, pt be am I the only one!? and there is incompatibilities with my PC and this card, pt be the firewire port? short, too many bugs ds cubase ....
For comparison, today, I toured with a RME Multiface is clear and well I prfre the EMR.
REVIEW: excellent table mix, but with the firewire card, there are bugs! shame!

Premium compact mixing console with 12 channels new channels
4 new ONYX mic pramplis with its comparable to the most sophisticated pramplis
New Perkins EQ with 3-band semi-mdium paramtrique
96kHz FireWire option to transfer 12 channels of audio to computer with indpendantes absolute zero-latency
2 channels of monitoring from computer via FireWire card dun optional
In the switch with 2 dparts PrPost
4 inputs Stereo line level
Intgre Talkback section for use with internal or external microphone
Vritable EQ Bypass
International Power
48v power fantme with individual switch on all mic channels
60mm linear faders with ultra-smooth rponse on all channels
Symtriques direct outputs for all channels via DB-25 connection
Switchable instrument inputs on the two Premire of direct ncessaire voiesaucune bote.

UTILIZATION

Config trs simple ... same for me! : D (I'm not a regular button multiple machines ...)
Everything is hand door, everything is really functional ... each track has a mute button (small subtle keys to the outputs switchable mute alt 3 / 4, which is quite unusual but convenient for plutt home studio) and a solo (which is not always the ... and if that is handy when you want to isolate a track without having to transfer all the others ... one by one ...)
The EQ is a quality product sold irrprochable for that price ...
On each of the mono channels, a 48V power button ... dtail small handy also when you are in my case: a condenser microphone lectret ncessitant a 48V power supply ... and a micro lamp possdant its own power supply ... (Very few products that offer "otpion" ... and that's a shame) ...
The manual ... English ... even not read ... yet I understand English ... : D o not but I see it is complicated ...
Ct use "touch" ... happiness is ...
First, we must emphasize the robust aspect of any machine Entire ... but del this, there is the comfort of knobs at both the tactile sensation at the level of dose below those Resistors trs just ...
The same applies to the faders, which let themselves "feel" with the fingertips but with a good dose Resistors trs also ...
All buttons are enjoyable to the touch (no old plastic) ... and activation of either produces no harmful noise ...
All the connections is also worthy of Mackie, nothing moves, nothing dvisse ...
It loses nothing in what way ... not like in some brands that I will not so much they made their renames the top ...

SOUNDS

The console is transparent?? yes ... sr is ... if it disables the EQ ... but it would be a shame not to use them as they are of good quality ...
No less audible breath to push the EQ and gain back ... but to a, must either be deaf ... be crazy ... : D
The EQ work?? What a question! ... Rponse: it touches the high-end ... for not so expensive ...

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for a few months ... I tested it in every way ... (Two hours in the store at the time of purchase ... and moulteuzeur since I arm in my little home studio ...)... guitars, microphones, synths ... mic + guitar ... percus ... noises with my three microphones ... (1 cardio, a lamp, a directional) ... I bluff by the quality of everything from all ... need I say more ... I record everything that captures, at the time of passage through the onyx, unbelievable warmth, the breath does not exist ... at least for normal people ... everything is clearly highlighted ... the pramps are of terrible quality ... the EQ also ... the principal what! ...
Do not forget the talkback function that can be useful in a trs quip home studio with a cabin ...
So if someone asks me what I like most ... everything!
The least ... euhhh ... The tape cardboard Arrach silent a little! : D
I tried a few before acqurir MODELS ... but nothing was worth the quality of this table ... this is Yamaha or Alsis ... or worse ... Beringher ...
On the day of purchase, I compared a MG124CX Yamaha ... 200 euros cheaper of course ... but it RE MODELS little between 300 and 500 euros ... THE FIRST seconds I realized that I would leave with onyx ... y'avait no photo!
Parenthses between: those who, like me, the question arose: "what is the slices of compression on the quality of Yam are? Rponse ... I did not hear any diffrence that the button is 0 or background ... so, no, they are not of the quality they are just beautiful to ...
Otherwise, I hsit for VLZ3 but impossible to find in stores ... and a rumor there would be anything like a default production of THE FIRST SERIES ... and then, of yrflechir, paying 469 euros a table mid-range so that by adding 31 euros you can afford high-end ...
Anyway ... let's be frank, the heat of the Mackie face SOND mtallique the Yamaha was well worth the 200 euros ... and lack of in-store VLZ3 speak a little ... I do not need to do it again if I prciser this choice ...
Voil ...
Musically ...

Read the previous opinions.

UTILIZATION

It is very easy to use. The single 48V on all units. The first 2 votes are switchable instrument inputs - no DI. It may be practical.

SOUNDS

Is it transparent? It seems to me. In any case more than my TLAudio 5051 (but be careful I love the sound of my TL!)
The Equal is excellent. There is a parameter, I liked 2 but it is on the top models.
Breath ... No!
The pre amps are finally well below the TL anyway but this is not the same price. At least in installments!

OVERALL OPINION

I use it mainly for 4 years when I do private concerts (I'm solo, vocals and 2 guitars). I did not compare to other models if finally a small Behringer but is this really a comparison? <img class="smiley" src="/images/audiofanzine/interface/smileys/icon_wink.gif" alt="" /> . It is connected to 2 speakers The Box of Thomann. It does!

I use it sometimes in addition to the registration TLAudio. This is good but below the TL
What I like most of Eq. A second parameter would have been great.

Yes I would buy without bp for the use that I have is great.

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)

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)