MACKIE ONYX1220
Owner's Manual

ONYX 1220

Onyx 1220 Features
Channel Strips
There are two kinds of channel strips on the Onyx 1220: Mono and Stereo. The mono channel strips (channels 1-4) have mic and line input connectors. In addition, channels 1 and 2 have high-impedance instrument inputs so you can connect a guitar directly to the mixer. The stereo channel strips (channels 5-12), have two line input connectors per channel strip, left and right. The stereo path is maintained throughout the channel strip, sharing the channel�s controls (the controls work on both left and right signals at the same time).
1
NYX MIC P O RE

Note: For the stereo channels 5-12, if a signal is plugged into the LEFT (MONO) side and nothing is plugged into the RIGHT side, the signal is automatically connected to both LEFT and RIGHT sides. This is called jack normalling. As soon as something is plugged into the RIGHT side, the normalled connection is broken and the LEFT and RIGHT inputs become stereo inputs (LEFT goes to the LEFT MAIN OUT and RIGHT goes to the RIGHT MAIN OUT).

4. MIC/HI-Z Switch
Channels 1 and 2 have an extra button for switching between the MIC and HI-Z inputs. When the button is out (MIC), the XLR MIC input is used and the HI-Z input is disconnected. When the button is pushed in (HI-Z), the 1/4" HI-Z input is used and the XLR MIC input is disconnected. The input stage of the HI-Z inputs is specially designed for the high-impedance pickups on guitars. Plugging a guitar into a lower-impedance line input (like those on channels 3-16) can result in the loss of high frequencies, causing an unnatural and dull sound. Normally, you must use a direct box between a guitar and a mixer�s input, which serves to convert the impedance of the guitar from high to low. The HI-Z inputs on channels 1 and 2 make the need for a direct box unnecessary. HOWEVER: The HI-Z inputs are unbalanced, so if you�re doing a live show and running a long cord between the instrument and the mixer (say over 25 or 30 feet), it is best to use a direct box with a balanced output to avoid picking up noise over the length of the cord.

1. MIC Input (Channels 1-4)
This is a female XLR connector, which accepts a balanced microphone input from almost any type of microphone. The microphone preamps feature our new Onyx design, with higher �delity and headroom rivaling any standalone mic preamp on the market today. The XLR inputs are wired as follows: Pin 1 = Shield or ground Pin 2 = Positive (+ or hot) Pin 3 = Negative (� or cold)

HI-Z 1
MIC HI-Z

48V
30 20 U
U

40 60

-20dB

GAIN

+40dB

OUT IN

EQ

U

HIGH
12kHz -15 +15
1k

2. HI-Z Instrument Input (Channels 1-2)
This is a 1/4" connector, which accepts an unbalanced instrument-level input signal from a high-impedance instrument like a guitar.

FREQ
100 8k

U

MID
-15 +15 U

5. Low-Cut Switch (Channels 1-4)
The Low-Cut switch, often referred to as a high-pass �lter, cuts bass frequencies below 75 Hz at a rate of 18 dB per octave.
+15 +10 +5

LOW
80Hz -15 +15

3. LINE Input (Channels 3-12)
AUX

1
O O

MAX

2
O O

MAX

PAN

LR

This is a 1/4" TRS connector, which accepts a balanced or unbalanced line-level input signal from almost any source. When connecting a balanced signal to the LINE inputs, wire them as follows: Tip = Positive (+ or hot) Ring = Negative (� or cold) Sleeve = Shield or ground

0
�5 �10 �15 20Hz 100Hz 1kHz 10kHz 20kHz

We recommend that you use the Low-Cut �lter on every microphone application except kick drum, bass guitar, bassy synth patches, or record-

MUTE
ALT 3/4

When connecting an unbalanced signal, wire them as follows: Tip = Positive (+ or hot) Sleeve = Shield or ground

Mono Channel

ings of earthquakes. Low Cut These aside, there isn�t much down there that you want to hear, and �ltering it out makes the low stuff you do want much more crisp and tasty. Not only that, but the Low-Cut �lter can help reduce the possibility of feedback in live situations and it helps to conserve the ampli�er power.

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ONYX 1220