ONYX 1640

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Introduction

Thank you for choosing a Mackie Onyx 1640 professional compact mixing console. The Onyx Series of mixers are designed for the digital era and offer the newest features and latest technologies for live sound reinforcement and analog or digital studio recording in a durable, road-worthy package.

The Onyx 1640 is equipped with sixteen of our new 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 specifications rivaling expensive stand-alone mic preamplifiers.

Channels 1 and 2 feature high-impedance instrument/ line-level inputs so you can connect an acoustic, elec- tric, or bass guitar directly into the mixer, eliminating the need for an external direct box.

Each of the sixteen mono channels has individual phantom power switches, low-cut filters, pre-EQ channel inserts, and an all new four-band EQ design with sweepable mids and EQ bypass switch.

All sixteen channels have six Aux sends, Pan, Mute, Sub Assign, Solo, 60 mm faders, and four signal level indicators.

A built-in Talkback mic with routing switches allows you to communicate through the Aux Sends 1-4, Aux Sends 5-6, Sub 1-4, or the Phones output.

All sixteen channels have balanced recording outputs on two DB-25 connectors for multitrack recording. An optional FireWire card provides all sixteen direct outputs and the L-R Main Mix on a FireWire interface for streaming digital audio to a laptop for multitrack recording in a live situation, or connecting to a DAW in a home studio.

Like our popular 1604-VLZ PRO, the Onyx 1640 has a “rotopod” connector section. This allows the connector panel to rotate so it faces up (all the connectors are on the same surface as the knobs and faders), to the rear (default mixer configuration), or toward the back (for rack mounting, using the included rack ears).

Please write your serial number here for future reference (i.e., insurance claims, tech support, return authorization, etc.)

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ONYX 1640

HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL

We know that many of you can’t wait to get your new mixer hooked up, and you’re probably not going to read the manual first (sigh!). So the first section after this Introduction is a Quick-Start Guide to help you get the mixer set up fast so you can start using it right away. Right after that are the ever popular hook-up diagrams that show typical mixer setups for live sound, recording, and mixdown.

Then, when you have time, read the Features Description section. This describes every knob, button, and connection point on the Onyx 1640, roughly following the signal flow through the mixer from top to bottom and left to right.

Throughout this section you’ll find illustrations with each feature numbered. If you want to know more about a feature, simply locate it on the appropriate illustra- tion, notice the number attached to it, and find that number in the nearby paragraphs.

This icon marks information that is critically important or unique to the Onyx 1640. For your own good, read them and remember them. They will be on the final test.

This icon leads you to in-depth explanations of features and practical tips. While not mandatory, they usually have some valuable nugget of information.

A PLUG FOR THE CONNECTOR SECTION

Appendix B is a section on connectors: XLR connec- tors, balanced connectors, unbalanced connectors, and special hybrid connectors.

More resources on our website at www.mackie.com.

THE GLOSSARY: A Haven of Non-Techiness for the Neophyte

The “Glossary of Terms” is a fairly comprehensive dictionary of pro-audio terms. If terms like “clipping,” “noise floor,” or “unbalanced” leave you blank, refer to this glossary for a quick explanation.

ARCANE MYSTERIES ILLUMINATED

“Arcane Mysteries” discusses some of the down ‘n’ dirty practical realities of microphones, fixed installa- tions, grounding, and balanced versus unbalanced lines. It’s a goldmine for the neophyte, and even the seasoned pro might learn a thing or two.