Mackie Onyx 24.4-Bus

No rack. Solid case, not fear too much coffee or glass of beer (at least according to the instructions). I still bought the flight case specifically for the Road Ready in principle, as I move around a lot.

20 single slices, 2 slices stereo, with 6 pre / post, four buses in groups of two, and master
Insert on all inputs (24 tracks) and outputs (to, bus and master)

XLR / jack mono on the slices, 2 slices of jack mono stereo, direct outputs of the 24 tracks on D-Sub25 taken in groups of 8 symmetrical.
All outputs (Aux, bus) are in TRS, and the master is in TRS or XLR

On the edges: pad, 48v phantom power supply (in increments, I can confirm), gain, 4 band semi parametric EQ with bypass switch, to 6 true, mute switch, switch to bus 1-2, 3-4 and bus master 11cm fader and PFL switch. I think not to have forgotten is very complete.

In the master section, it was well on the fader and bus master, master of the Aux switch with an AFL switch and a mute switch and a pre-post; presence of a compressor with VU meters, assignable to choose a sub-group or master, headphone jack (very powerful, attention to the ears), management of the two returns, etc ... switch and a "standby" to mute the sound of the console and go directly to "changes in the RCA board, talk-back button (microphone not included)

We are in the presence of console very comprehensive in terms of ability to patch, slice, etc ... But you know it's a Mackie, and not the quality of a great brand.

UTILIZATION

I took the time to read the user manual at any hazard. It is very well done. Please note, a quick simple page with the basics of the console. But in fact, it's not really the time to read all this saw the console is very intuitive.

I mean it very easy to understand intuitively what we can do. I am not a sound engineer, and that is why I bought it: it is very easy to use.

Basically, you can manage with one from the front:
- The front, of course
- 4 or 5 returns to the scenes through 6, which is not to be patched to the effects of too much, obviously
- Recording to a hard drive to alesis

What makes it a must for small services like bar / pub, or less than 300 persons for whom it is not always easy to have the budget to have separate consoles and several sound engineer. It is also ideal for recording rehearsals without taking the head between another example of possible use.

Only one regret: it is very difficult to get the cables to DSUB25 jack or XLR outputs for direct slices, it was still nice to have direct outputs in TRS.

To have worked a lot with my two friends professional sound engineer on this console, we all agree that a point of view of potential patch, ease of use, compactness for 24 slices , etc ..., there is not much better, even if you look a lot more. So I put a very good note.

SOUNDS

Basically, on HP monitors Dynaudio Acoustic, note that the Onyx pre-amp is a little "soft" compared to a Midas Venice, but what is good is that they do not color too much sound, and above all, they do not blow, which is still important. 4-band equalizer is correct, it allows the sound to work enough to correct what it takes, without being transcendent, I confess.

So obviously there is not a Midas or Soundcraft. But we are not at the same rate either. I mean a good system ultra sound sick, this console Mackie Onyx sound a bit "soft", while being far from ridiculous.

However, for such benefits together in a pub, small rooms MJC, gauges are less than 250 people, we are in using this type of console. And one would find in his, as a result, since in these cases, there is no systems to hear the weak sound of the console.

I put a note just above average, then, because no one's transcendent, but that is still well above a lot of things not terrible, and it does not blow.

OVERALL OPINION

To use the people to whom I have confided, that is, small benefits, you will understand, in my opinion one of the best consoles.

Compact without being too narrow either, very comprehensive in terms of patch, very pleasant to use in general, the Mackie Onyx 24-4 is really good cut for the budget it represents. I had the opportunity to test its big sister the 2480, more complete, but much more cumbersome and almost two times more expensive ... there is no comparison.

This choice I would do without hesitation. The only thing my friends and I rêvont now is that the same kind Mackie console point of view compact / patch, but with components pre-amps and very high quality, to compete for a sound point of view the Midas and Soundcraft other, even if the price is equivalent, it will always be ahead with its patch and versatility.

Overall Rating is trying to account for all this: a great console to learn and make small benefits, but a bit limited for a sound point of view, at a price that really correct.
Edit: I had to sell this console because I needed money, I am very sorry. I still think that this choice I would do the same budget, without hesitation.