Mackie Onyx24

Mackie Onyx24 is a 24-channel analog studio and recording mixer with a built-in 24x4 USB multitrack interface recording at 24-bit/96 kHz – a premium solution for engineers and producers who need simultaneous per-channel recording into a DAW alongside a full-featured analog signal path with the character of a classic British EQ.

Eighteen Onyx mic preamps with up to 60 dB of gain and an ultra-low noise floor cover channels 1–22. Channels 1–2 carry XLR/TRS combo inputs with Hi-Z switching; channels 3–22 accept XLR or 1/4" inputs, with channels 15/16, 17/18, 19/20, and 21/22 operating as stereo mic/line pairs. Channel 23/24 uses a 3.5 mm stereo mini-jack or Bluetooth. All channels 1–22 carry the 3-band Perkins EQ with sweepable mid frequency, a hard bypass switch, a 100 Hz low-cut filter, and globally switched +48V phantom power. TRS insert points are present on channels 11–14. Each channel strip has a backlit Mute button and a Solo/PFL button.

Perkins EQ and 24-track simultaneous recording

The Perkins EQ was designed by Mackie engineer Cal Perkins using a Wien Bridge circuit topology – the same foundation as the legendary British consoles of the 1960s and 70s. The design trades narrow boost/cut capability for a wider, more musical Q filter, delivering ±15 dB of control without the excessive bandwidth narrowing common in budget EQs. The result holds up under large corrections: vocals and acoustic instruments retain their natural quality even when significant shaping is applied. The 24x4 USB interface captures every channel individually pre-fader and pre-EQ straight to the DAW – plug in a USB cable, select the Onyx24 as a multi-track device, and record all 24 channels simultaneously at up to 24-bit/96 kHz. Four USB returns (two stereo pairs) route DAW playback back into the mixer. A stereo main mix can also be recorded directly to an SD card without a computer.

Studio Command, Bluetooth, and the DSP effects engine

The Studio Command section combines a full-colour LCD display with a single navigation encoder and dedicated transport buttons (Previous, Next, Record, Play/Pause) for managing DSP effect presets, browsing the SD card, and controlling recording without leaving the mix position. Six user-editable effect presets are available, each with a dedicated FX EQ for shaping the wet signal. Bluetooth streams audio from a phone or tablet directly into the mixer, routable to either the aux sends or the main mix – useful for reference tracks, backing music, or call-in guests. The three sends are fixed: two pre-fader MON sends for monitor mixes and one post-fader FX send. A Control Room TRS output provides a separate monitoring path for the engineer. Included software: Waveform OEM and the 16-plugin DAW Essentials Collection.

KEY FEATURES

• 24 input channels, 18 Onyx mic preamps (up to 60 dB gain, ultra-low noise)
• 3-band Perkins EQ (Wien Bridge, ±15 dB) with sweepable mid and hard bypass on all channels 1–22
• Hi-Z switches on channels 1–2 for direct guitar/bass connection
• 100 Hz low-cut filter and +48V phantom power (global) on mic channels
• TRS insert points on channels 11–14
• Backlit Mute and Solo/PFL buttons on every channel
• USB 24x4, 24-bit/96 kHz – simultaneous per-channel recording (pre-fader/pre-EQ)
• 4 USB returns (2 stereo pairs) for DAW playback routing back into the mixer
• Direct stereo main mix recording to SD card (no computer required)
• 3 sends: 2x pre-fader MON (monitor mixes) + 1x post-fader FX
• Bluetooth – audio streaming to aux sends or main mix
• Studio Command: colour LCD + navigation encoder + 6 user FX presets with FX EQ
• Channel 23/24: stereo 3.5 mm mini-jack / Bluetooth input
• Control Room TRS output with independent level control
• 60 mm faders on all input channels and master section
• Heavy-duty steel chassis, sealed rotary knobs, QuickGrip side handles
• Includes: Waveform OEM + 16-plugin DAW Essentials Collection

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Channels: 24 (mono mic/line ch. 1–22, stereo 1/8"/Bluetooth ch. 23/24)
• Preamps: 18x Onyx, up to 60 dB gain, ultra-low noise
• EQ: 3-band Perkins ±15 dB (Wien Bridge), sweepable mid + LC 100 Hz (hard bypass)
• Inserts: channels 11–14 (TRS)
• Phantom power: +48V DC, global switch
• USB: 24x4, 24-bit/96 kHz (pre-fader/pre-EQ send, 4x stereo DAW return)
• SD recording: stereo main mix (WAV)
• Sends: 2x pre-fader MON + 1x post-fader FX
• Bluetooth: audio streaming to aux/main
• Faders: 60 mm
• Outputs: XLR Main L/R, 1/4" Main L/R, 1/4" Control Room L/R, 1/4" headphone
• Power: internal IEC supply, 100–240V AC, 55W