Mackie Onyx Satellite Portable FireWire Recording System
Home » Pro Video + Audio » Mackie Onyx Satellite Portable FireWire Recording System
Mackie Onyx Satellite Portable FireWire Recording System
$259.99 Orig. Price
$237.90
Call for Availability
- Item Number:
- dv-mac-onyxsatellite
- Vendor Number:
- OnyxSatellite
- Vendor:
- Mackie
What's on this page?
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 AND 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 AND 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.
- 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
Why buying from PowerMax is risk-free
If there's one thing you should know - it's PowerMax wants you to be 100% satisfied with your product. Because we sell so many different products from a variety of sources, our return policies are specific to the kind of product you ordered. Take a look:
| Product Type | Return Window | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Third Party Products | 30 Day Full Refund | You can return your item for a full refund within 30 days of purchase with the exception of Apple BTO products, opened memory or opened software. Returns on all new 3rd party products must be in complete, undamaged and unmarked condition. |
| New or Factory Refurbished Apple Products | 10 Business Days | If you are not satisfied with your purchase, contact your PowerMax customer service representative within 10 business days of the receipt of the product. Provided you return an item unopened in the original box, we will exchange it or offer you a refund based on your original method of payment. A 10% open box fee will be assessed in any opened hardware or accessory. |
| Pre-Owned Macs | 90 Day Full Refund & DOA Protection | In addition to a 90-day warranty, we will guarantee any pre-owned Mac to be in good operating condition upon its arrival or we'll pick it up and send you a new one if returned within 72 hours of receipt. |
For full details please take a look at our Returns & Errors page.
We warranty our work
In addition to the below warranties on Apple products, we're happy to facilitate communication with manufacturers of non-Apple products at any time (some of them are notoriously hard to communicate with) and do everything we can to make sure manufacturers honor that commitment.
| 1 Year AppleCare | 3 Year AppleCare Available? | 90 Day PowerMax Warranty | 6 Month Powermax Warranty Available? | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Apple Computers | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Apple Refurbished | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| PowerMax Pre-Owned |
Nope | Nope | Yes | Yes* |
For more info please check out our warranty page.
Pricing Protection
We've all been there: you pick up the latest gadget only to see it advertised by that same retailer one week later at a 25% discount. Well, with PowerMax you don't have to worry about feeling duped.
If you see a reduced price on an item you've purchased within the last 10 days just let us know and refund or credit the difference back to you.
For full details please take a look at our Returns & Errors page.
Seen enough? Add this to your cart!
Mackie Onyx Satellite Portable FireWire Recording System
$259.99 Orig. Price
$237.90
The best place to beat the Apple tax, as seen in:
"PowerMax... is a quirky, knowledgeable company not afraid to crack a joke while working."
Paul Smith
Sustainable Business Innovator
Founder GreenSmith Consulting
"PowerMax is a Mac nerd's dream.."
Chat With a Mac Expert Now!
From 6:30am to 5:30PM PST you'll (typically) find a real, live human ready to answer all your product questions and provide helpful information.
Why People Like You Chose Powermax
Thank you, thank you, thank you. I'm so amazed and impressed that you took the time to answer my question the same day I wrote it, and in such detail. I have had such wonderful service and experience from PowerMax that I will be a customer for life, you can count on it. I love my little PowerBook.
Thank You and God Bless.
I received the display and the last tablet today, thank you. Your service has been great; I appreciate you taking an interest in my new business, and will certainly have more purchase orders for you in the future.
Best,
Thanks for getting my iMac trade processed so quickly and for shipping out the new MBP much faster than I expected. I was a bit apprehensive about doing a trade-in, but you exceeded my expectations by a mile.
Great job!
Yes, I HAVE been pleased with your service (and have recommended you to friends and colleagues, and will continue to do so). I appreciate the update regarding my order and the expedited shipping. I will continue to do business with you in the future!
Sincerely,
BIG kudos to your company for shipping to APOs. I love Apple and all their products, but their lack of support to Service Members deployed and stationed overseas has been a sore point with me for a long time!!! It is refreshing to find a company that understands that Soldiers in Iraq (and Afghanistan, and Germany, and Japan, etc.) deserve easy access to Macs as well as anyone else.
Thank you for your help.
You can read these and more on our testimonials page.
Your old Apple gear has value with our trade-in programs
Your electronics always have value with our trade-in programs! We are one of the only places to trade-in your old Mac or iPod. Save on your new stuff by trading in those old electronics.
Mac & iPod Trade-In Program
All Mac trade-ins are handled directly through PowerMax.com. Fill out our online trade-in form and we will issue a quote for the trade-in value of your Mac (typically within 24-48 hours).
Tired of reading product info? Take a break!
While some ecommerce websites are all about SELL SELL SELL we take a slightly different road. One that involves Sasquatch. Join us on that journey, won't you?
Surely you're ready to add this to your cart! (Don't make us beg..)
Mackie Onyx Satellite Portable FireWire Recording System
$259.99 Orig. Price
$237.90
