Quick Start; Set The Levels; Getting Started - Mackie Onyx Blackbird Owner's Manual

Quick Start

We realize that you must be really keen
to try out your new Onyx Blackbird 16x16
FireWire Recording Interface. But please
read the safety instructions on page
2, then have a look through some of the features and
details in this manual first.

Getting started

The Mackie Onyx FireWire Driver and Blackbird Control
Application allow the Onyx Blackbird FireWire audio
interface to work with Microsoft Windows and Mac OSX.
The first step is to download and install the latest Driver
and Control Panel software here:
http://www.mackie.com/products/onyxblackbird/
A .zip file is available for PC and a .dmg file is
available for Mac users. Peruse the easy-to-follow
directions which reside here and continue on when
ready. We'll wait.
Have you followed all of the instructions to a T? If so,
then you have run the installer, rebooted the computer,
connected the Onyx Blackbird, launched the Blackbird
Control application and verified that the Mackie Onyx
FireWire is the default interface. Perfect! Let's
continue on with 'Connections'.
Connections
1. Zero the controls by fully turning down all the
knobs to minimum and making sure all buttons
are in the out position.
2. Plug a balanced microphone or any line-level
signal (keyboard, or guitar preamp) using a TS
or a TRS 1/4" plug into one of the eight Onyx
mic preamps.
3. If your microphone requires phantom power,
turn on the 48V phantom power button.
4. Connect the TRS 1/4" L/R monitor outputs of
the interface to the line level inputs of your
amplifier (with speakers already attached) or
to the line level inputs of powered speakers.
Part No. SW0866 Rev. B 04/11
©2011 LOUD Technologies Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Set the levels

It's not even necessary to hear what you're doing to set
optimal levels. But if you'd like to: Plug headphones into
the phones output jack, then turn up the phones knob
just a little.
1. Turn on the interface by pressing the top edge
of the power switch.
2. Launch the Blackbird Control Application by
double-clicking on the icon located on the
desktop or in Programs > Applications.
3. Once in the Blackbird Control Application,
make sure that the input and main output are
not muted.
4. Play something into that input at real-world
levels.
5. Adjust that channel's gain control until the
right main meter peaks a couple dB below 0 dB.
6. Repeat steps 3 to 5 for the remaining channels.
7. Adjust the channel levels to get the best mix.
Keep the gain controls and levels fully down on
unused channels.
8. During the performance, if you notice a channel
OL LED turning on during peaks, carefully turn
down that channel's gain control until OL does
not turn on.
Other Notes
• Use the interface in a nice, clean and dry
environment, free from dryer lint and dust
bunnies.
• When shutting down, turn off any power
amplifiers or powered speakers first. When
powering up, turn them on last. This will
reduce the chance of turn-on or turn-off
thumps.
• Always turn down the phones level when
making connections or doing anything that may
cause loudness in the headphones. This will
help protect your hearing.
• Always turn down the monitor level when
making connections to the interface. Better yet,
shut down the computer first.
• Save the shipping box!
Owner's Manual 3