Mackie Onyx16 – 16-Channel Premium Analog USB Mixer

OVERVIEW

The Mackie Onyx16 is a premium 16-channel analog USB mixer designed for musicians, producers, and engineers who demand professional-grade performance in both the studio and on stage. Equipped with 12 award-winning Onyx mic preamps, Perkins “British Style” EQ, and pristine 24-bit/96kHz USB recording, it delivers uncompromising sound quality with the flexibility to handle multitrack recording, live mixing, podcasting, and streaming.

Packed with modern workflow enhancements, the Onyx16 features a powerful built-in FX engine, Bluetooth® streaming, and Mackie’s Studio Command system with a full-color LCD and one-knob control. Add in direct stereo SD card recording, rugged steel chassis design, and a software bundle including Waveform OEM and the DAW Essentials Collection™, and you have a versatile mixer that blends classic analog warmth with the convenience of today’s digital technology.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

FLAWLESS SOUND AND MAXIMUM CONTROL:

Record, produce, and perform with a 16-channel mixer that offers remarkable performance, exceptional versatility, and a wide host of features that will ignite your creativity. Every detail of the Mackie Onyx16 is geared towards recording at a professional level, from our award-winning Onyx preamps to the Perkins “British Style” EQs inspired by classic desks from the ’60s and ’70s.

ONYX MIC PREAMPS:

Record ultra-clean, transparent sound with incredible accuracy. Our award-winning Onyx Mic Preamps are designed for maximum studio-quality performance. Create podcasts, live stream gameplay, or produce the next hit. No matter what you do, we want to make sure you sound great.

PERKINS EQ:

Onyx mixers feature an enhanced 3-Band “British Style” EQ based on the same circuit used on classic mixing consoles from the ’60s and ’70s. This version, designed by Macki,e has greater filter control, minimum phase shift, and allows you to pinpoint specific frequency ranges.

To create the Perkins EQ, Cal Perkins started with the Wien Bridge circuit topology inspired by the hallowed “British” desks of the ’60s and ’70s. This design essentially trades boost/cut capability for a wider, highly musical Q filter. After a mind-numbing amount of math, Cal was able to specify capacitor and resistor values that would give the EQ an extra 6dB of control (±15 dB) without excessively narrowing the “Q” or bandwidth of the filters. It’s what we call a win-win.

BUILT-IN FX:

We don’t want to have to imagine a world without effects, which is why we built them into the Mackie Onyx16. Dive through a deep collection of reverb, chorus, delay, and more. Access a digital library of customizable digital effects that you can quickly save and recall during studio sessions or band rehearsals. Spend less time menu-diving and more time making music.

STUDIO COMMAND:

There’s nothing like feeling in control of your workstation. Mackie Onyx16 mixers feature powerful full-color LCDs with dedicated physical transport controls. Apply FX and recall up to six customizable presets using an intuitive single-knob interface. Record a stereo mix, browse files, and play music direct to/from an SD card, all via Studio Command.

BLUETOOTH STREAMING:

Bluetooth is a game-changer on an analog mixer. Pair a compatible device via Bluetooth to stream audio through aux sends or the main mix. Bluetooth compatibility allows you to compare mix reference tracks or play background music when you need it.

A LIGHT IN THE DARK:

We know the struggle – nobody likes squinting at a mixing board when the lighting is dim. Mackie Onyx16 mixers are equipped with vibrant buttons and a full colour display for improved visibility, even in the darkest venues. On top of that, the backlit Mute and Solo buttons provide clear visibility so you’ll always know what’s going on in the mix.

WAVEFORM OEM™ DAW:

Waveform OEM is a multi-award-winning workstation, featuring powerful and creative tools to inspire the modern musician. Unlike typical ‘Lite’ versions, it does not impose any restrictions – you get unlimited track count, powerful features, compatibility with all popular plug-ins, and efficient performance on MacOS ®, Windows®, and Linux ® operating systems. Learn More

DAW ESSENTIALS COLLECTION™:

Introducing a collection of 16 contemporary FX plug-ins for use with any DAW. These plug-ins utilize the very latest algorithms and coding techniques to deliver extraordinary sound quality in an extremely efficient package, allowing the plug-ins to be used liberally across a wide range of native computer systems. Learn More

• Equaliser
• Compressor
• Reverber8
• Delay Studio
• Stereo Delay
• Tape Delay
• Crossover
• Limiter
• Gate / Expander
• Ducker
• Flanger
• Crusher
• Chorus
• Bus Compressor
• Phaser
• Auto Filter

FEATURES

• Classic Sound, Modern Performance
• 18×4 Analog Mixer with 12 low-noise Onyx preamps that provide 60dB of gain
• 3-Band Perkins EQ with On/Off hard bypass switch for dialing in the perfect tone
• High-resolution multitrack recording to Mac/PC via USB at up to 24-bit / 96 kHz
• Stereo recording directly to an SD card
• Award-Winning Onyx Preamps for Pristine Audio
• Powerful, Professional FX Engine with Dynamic, Customizable Presets and Multi-Parameter Adjustment
• Studio Command Interface with full-color LCD for easy FX control and SD card management
• Bluetooth® Streaming to any Channel
• Switchable hi-Z inputs for guitars, bass, and other instruments
• Built-Like-A-Tank™ rugged steel chassis for added protection
• Waveform OEM professional software bundle included with the purchase of Onyx16

TECHNICAL SPECS

Mixer Type: 18×4 analog mixer with USB and SD card recording

Mic Preamps: 12 low-noise Onyx mic preamps with up to 60 dB of gain

EQ: Perkins 3-band “British Style” EQ with On/Off hard bypass switch

USB Recording: High-resolution multitrack recording to Mac/PC at up to 24-bit / 96 kHz

SD Recording: Direct stereo recording and playback from SD card

FX Engine: Built-in professional FX with customizable presets and multi-parameter control

Studio Command: Full-color LCD with dedicated transport controls and intuitive interface

Bluetooth®: Stream audio to any channel for mixing, referencing, or playback

Inputs: Switchable hi-Z inputs for guitars, bass, and other instruments

Construction: Built-Like-A-Tank™ rugged steel chassis for durability

Software Bundle: Waveform OEM DAW + DAW Essentials Collection™ (16 FX plug-ins)

DOWNLOADS & RESOURCES

Owner’s Manual

Spec Sheet

Windows Driver – ASIO Compatible

Firmware Update Instructions

Firmware Update v1.1.17

Firmware v1.1.17 Release Notes

Rack Ear Installation Guide

Series One-Sheet