O W N E R ’ S M A N U A L
ONYX 1640 Important Safety Instructions 13. Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time. 1. Read these instuctions. 2. Keep these instructions. 14. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel.
Introduction................................................................................................................4 Getting Started..........................................................................................................5 Zero the Controls .......................................................................................................................................5 Connections.................................................................................................
ONYX 1640 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.
a line input such as a CD player or tape recorder output. Be sure that the volume of the input source is the same as it would be during normal use. If it isn’t, you might have to readjust these levels during the middle of the set. READ THIS PAGE!! Even if you’re one of those people who never reads manuals, all we ask is that you read this page now before you begin using the Onyx 1640. You’ll be glad you did! 3.
ONYX 1640 Hookup Diagrams This hookup diagram demonstrates how you can do a live multitrack recording using the RECORDING OUTs or the optional FireWire card. Bass Guitar Electric Guitar The RECORDING OUTs provide an analog balanced direct output for each channel, and the FireWire card provides a digital direct output for each channel.
Electric Guitar Electric Guitar 2 2 3 4 6 9 CHANNEL INPUTS 6 8 Stereo Guitar Effects 4 5 7 8 9 10 10 Drum Machine 11 Keyboard or other line level input 12 In Mono Compressor Out 9 2 10 3 5 7 1 CHANNEL INSERTS 1 11 In Out Stereo Compressor In Out 3 11 4 12 5 13 6 14 7 15 8 16 AUX RETURNS Vocal Mics 1 Owner’s Manual Bass Guitar L 1 R L 3 R L 2 R L 4 R Digital Delay Multi Effect Processor 12 1 13 13 15 16 2 3 AUX SEND 14 14 15 4 5 16 L R CNTRL ROOM OUTPUTS MAIN
ONYX 1640 Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Electric Guitar 2 4 4 5 6 6 CHANNEL INPUTS 5 7 7 8 8 9 9 10 10 Drum Machine Keyboard or other line level input 11 11 9 2 10 3 3 Stereo Guitar Effects 1 CHANNEL INSERTS 1 2 3 11 4 12 5 13 6 14 In Out Stereo Compressor In Out 8 16 L 1 R L 3 R L 2 R L 4 R 12 12 In Mono Compressor Out 7 15 AUX RETURNS Vocal Mics 1 Digital Delay 1 13 13 15 15 3 4 5 16 16 Multi Effect Processor 2 AUX SEND 14 14 L R CNTRL ROOM OUTPUTS MAI
Owner’s Manual Electric Guitar 1 2 2 4 4 5 6 6 CHANNEL INPUTS 5 7 7 8 8 9 9 10 10 Keyboard or other line level input 11 Drum Mics 12 9 In Mono Compressor Out 2 10 3 3 Stereo Guitar Effects 1 CHANNEL INSERTS Electric Guitar Vocal Mics 1 11 3 11 4 12 In Out Stereo Compressor In Out 5 13 6 14 Headphones for Studio 7 15 8 16 AUX RETURNS Bass Guitar L 1 R L 3 R L 2 R L 4 R Headphone Distribution Amp 12 1 13 13 15 16 2 AUX SEND 14 14 15 3 4 5 16 L R CNTRL RO
ONYX 1640 Onyx 1640 Features Channel Strips 1 48V 75Hz 18dB/OCT MIC HI-Z 30 20 U 40 U All sixteen channels on the Onyx 1640 look alike and function identically with the following exception: Channels 1 and 2 have high-impedance instrument inputs in addition to the mic and line inputs so you can connect a guitar directly to the mixer.
4. GAIN Control If you haven’t already, please read “Set the Levels” on page 5. The GAIN control adjusts the input sensitivity of the mic and line inputs. This allows the signal from the outside world to be adjusted to optimal internal operating levels. If the signal is plugged into the XLR jack, there is 0 dB of gain (unity gain) with the knob turned all the way down, ramping up to 60 dB of gain fully up.
ONYX 1640 10. LOW EQ 13. MUTE +15 +10 +5 0 –5 –10 –15 20Hz 100Hz 1kHz 10kHz 20kHz Low EQ GAIN OUT IN U EQ HIGH 12kHz -15 +15 2k FREQ 400 Note: Used in conjunction with the Low Cut switch, you can boost the LOW EQ without injecting tons of infrasonic debris into the mix. HIGH MID 11.
If you’re creating new tracks or bouncing existing ones, you’ll also use the 1-2 and 3-4 switches, but not the MAIN MIX switch. Here, you don’t want the subgroups sent back into the MAIN MIX bus, but sent out, via the SUB OUT jacks [60], to your multitrack inputs. However, if you’re printing tracks via the RECORDING OUTS [63] (or via the optional FireWire card), the channel assignment switches don’t matter because the RECORDING OUTS come before the ASSIGN switches.
ONYX 1640 The ASSIGN TO MAIN MIX button [19] routes the stereo mix from the optional FIREWIRE card to the main mix bus. This gives you the flexibility of monitoring the TAPE, SUB 1-4, or FIREWIRE signals as they appear at the MAIN OUT rather than at a point just after their respective level controls. 19. ASSIGN TO MAIN MIX (FIREWIRE) Let’s say you’re doing a live show. Intermission is nearing and you have a playlist of MP3 files on your laptop you want to play during the break.
tion switches pushed in, the talkback signal won’t go anywhere. You might as well be talking to a brick wall. Use this knob to control the level of the talkback signal being routed to the various outputs. This controls the talkback level for either the internal or external TALKBACK MICs. 28. TALKBACK Switch You should start with the TALKBACK LEVEL control turned down, and then slowly turn it up until you get confirmation from whoever is listening to headphones or monitors that they can hear you.
ONYX 1640 The reason for this is because you want the meters to reflect what the engineer is listening to, and as we’ve covered, the engineer is listening either to the CONTROL ROOM outputs or the PHONES outputs. The only difference is that while the listening levels are controlled by the CONTROL ROOM and PHONES knobs, the meters indicate the SOURCE mix before those knobs, giving you the real facts at all times, even if you’re not listening at all.
This section includes the AUX MASTERS (Sends) and the AUX RETURNS. These can be a bit confusing to the uninitiated, so here’s the whole idea behind aux sends and returns: sends are outputs and returns are inputs. AUX SENDs tap signals off the channels, via the AUX knobs [11], mix these signals together, then send them out the AUX SEND jacks [62]. These outputs are fed to the inputs of an external processor like a reverb or digital delay.
ONYX 1640 37. AUX SENDS SOLO AUX MASTERS AUX SENDS AUX RETURNS PRE POST 1 1 MON OO +15 OO SOLO EFX TO MON +10 OO +10 TO AUX 5 PRE POST 2 2 MON OO +15 OO SOLO +10 OO +10 This button allows you to solo an individual AUX SEND. If you are using the aux sends to feed your stage monitors, you can use these buttons to check your monitor mix. Beside each switch is an indicating LED to let you easily spot a soloed aux send.
41. AUX RETURN 3 SEND TO MAIN/SUBS With this button up, AUX RETURN 3 behaves like the other AUX RETURNS—it delivers a stereo signal, regulated by its level knob, to the MAIN MIX. When you push this button in, the AUX RETURN 3 signals are removed from the MAIN MIX buses and sent to the SUBS 1-2/3-4 switch, which diverts the signal once more. We’re not finished. Please read on. 42. SUBS 1-2/3-4 If the AUX RETURN 3 SEND TO MAIN/SUBS button is up, the SUBS 1-2/3-4 button does absolutely nothing.
ONYX 1640 Rear Panel When connecting an unbalanced signal, wire them as follows: Tip = Positive (+ or hot) Sleeve = Shield or ground This is where all the connections are made to the Onyx 1640 (except the headphones and the lamp). One of the things that revolutionized the compact mixer industry was the “convertible pod” found on the original, classic CR-1604. Using an ordinary phillips screwdriver, the mixer could be converted from desktop mode (as it comes from the factory) to rackmount mode. Fear not.
Note: You can safely plug this output into a microphone input that provides 48 V phantom power. 54. MAIN OUT MONO PLUG Channel Insert jack Direct out with no signal interruption to master. Insert only to first “click.” MONO PLUG Channel Insert jack Direct out with signal interruption to master. Insert all the way in to the second “click.” STEREO PLUG Channel Insert jack For use as an effects loop.
ONYX 1640 WARNING! Pushing the TAPE TO MAIN MIX button can create a feedback path between TAPE IN and TAPE OUT. Make sure your tape deck is not in record, record pause, or input monitor mode when you engage these switches, or make sure the TAPE IN level control is turned all the way down. The TAPE OUT jacks produce an unbalanced signal that is tapped off the MAIN OUTs.
Owner’s Manual 65. POWER Switch This one is self-explanatory. When the POWER switch is turned ON, power is supplied to the Onyx 1640 and the POWER LED on the front panel lights up. 66. Power Receptacle This is a standard 3-prong IEC power connector. Connect the detachable linecord (included in the box with your Onyx 1640) to the power receptacle, and plug the other end of the linecord into an AC outlet.
ONYX 1640 Appendix A: Service Information Warranty Service Details concerning Warranty Service are spelled out in the Warranty section on page 35. • If it is channel 1 or 2, make sure the MIC/HI-Z switch [3] is in the right position. If you think your Onyx mixer has a problem, please do everything you can to confirm it before calling for service. Doing so might save you from the deprivation of your Onyx mixer and the associated suffering.
Service for Mackie products is available at our galactic headquarters, located in sunny Woodinville, Washington. Service for Mackie products living outside the United States can be obtained through local dealers or distributors. 7. MACKIE SERVICE DEPARTMENT 16220 Wood-Red Road NE Woodinville, WA 98072 If your Onyx 1640 needs service, follow these instructions: 1. Review the preceding troubleshooting suggestions. Please. 2.
ONYX 1640 Appendix B: Connections XLR Connectors Channels 1-16 use 3-pin female XLR connectors on the MIC inputs. They are wired as follows, according to standards specified by the AES (Audio Engineering Society). 2 SHIELD HOT COLD SHIELD 1/4" TS Phone Plugs and Jacks “TS” stands for Tip-Sleeve, the two connection points available on a mono 1/4" phone jack or plug. They are used for unbalanced signals.
When connecting an unbalanced output to a balanced input, be sure that the signal high (hot) connections are wired to each other. The unbalanced ground (earth) connection should be wired to the low (cold) and the ground (earth) connections of the balanced input. If there are ground-loop problems, try disconnecting the unbalanced ground (earth) connection from the balanced input ground (earth) connection, leaving the unbalanced ground connected to the balanced input low (cold) connection only.
Ch16 Ch16 Ch15 Ch14 Ch14 Ch 13 Ch 12 Ch 12 Ch 11 Ch 10 Ch 10 Ch 9 Pin 14 Pin 15 Pin 16 Pin 17 Pin 18 Pin 19 Pin 20 Pin 21 Pin 22 Pin 23 Pin 24 Pin 25 – + shield – + shield – + shield – + shield REC OUTS 9-16 Ch 8 Ch 8 Ch 7 Ch 6 Ch 6 Ch 5 Ch 4 Ch 4 Ch 3 Ch 2 Ch 2 Ch 1 REC OUTS 1-8 + shield – + shield – + shield – + shield – N/C Signal Description REC OUTS 9-16 Pin 1 Pin 2 Pin 3 Pin 4 Pin 5 Pin 6 Pin 7 Pin 8 Pin 9 Pin 10 Pin 11 Pin 12 Pin 13 REC OUTS 1-8 The RECORDING OUTS on the back of the Onyx 1
Onyx 1640 Specifications Frequency Response Mixer Rated Output Mic Input to Main Output (Gain @ Unity) +0, –1 dB, 20 Hz to 50 kHz +0, –3 dB, <10 Hz to >100 kHz Main: +4 dBu Aux Send: +4 dBu Control Room: +4 dBu Sub: +4 dBu Maximum Rated Output: +21 dBu @ Main XLR and TRS outputs Distortion (THD & IMD) Mic Input to Main Output (@ +4 dBu) THD: < 0.01%, 20 Hz to 20 kHz SMPTE IMD: < 0.005% (7 kHz/60 Hz, 4:1) Dynamic Range >110 dB (Mic In to Main Out) Noise Floor Signal-to-Noise Ratio: –93 dBu (ref.
150 Ω balanced, XLR outputs; 300 Ω TRS outputs Recording Outputs: 300 Ω Control Room: 300 Ω Sub Output: 300 Ω Aux Sends: 300 Ω Tape Output: 2.2 kΩ Phones Output: 25 Ω WEIGHT 29.7 lb/ 13.5 kg Main: 7.5 in/ 191 mm ONYX 1640 Output Impedance 17.4 in/442 mm 7.5 in/ 191 mm Jacks to the rear (Default configuration) Channel Level Set LED (Sensitivity) VU Meters Main Left and Right, 12 segments: Clip (+20), +10, +7, +4, +2, 0, –2, –4, –7, –10, –20, –30 0 LED = 0 dBu 24.
Owner’s Manual 1 1 R MACKIE ONYX 1640 BLOCK DIAGRAM (#040204_DF) 48V 1 3 2 - + Int TB Mic Ext TB Mic Tape In Level Mic Hi-Z - + Mic: 0 to +60 dB Line: –20 to +40 dB MID HI Talkback 4-Band EQ Level Off Tape To Main Mix MID EQ Out In 80 100-2K 400-8K 12K LO Insert L To CR/Phones R Source To Firewire Out (optional) HPF Bypass Low Cut NOTE: Switches are shown in the default (out) position.
ONYX 1640 Appendix D: Rotopod Instructions The Pod section of the Onyx 1640 mixer can be fitted in three different orientations to suit your preference: Rear Mounting the Pod Section 1. Tools and qualifications: From the factory, the Pod section has the input and output connections at the rear of the mixer. If you rack mount it, this will take up 14 rack spaces. (Allow one or two extra rack spaces for making your connections.) 1. Phillips screwdriver. 2.
Undo the four screws and remove the metal escape hatch (not needed for the rear mounting position). Keep the screws and the plate safe. Make sure that nothing accidentally falls inside the mixer. Pet rodents like nothing better than to nibble on electrical connections and build nests inside, so be warned. 6. Remove the two L-shaped brackets from the pod section by undoing the two screws on each one.
ONYX 1640 Rack Mounting the Onyx 1640 The Rack Ear brackets supplied with the Onyx 1640 allow the mixer to be mounted in a standard 19" rack. The mixer will take up 14 rack spaces in its normal Pod position, and you should allow an extra 1 or 2 rack spaces above to make your connections. (If you have rear-mounted the Pod, the mixer will take up 12 rack spaces.
Please keep your sales receipt in a safe place. A. LOUD Technologies Inc. warrants all materials, workmanship and proper operation of this product for a period of three years from the original date of purchase. If any defects are found in the materials or workmanship or if the product fails to function properly during the applicable warranty period, LOUD Technologies, at its option, will repair or replace the product. This warranty applies only to equipment sold and delivered within the U.S.
16220 Wood-Red Road NE • Woodinville, WA 98072 • USA United States and Canada: 800.898.3211 Europe, Asia, Central and South America: 425.487.4333 Middle East and Africa: 31.20.654.4000 Fax: 425.487.4337 • www.mackie.com E-mail: sales@mackie.
