Home > Gear > Recording > 4-Bus Mixers > Mackie 1604-VLZ Pro 16-Channel Mixer
Feature:
Trim controls for all inputs: thumbs up. I like having the 6 aux sends, but all the odd sends (1, 3, 5) butt up against the corner of our rack-mount. Wish you didn't have to switch between 3/4 and 5/6. Could use a talkback mic input. Both issues have been addressed in the Onyx 1640.
Quality:
Cosmetics are fine, but Captain it's started to blow! Trim on input 6 got toasted by a MiniDV deck trimmed too high. Trim on 4 almost fell at the hand of same deck. Right channel of Main Out and Tape Output disappears every so often -- a good thump to the XDR sticker brings it back.
Desirability:
Not a sexy mixer, but it is (was) functional.
Sound:
No complaints here. With better microphones and better monitor speakers, I may change my mind.
Overall:
Our unit is beginning to die, so we might replace it with the Onyx 1640, assuming it fits in our rack-mount, which it probably won't. Knobs for all aux sends on each channel, and masters for each would be good. Add a talkback mic input. This 1604's been in our high school TV studio for only two years: not quite sure it's appropriate given the price. (Not sure the Onyx is either, for that matter.)
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Mackie 1604-VLZ Pro 16-Channel Mixer
Got a small band without a sound man? Grab a few powered speakers and this board for a great PA. Manage a big keyboard rig with it. And it's tops for a drum sub-mixer. Project studios cramped for space or big studios that need an auxiliary pre-mix can find help here. Video producers, djs, radio remotes, nightclubs...the list goes on. If you're seeing a picture develop that this legendary mixer is right for just about any application you throw at it, then you've got the right idea.
Review of Mackie 1604-VLZ Pro 16-Channel Mixer
Feature:
Trim controls for all inputs: thumbs up. I like having the 6 aux sends, but all the odd sends (1, 3, 5) butt up against the corner of our rack-mount. Wish you didn't have to switch between 3/4 and 5/6. Could use a talkback mic input. Both issues have been addressed in the Onyx 1640.
Quality:
Cosmetics are fine, but Captain it's started to blow! Trim on input 6 got toasted by a MiniDV deck trimmed too high. Trim on 4 almost fell at the hand of same deck. Right channel of Main Out and Tape Output disappears every so often -- a good thump to the XDR sticker brings it back.
Desirability:
Not a sexy mixer, but it is (was) functional.
Sound:
No complaints here. With better microphones and better monitor speakers, I may change my mind.
Overall:
Our unit is beginning to die, so we might replace it with the Onyx 1640, assuming it fits in our rack-mount, which it probably won't. Knobs for all aux sends on each channel, and masters for each would be good. Add a talkback mic input. This 1604's been in our high school TV studio for only two years: not quite sure it's appropriate given the price. (Not sure the Onyx is either, for that matter.)
View all 4-Bus Mixers