Mackie 1640I User Manual

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   Onyx 1640i
Introduction
Thank you for choosing a Mackie Onyx 1640i  
professional compact mixer. The Onyx-i series of mixers 
offer built-in FireWire, along with the newest features 
and latest technologies for live sound reinforcement 
and analog or digital studio recording, all in a durable,  
road-worthy package.
The Onyx 1640i is equipped with 16 of our premium 
precision-engineered studio-grade Onyx mic preamps. 
Mackie is renowned for the high-quality mic preamps 
used in our mixers, and the Onyx mic pre’s are better 
than ever, with specifi cations rivaling expensive  
stand-alone mic preamplifi ers.
Channels 1 and 2 feature high-impedance  
instrument/line-level inputs so you can connect an 
acoustic, electric, or bass guitar directly into the mixer, 
eliminating the need for an external direct box.
Features 
• 
16-channel premium analog mixer with  
integrated 24-bit/96kHz FireWire I/O
• 
16 Onyx boutique quality mic preamps 
• 
4-band Perkins EQ with sweepable mids on all 
channels
• 
Full 16x16 FireWire channel streaming for 
ultimate DAW integration
• 
Flexible FireWire routing, including aux sends, 
groups and pre/post EQ assignment for all 
channels
• 
6 aux sends with pre/post assignment and solo
• 
Smooth 60mm channel and master faders
• 
Built-in DI on fi rst two channels for direct   
connection of guitars, bass, etc.
• 
Individual 48V phantom power switches on all 
mic inputs
• 
4-segment metering on every channel
• 
4-bus architecture for fl exible sub-grouping of 
channels
• 
Talkback section for use with internal or  
external mic
• 
Rotating I/O pod for desktop or rackmount 
operation - rack ears included
• 
"Planet-Earth" switching power supply for 
worldwide use
Deep FireWire Integration
The Onyx 1640i is the fl agship mixer of the series, 
boasting a full 16x16 FireWire interface, allowing for 
something that a DAW could never do alone: A true 
tape-style mixdown.
If you are doing a real analog mixdown, you will 
surely benefi t from the premium features that the 1640i 
provides. Send all channels simultaneously to your DAW, 
get them recorded and apply your plug-ins. Once you 
have everything edited and ready, you can simply route 
up to 16 streams straight back into the 1640i's channel 
strips. You can choose to apply some of that lovely 
Perkins EQ if you wish. All of these signals hit our 
premium, high-headroom custom summing bus. It 
combines the best of both the digital and analog realm 
to create seamless workfl ow that makes your sessions 
faster, easier and better sounding than ever possible 
before.
Wet or Dry?
Every channel on the mixer can be routed pre or post 
EQ to the computer, allowing you to choose whether to 
implement 'EQ to tape' or not.
Studio Quality Effects
 All aux sends are routable to the computer, allowing 
you to utilize your computer as a powerful FX engine by 
implementing your favorite plug-ins in a live scenario.
Preserve Your Mix
Master L/R is routable to the computer for recording 
your analog mix. Burn and sell CDs of the mix at the end 
of the gig!
Mix Integration
Up to 16 sources from your computer can be routed to 
either the control room for instant monitoring or right 
back into the channel strips for mix integration.
Latency-Free Overdubs
Having a "real" mixer has its benefi ts. Latency-free 
overdubs are simple since you are using an analog    
mixer. No more wasted time dealing with the 
complicated "DSP" mixers commonly used on  
standalone interfaces.
Most DAWs also support device aggregation, allowing 
you to use multiple 1640i's in any given session. Imagine 
32 or 48 channels, streaming effortlessly to and from 
your DAW, with all the power right in your hands. It's 
the ideal combination of modern technology and classic 
mixing style.