Mackie Mixing Consoles

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)

The Mackie 1604-VLZ3 is a 16 channel analog mixer that has 16 different microphone preamps and split monitoring. The preamps that come on this mixer are by far its best feature. They are clean and quiet, they generate little to no noise. The design of the 1604-VLZ3 is nothing to really look at, it is big and bulky but has a clean design and easy lay out to work with. It is very rugged and made for the road, it can take some drops with any worries because it seems be made of solid materials that will not break. When we purchased ours it did not come with a case or a cover, and being that it cannot be racked we knew that we needed something to protect it from everything so we went out and purchased a case for it. They make a case that is specifically for the 1604-VLZ3 and it cost around 25 dollars. UTILIZATION The EQ on the 1604-VLZ3 is very good, each channel on it has its own 3 band EQ. We use the EQ sections a lot to get the sound the exact way that we want it. I have used a lot of analog mixers over the years but on the 1604-VLZ3 we are able to get the exact sound we are looking for. SOUNDS The 1604-VLZ3 has 16 high headroom inputs and 8 direct outs with 4 auxiliary sends. It has an extended low frequency response and a low cut filter. If you are looking for a high quality well made analog mixer, look no further because the 1604-VLZ3 is a machine! OVERALL OPINION You can purchase this today and know that it will still work for you 10 years down the road. The preamps are excellent and very quiet and the EQ on every channel was perfect for us. I just wish it was rackable.

The Mackie ProFX12 is a compact, 12 track desktop mixer module. It comes with more than enough features for the average user. It boasts a 32-bit effects processor, with 16 effects (ten of these are reverbs), a 7 band eq for tuning either the mains or monitors, USB I/O for recording shows and music playback via Mac or PC, four full stereo channels plus extra stereo return for keyboards, external effects, or stereo playback devices, 60mm faders for input channels, returns and Main/Monitor masters, 3-band active EQ (80Hz, 2.5kHz and 12kHz) on all channels, hi-Z input for direct connection of guitar, bass and other instruments, Insert, 100Hz low cut filter, and 48V phantom power on all mic channels, Stereo RCA tape I/O with input level control, headphone output with separate rotary level control, balanced XLR and balanced/unbalanced 1/4-inch Main outputs, FX mute with remote control via footswitch and more. The thing is PACKED with features, for such a low price it is a steal. Great for small ensembles who do both home recording and gigs. UTILIZATION Setup is really a breeze. Provide it with some power and outputs and start hooking up your instruments, mics etc. Couldn't be simpler. The usb interface works great, and is super useful. Great for recording live shows on the fly. Very responsive mixer with a good compact feel. Things are spaced well enough that it doesn't feel cramped. One complaint I have, however is the eq's high range is too high. Causes some hisses and such. Simple enough fix, however: lay off the eq. There are only 6 XLR inputs, so this is better for smaller, acoustic type ensembles. Or if you are recording in a studio you could use one of these for a whole drumset. SOUNDS The sound quality is fine, rather natural with little coloration. The EQ is good, except for the high range issue I mentioned above. There's no latency through the USB interface, which is really nice. OVERALL OPINION Overall I think this is a great product. It's economical, packed with features,and built like a freakin tank. I've dropped mine in puddles and on concrete with only minor scratches. Still works perfect after a year. I really recommend one of these to anyone who needs something like this, as it's really a good deal.

The Mackie Pro FX 8 packs a lot of power in a small footprint. While being small, it is built to take the knocks of the road and satisfies the home user as well. The effects are quality and after a little usage time you quickly learn the nuances and sweet spots of the mixer to suit your needs. Both Condenser and Dynamic mics are satisfied with it's onboard power. I'd recommend this to anyone needing a smaller mixer but still wanting quality UTILIZATION I had no problems getting started with this mixer, the Mackie Pro FX 8 runs great! SOUNDS Very low noise and very smooth sounding, crystal clear sounding. My AKG C 535 condenser mic sounds amazing through this mixer. The good thing is that it is smaller and lighter then the previous DFX 6. What I like about this mixer is for the price you get great features, a stereo 7 band graphic EQ. OVERALL OPINION This mixer produces a good clean sound to the new powered QSC K 12's I have. More head room overall from the board on the Mackie 808s powered mixer I just retired. The board design has good quality with the knobs and sliders with the exception of the EFX selector knob, which seems of less quality from the rest of the board. The EFX are clean and clear, however my ear does not hear a distinct difference in several of the 16 selections. Overall though a good deal for the money. Note..This is the only board of it's size that has graphic EQ for controlling Mains or Monitors..I checked several other brands for that feature and other than Carvin (8 channel only) this is it. If keeping a setup simple with good sound and a lot of features in a compact setup is important, then this is the main show in town. If not the only!

Specs can be found on the Mackie site but basically it's a 16 channel mixer with 4 aux sends, firewire, and full eq on each channel. Nothing super out of the ordinary. It features the onyx mic pres. I really like that the eq is british style. You don't get that with some mixers but I think it's a good feature that more mixers should have. There aren't any surprises here. Mackie makes good stuff and they put all their best tech into everything. They've been around for a while and they know how to do it. UTILIZATION I use mine for live tracking bands in the studio straight into my daw. It works great. The mic pres sound really good. I didn't have ANY problems with install. It took to my studio and never let up. The manual (like all mackie manuals) is the best I've ever read. Mackie doesn't mess around with any mumbo jumbo technical stuff that you don't need. They get right to the point when explaining the finer details of the mixer. If it's worth knowing, they put it in the manual. It's not too short, and not overly long with a handful of needless info. This is primarily why I buy a lot of mackie stuff. They know their product and how us "joe's" see it. SOUNDS Unit is pretty much silent. The 2 best features in my opinion are the onyx pres and the eq sections. The pres are the best I've heard on a mixer. I don't know what mackie does to make them sound great but it works. I also thing this is my favorite EQ strip on a mixer. I had a mackie 8 channel years ago and I remember liking the EQ on that one too. Through my daw everything sounds nice. A+ OVERALL OPINION This is a no frills unit. It does what it's supposed to and does it well. Mackie doesn't pile on a bunch of half baked features that you won't ever really use. They make a solid bare bones product that's built to work for years. If you want a good studio mixer for your daw, this is my pick. Hasn't given me any trouble and sounds great. Don't get something with a bunch of effects and bloated features you won't use. This does the job fine.

The Mackie MS (Micro Series) 1202 is a 12-channel analog mixer. The mixer consists of four mic channels with XLR and 1/4 inch inputs and four stereo channels with only 1/4 inch inputs. Each of the eight channels (four mono, four stereo) has built in equalization as well. It also has two sets of stereo auxiliary returns and sends as well as stereo RCA inputs and outputs. For your main monitoring, it has 1/4" outputs as well. The EQ is two bands, and there are also knobs for two aux sends and for panning. It isn't rackable as it is a mixer that is supposed to sit on your desk. UTILIZATION Using and setting up the Mackie MS 1202 is a pretty easy thing to do, as everything is quite self explanatory. If you have previous experience at all with analog mixers of this kind, you're all set as far as utilization goes. If you don't have much or any experience, I'd recommend doing some research about the types of connections and parameters that you will find on mixers of this kind, and everything should fall into place from there as the MS 1202 is standard through and through. I've never seen the manual for this, but unless you are a beginner I don't think that you need one anyway. SOUNDS I haven't used too many of the features on the Mackie MS 1202 that make any sound for itself (i.e. the EQ), as I've used it mostly for routing purposes. However, I will say that this is a clean mixer in the sense that it routes everything without adding its own color or anything like that. Since I've only used this for routing, I also can't say anything about how it sounds if you were to plug a mic into it. I have used the EQ a few times, and it is pretty clean sounding but definitely doesn't offer up much versatility. This wouldn't be the type of mixer that I would recommend if you're looking to get some EQ or other signal processing from it... OVERALL OPINION The Mackie MS 1202 has become a popular model for both the studio and on the stage for its easy to use features and set up. If you're looking for a small mixer for either of these applications that doesn't require too many inputs, this is definitely get the job done and at a good price. I'm not sure on if these are still being made, but you can definitely find them easily used otherwise if you'd like to seek one out...

(Originally written by jf.rondeau/translated from Audiofanzine FR) UTILIZATION Easy and intuitive use. Clear, comprehensive and funny user's manual. SOUNDS Very clear sound (I'm surprised by some previous reviews). High dynamic range. Great-sounding preamps with high headroom. The EQ does what you expect from it (not less, not more). OVERALL OPINION I've been using it several years for live gigs and recording sessions. It always performed alright. Ever since I bought it mine has had a broken condenser (one channel is faulty) but it's the only problem I've had.

Satisfied with most features; Board is transparent and expandable, EQ is smooth, Plenty of Aux options, Panning is solid, Pre-amps sound good, Phantom power in switchable groups of eight, I wish the mic / line switches were easier to reach in an "installed" studio. This thing is expandable with a single ribbon cable in groups of 24 channels! Mackie Ultramix Automation, we bought with unit works well. Price paid: $3200 UTILIZATION Board is logically set up top to bottom and easy to get around on. Manual is a good mix of technical and humor, a good read. Nice long faders, Knobs have some space between them and feel good to turn, ( not like cheap boards) Board is a little large for the local gigsging musician, although we've used it and the flexible routing options helped with live recording, monitiring and Main PA all from the same source. SOUNDS Recording different styles and genres, I've found that the board works especially well for Electronic music. It sound great with anything I've thrown at it, and direct outs makes recording options and channel splitting easy. Wouldn't trade it for the world. OVERALL OPINION Highly recommend this board for it's bang for the buck, Automation only available from online Auctions, but the sound and features make it worth it. Several options available such as the Meter bridge, stand, 24 channels at a time (up to 128 channels) of expansion, I'm getting queay just thinking about it. Originally posted on FutureProducers.com Posted by: Unknown ( 1-, 2003)