Mackie Onyx Blackjack Latency

Mackie Onyx Blackjack Mackie's Onyx mic pres have garnered a good reputation among recordists, but it's not everybody that needs or wants to have a full-blown mixer in their recording setup, not to mention any affordability issues. The Mackie Onyx Blackjack is a 2-in, 2-out professional USB recording interface featuring their flagship Onyx boutique-quality preamps that allow wide dynamic range, true analog hardware monitoring, all packed in their compact ergonomic design that is perfect for home studios and mobile musicians.

Let's face it. If you could fit one of our flagship Onyx 1640i consoles into your workspace and budget, you probably would do it. But that shouldn't mean you have to settle for the cheapest, plastic 2x2 interface available. We've spent serious time and research creating the Onyx Blackjack Premium USB Recording Interface. It delivers the same proven Onyx preamps as our other flagship Onyx products in an ultra-compact, ergonomic desktop design perfect for your home studio. Other professional features include high-end AD/DA converters, built-in DIs, phantom power and true analog hardware monitoring of inputs for hassle-free zero-latency tracking, in either mono or stereo. The USB connection provides bus-power to the Blackjack, eliminating the need for another cable run. Plus, it's Mac/PC friendly and ready for most major DAWs right out of the box. So, don't settle. Be smart and check out the Onyx Blackjack - the utmost in sonic quality and simplicity.

Boutique-Quality Onyx PreAmps

Great recordings start with high-quality preamps and you will simply not find preamps at this price range better than Blackjack’s Onyx preamps. We invested significant R&D efforts into developing our flagship Onyx mic preamps. Found on our most expensive studio consoles, Onyx pres are designed to meet or surpass expensive, esoteric standalone mic pres in terms of fidelity, headroom and transparency – as well as improved radio frequency (RFI) rejection and ultra-wide dynamic range. And with a full 60dB of available gain, would-be competitors are left in the dust.

High-Quality AD/DA Conversion

Quality doesn’t stop at the boutique Onyx preamps. The Onyx Blackjack uses Cirrus Logic® converters offering 114dB dynamic range (A-weighted) – a specification other companies sometimes charge thousands of dollars to achieve. Our preamp circuitry is aligned precisely with the onboard analog-to-digital conversion to always provide you with the most headroom and the lowest noise and distortion possible, a real sonic benefit that is often ignored on smaller interfaces.

Zero-Latency Recording

Latency is evil and must be punished. If you have recorded with digital gear, chances are you feel the same way. It’s a pesky computer-induced delay that can quickly kill the vibe of any recording session. Blackjack puts this issue to rest once and for all, featuring a true analog monitoring path directly from the preamps to your studio monitors and headphones. This means you can track while listening to the direct analog source with zero routing. Not only that, it also means you can adjust your buffer settings to maximize your computers processing ability. Oh yeah, Blackjack also allows you to track with zero latency in either mono or stereo, so you can get the right vibe when recording stereo signals like acoustic guitars and keyboards.

Professional Tools

No other ultra-compact desktop interface delivers as many professional features as the Onyx Blackjack. Both channels double as built-in DIs for direct connection of guitars, basses, keyboards, drum machines, etc. Both channels also deliver 48V phantom power, so you can use studio-quality condenser mics with no problem. The studio monitor and headphone outputs have independent level controls for maximum flexibility. Plus, the Onyx Blackjack is bus-powered via USB, so there’s no power supply to lose or another cable cluttering your workspace. It also comes with Mackie’s Tracktion 3 Music Production software, so you can get started recording right away.

Ergonimacally Inclined

Most desktop interfaces have a serious flaw: their construction. First off, most are made of cheap, breakable plastic. Onyx Blackjack features a sleek, powder-coated all-metal chassis that is truly “Built-Like-A-Tank”. You could literally use it as a hammer to smash the competition (not recommended at your local store). Second, when they are sitting on your desk, the competition lies flat, with no way to read the markings on the front panel. Have you ever accidently turned the wrong knob during your session? Not fun. The Onyx Blackjack sits with a 25-degree inclination, allowing for full view of all controls at all times, meaning more recording time and less hassle. A good idea – right?

Mackie Onyx Blackjack Latency Chart

So there you have it. An extremely simple, but very powerful desktop interface that delivers all the features you want in a design that could fit in your man purse. Small studio. Big solution. Onyx Blackjack.

Features

• Two boutique-quality Onyx mic preamps with class-leading fidelity and dynamic range
• High-headroom design with ultra-low noise and distortion
• Professional 24-bit recording/playback via 2x2 USB
• High-end Cirrus Logic® AD/DA converters with 114dB dynamic range (A-weighted)
• True analog hardware monitoring of inputs, in mono or stereo, for easy zero-latency recording
• Compatible with most major DAWs
  • Logic®
  • SONAR™
  • Cubase®
  • Ableton® Live
  • Final Cut Pro®
  • ...and more
• Built-in DI on each input for direct connection of guitars, basses, etc.
• 48V phantom power for use with studio-quality condenser microphones
• USB bus-powered, eliminating need for separate power cable
• Separate studio monitor and headphone outs with independent level control
• Sleek, ergonomic “Built-Like-A-Tank” desktop design
• Includes Tracktion 3™ Music Production Software for Mac or PC

Software Requirements

For PC

• Microsoft Windows 7 32 / 64, Vista 32 / 64 RTM or XP SP 2
• Pentium 4, Celeron or Athlon XP processor
• 512 MB RAM

For Mac

• Mac OS X 10.4.11 – 10.6.4
• G4 processor
• 512 MB RAM

Features

• Two boutique-quality Onyx mic preamps with class-leading fidelity and dynamic range
• High-headroom design with ultra-low noise and distortion
• Includes Tracktion 3 Music Production Software
• High-end Cirrus Logic AD/DA converters with 114dB dynamic range (A-weighted)
• True analog hardware monitoring of inputs, in mono or stereo, for easy zero-latency recording

SIMPLICITY
FOR ANY HOME STUDIO

Mackie Onyx Blackjack Latency 3.0

Inspired by the proven hardware design of our flagship Onyx-i Series mixers, the Onyx Blackjack Premium USB Audio Interface brings you studio quality sound and features via our flagship Onyx Mic Pres, Cirrus Logic®AD/DA converters, built-in DIs, phantom power and true analog hardware monitoring of inputs for hassle-free zero-latency tracking.

Features

Raising the standard for compact recording interfaces.

fidelity

Boutique-Quality Onyx Preamps

Found on our most expensive studio consoles, Onyx pres are designed to meet or surpass expensive, esoteric standalone mic pres in terms of fidelity, headroom and transparency –as well as improved radio frequency (RFI) rejection and ultra-wide dynamic range. And with a full 60dB of available gain, would-be competitors are left in the dust.

dynamic

High-Quality AD/DA Conversion

The Onyx Blackjack uses Cirrus Logic®converters offering 114dB dynamic range (A-weighted) –a specification other companies sometimes charge thousands of dollars to achieve. Our preamp circuitry is aligned precisely with the onboard analog-to-digital conversion to always provide you with the most headroom and the lowest noise and distortion possible.

smart

Zero Latency Recording

Featuring a true analog monitoring path directly from the preamps to your studio monitors and headphones means you can track while listening in either mono or stereo to the direct analog source with zero routing. Not only that, it also means you can adjust your buffer settings to maximize your computer’s processing ability.

handy

Mackie Onyx Blackjack Latency Test

Professional Tools

Both channels deliver 48V phantom power, so you can use studio-quality condenser mics with no problem. The studio monitor and headphone outputs have independent level controls for maximum flexibility. Plus, the Onyx Blackjack is bus-powered via USB, so there’s no power supply to lose or another cable cluttering your workspace. It also comes with Mackie’s Tracktion Music Production software, so you can get started recording right away.

flexible

No Direct Box Needed

Both channels double as built-in Dis which is perfect for direct connection of guitars, basses, keyboards, drum machines, etc. Having a built-in DI is great when you just want to plug in to record a quick riff or synth sound without the fuss of dealing with a traditional DI, and not having to carry a DI or two can make a big difference if you need to pack light.

easy

Ergonomic

Onyx Blackjack features a sleek, powder-coated all-metal chassis that is truly “Built-Like-A-Tank”and sits with a 25-degree inclination, allowing for full view of all controls at all times, meaning more recording time and less hassle.

Applications

from studio to on-location recording

Even at such a small size, the Onyx Blackjack doesn’t compromise when it comes to sound quality, making it perfect for home studios or mobile recording applications that require a small interface with big studio sound. Being bus powered means you can take it anywhere your laptop can go for the freedom to capture beautiful recordings anywhere with the clarity and low-noise performance of the proven Onyx mic pres and the fidelity of high end Cirrus Logic AD/DA converters.

Manuals

Owners Manual

Quick Start Guide

SPECS

SUPPORT DOCS

SOFTWARE/FIRMWARE

DRIVERS

PC: Windows XP SP2 to to Windows 7
Mac: Mac OS X 10.5 to OS X 10.8

Reviews

PRODUCT PHOTOS

Blackjack

Blackjack

Suggestions

The Onyx Blackjack is begging you to connect it to something. Here's some ideas for you.