Mackie Onyx 1640 W/firewire In/out, Has anyone tried one? Options

[Gojinx]

Has anyone test driven the Mackie ONYX 1640 with the firewire output card. I 'm putting together a mid priced studio setup based around a dual 2.5 G5 and Logic.
Any feedback would be much appreciated.

All the Best!

[jbsound-com]

Gojinx,

I haven't personally used them but everyone I know that has one really likes them. This is what I know about them so far:

- They sound better by far than the older vlz mackie stuff.
- The firewire output is pre-EQ and just about eveything else. This is good because when recording you want to take in the purest signal possible. You can probably eq better with a software eq than what the mackie can do. Plus, if you're in a live situation, you can EQ as necessary and you don't have to worry about screwing up your recorded signal.
- The A/D converters on it are very respectable
- The preamps on it are the best in the price range for that board

Overall, I think that they are well liked by everyone that has one. I think it's about time that someone came out with that kind of functionality at a good price.

[dubpl8s]

I have had a 1620 for awhile and its the BOMB!
- it sounds awsome live
- its ultra flexible
- hella convenient
- etc.........
only thing that sucks is live situations where you dont need a mixer but you need an interface

[jbsound-com]

What do you think about the pre's and the eq? How flexible is the software and how easy is it to hook up and use?

[Gojinx]

"only thing that sucks is live situations where you dont need a mixer but you need an interface"

How so? Too big for just a few needed inputs into a computer?

What software are you using with it to record? Using core audio? Problems with latencey?

Gojinx

[dubpl8s]

Yes it is pretty big, for example i played at a house party last week in a really cramped space and I had to stick my onyx under my keyboard stand!

- The Eq is really nice you can cut highs but it still has a nice airy sound. my only beef is sometimes the resonance in the mids seems a bit high

- I am using logic pro 7 with no latency or core audio problems

- I like the pre-everything approach cause I would rather have as pure a signal as possible.

[jbsound-com]

Yeah,

I think that the the best thing they did on that board was make the firewire sends "pre" everything. I would much rather have a pure signal for recording than have it go through all the other eq's, etc.

How are the preamps on the board? I've had a lot of guys telling me that they are way better than the older mackie stuff.