2-Channel Premium Analog Mixer with FireWire OWNER'S MANUAL 1 YX ON MIC PR 2 YX ON E MIC PR 3 YX ON E MIC PR 4 YX ON E MIC PR CTRL - RM OUT MAIN OUT ALT 3-4 OUT BAL/UNBAL BAL/UNBAL BAL/UNBAL TAPE L E IN L R LINE IN 5-6 1 2 4 L L/3 R LINE IN 9-10 L L L LINE LINE LINE LINE (MONO) (MONO) (MONO) (MONO) BAL/UNBAL BAL/UNBAL BAL/UNBAL BAL/UNBAL BAL/UNBAL BAL/UNBAL BAL/UNBAL LINE HI-Z 48V 75Hz 18dB/OCT 30 U 40 20 U 40 20 U 40 20 U U U U CTRL ROOM/PHON
Important Safety Instructions 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Read these instructions. Keep these instructions. Heed all warnings. Follow all instructions. Do not use this apparatus near water. Clean only with a dry cloth. Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. 8. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat. 9.
Quick Start We realize that you must be really keen to try out your new mixer. Please read the safety instructions on page 2, read this page, and then have a look through some of the features and details in this manual. Set the levels It’s not even necessary to hear what you’re doing to set optimal levels. But if you’d like to: Plug in headphones and turn up the phones knob just a little. 1. Turn on the mixer's power switch. 2.
Introduction Thank you for choosing a Mackie Onyx 1220i professional compact mixer. The Onyx-i series of mixers offer built-in FireWire, along with the newest features and latest technologies for live sound reinforcement and analog or digital studio recording, all in a durable, road-worthy package. Features The Onyx 1220i is equipped with four of our premium precision-engineered studio-grade Onyx mic preamps.
How To Use This Manual The first pages after the table of contents are the hookup diagrams. These show typical setups for fun times with your mixer. Next is a detailed tour of the entire mixer. The descriptions are divided into sections, just as your mixer is organized into distinct zones: • Back panel • Connection section • Channel controls • Master controls Throughout these sections you’ll find illustrations with each feature numbered and described in nearby paragraphs.
Contents IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS ........................ 2 QUICK START .......................................................... 3 INTRODUCTION ...................................................... 4 CONTROL ROOM/PHONES AND METERS ............ 22 35. MAIN MIX .............................................. 22 36. TAPE, FW 1-2, ALT 3-4 ............................ 22 HOOKUP DIAGRAMS............................................... 7 FEATURES ...........................................................
Hookup Diagrams Acoustic Guitar and Mic Microphone 1 YX ON MIC PR 2 3 YX MIC PRE ON E YX ON MIC PR 4 CTRL - RM OUT MAIN OUT ALT 3-4 OUT BAL/UNBAL BAL/UNBAL BAL/UNBAL TAPE L YX MIC PRE ON E IN L R LINE IN 5-6 1 2 LINE LINE BAL/UNBAL BAL/UNBAL LINE HI-Z LINE HI-Z 48V 40 20 40 20 40 (MONO) (MONO) BAL/UNBAL BAL/UNBAL 20 R U U CTRL ROOM/PHONES SOURCE U 40 GAIN 60 U -20dB +40dB GAIN -20dB GAIN -20dB +20dB GAIN -20dB +20dB 0dB=0dBu L GAIN -20dB +20dB SEND S
Microphones Electric Guitar Bass Guitar iPod Docking Station 1 YX ON 2 MIC PR E ON 3 YX MIC PRE YX ON 4 MIC PR E ON CTRL - RM OUT MAIN OUT ALT 3-4 OUT BAL/UNBAL BAL/UNBAL BAL/UNBAL TAPE IN L R LINE IN 5-6 Amplifier Modeler 1 press HI-Z button 2 4 LINE IN 7-8 L L/3 R LINE IN 9-10 L LINE IN 11-12 L L LINE LINE LINE LINE (MONO) (MONO) (MONO) (MONO) BAL/UNBAL BAL/UNBAL BAL/UNBAL BAL/UNBAL BAL/UNBAL BAL/UNBAL BAL/UNBAL LINE HI-Z 48V 75Hz 18dB/OCT 48V 30 40
Studio Microphone Acoustic Guitar mic’d up Mackie HR824mk2 Powered Reference Monitors for Control Room Bass Guitar Electric Guitar CD Player 1 YX ON 2 MIC PR E ON 3 YX MIC PRE YX ON 4 MIC PR E ON CTRL - RM OUT MAIN OUT ALT 3-4 OUT BAL/UNBAL BAL/UNBAL BAL/UNBAL Engineer’s Headphones TAPE L YX MIC PRE IN L R LINE IN 5-6 1 press HI-Z buttons 2 LINE LINE BAL/UNBAL BAL/UNBAL LINE HI-Z LINE HI-Z 48V 40 20 40 60 U -20dB +40dB 20 40 60 U -20dB +40dB (MONO) (MONO) BAL/U
Headphones Mackie HR824mkII Powered Reference Monitors for Control Room Voice-over Microphone Headphone Amp Voice-over booth record 1 Video Deck YX ON MIC PR 2 3 YX MIC PRE ON E YX ON MIC PR 4 CTRL - RM OUT MAIN OUT ALT 3-4 OUT BAL/UNBAL BAL/UNBAL BAL/UNBAL TAPE L YX MIC PRE ON E IN L R LINE IN 5-6 play 1 2 LINE LINE BAL/UNBAL BAL/UNBAL LINE HI-Z LINE HI-Z 48V 40 20 40 60 U -20dB +40dB 20 40 60 U -20dB +40dB (MONO) (MONO) BAL/UNBAL BAL/UNBAL 20 R R R R P
Onyx 1220i Features ( PRE-FADER / PRE EQ FIREWIRE MAIN OUT AUX SEND 1 BALANCED POWER R 2 4 4 8 BAL/UNBAL 2 R 2 AUX RETURN L BAL/UNBAL R 1 L 7 + 4dB MAIN OUTPUT LEVEL 1 L 3 1 TIP SEND / RING RETURN ) CHANNEL INSERT 3 2 MIC 6 5 Rear Panel 1. POWER CONNECTION 3. FIREWIRE CONNECTIONS This is a standard 3-prong IEC power connector. Connect the detachable linecord (included in the box with your mixer) to the power receptacle, and plug the other end of the linecord into an AC outlet.
as well as to solo, and add to aux send 1 and 2. This is routed using the FW/line input selector [23] on channels 11 and 12. This is useful for live performances, where those 2 channels might have, for example, a software synthesizer you are triggering from a MIDI keyboard, and you want to treat the softsynth as "just another instrument," with equal processing and routing options as the hardware keyboards coming into the other channels.
1 ON YX MIC PRE 2 ON YX MIC PRE 3 ON 4 YX MIC PRE ON CTRL - RM OUT MAIN OUT ALT 3-4 OUT BAL/UNBAL BAL/UNBAL BAL/UNBAL 12 13 14 L R LINE IN 5-6 1 2 3 4 LINE LINE LINE LINE BAL/UNBAL BAL/UNBAL BAL/UNBAL BAL/UNBAL LINE HI-Z 48V 20 LINE HI-Z 48V 75Hz 18dB/OCT L 11 sleeve (TRS plug) This plug connects to one of the mixer’s Channel Insert jacks.
To connect unbalanced lines to these inputs, use a 1⁄4" mono (TS) phone plug, wired as follows: Tip = Positive (+ or hot) Sleeve = Shield or ground The line-level inputs of channels 1 and 2 can also accept instrument-level signals if the hi-z switches [18] are pressed in. This allows you to connect guitars directly to channels 1 and 2, without the need for a DI box. The input impedance is optimized for direct connection, and high-frequency fidelity is assured. 11. STEREO LINE INPUTS (Ch.
1 ON YX MIC PRE 2 ON YX MIC PRE 3 ON YX MIC PRE 4 ON CTRL - RM OUT MAIN OUT ALT 3-4 OUT BAL/UNBAL BAL/UNBAL BAL/UNBAL 12 13 14 L R LINE IN 5-6 1 2 3 4 LINE LINE LINE LINE BAL/UNBAL BAL/UNBAL BAL/UNBAL BAL/UNBAL LINE HI-Z 48V 20 LINE HI-Z 48V 75Hz 18dB/OCT 75Hz 18dB/OCT 48V L YX MIC PRE 9 10 18 19 15 TAPE 16 L 11 L LINE IN 7-8 L R LINE IN 9-10 L/3 R 17 L L (MONO) (MONO) (MONO) BAL/UNBAL BAL/UNBAL BAL/UNBAL BAL/UNBAL R R/4 OUT LINE IN 11-12 (MON
Channel Controls 1 ON 2 YX MIC PRE ON 3 YX MIC PRE ON CTRL - RM O 4 YX MIC PRE ON BAL/UNBAL YX MIC PRE The vertical channel strips look very similar, and have only a few differences between them. Each channel works independently, and just controls the signals plugged into the inputs directly above it.
1 O 2 M NYX IC PRE O 3 M NYX IC PRE O 4 M NYX IC PRE O CTRL - RM OUT MAIN OUT ALT 3-4 OUT BAL/UNBAL BAL/UNBAL BAL/UNBAL L 12 9 L 10 18 19 1 2 3 4 LINE LINE LINE LINE BAL/UNBAL BAL/UNBAL LINE HI-Z 48V LINE HI-Z 20 40 20 40 GAIN 60 U -20dB +40dB 22 U U EQ 1k 25 8k 100 8k 26 -15 +15 AUX 100 AUX EQ +15 10 +15 TAPE LINE FW 1-2 U 3 0 HIGH 12kHz -15 U FW 1-2 12kHz ALT 3-4 2 +15 -15 4 27 AUX U MID +15 -15 ASSIGN TO MAIN MIX MID 2.
20. 48V PHANTOM POWER (Ch.1–4 only) 22. SEND FIREWIRE PRE/POST Most modern professional condenser mics require 48V phantom power, which lets the mixer send low-current DC voltage to the mic’s electronics through the same wires that carry audio. (Semi-pro condenser mics often have batteries to accomplish the same thing.) “Phantom” owes its name to an ability to be “unseen” by dynamic mics (Shure SM57/SM58, for instance), which don’t need external power and aren’t affected by it anyway.
24. HIGH EQ The high EQ provides up to 15 dB of boost or cut above 12 kHz, and it is also flat (no 0 boost or cut) at the detent. Use it to add sizzle to cymbals, an overall sense of transparency, or an edge to keyboards, vocals, guitar and bacon frying. Turn it down a little to reduce sibilance or to mask tape hiss.
29. AUX SEND 1 and 2 31. MUTE switch and ALT 3–4 These controls allow you to set up two independent mixes, typically for running stage monitors or external effects processors. The dual-purpose mute/alt 3-4 switch is a Mackie signature. When Greg was designing our first product, he had to include a mute switch for each channel. Mute switches do just what they sound like they do. They turn off the signal by “routing” it into oblivion. “Gee, what a waste,” he reasoned.
32.
CTRL ROOM/PHONES SOURCE 0dB=0dBu L 35 R 20 CLIP 15 MAIN MIX 10 6 36 TAPE 3 40 0 FW 1-2 ALT 3-4 2 4 37 LEVEL SET 7 ASSIGN TO MAIN MIX 10 20 30 OO MAX OO MAX CONTROL ROOM PHONES RUDE SOLO 38 39 41 Control Room/Phones and Meters Typically, the engineer sends the main mix to an audience (for a live show) or to a mixdown deck (if recording).
GAIN -20dB 39. PHONES Knob CTRL ROOM/PHONES SOURCE U +20dB SEND 0dB=0dBu L 35 23 20 10 36 TAPE LINE FW 1-2 6 3 0 HIGH ALT 3-4 FW 1-2 12kHz 2 +15 -15 37 7 ASSIGN TO MAIN MIX 10 30 +15 MAX OO U 80Hz RUDE SOLO 39 41 43 45 SEND 1 RETURN 1 PRE POST MAX OO 42 +15 2 OO These peak meters are made up of two columns of twelve LEDs, with three colors to indicate different ranges of signal level, traffic light style.
Aux Master This section includes the aux sends and the aux returns. Aux sends tap signals off the channels, via the aux knobs [29], mix these signals from each channel together, then sends them out the aux send jacks [6] and FireWire outputs 11 and 12. The aux sends can be pre-fader or post-fader (both are post-EQ, but see page 38). Post-fader aux sends can be fed to the inputs of an external processor like a reverb or digital delay.
GAIN -20dB 46. POWER LED CTRL ROOM/PHONES SOURCE U +20dB SEND 0dB=0dBu L 35 23 20 10 36 TAPE LINE FW 1-2 6 3 0 HIGH ALT 3-4 FW 1-2 12kHz 2 +15 -15 37 ASSIGN TO MAIN MIX 10 30 +15 MAX OO PHONES RUDE SOLO 39 41 38 80Hz AUX MASTER +15 AUX 43 45 SEND 1 RETURN 1 PRE POST MAX OO 42 +15 2 OO MAX OO CONTROL ROOM LOW OO Talkback 20 MID U 1 OO RTN TO AUX1 47.
The aux 1-2 switch routes the talkback signal to the aux send 1 and 2 outputs [6]. Use this to communicate with the musicians through their stage monitors when you are setting up a live performance. It is fine to have both destination switches pushed in at the same time, so the talkback signal will be routed to both destinations. But if you don’t have either of the destination switches pushed in, the talkback signal won’t go anywhere. You might as well be talking to a brick wall. 50.
Appendix A: Service Information If you think your mixer has a problem, please check out the following troubleshooting tips and do your best to confirm the problem. Visit the Support section of our website (www.mackie.com) where you will find lots of useful information such as FAQs, documentation and any updated PC drivers etc. You may find the answer to the problem without having to send your mixer away.
Appendix B: Connections “XLR” Connectors Mackie mixers use 3-pin female “XLR” connectors on all microphone inputs, with pin 1 wired to the grounded (earthed) shield, pin 2 wired to the “high” (”hot” or positive polarity) side of the audio signal and pin 3 wired to the “low” (“cold” or negative polarity) side of the signal. See Figure A. Use a male “XLR”-type connector, usually found on the nether end of what is called a “mic cable,” to connect to a female XLR jack.
TRS Send/Receive Insert Jacks Mackie’s single-jack inserts are the three-conductor, TRS 1⁄4" phone type. They are unbalanced, but have both the mixer output (send) and the mixer input (return) signals in one connector. See Figure F. tip SEND to processor ring sleeve (TRS plug) This plug connects to one of the mixer’s Channel Insert jacks. “tip” “ring” RETURN from processor Figure F The sleeve is the common ground (earth) for both signals.
Appendix C: Technical Information Specifications Noise Characteristics: Distortion (THD+N): Equivalent Input Noise (EIN), mic input at insert, 150 Ω source impedance, 20 to 20 kHz: 20 Hz to 20 kHz, 20 Hz to 80 kHz bandwidth 60 dB (max) gain: 40 dB gain: -127 dBu -126.5 dBu Equivalent Input Noise (EIN), mic input at insert, 50 Ω source impedance, A-weighted: 60 dB (max) gain: -130.
FireWire Output Impedance: Sample Rates Available: 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz Main XLR output: 100 Ω balanced Phones output: 75 Ω Buffer Size: 32 (44.
Onyx 1220i Phantom Line FW Line Hi-Z 75Hz Bypass Low Cut HPF -20 ~ +20dB Gain (Ch.11-12 only) - + Mic: 0 ~ +60dB Line: -20 ~ +40dB Gain - + Insert 2.5K 80 HI Level To FW To FW 12K HI 12K FW Tap Pre Post MID 2.
Appendix D: Rack Ear installation instructions The optional Rack Ear Kit allows the Onyx 1220i mixer to be mounted in a standard 19” rack. It will be out of harm’s way and the band may continue tearin’ it up without fearing any consequences. The mixer takes up ten rack spaces. Be sure to allow for an extra space or two above to make connections. The kit contains two rack ear brackets and six black screws (M3.5 x 8mm).
Appendix E: FireWire The mixer comes with a CD containing the PC driver software needed to use your mixer's internal FireWire interface with Windows XP or Windows Vista. 3. The Windows application will start its "Found New Hardware" wizard. Select "Locate and install driver software." Mac OS X contains built-in drivers, so no software installation is required. Before installing the drivers from the CD, please check our website in case there are any updated drivers available.
6. Select "Install," and the driver software will be installed. Installation for Windows XP 1. Connect the FireWire cable from your Onyx 1220i to the computer. 2. Power on your Onyx 1220i . 3. The Windows XP application will start its “Found New Hardware” wizard. 7. The following message confirms that the driver software has been successfully installed. 4. Ignore any attempt to connect to Windows Update to find the software, by checking the "No, not at this time" button. Select "Next.
7. Select the “Next” command and the driver software will begin installing. 8. When Windows presents you with a warning about the software not having passed Windows testing, select “Continue Anyway.” 10. The following message confirms that the new software has been installed successfully and that the found new hardware wizard is complete. 11. Pack yourself a big lunch and go for a nice walk outside. Have a picnic and lie back and dream. Things are going to be so good now.
USING THE ONYX 1220i WITH A MAC The Onyx 1220i works with Mac OS 10.4.11 and higher. This OS includes the Apple FireWire 2.0 driver. The Onyx 1220i will only work with the 2.0 driver, so if you have an OS before 10.4.11, you will need to check your system for updates from the nice folks at Apple. 5. Here you can see the settings for the mixer. You can also choose it as your default input or output, as well as designate it to be used for system sound output.
Appendix F: Modifications The following modifications can be carried out on the Onyx 1220i by an authorized service center. Authorized service centers may be found online at: www.mackie.com/scripts/service_centers/search.asp Please contact our technical support department if you are having trouble finding an authorized service center in your area. The block diagram on page 32 shows these modifications as dotted lines in the channel signal flow.
Onyx 1220i Track Sheet 1 ON YX MIC PR 2 ON E YX MIC PR 3 ON E YX MIC PR 4 ON E YX MIC PR CTRL - RM OUT MAIN OUT ALT 3-4 OUT BAL/UNBAL BAL/UNBAL BAL/UNBAL TAPE L E IN L R LINE IN 5-6 LINE IN 7-8 L/3 R LINE IN 9-10 1 2 3 4 LINE LINE LINE (MONO) (MONO) (MONO) (MONO) BAL/UNBAL BAL/UNBAL BAL/UNBAL BAL/UNBAL BAL/UNBAL BAL/UNBAL BAL/UNBAL LINE HI-Z 48V BAL/UNBAL 75Hz 18dB/OCT 20 40 GAIN 60 U -20dB +40dB 20 40 GAIN 60 U -20dB +40dB 20 U U R R U U CTRL ROO
Onyx 1220i Limited Warranty Please keep your sales receipt in a safe place. This Limited Product Warranty (“Product Warranty”) is provided by LOUD Technologies Inc. (“LOUD”) and is applicable to products purchased in the United States or Canada through a LOUD-authorized reseller or dealer. The Product Warranty will not extend to anyone other than the original purchaser of the product (hereinafter, “Customer,” “you” or “your”). For products purchased outside the U.S. or Canada, please visit www.mackie.
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