Mackie Onyx Firewire Mixers-Do they perform well as an interface?

THey dont have a reputation for having good drivers
Cj

I am using an Allen & Heath ZED-R16 firewire and love it.  I have seen no performance flaws as of yet.  Faders are not motorized but that has not been an issue.  Not exatcly answering your question but might be another option to look at.

I use the Mackie Onyx 1640 as both a live board and live recording.  4 1+ hour sets no problems.  Sounds pretty good too.  I then bring the resultant tracks home whereI use my FirePod to mix/master. This works for me and I don't have to worry about the Mackie drivers latency with live recording.

I'm just saying this works for me!

For the record, the A&H ZED-R16 is:

Analogue to Digital conversion 24bit 114dB dynamic range (A wtd)

Digital to Analogue conversion 24bit 118dB dynamic range (A wtd)

Sample Rate 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96kHz

Good luck with the Mackie.

southpaw3473

BretB


For the record, the A&H ZED-R16 is:

Analogue to Digital conversion 24bit 114dB dynamic range (A wtd)

Digital to Analogue conversion 24bit 118dB dynamic range (A wtd)

Sample Rate 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96kHz

Good luck with the Mackie.

Wow, I read Paul White's review in SOS-

"The interface itself is fixed at 16-bit, and operates at sample rates of 32kHz, 44.1kHz and 48kHz, as determined by the host software and driver settings. A record output is provided on phonos, which is fed pre- the master fader but post- the master insert points. Clearly, this level of digital interfacing isn't nearly comprehensive enough for multitrack recording, unless of course you only lay down one or two tracks at a time."

If the Mackie doesn't do the trick I will definitely check out the A&H.  How are the converters?  What is the latency like?

You sure you got the right ZED?? The only sound on sound review I've seen is this one which was written by Robin Bigwood http://www.soundonsound.c...llenandheathzedr16.htm

I have huge respect for Paul White but if that's what he wrote about the ZEDR-16 (and I very much doubt he did) he clearly hasn't a clue what he's talking about.......

EDIT: Regarding latency. I have no idea how low it will go, I run mine at way over 2000 msecs. One of the main reasons for buying a mixer interface is so latency is not an issue, you monitor through the board. Unless of course you wish to input monitor in which case don't buy a mixer buy a card based interface as you'll always get lower latency that way.

That explains it then. That's a review for the ZED14, what BretB and I are referring to is the ZED-R16 which is a completely different beast. 18in/18out via firewire, MIDI control surface, etc. etc.

Have a look at one of THESE, they are the dogs....

"Dogs" are good in the UK?  To be a DOG in the US is not flattering.