Mackie recently announced a new line of small mixers with FireWire connections, the Onyx-i Series FireWire Recording Mixers.
Featuring eight-, 12- and 16-channel models (requiring channel toggling for access to every channel on some models), the Onyx-i line offers an onboard 24-bit/96 kHz converter for FireWire output. Features include 48V phantom power, a talkback section (even on the smallest board) and “British EQ” (in this case a four-band EQ with a sweepable mid). All but the largest board, the 1640i have top-mounted I/O.
Mackie sees one role for the mixer as a front end for digital audio workstations and should be compatible as a control surface with Pro Tools (M-Powered 8), Apple Logic, Cakewalk Sonar, Steinberg Cubase and Ableton Live.
James Woodburn, a product manager for Macke, said: “Those who have been intimidated by digital recording will love the familiar layout and feel of a mixer. Those who are already into it will enjoy increased flexibility and speed.”
