Mackie Onyx8 is an 8-channel analog studio and recording mixer with a built-in 8x4 USB multitrack interface recording at 24-bit/96 kHz – the most compact model in the Onyx series, aimed at musicians, content creators, and engineers who need the Perkins British-style EQ, SD card backup recording, and Bluetooth in the smallest possible footprint.
Four Onyx mic preamps with up to 60 dB of gain and ultra-low noise cover channels 1–4. Channels 1–2 carry XLR/TRS combo inputs with Hi-Z switching and TRS insert points for direct instrument connection and external dynamics processing. Channels 3–4 accept XLR or 1/4" mic/line signals. All mono channels 1–4 carry the 3-band Perkins EQ with sweepable mid frequency (±15 dB, 100 Hz–8 kHz range, Wien Bridge topology) and a hard bypass switch, plus a 100 Hz low-cut filter. Channel 5/6 is a stereo 1/4" line pair with Perkins EQ including a sweepable mid. Channel 7/8 is a stereo 1/4" line pair or 3.5 mm mini-jack / Bluetooth input – its EQ is 3-band shelving without a sweepable mid frequency. Globally switched +48V phantom power covers all XLR mic channels. Backlit Mute and Solo (AFL/PFL) buttons sit on every channel strip.
8-track simultaneous recording and SD without a computer
The 8x4 USB interface captures every channel individually pre-fader at up to 24-bit/96 kHz directly into a DAW – one cable connects all analog inputs as discrete tracks in the session. Four USB returns (two stereo pairs) route DAW playback back into the mixer for backing tracks and playback during rehearsals and tracking sessions. Stereo main mix recording directly to an SD card (2x2, 24-bit/96 kHz) is available without a computer – useful as a live performance backup or for quickly archiving sessions from analog instruments without launching a DAW.
Studio Command, Bluetooth, and Perkins EQ
The Perkins EQ built on a Wien Bridge topology delivers a wider, more musical Q filter than typical budget designs. The sweepable mid on mono channels allows precise targeting of a specific frequency range without the bandwidth narrowing that narrow fixed-frequency EQs introduce. The Studio Command section with a full-colour LCD display and navigation encoder manages DSP effect presets (up to 6 user-editable presets with a dedicated FX EQ), SD card file browsing, and recording transport (Previous, Next, Record, Play/Pause). Bluetooth on channel 7/8 streams audio from a phone or tablet, routable to the MON send or main mix. Included software: Waveform OEM, Pro Tools First, and the 16-plugin DAW Essentials Collection.
KEY FEATURES
- 8 input channels (4 mono mic/line + 2 stereo line), 4 Onyx mic preamps (up to 60 dB gain)
- 3-band Perkins EQ (Wien Bridge, ±15 dB) with sweepable mid and hard bypass on channels 1–6
- Hi-Z switches on channels 1–2 for direct guitar/bass connection
- TRS insert points on channels 1–2
- 100 Hz low-cut filter and +48V phantom power (global) on mic channels
- Backlit Mute and Solo (AFL/PFL) buttons on every channel
- USB 8x4, 24-bit/96 kHz – simultaneous per-channel recording (pre-fader)
- 4 USB returns (2 stereo pairs) for DAW playback routing back into the mixer
- Direct stereo main mix recording to SD card (2x2, 24-bit/96 kHz, no computer needed)
- 1x pre-fader MON send (1/4" mono) + 1x post-fader FX send (1/4" mono)
- Bluetooth + stereo 3.5 mm mini-jack input on channel 7/8
- Studio Command: colour LCD + navigation encoder + 6 user FX presets with FX EQ
- Control Room TRS output with independent level control
- Heavy-duty steel chassis, sealed rotary knobs, QuickGrip side handles
- Includes: Waveform OEM + Pro Tools First + 16-plugin DAW Essentials Collection
- Weight: 7.1 kg | Dimensions: 475 x 356 x 137 mm
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
- Channels: 8 (4x mono mic/line ch. 1–4, 1x stereo line ch. 5/6, 1x stereo line/BT/1/8" ch. 7/8)
- Preamps: 4x Onyx, up to 60 dB gain, ultra-low noise
- EQ ch. 1–6: 3-band Perkins ±15 dB (Wien Bridge), sweepable mid (100 Hz–8 kHz) + LC 100 Hz
- EQ ch. 7/8: 3-band shelving (no sweepable mid)
- Inserts: channels 1–2 (TRS)
- Phantom power: +48V DC, global switch
- USB: 8x4, 24-bit/96 kHz (pre-fader, 4x stereo DAW return)
- SD recording: 2x2, 24-bit/96 kHz (stereo main mix)
- Sends: 1x pre-fader MON (1/4" mono) + 1x post-fader FX (1/4" mono)
- Bluetooth: audio streaming to aux/main (channel 7/8)
- Outputs: XLR Main L/R, 1/4" Main L/R, 1/4" Control Room L/R, 1/4" headphone
- Power: internal supply, 100–240V AC, 30W
- Dimensions: 475 x 356 x 137 mm | Weight: 7.1 kg
