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Home » Computer Music » Audio Interfaces » Firewire » Mackie Onyx Satellite

Mackie Onyx Satellite

Dolphin id:
19920
Product SKU:
0016881-01

This product is currently not available for purchase.

Portable 24-bit/96kHz FireWire Recording System

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Onyx Satellite represents a breakthrough for computer-based audio and music production. As the world's first two-piece FireWire recording system, Satellite consists of a portable recording Pod with premium Onyx mic preamps, and a desktop Base Station with additional inputs and outputs. You simply undock the Pod when you want to record on location—leaving the Base Station connected to all your desktop studio gear (microphones, instruments, headphones, studio monitors, etc.). Then, once you've returned to your studio, simply dock the Satellite Pod back into the Base Station with a reassuring “click.”

The Base Station provides additional I/O, monitor control and Talkback with a built-in mic. And the system comes with a full-featured copy of Tracktion 2 music production software with Mackie Mixing and Mastering tools, so you can go from initial idea to final CD. (Of course, with WDM, GSIF, ASIO and Core Audio drivers, Onyx Satellite can also be used with most major audio software on Mac or PC.)

Unsurpassed Sound Quality

When developing a FireWire audio/recording interface, it pays to know your stuff. So it's worth noting that Mackie started as a professional audio company, not a software or computer peripheral company. As such, we engineered Satellite with a focus on crucial components like mic preamps, superior analog circuitry, and A/D and D/A converters.

Instead of me-too, off-the-shelf mic preamps, Satellite offers our premium Onyx mic preamps—giving you dynamic range and noise specifications rivaling much more expensive standalone mic pres. (Click here to read some of the glowing reviews.) All the analog circuitry was designed by the veteran Mackie engineering team in Woodinville, WA with higher headroom and lower noise specs than anything in its class… by far. And we specified professional AKM-brand, phase-accurate 24-bit/96kHz Analog-to-Digital and Digital-to-Analog converters, to ensure that what comes in, is what goes out, and back in, and back out.

The Go-Anywhere Satellite Pod

In addition to the aforementioned Onyx mic preamps, the robust aluminum-and-steel Satellite Pod features Neutrik™ Combo input connectors on Channels 1 and 2, which allow you to use either a 1/4" TRS connector or an XLR connector. A global 48V switch applies phantom power to both XLR input connectors, so you can power your studio condenser mics. Channels 1 and 2 also feature an Instrument Select switch, which lets you connect an acoustic, electric, or bass guitar directly to the 1/4" input, eliminating the need for an external direct box. The Pod also has a stereo Control Room output and two stereo Headphone jacks, each with separate level controls (the Control Room and Phones 1 outputs share a level control). And of course, there's a FireWire connector for jacking into your desktop or laptop. Because the Satellite Pod is bus-powered via FireWire, there's no need for a separate power supply.

The Satellite Base Station

When the Pod is docked to the Base Station, it gains additional features and expanded I/O capabilities. Namely, a separate XLR connector, two 1/4" TRS line-input connectors, and a 1/4" TS instrument connector for each channel, with Select switches for each input source. Plus Insert jacks for Channels 1 and 2, letting you send and return the signal to an external processor (like, say, a killer vintage outboard compressor/limiter you bought from some dude on eBay for like $100 bucks because he didn't know what it was).

The Base Station also gives you six channels of analog balanced line outputs, provided on 1/4" TRS connectors. Two of these can be used as stereo Control Room outputs, with an A/B Switch to route the signal to two separate pairs of monitors for comparison. For communicating with studio talent, the Base Station also serves up a built-in Talkback microphone, that can be routed to the Phones/Control Room output or to the DAW for slating.

And like the Satelitte Pod, the Base Station can be powered directly from the FireWire bus (when using a six-pin FireWire connector), or from the 12V DC power supply included in the box.

Monitoring & Surround Control

As mentioned, the Base Station's Control Room section allows you to select between one of two monitor outs for multiple monitor speaker setups. Additionally, you can switch monitoring between your DAW outputs and the connected inputs—so you can plug in to jam or listen to your iPod without having to boot your DAW software. Lastly, the Satellite/Base Station combo allows you to control the volume of six outputs for Surround sound with a single volume knob—a feature that would cost a bundle if you had to buy it separately. And its worth mentioning that all these things stay connected on your desktop, so you never have to repatch cables when you go to record on location.

Tracktion 2 Software & Mackie Mastering Tools

The Satellite system comes with Mackie's popular Tracktion 2 Music Production Software. Tracktion 2's hallmark single-screen interface and intuitive workflow make it the perfect audio and MIDI production solution for both novice and seasoned DAW users alike. And T2's feature set is immense: unlimited track count, VST and ReWire support, a high-definition 64-bit mix engine, QuickTime video import, external synchronization, MIDI controller mapping, Mac and PC compatibility, and integrated Mackie Control Universal and C4 support, just to name a few. But more importantly, Tracktion 2 does it all in a way that never gets in the way of your creativity.

Features

  • Innovative two-piece FireWire Recording System for professional audio production on Mac or PC
  • Portable Satellite Pod docks into Satellite Base Station, allowing users to record on location without disconnecting and reconnecting cables
  • Dual Onyx mic preamps for superior clarity, detail and dynamic range versus competing interfaces
  • Satellite Base Station features 8 inputs (2 active at any time) for connection of microphones, line sources, and instruments; plus 6-line level outputs
  • Built-in Control Room functions include Talkback, with onboard mic, and A/B monitoring switching
  • 6-channel volume control allows for Surround Sound mixing
  • Satellite Pod can be bus powered for field use, or externally powered via included power supply
  • Professional-grade AKM 24-bit/96kHz A/D and D/A converters
  • FireWire protocol for low-latency real time recording
  • Works with all WDM, GSF and ASIO on the PC and Core Audio compatible software on the Mac
  • Bundled with Tracktion 2 software for complete recording solution
  • Indestructo Mackie all-metal construction holds up in the field

Software Requirements

  • PC
    • Microsoft Windows XP SP2
  • Mac
    • OS X 10.3.9

Supported Software

  • Audition
  • Cubase
  • Digital Performer
  • Final Cut
  • Garage Band
  • Live
  • Logic Express
  • Logic Pro
  • Nuendo
  • Tracktion
  • Tracktor
  • Reason
  • Samplitude
  • Sequoia
  • Sonar
  • Soundforge
  • Soundtrack
  • Vegas
  • Wavelab
  • ...and more!

UK mainland standard delivery £5.99.
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More details on International deliveries.

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Mackie Onyx Satellite Reviews

10/10

Mackie Onyx Satellite

— Steve Loss December 3, 2008

I`m a touring musician/live act, and I regularly play internationally. I needed a new, more robust and better quality sound card for my live shows, and was advised that the Satellite was the thing for me.
First thing that amazed me was the price!!! for such a high quality bit of kit, the price is fantastic.
2nd thing was the build quality. This thing is SOLID. I had absolutely no qualms about lugging this thing around through aiports and into sweaty venues. The installation was a breeze, and then the sound!!!
Lovley, crisp and deep, my live pa sound is just stunning now, coming out of large high def club systems I am obsessed with audio clarity, and this thing doesn`t dissapoint.
I`ve already lugged this thing all over europe and it has performed outstandingly for the last 4 months of my extensive use.
I`ve also used this thing for digitising some analog recordings off my 1/4inch tube reel to reel (revox G36) and the A/D converters hold up beautifully, capturing the subtle nuances that my vintage machine adds to my recordings.
I can only speak for the PC side of things, but really, at this price you`d have to be crazy not to get one of these, I never write reviews and I`m not sponsored, and I never write reviews, but this thing was worth me bothering to type all this waffle.
It`s no surprise these things keep selling out.

9/10

Mackie Onyx Satellite

— Chris Davis February 15, 2008

I'm very pleased with this device. Very rugged with very low-noise amplifiers. A word of caution if you are using Visa though, as there are (as yet) no drivers for the onyx satellite for Vista. This means that you can't use it with, for example, Audacity (as this cannot use ASIO drivers and has to use the drivers in windows - and Vista doesn't yet support external soundcards). It does, however, work wonderfully with the software supplied (Tracktion V2.1) which is another piece of software to load and learn how to use but is certainly good enough for most home-recording needs. I had a few problems with latency too but I think these, again, are with Vista insisting on updating everything all the time. Offline and with the anti-virus software turned off, it'll be groovy.

Show all reviews »

8/10

Mackie Onyx Satellite

— D Butler January 22, 2008

This unit provides temendous value for money at this price. I am using it with Windows Vista without problems. The Mackie is a serious piece of hardware you may need to reinforce your table! Setup was simple and it is working well with my Reason/Cubase home recording setup. Latency is non existant and the Phantom power mic inputs and instrument in's all give excellent results. After some fiddling I even managed to direct the six outputs to a 5.1 surround system. There is a firmware update which allows a direct in/cubase(DAW)mix to the phones useful but with a crackle. Check you have six pin firewire link (standard on Apple, Sony and HP machines). Only other slight gripe is the length of the Firewire lead included at 1m it wouldnt reach the PC!. The unit has a detachaple preamp to use for mobile recording with a suitable laptop.

Snap one up before they sell out!

7/10

Mackie Onyx Satellite

— Dave McMahon October 8, 2007

Make no mistake, this is a solid piece of kit which is excellent in many ways. However, there are a number of flaws you should be aware of if you're considering purchasing one.

First of all, there's an incompatibility with Mac OS X 10.4.10 which means the Mac won't recognise it! This is easily solved (the instructions are on the Mackie website) and I'm fairly sure that 10.4.11/Leopard will solve the problem in the very near future anyhow.

Secondly, the claim of +60dB gain on a balanced input seems a little optimistic - I would guess it's more like +45dB - Fine in most cases, but not so good for spoken word through an SM57.

Then there are the firmware upgrades, which fail for most Mac users - but hey, they aren't even available for PC users!

Oh and Tracktion II, the software which comes free with it, is not Universal and never will be - you'll need to upgrade to version III if you have an Intel iMac.

That said, I'll reiterate something said on the Mackie forums...

"I'd get rid of the damn thing if it didn't sound so damn good!"

It's built like the proverbial tank and sounds superb through both my Sennheiser 201's and my Tascam VL-X5s. It's simple as can be to use once it's up and running and personally, I can live with a few quirks for such a good, clean sound. If I'd paid the original RRP for it I'd be a little unhappy but at the current price it's a bargain.

Dave McMahon

9/10

Easy Setup

— Steve Keys September 6, 2007

Great audio interface! Setup consists of; open box, connect, record stuff (OSX). It worked instantly with both Logic & Garageband and the sound quality is excellent with no latency that I could tell.

Buttons seem durable and layout intuitive. I'm not sure how many times I'll actually take the 'pod' out of the base (apart to show off) but I'm sure it's a useful feature for some.

If I had to improve the Satellite I might ask for the inclusion of midi in/out, more inputs and maybe a lighter pod but the reality is that this device is really very good at doing what you need it to do and I wouldn't change a thing.

Overall, a very high quality device that sees off all competition from any near this price bracket.

8/10

Great Product

— Mark Holmes April 9, 2007

This unit is really nice to use. As far as portability is concerned, i wont be able to help you too much as i intend to use it as a desktop device and havnt used it when disconnected.

The drivers install easily (XP Sp2) and the device connects without any hassle whatsoever. Sound quality is superb and latency is not an issue, running at 5.5ms with default driver. It seems that it was designed to be used at 48000 rather than 44100 as at 44100 it gives off some kind of white noise bleed when your not playing anything. Switch to 48000 and that dissapears. Similarly it lets some of the playing output to your monitors even when turned right down to zero.. not a massive problem but a little annoying if you want to use your headphones and have complete silence in the room your in.

It has 2 headphone outs (nice and handy with controls for both). Talkback to phones or speakers (with a mic built into the unit, thats really easy to control and use). Lots of ins and outs, great mic pre\'s, clear ins, clear quality outs, connections for an external insert, switches for either all 6 outs (for 5.1 mixing) or the default stereo pair at the push of a button...

Above all its reliable, easy to use, obviously laid out and great sounding. I have had a large number of soundcards (thanks to the dolphin team and patrick in the returns dept) and would happlily reccomend this to anyone.. especially at the price.

Only drawbacks are no midi in and out (not really an issue if you have any modern midi controller) and the noise bleed. Apart from that its the best thing out there at the price. The fact that it works straight out of the box makes it all the more appealing.


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