Overall User Ratings

"Mike's Onyx 1640"

Feature:
Tons of features. I've had it a little over a month and almost every time I use it I find something new. I just discovered that, when listening to the CR monitor output, pressing the Talkback button brings down the CR level by about half to prevent feedback. Also, I found that you can assign the talkback to a number of locations, including right on the tape. Very helpful for take and cut numbers, etc. Sub assignment is easy and easy to figure out.

Quality:
So far, everything seems first rate. Faders and other controls feel good and nothing's loose or wobbly. It's hard to predict, but it seems solid and I hope it'll last for years.

Value:
I think so. It's packed with cool features, sounds great, and so far has made me very happy.

Desirability:
It's size was the one thing that made me hesitate. As I said earlier, it's a bit small for all the controls. I'd like it better if it were wider... or offer the same product in two different frames. Just a thought.

Sound:
It sounds wonderful. I have been recording mainly acoustic instruments and voices with large diaphragm condensors, and it's clear as a bell. When recording myself and not able to be near the controls, setting it flat and recording is fine. I can EQ on playback and it's great.

Support:
Mixed emotions on this. I called once for a simple request and got a surley receptionist who cut me off before I finished my question - causing me to have to call back, and then she wouldn't help me. I then emailed tech support and got a very helpful individual who gave me what I wanted and more. Not sure how to rate this one, number-wise.

Overall:
I hope this is the last mixer I buy. I'm 48 and if it lasts as long as my previous mixer (Fostex 450), I'll be 66 when it wears out and maybe I'll be grown up enough by then that I won't need another... (that was a joke, sorry). At this point, the only thing that would lead me to search for another is if it just blew up. It has more features than I use, so that's good. I compared it to a few other brands at comparable price and it has more, feels better, even though it cost a bit more. If this were lost or stolen, I'd replace it with the same thing. I can't think of anything I wish I'd known before I bought it. I like the 6 aux sends (compared to 2 on my old one), I like the assignable talkback signal, the sub assignment the best. What do I like the least? Again, I'd have to say the width...and that's not that serious.

"The Onyx 1640 blows away any mixer within twice the price."

Feature:
The first 2 channels have an a can switch to a "true" high Z input. (not just a pad or boost) My Spector bass sounds great right into the board. Oh yeah, and the optional Firewire card streams signal from each of the 16 channels directly onto my computer,and the Mackie Recording software sounds great, is easy to use and has no noticeable latency. Who else has that feature? No one. Mackie rules.

Quality:
I have zero worries about a Mackie board breaking down. I've used the same 1604 since 1994 with no problems.

Value:
No one else makes a board with all the Onyx features-period. Pricing was similar at most places I checked.

Desirability:
Sex appeal for a compact mixer? That might be pushing it. It simply sounds so much better than anything even twice the price that their never was much question. I was as stunned by the Onyx as I was stunned in 1990 when I replaced my Biamp mixer with a 1604. Each time, it sounded like I lifted a blanket off my speakers.

Sound:
I've used the Mackie 1604 for years. Up until the Onyx series, it was the best "compact" mixer on the market. The cheaper knockoffs, cannot compare when you actually use them in a "real life" band or recording situation. The Onyx is brighter, cleaner, with a much better EQ that begs to have the preamps hit hard.

Support:
The folks at Mackie were very helpful explaining some problems (user error) I was having with their software for recording, but it took a while to get them on the phone. At least it was an actual, informed Mackie employee and not someone on another continent re-reading an owner's manual to me. Go figure...actual service.

Overall:
I can't imagine needing a new board for another 10 years or so. The preamps sound so warm and the EQ has been totally revamped.

"Great Quality, Terrible Price"

Feature:
WHAT? YOU HAVE TO BUY THE FIREWIRE CARD SEPARATELY???? That's a joke.

Quality:
It's built to last and has a great sound

Value:
The Alesis Firewire mixer is much less expensive, probably gives almost the same quality, and includes the option. Here it's thousands plus another few hundred dollars.

Desirability:
It's a real want with the 24bit/96kh, but at the price its a turn-off.

Sound:
It's silent, great preamps, and the firewire option is amazing. Just WAY overpriced.

Ease of Use:
For me, who just got into recording, it took a little while, a few weeks, but after reading the manual, which was very specific, I was golden.

Support:
I emailed Mackie with some minor connectivity problems and it took them 4 days to respond, with a question to my question, and right now, still no response.

Overall:
If your rich great. If your not, get some middle-of-the-line mixer and the Hercules 1612 Firewire Interface and you should be all set with a pretty good quality studio.

"Great Idea, overpriced"

Feature:
At $1300.00 for the mixer and another $399.00 for the card This product is way over priced. there are several other options out there for getting multi channel into your computer. If your not going to use it for that then it's just another overpriced mixing console. Mackie would have been much more reasonable if they included the Fire Wire card in the initial price. A software bundle would be a nice touch to round off a real deal . You can get an 1820 or 12/12 EMU card , ADA converter and Behringer UB2240 mixer for less than half the price. Plus a bundle of free expensive software.

Quality:
Mackie is a quality brand you can depend on

Value:
Over priced

Sound:
Sounds Great, great idea