PORTABLE RECORDING PREAMP
with 96kHz FIREWIRE INTERFACE
O W N E R ’ S M A N U A L
Important Safety Instructions
PORTABLE CART WARNING
Carts and stands - The
Component should be used
only with a cart or stand
that is recommended by
the manufacturer.
A Component and cart
combination should be
moved with care. Quick
stops, excessive force, and
uneven surfaces may cause
the Component and cart
combination to overturn.
CAUTION AVIS
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE
NE PAS OUVRIR
CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK)
NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE
REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL
ATTENTION: POUR EVITER LES RISQUES DE CHOC
ELECTRIQUE, NE PAS ENLEVER LE COUVERCLE. AUCUN
ENTRETIEN DE PIECES INTERIEURES PAR L'USAGER. CONFIER
L'ENTRETIEN AU PERSONNEL QUALIFIE.
AVIS: POUR EVITER LES RISQUES D'INCENDIE OU
D'ELECTROCUTION, N'EXPOSEZ PAS CET ARTICLE
A LA PLUIE OU A L'HUMIDITE
The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol within an equilateral
triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated
"dangerous voltage" within the product's enclosure, that may be
of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons.
Le symbole éclair avec point de flèche à l'intérieur d'un triangle
équilatéral est utilisé pour alerter l'utilisateur de la présence à
l'intérieur du coffret de "voltage dangereux" non isolé d'ampleur
suffisante pour constituer un risque d'éléctrocution.
The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to
alert the user of the presence of important operating and maintenance
(servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the appliance.
Le point d'exclamation à l'intérieur d'un triangle équilatéral est
employé pour alerter les utilisateurs de la présence d'instructions
importantes pour le fonctionnement et l'entretien (service) dans le
livret d'instruction accompagnant l'appareil.
1. Read these instructions.
2. Keep these instructions.
3. Heed all warnings.
4. Follow all instructions.
5. Do not use this apparatus near water.
6. Clean only with dry cloth.
7. Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the
ONYX Satellite
manufacturer’s instructions.
8. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers,
stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat.
9. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type
plug. A polarized plug has two blades with one wider than the other.
A grounding-type plug has two blades and a third grounding prong.
The wide blade or the third prong are provided for your safety. If the
provided plug does not fit into your outlet, consult an electrician for
replacement of the obsolete outlet.
10.
Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at
plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the
apparatus.
11.
Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.
12.
Use only with a cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table specified by the
manufacturer, or sold with the apparatus. When a cart is used, use
caution when moving the cart/apparatus combination to avoid injury
from tip-over.
13.
Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long
periods of time.
14.
Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required
when the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as powersupply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have
fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or
moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped.
15.
This apparatus shall not be exposed to dripping or splashing, and no
object filled with liquids, such as vases, shall be placed on the apparatus.
16. This apparatus does not exceed the Class A/Class B (whichever is
applicable)
set out in the radio interference regulations of the Canadian Department
limits for radio noise emissions from digital apparatus as
of Communications.
ATTENTION — Le présent appareil numérique n’émet pas de bruits
radioélectriques dépassant las limites applicables aux appareils numériques de
class A/de class B (selon le cas) prescrites dans le réglement sur le brouillage
radioélectrique édicté par les ministere des communications du Canada.
17.
Exposure to extremely high noise levels may cause permanent hearing
loss. Individuals vary considerably in susceptibility to noise-induced
hearing loss, but nearly everyone will lose some hearing if exposed to
sufficiently intense noise for a period of time. The U.S. Government’s
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has specified
the permissible noise level exposures shown in the following chart.
According to OSHA, any exposure in excess of these permissible limits
could result in some hearing loss. To ensure against potentially danger
ous exposure to high sound pressure levels, it is recommended that all
persons exposed to equipment capable of producing high sound pres
sure levels use hearing protectors while the equipment is in operation.
Ear plugs or protectors in the ear canals or over the ears must be worn
when operating the equipment in order to prevent permanent hearing
loss if exposure is in excess of the limits set forth here.
ONYX Satellite
Duration Per Day Sound Level dBA, Typical
In Hours Slow Response Example
Onyx Satellite Features ........................................................................................................................................................ 6
Getting Started ...........................................................................................................................7
Installing the Windows Drivers ..........................................................................................................................................7
Macintosh OS X Audio MIDI Setup ....................................................................................................................................7
Zero the Controls ..................................................................................................................................................................10
Set the Levels ..........................................................................................................................................................................11
Set the Sample Rate and Latency .....................................................................................................................................11
Start Recording to DAW ......................................................................................................................................................1
Onyx Satellite Features ............................................................................................................17
Pod Front Panel......................................................................................................................................................................17
1. Channel GAIN ..................................................................................................................................................................17
. Signal Level Indicators .................................................................................................................................................17
4. POWER Indicator ..........................................................................................................................................................17
48V Phantom Power Switch and Indicator .....................................................................................................................18
9. PHONES 1 and Outputs .............................................................................................................................................18
Pod Rear Panel .......................................................................................................................................................................19
11. CR OUT ............................................................................................................................................................................19
1. TO DOCK Connector ...................................................................................................................................................19
14. POWER Connector ......................................................................................................................................................19
Base Station Front Panel ....................................................................................................................................................0
16. MIC Input Select Switch ...........................................................................................................................................0
18. Line Input 1 Select Switch ........................................................................................................................................0
19. Line Input Select Switch ........................................................................................................................................0
0. Built-in Talkback Mic .................................................................................................................................................1
1. TALKBACK LEVEL Control ..........................................................................................................................................1
. TO PHONES Switch .....................................................................................................................................................1
. TO DAW Switch ............................................................................................................................................................1
4. CONTROL ROOM LEVEL Control ............................................................................................................................1
8. Power Switch ..............................................................................................................................................................
9. Base Station Dock ......................................................................................................................................................
Base Station Rear Panel.......................................................................................................................................................
0. MIC Input ......................................................................................................................................................................
1. LINE 1 Input ....................................................................................................................................................................
. LINE Input ...................................................................................................................................................................
6. CR OUT 1 and ............................................................................................................................................................4
8. POWER Connector .....................................................................................................................................................
Appendix A: Service Information .........................................................................................5
Warranty Service .................................................................................................................................................................5
Please write your serial number here for future
reference (i.e., insurance claims, tech support,
return authorization, etc.)
Purchased at:
Date of purchase:
4
ONYX Satellite
Introduction
OL
10
-20
-40
POWER
GAIN
GAIN
ON
TO
PHONES
TO
DAW
A
B
1
-2
1
-6
DAW
INPUTS
2
1
MIC
2
1
MIC
Pod
Base Station
Docked
ON
TO
PHONES
TO
DAW
A
B
1
-2
1
-6
DAW
INPUTS
2
1
MIC
2
1
MIC
OL
10
-20
-40
POWER
GAIN
GAIN
Owner’s Manual
Thank you for choosing the Mackie Onyx Satellite
professional audio interface for studio and mobile
digital audio recording. The Onyx Series computer audio
interfaces are designed for the digital era and offer the
newest features and latest technologies for digital studio recording in a durable, road-worthy package.
The Onyx Satellite is equipped with two of our new
premium precision-engineered studio-grade Onyx mic
preamps. Mackie is renowned for the high-quality mic
preamps used in our mixers, and the Onyx mic pre’s are
better than ever, with specifications rivaling other standalone boutique mic preamplifiers at twice the price.
The Onyx Satellite is designed to be a transparent audio interface for direct tracking and mixdown, using high
performance 24-bit/96 kHz converters to provide wide
dynamic range and low noise. It works with virtually any
ASIO/Core Audio compliant DAW software application on
a PC or Mac as a 2x6 audio interface.
The unique docking feature allows you to set up the
Onyx Satellite in your studio, and leave it connected to
multiple mic, line, and instrument sources and studio
monitors, while “undocking” the portable pod to use
on location. This gives you the freedom to take the pod
into the field for overdubbing projects or live recordings
without having to constantly patch and unpatch the
cables that are connected to the base station.
The pod features a Neutrik™ Combo input connector
on channels 1-2, which allows you to use either a 1/4"
TRS connector or an XLR connector. A global 48V switch
applies phantom power to both XLR input connectors.
Channels 1 and 2 also feature an instrument select
switch, which lets you connect an acoustic, electric,
or bass guitar directly to the 1/4" input, eliminating
the need for an external direct box. The pod also has a
stereo control room output and two stereo headphone
jacks, each with separate level controls (the Control
Room and Phones 1 outputs share a level control), and a
FireWire connector to connect to your laptop.
When the pod is “docked” to the base station, it gains
additional features and expanded input and output capabilities. The base station has a separate XLR connector, two 1/4" TRS line-input connectors, and a 1/4" TS
instrument connector for each channel (channels 1-2),
with select switches for each input source. Insert jacks
are also provided for channels 1-2 to send and return
the signal to an external processor. These are pre-ADC
(Analog-to-Digital Converters) so they work great for
compressors and other dynamic processors.
Six channels of analog balanced line outputs are
provided on 1/4" TRS connectors. Two of these can be
used as stereo control room outputs, with an A/B switch
to route the signal to two separate pairs of monitors
for comparison. The built-in talkback microphone can
be routed to the phones/control room output or to the
DAW for slating. A FireWire connector provides a simple
connection to a laptop or desktop computer and allows
the audio to be streamed to and from your software of
choice.
Both units can be powered either directly from the
FireWire bus (when using a six-pin FireWire connector),
or from the 12V DC power supply included in the box.
As a bonus, Tracktion 2 is included with your Onyx
Satellite, our full-featured music production software
application for easy recording, mixing, and mastering on
a PC or Mac.
Owner’s Manual
5
HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL
ARCANE MYSTERIES ILLUMINATED
We know that many of you can’t wait to get your new
Onyx Satellite computer interface hooked up, and you’re
probably not going to read the manual first (sigh!). So
the first section after this introduction is a Quick-Start
Guide called “Getting Started” to help you get the Onyx
Satellite set up fast so you can start using it right away.
Right after that are the ever popular hook-up diagrams
that show typical setups for various recording applications.
Then, when you have time, read the Features Description section. This describes every knob, button, and
ONYX Satellite
connection point on the Onyx Satellite.
Throughout this section you’ll find illustrations with
each feature numbered. If you want to know more about
a feature, simply locate it on the appropriate illustration, notice the number attached to it, and find that
number in the nearby paragraphs.
This icon marks information that is
critically important or unique to the
Onyx Satellite. For your own good,
read them and remember them.
They will be on the final test.
This icon leads you to in-depth explanations of features and practical tips.
While not mandatory, they usually
have some valuable nugget of information.
“Arcane Mysteries” discusses some of the down ‘n’
dirty practical realities of microphones, fixed installations, grounding, and balanced versus unbalanced lines.
It’s a goldmine for the neophyte, and even the seasoned
pro might learn a thing or two.
Onyx Satellite Features
• Innovative 2-piece FireWire Recording System for
professional recording on a PC or Mac
• Dual Onyx mic preamps for superior sound quality
versus competing interfaces
• 8 inputs for connection of microphones, line
sources, and instruments
•
6 line-level outputs
•
24-bit/96 kHz capable sound quality
•
Built-in control room functions include talkback
and A/B monitor switching
•
6-channel volume control allows for surround sound
mixing
•
Firewire protocol for low latency real-time recording
• Satellite pod can be bus powered for field use or
externally powered, for added convenience
A PLUG FOR THE CONNECTOR SECTION
Appendix B is a section on connectors: XLR connectors, balanced connectors, unbalanced connectors, and
the insert connectors used on the Onyx Satellite.
More resources on our website at www.mackie.com.
THE FAQs
Click on Support to find answers to many of your questions. The FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) section is
filled with answers to many of the questions our Technical Support staff has fielded over the years.
THE FORUMS
Visit our forums to seek help from our online community of Mackie users.
THE GLOSSARY: A Haven of Non-Techiness for
the Neophyte
The “Glossary of Terms” is a fairly comprehensive
dictionary of pro-audio terms. If terms like “clipping,”
“noise floor,” or “unbalanced” leave you blank, refer to
this glossary for a quick explanation.
•
Works with all ASIO and Core Audio compatible
software, Mac and PC (also compatible with
GigaSampler GSIF drivers)
• Pod provides 2 in/2 out audio streams; “Docked” pod
and base station provide 2 in/6 out audio streams
•
Bundled with full version of Tracktion 2 software for
a complete recording solution on a PC or Mac
•
Indestructo Mackie construction holds up to the
rigors of field recording
6
ONYX Satellite
Getting Started
READ THIS PAGE!!
Even if you’re one of those people
who never reads manuals, all we
ask is that you read these next few
pages (through page 12) now before
you begin using the Onyx Satellite.
You’ll be glad you did!
If you are using the Onyx Satellite with a PC running
Windows XP®, you need to install the Windows drivers
first. The Macintosh doesn’t require any additional drivers, but you will still want to install Tracktion 2. Refer to
page 8 for instructions on installing Tracktion 2 (page 10
for installing on a Mac).
4. You may get a “Security Warning” about running the
Owner’s Manual
installer. It’s okay. Click “Run.”
5. Follow the instructions for the rest of the installation procedure. When it is completed, your Onyx
Satellite is ready to use. The POWER and FireWire
indicators on the Satellite should both be lit.
Computer Requirements
These are the minimum computer requirements for
using the Onyx Satellite and installing Tracktion 2:
For the PC:
• Microsoft Windows XP SP2
• Pentium 4, Celeron, or Athlon XP processor
• 256 MB RAM
For the Mac:
• OS X 10.3.9
• G4 processor
• 256 MB RAM
It is important to note that the processor speed,
amount of RAM installed, and the size and speed of your
hard drive all contribute to the overall performance of
your recording system.
Installing the Windows Drivers
When connecting the Onyx Satellite to a PC, it is necessary to first install the Onyx FireWire Windows drivers
and Satellite Control Panel.
Important: DO NOT connect the Onyx Satellite to
your PC until you are instructed to do so during the
installation procedure.
6. The Onyx Satellite should now appear as a 2x6
audio interface available for any ASIO DAW (or
Gigasampler) application that you have installed on
your computer.
Note: It is still necessary to select the Onyx Satellite
as the audio device in the DAW software application’s
“Settings” window.
Macintosh OS X Audio MIDI
Setup
The Macintosh OS X has its own built-in system level
audio drivers, so you don’t need to install any additional
drivers or a separate control panel to use the Onyx
Satellite with a Macintosh.
OS X has a dedicated setup utility for audio and
MIDI. You can use the Audio Setup utility to change the
default audio input and output and general system settings on your Macintosh.
1. Connect the Onyx Satellite to your Macintosh using
the supplied FireWire cable.
2. Go to the Applications folder and open the Utilities
folder.
1. Insert the CD provided with the Onyx Satellite into
your CD drive.
2. The installation process should start automatically.
If it doesn’t, click “Start > Run > Browse” and navigate to the CD drive. Double-click the file named:
“DoubleClickToInstall.exe.”
3. Click “OK” in the Run window.
Owner’s Manual
7
3. Double-click “Audio MIDI Setup.”
Installing Tracktion 2
The CD-ROM that came with your Onyx Satellite
also has the full version of Tracktion 2, our easy-to-use
multitrack recording and sequencing software for the PC
and Mac.
Note: After installing Tracktion 2, be sure to check our
website periodically for software updates (www.mackie.
com).
ONYX Satellite
4. Click the Audio Devices tab, and select Onyx Satellite in the “Properties For” drop-down box.
5. Here you can see the settings for the Onyx Satellite.
You can also choose to use the Onyx Satellite as
your default input or output, as well as designate it
to be used for system sound output.
To install Tracktion on a PC running Windows XP:
1. Insert the CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive.
2.
Browse to the CD directory and open the “Tracktion 2”
folder. You can copy the folder called “Tracktion 2
Documentation” to your hard drive if you like, to
make it easier to access.
3. Double-click the file “TracktionSetup.exe”.
4. You may get a “Security Warning” about running the
installer. It’s okay. Click “Run.”
6. You’re ready to go with any Mac OS X Core Audio
host application (i.e., Tracktion, Logic, Cubase,
Nuendo, Live, Digital Performer, etc.).
The Onyx Satellite should now appear as a 2x6 audio
interface available for any DAW application that you
have installed on your computer.
Note: It is still necessary to select the Onyx Satellite
as the audio device in the DAW software application’s
“Settings” window.
8
ONYX Satellite
5. The next window allows you to select the language
you want to use with Tracktion 2 (English, French,
German, or Spanish). Make your choice and click
“OK.”
6. The Tracktion Setup Wizard opens. Click “Next” to
continue.
7. Next you will see the Tracktion License Agreement.
Read through the text and click “I accept the agreement.” Click “Next” to continue.
9. Next you are asked to select the Start Menu Folder
where you would like the Tracktion shortcuts installed.
used by the installer, but you can choose a different
location if you want by clicking the Browse button.
Then click “Next.”
10. The next window gives you the options of creating
a desktop icon and creating a Quick Launch icon.
Select the additional icons you would like to install,
and click “Next” to continue.
We recommend you use the default location
Owner’s Manual
8.
The next window lets you choose the Destination
folder for installing the software files. We recommend
you use the default location used by the installer, but
you can choose a different location if you want by
clicking the Browse button. Then click “Next.”
11. The next window gives you a summary of the installation options you have selected. Click “Back” if
you want to make any changes. Click “Install” to
proceed with the installation.
Owner’s Manual
9
12. When the installer has completed copying the files
into the destination folder, the “Completing the
Tracktion Setup Wizard” window opens. If you want
to launch Tracktion right away, click the “Launch
Tracktion” box. Click “Finish” to complete the
installation.
ONYX Satellite
13. Double-click the Tracktion.exe file in the destination folder to open Tracktion. (If you selected the
option during the installation, you can double-click
the Tracktion shortcut icon on your desktop.)
To install Tracktion on a Mac running OS X
(version 10..9 or later):
Authorizing Tracktion
There is an authorization code on the sleeve of the
CD-ROM that came with your Onyx Satellite. You can
authorize the software from within Tracktion or by going
to http://my.mackie.com.
From Tracktion 2:
1. Open Tracktion 2.
2. Tracktion detects that the software is unregistered
and notifies you that it is running in Demo Mode.
You can choose to continue or click the “Unlock”
button to authorize the software.
3. Follow the instructions for unlocking Tracktion.
From my.mackie.com:
1. Go to http://my.mackie.com
2. If you haven’t done so already, set up an account
by entering your email address and clicking “No, I
want to create an account.” Then click “Continue.”
3. Enter the information to setup your profile. Then
proceed to register Tracktion by clicking “Mackie
Product Registration.”
4. Select “Software” and “Tracktion v2 Music Produc
tion Software.”
5. Click “Click here to register Tracktion v2 online.”
-
1. Insert the CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive.
2. Double-click the CD icon on the desktop and
double-click the file named “TracktionSetup.dmg”.
3.
A Tracktion window opens. Drag the Tracktion icon
from the Tracktion window into the Applications folder.
4. Double-click the Tracktion file in the Applications
folder to open Tracktion.
6. Enter the authorization code from the sleeve on
your CD-ROM in the License Number box. Then
click “Authorize.”
Once you’ve installed and authorized the software,
proceed as follows:
Zero the Controls
1. Turn down the channel GAIN controls, and the
Control Room and Phones level controls.
2. Set all push button switches to their “out” positions.
3. Turn the POWER switch off.
Connections
Note:
This tutorial assumes that you are using the Onyx
Satellite with the pod “docked” to the base station.
This demonstrates how to record guitar to
for tracking, and then record a vocal while monitoring the
guitar track already laid down:
your DAW
10
1. Plug a guitar into channel 1 Instrument input and a
microphone into channel 2 MIC input. Push in the
Instrument switch on channel 1.
ONYX Satellite
2. Connect the FireWire connector from the Onyx Satellite to the FireWire connector on your computer.
Owner’s Manual
Set the Sample Rate and Latency
3. If you are using the AC adapter with your Onyx
Satellite, turn on the Power switch.
Note: The Onyx Satellite is equipped
with a 6-pin FireWire connector and
comes with a 6-pin to 6-pin FireWire
cable. If your computer has a 4-pin
FireWire connector, you can use the
6-pin to 4-pin FireWire adapter included in the box
to make the connection, but the Onyx Satellite cannot be powered from the 4-pin connector (the two
missing pins carry the power). You will need to use
the AC adapter included with the Onyx Satellite.
4. If the microphone is a dynamic microphone, leave
the 48V switch out. If it is a condenser microphone,
push in the 48V phantom power button to turn on
the phantom power (applied to XLR inputs 1 and 2).
5. Connect the Control Room A outputs to a pair
of powered studio monitors (or to an amplifier
connected to a pair of monitors). Optionally, you
can connect a pair of headphones to one of the
PHONES jack on the pod to monitor the audio.
On a PC:
1. Open the Onyx Satellite Control Panel (click Start
> Programs > Mackie Satellite > Satellite Console). Select the sample rate of your choice (44.1,
48, 88.2, or 96 kHz) and the latency setting.
These values should be reflected in your DAW
software application, and it is important that they
match. If you are using Tracktion 2, click the “Settings” tab and then click “Audio Devices” to see the
sample rate and latency settings.
On a Mac:
Set the Levels
To set the channel GAIN controls (on channels 1-2),
it’s not even necessary to hear what you’re doing in the
monitors. The following steps must be performed one
channel at a time.
1. Play something into the selected input, either guitar
(channel 1) or vocal (channel 2). Be sure that the
volume of the input source is the same as it would
be during normal use. If it isn’t, you might have to
readjust these levels later.
2. Adjust the channel’s GAIN control so that the
“–20” and “–10” LEDs light frequently or continuously, and the “OL” LED doesn’t light at all (or only
flashes occasionally).
3. Repeat for each channel.
4. You can also monitor the input level with the input
metering of your DAW software application.
1. Go to the Applications folder and open the Utilities
folder.
2. Double-click “Audio MIDI Setup.”
3. Click the Audio Devices tab and select Onyx
FireWire in the “Properties For” drop-down box.
4.
You can change the sample rate setting in the Format
drop-down box. There is no latency setting here. That
setting is made in the DAW software application.
Latency (sometimes called buffer
size) describes the amount of time
it takes for audio to get in and out of
your software application. The lower
the latency setting, the faster audio
can get into and out of the software
Owner’s Manual
11
Loading...
+ 25 hidden pages
You need points to download manuals.
1 point = 1 manual.
You can buy points or you can get point for every manual you upload.