available - from premium op-amps to IC chips costing exponentially more than those used in previous designs. All new summing bus circuitry was designed from the ground up to maximize headroom, and the entire signal chain was electronically balanced from input to output, offering big, full-range sound and lower noise than any mixer in its class. Most significantly, the analog mixing console features premium Onyx mic preamps, Perkins EQ circuitry, and THAT Corporation 4301 assignable stereo compressor/limiter chip, all custom tailored specifically for the Onyx 32.4 audio mixer.Boutique quality preampsAlthough Mackie's previous generation XDR mic preamps set new standards for both quality and performance, the next generation Onyx mic preamps offer even greater fidelity, headroom and transparency - as well as better radio frequency (RFI) rejection and wider dynamic range than ever before. With specs like 123dB total dynamic range, -129.5 dBm equivalent input noise, and 0.0007% total harmonic distortion, Onyx preamps can easily hold their own against boutique standalone preamps.Perkins EQ: "British" sound with greater filter controlMackie enlisted veteran audio engineer Cal Perkins to develop the EQ circuitry for the Mackie Onyx 24.4. Perkins EQ circuitry takes the classic Wein Bridge circuit topology used in British mixing desks of the '60s and '70s and gives it greater filter and phase shift control. The end result is a very effective and extremely musical 4-band EQ with sweepable low- and high-mids - perfect for the throes of live sound mixing.Assignable onboard stereo compressor/limiter sectionSound engineers have long used master compressor/limiters to smooth out live sound mixes, maximizing the performance of any sound system. Mackie integrated a high quality master compressor/limiter chip from THAT Corporation into this 24-channel mixer. This assignable analog stereo compressor/limiter chip was designed and manufactured in the U.S. by veteran analog engineers, offering true RMS detection andauto make-up gain for extremely accurate and musical results. The Mackie Onyx 24.4 mixer features independent Threshold, Ratio and Fast/Slow Attack controls, and can be assigned post fader to the L/R main mix (for system limiting and protection) or pre-fader to Group 1/2 or 3/4 outputs (for grouped signal compression, like drums or background vocals). This reduces the hassle and expense of separate outboard processing. Master sectionIf total control over signal routing, talk back/monitor mixing, and external effects processing is what you seek, then look no further - the Onyx 4-Bus Series Master section has everything you've come to expect from a Mackie mixing console, and more. The onboard 6 x 2 Matrix Mixer is the solution to the "not-enough monitor send" blues. Not only can you use the Aux Sends to generate up to 6 monitor mixes, but the Matrix Mixer can be used to generate 2 additional independent mixes—ideal for IEM (in-ear monitor) systems, cry rooms, green rooms or other zoned outputs. Visual monitoring of Solo, Main output and compression/limiting is expertly handled via 4, giant 12-segment LED ladders. Even the Sub Groups feature 4-segment LED's, so you know what signal levels are at glance.
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