MACKIE ONYX BLACKJACK PRO

They both have good solid reviews and look like they can do the job.ДЇrom what I've read the Preamps seem to be pretty even but I don't do too much recording and if I did I would do it on my G5 with the MOTU 24io. My original choice was the Mackie when I happen to come across the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2. The angled bracket is removable if it doesn't suit you.Дue to its Onyx preamps, converters, circuitry, it actually IS better than the competition at that price range. It's also built like a tank (typical Mackie) and the angled interface is much more useful than you might realsie until you've used one. Your research has doubtless already informed you that it doesn't have any MIDI ports but if that doesn't matter to you I'm gonna say it's truly a great bit of kit.ДЄgain, as you probably already know, the Onyx and other components inside are exactly the same as in other high end Onyx gear, so the quality is beyond question. The other thing I was wondering was that almost all of these are USB 1.1 (except the Scarlett which is USB2.0) should I be worried about using 1.1 and go for USB 2.0 instead? Since I'm leaning toward the Mackie and the Saffire is the obvious competitor.I guess I'm looking for any possible reason to go with the Saffire instead (does it sound better or more transparent than the Mackie). I also want something that has a quick and easy volume control.ДЎ) Mackie Onyx Blackjack (I'm leaning toward this one)ДЄny feedback, opinions or suggestions would be appreciated. I don't do much recording (the occasional vocal hook once in a blue) and so would need it for mostly monitoring on my headphones or Mackie HR824 monitors. My first choice would have been an Apogee Duet 2 (great sound quality) but they are a bit pricey for my budget and I'm not crazy about their breakout cable setup.

MACKIE ONYX BLACKJACK PRO

All very simple.My normal set up is a G5 (PowerPC) with a MOTU 24io but I'm getting a Mac Book Pro (with Intel finally) and I'm researching my options for a USB Audio Interface under about $200 or so. With any source, the signal presence light shines green so you can turn up the gain until it flashes red and then back off to keep it in the green to avoid distortion. Use the XLR connectivity for mics and if you use the condenser sort, there is 48V phantom power switching available too. The front panel kicks off with the gain controls for both channels with line/high impedance switching вЂ“ the latter option being for mainly for guitars вЂ“ that works on the 1/4вЂќ jack inputs. ItвЂ™s all very tidy, leaving the cable sprawl at the rear, apart from the 1/4вЂќ headphone socket on the front. ThereвЂ™s also a USB port here, as the unit is bus powered from the host computer. The back panel is home to a pair of balanced audio inputs on combo XLR/TRS jack connectors, with the monitor output on just balanced TRS jack sockets. The weight of the Onyx Blackjack is an advantage too, at 800g it certainly doesnвЂ™t be skate around the desk on the whim of a springy cable. Its all-metal casing keeps it well-shielded and it has decent-sized knobs and switches on the control surface that tell you at a glance whatвЂ™s what. Now, this model isnвЂ™t the cheapest of its kind and thereвЂ™s no MIDI or effects on-board either, but itвЂ™s no flimsy plastic box that will fizz with interference as soon it you place it near a laptop.

Now owned by Loud Technologies, MackieвЂ™s design ethic still remains evident in the Onyx Blackjack dual channel USB audio interface.

Mackie onyx blackjack