Mackie Onyx usually make poping noises?

[bootlegtrader]

I just picked up an Onyx 1620, used. When I insert/un-insert the eq, solo, and mute buttons it pops in my monitors! Is that how these things are made?! I kind of hope it is broken, for the sake of the company, who would design a mixer like this? It is not loud but it is noticeable. If they all do this, I hope it does not hurt my monitors... Thank you.

P.S. Sorry, I just realized I spelled popping wrong.

[drbam]

I've worked with several Onyx mixers and own 2 – It should not pop so something is wrong.

Although they are really good sounding units for the price, these things are mere shadows of what Mackie used to be famous for: durability, strength and reliability. Unfortunately, Loud Technologies has taken Mackie down the typical "manufactured in china" route resulting in piss poor build quality and crappy QC.

[bootlegtrader]

Thank you for the reply.

Like I said it is not loud at all, but it is audible. So, you can't hear anything when you press eq, mute, or solo on yours? I just thought it had to be like this, because it is consistent with all the buttons. Thanks again, sorry for the redundancy, I just want to be sure.

[drbam]

Originally Posted by bootlegtrader

Thank you for the reply.

Like I said it is not loud at all, but it is audible. So, you can't hear anything when you press eq, mute, or solo on yours? I just thought it had to be like this, because it is consistent with all the buttons. Thanks again, sorry for the redundancy, I just want to be sure.

Just checked with an Onyx 24/4 that's in my studio - no sound whatsoever when assigning or unassigning any of the buttons. Checked with headphones as well. Not the slightest tic.

[bokip]

I have the same setup as you, and had nothing but problems with the original Mackie drivers... especially at low latencies. What's probably happening is if you're switching plugins in/out while the audio is playing, the CPU spikes temporarily and the audio buffer underruns for a very short time, giving you pops and clicks.

I buckled and purchased the CENTRANCE Firewire driver ($40 or so...) and it has solved every single issue I have ever had with the Mackie 1620 FW! I can get extremely low latencies, and without any clicking/popping. It's totally ridiculous that anyone should have to spend money on 3rd-party drivers for something, especially a Mackie product, but we do what we have to.

[top]Ferro

[drbam]

Originally Posted by bokip

I have the same setup as you, and had nothing but problems with the original Mackie drivers... especially at low latencies. What's probably happening is if you're switching plugins in/out while the audio is playing, the CPU spikes temporarily and the audio buffer underruns for a very short time, giving you pops and clicks.

I buckled and purchased the CENTRANCE Firewire driver ($40 or so...) and it has solved every single issue I have ever had with the Mackie 1620 FW! I can get extremely low latencies, and without any clicking/popping. It's totally ridiculous that anyone should have to spend money on 3rd-party drivers for something, especially a Mackie product, but we do what we have to.

[top]Ferro

I don't think the OP was referring to FW issues/problems. At any rate, FW is not related to my experiences as I've only used the Onyx mixers as analog units.

[aussie_techie]

it could be as simple as some dirty switches or as annoying to work out as an internal grounding issue as or as time consuming as bad switches needing replacing.

as its used and you dont know where its been used or how dirty it could of gotten the first port of call is always to clean out the pots and switches, dont be afraid to use some deoxit but dont use any cheap crappy contact cleaners as you can just makes things worse.

oh and ive never come across any older wackies that have been strong or reliable, most have been just the opposite, broken and developing more problems and the onyxs while sounding much better are built for a gentle studio work.

[bootlegtrader]

I got it from a guy who works at Universal Audio, and he even included a dust cover that he used to keep it clean. I want to change what I said originally. I tested the inputs, pres, and other functions with an analog synth, and I think that the ruff wave forms were just cutting out and causing the pop when the mute was pressed. However, for the solo buttons... With the pres and faders all the way down, with no audio passing through, when I press and depress any solo there is an initial pop, and a louder one when released. It only works for the first solo pressed, if I press others after the initial solo there is no pop untill the last solo is released. Ugh... Any other suggestions?

You guys think there is something wrong for sure huh? I was hoping it would be something stupid that I was doing. Thanks so much for the help.

To bokip, I am not using it as an interface, no firewire. Thanks for trying though.

[Coyoteous]

My 1220 isn't totally silent muting and un-muting - other functions, except phantom (of course) seem to be fine. I figured this is just the way they are. I don't use it every day, so I'll try to do some testing next time I have it on.

[bootlegtrader]

Damn... Solo's?

[close/far]

I've been doing audio repair for three years, and you'd be amazed at what a simple cleaning job can do for a Mackie.... or anything, for that matter. If you're up for it and don't have a warranty to worry about, just take the damn thing apart, vacuum all the crap out of it, get a can or two of Deoxit D5 and flush every single switch. Spray it, work the switch in/out a few times, and repeat one or two more times. Don't be afraid to drown it. Don't do that to the faders.

This is, of course and as always, at your own risk. You should really take it to a professional. But if it were me...

[bootlegtrader]

I checked out another Onyx. The solos pop! If you turn the pres all the way down and have all the faders down, turn the monitors or headphones up and press a solo... Oh well its Mackie not SSL. Thanks guys.