O W N E R ’ S M A N U A L
ONYX 1620 Important Safety Instructions 1. Read these instructions. 13. Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time. 2. Keep these instructions. 14. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel.
Introduction................................................................................................................4 Getting Started..........................................................................................................5 Zero the Controls .......................................................................................................................................5 Connections.................................................................................................
ONYX 1620 Introduction Thank you for choosing a Mackie Onyx 1620 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 1620 is equipped with eight 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 read manuals, all we ask is that you read this page now before you begin using the Onyx 1620. You’ll be glad you did! 3.
ONYX 1620 Hookup Diagrams Bass Guitar This hookup diagram demonstrates how you can do a live multitrack recording using the RECORDING OUTs or the optional FireWire card. 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 1 2 2 CHANNEL INSERTS 4 4 5 5 6 6 7 7 Stereo Guitar Effects L CHANNEL MONO L 11 MONO INPUTS 12 R L 2 R L 4 R 16 R Multi Effect Processor 2 3 R R CNTRL ROOM OUTPUTS MAIN OUT R RECORDING OUT 1-8 RECORDING OUT 9-16 OUT PHONES ALT 3/4 OUT R MAIN OUT 4 IN-TAPE-OUT L Digital Delay 1 AUX SEND L 15 MONO In (record) 6 L 3 R 14 R L 5 L 1 R L 13 MONO Out (play) 4 8 10 R Drum Machine Keyboard or other line level input In Out Stereo C
Electric Guitar Electric Guitar 1 2 2 4 4 5 5 6 6 7 7 9 4 5 6 8 L MONO CHANNEL 10 R L 11 MONO INPUTS Drum Machine Keyboard or other line level input In Out Stereo Compressor In Out 3 7 8 8 Stereo Guitar Effects 2 3 3 In Mono Compressor Out 1 CHANNEL INSERTS Vocal Mics 1 12 R AUX RETURNS ONYX 1620 Bass Guitar L 1 R L 3 R L 2 R L 4 R L 13 MONO Multi Effect Processor 1 AUX SEND 14 R L 15 MONO Digital Delay 16 R 2 3 4 OUT PHONES CNTRL ROOM OUTPUTS Headphones
Electric Guitar Electric Guitar 1 2 2 5 5 6 6 7 7 9 MONO 10 R L 11 MONO INPUTS 12 R L 2 R L 4 R 16 R 2 3 R R CNTRL ROOM OUTPUTS MAIN OUT R RECORDING OUT 1-8 RECORDING OUT 9-16 OUT PHONES ALT 3/4 OUT R MAIN OUT IN-TAPE-OUT Headphones Multi Effect Processor 4 1202-VLZPRO Submixer for Drums Digital Delay 1 AUX SEND L 15 MONO L 6 L 3 R 14 R In (record) 5 L 1 R L 13 MONO L 4 8 L CHANNEL Drum Mics In Out Stereo Compressor In Out 3 7 8 8 Keyboard or other
ONYX 1620 Onyx 1620 Features Channel Strips There are two kinds of channel strips on the Onyx 1620: Mono and Stereo. The mono channel strips (channels 1-8) have mic and line input connectors. In addition, channels 1 and 2 have high-impedance instrument inputs so you can connect a guitar directly to the mixer. The stereo channel strips (channels 9-16), have two line input connectors per channel strip, left and right.
Here’s what the combination of LOW EQ and Low Cut looks like in terms of frequency curves. +15 +10 +5 0 –5 –10 –15 20Hz 100Hz 1kHz 10kHz 20kHz Low Cut with Low EQ Boosted 6. 48V Phantom Power Switch (Channels 1-8) Most professional condenser microphones require phantom power, which is a low-current DC voltage delivered to the microphone on pins 2 and 3 of the XLR microphone connector. Push in the 48V button if your microphone needs phantom power.
ONYX 1620 10. HIGH MID EQ 14. AUX Sends +15 Short for “midrange,” this knob provides 15 dB of boost or cut centered at the 0 frequency determined by –5 its FREQ knob (see FREQ –10 next), or at 2.5 kHz for the –15 20 100 1k 10k 20k stereo channels. Midrange High Mid EQ EQ is often thought of as the most dynamic because the frequencies that define any particular sound are almost always found in this range.
When doing multitrack recording, you can use the ALT 3-4 outputs as a stereo or dual-mono feed to your multitrack. When doing live sound or mixdown, it’s often handy to control the level of several channels with one knob. That’s called subgrouping. Simply assign these channels to the ALT 3-4 mix, engage ALT 3-4 in the CONTROL ROOM/PHONES SOURCE matrix (20), and the signals will appear at the CONTROL ROOM (40) and PHONES (24) outputs.
ONYX 1620 Control Room Matrix, Metering, and Phones Typically, the engineer sends the MAIN MIX to an audience (if live) or to a mixdown deck (if recording). But what if the engineer needs to hear something other than the MAIN MIX in the control room or headphones? With the Onyx 1620, the engineer has several choices of what to listen to. This is one of those tricky parts, so buckle up. 20.
25. SOLO MODE Engaging a channel’s SOLO switch will cause this dramatic turn of events: Any existing SOURCE matrix selections are replaced by the SOLO signal, appearing at the CONTROL ROOM OUTPUTS, PHONES and at the RIGHT METER (LEFT and RIGHT METERS when in AFL SOLO MODE). The audible SOLO levels are then controlled by the CONTROL ROOM knob (22). The SOLO levels appearing on the meters are not controlled by the CONTROL ROOM knob—you wouldn’t want that.
ONYX 1620 Auxiliary Section so you can control the monitor levels independently from the MAIN MIX. Use a post-fader send for effects, so that the “wet” signal level follows the “dry” signal level. 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.
37. TALKBACK Switch This is where the built-in talkback microphone is located. This is an omni-directional dynamic microphone, so it will pick up your voice from anywhere in front of the mixer. This is a momentary switch, meaning it’s only active when you hold the switch down. As long as you hold this switch down, the talkback signal is routed to the outputs determined by the destination switches (35/36). Release the switch, and the talkback circuit is turned off. 33.
ONYX 1620 Front Panel Connectors Besides the channel strip MIC and LINE input connectors, there are some other connectors located on the front panel for easy access. The TAPE IN jacks accept an unbalanced signal from a tape recorder or other signal source (could be a CD player, if you want) using standard hi-fi hookup cables. The signal is routed to the CONTROL ROOM/PHONES SOURCE matrix (20). Push in the TAPE button to route the tape input to the CONTROL ROOM and PHONES outputs (40/24).
50. AUX SEND 1-4 This is a standard 3-prong IEC power connector. Connect the detachable linecord (included in the box with your Onyx 1620) to the power receptacle, and plug the other end of the linecord into an AC outlet. The Onyx 1620 has a universal power supply that can accept any AC voltage ranging from 100 VAC to 240 VAC. No need for voltage select switches. It will work virtually anywhere in the world.
ONYX 1620 Besides being used for inserting external devices, these jacks can also be used as channel direct outputs; post-TRIM, post-LOW CUT, and pre-EQ. This is an unbalanced direct out, in contrast to the RECORDING OUTS on the rear panel, which are balanced direct outputs, post-TRIM, pre-LOW CUT. connect a compressor or other dynamics processor to the INSERT jack, and adjust the channel fader to suit your live mix, but it has no effect on the signal going to the recorder.
Warranty Service Details concerning Warranty Service are spelled out in the Warranty section on page 31. 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. These may sound obvious to you, but here are some things you can check. Read on.
ONYX 1620 Repair Service for Mackie products is available at a factoryauthorized service center. Service for Mackie products living outside the United States can be obtained through local dealers or distributors. If your Onyx 1620 needs service, follow these instructions: 1. Review the preceding troubleshooting suggestions. Please. 2. Call Tech Support at 1-800-898-3211, 7 am to 5 pm PST, to explain the problem and obtain a Service Request Number. Have your Onyx 1620’s serial number ready.
XLR Connectors 1/4" TS Phone Plugs and Jacks Channels 1-8 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). “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.
ONYX 1620 • 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.
Owner’s Manual DB25 Connectors 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 REC OUTS 9-16 + shield – + shield – + shield – + shield – N/C Signal Description REC OUTS 1-8 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 Signal Desc
ONYX 1620 Appendix C: Technical Info Onyx 1620 Specifications Frequency Response Maximum Input Levels Mic Input to Main Output (Gain @ Unity) +0, –1 dB, 20 Hz to 50 kHz +0, –3 dB, <10 Hz to >100 kHz Mic Input to Main Output (@ +4 dBu) THD: < 0.004%, 20 Hz to 20 kHz SMPTE IMD: < 0.
Physical Dimensions and Weight 150 Ω balanced, XLR outputs; 300 Ω TRS outputs Recording Outputs: 300 Ω Control Room: 300 Ω Alt 3/4: 300 Ω Aux Sends: 300 Ω Tape Output: 2.2 kΩ Phones Output: 25 Ω Height: Width: Depth: Weight: Main: 20.3 in/516 mm 17.3 in/440 mm 6.6 in/167 mm 22.0 lb/10.
ONYX 1620 Mic 3 2 3 R L L MACKIE ONYX 1620 BLOCK DIAGRAM (#080604_DB/DF) Internal Talkback Mic External R Aux Return 3 L R Aux Return 1 1 - + 2.5K 12K HI 12K HI To Firewire Out (optional) 80 MID 2.
1 2 YX MIC PR ON E 3 4 YX MIC PR ON E YX MIC PR ON E 5 6 YX MIC PR ON E YX MIC PR ON E 8 YX MIC PR ON E YX MIC PR ON E YX MIC PR ON E PREMIUM ANALOG MIXER w/ PERKINS EQ & FIREWIRE OPTION Session: Date: HI-Z 1 HI-Z 2 MIC HI-Z MIC HI-Z LINE 3 LINE 4 LINE 5 LINE 6 LINE 7 LINE 8 BAL/ UNBAL BAL/ UNBAL BAL/ UNBAL BAL/ UNBAL BAL/ UNBAL BAL/ UNBAL 75Hz 18dB/OCT 48V 30 20 U 40 20 60 U -20dB -20dB +40dB GAIN 48V 30 U 40 20 60 U -20dB +40dB GAIN 40 20 60 U -20dB
ONYX 1620 Onyx 1620 Track Sheet (Channels 9-16 and Master Section) BAL/UNBAL BAL/UNBAL BAL/UNBAL L L LEFT LEFT/3 RIGHT CONTROL RM OUT LINE IN 9-10 ALT 3-4 OUT LINE IN 11-12 (MONO) (MONO) L L L BAL OR UNBAL BAL OR UNBAL BAL OR UNBAL BAL OR UNBAL R R R R -20dB +20dB GAIN OUT IN PHONES U -20dB +20dB GAIN OUT IN EQ LAMP (MONO) U -20dB +20dB TAPE LINE IN 15-16 L GAIN +20dB GAIN OUT IN EQ w/ PERKINS EQ & FIREWIRE OPTION 12V 0.
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.
