Next-generation AKM 24-bit/192kHz A-D and D-A converters are used to maintain the audio quality of which the Onyx preamps are capable. Housed in a conventional 1U rack case and requiring only Firewire 400 connectivity to hook up to a computer, the Onyx 400F comprises four Onyx mic/line preamp channels augmented by four further line-only channels, where the mic/line channels also benefit from analogue insert points on TRS jacks. The Onyx mixer also had a Firewire option allowing it to be used as an audio interface to computer music systems, so it wasn't entirely unexpected when Mackie announced a stand-alone Firewire interface based around their Onyx preamps. When I reviewed the Onyx mixer, I was particularly impressed by the sense of clarity and detail these preamps presented, and they come very close in performance (both subjectively and technically) to some of the extremely expensive and esoteric boutique mic preamps currently available. These preamps appear to have been designed to subtly flatter the sound in the same way that many of the popular vintage preamps do, while offering a wide dynamic range (123dB) and very low distortion (0.0007 percent THD). When Mackie introduced their Onyx mixer range, the mixer's newly designed mic preamps attracted a lot of favourable comments.

Mackie's new 10-in, 10-out breakout box includes an internal DSP mixer, MIDI connectivity, and four of their high-spec Onyx preamps.

Mackie onyx 1220 firewire driver mac