Appendix C: Usb 3/4 Return Setup - Mackie ONYX Series Owner's Manual

Appendix C: USB 3/4 Return Setup

Introduction
Onyx mixers utilize a digital / analog hybrid channel
type that allows audio to be sent from the computer
into either the USB 1/2 or USB 3/4 channels.
The flexibility of having two separate channels
for headphone mixing is incredible. For instance,
USB 1/2 could be set as the DAW's main mix for
the pre-recorded tracks from the rhythm section,
while USB 3/4 could be set up as the "more me"
channel when working on overdubs.
Another example of this flexibility is while
tracking a band live in the studio. Mon 1 may be used
for the rhythm section headphone mix, mon 2 for
the guitar player's mix and the main mix for the singer.
In the DAW, the USB 1/2 mix could be used for
the rhythm section since the singer would probably
be too loud if they shared the same mix. The rhythm
section needs to hear the click track and we know
how vocalists love their sound drenched in reverb!
Some DAWs and other streaming applications
have their own settings that may override
system settings. If so, please review their
documentation on how to make changes
to the DAW / app.
Windows
1. Download the USB driver from the Mackie website.
2. Follow the installation instructions to install
the driver.
3. Right-click on the speaker icon located on the task
bar.
4. Select Sound Settings.
5. Under "Choose Your Output Device", select
Onyx 3-4 from the dropdown menu.
6. On the mixer, be sure the USB 3/4 button
is engaged (down) on the second-to-last channel.
7. On the Onyx12 (and larger) mixers, engage
the LR routing button located next to the fader.
This will send the signal to the main mix.
8. Turn up the channel fader to unity, then slowly
turn up the main mix fader.
You will know this worked if the main meters
illuminate and you hear PC audio through the device
connected to the main outputs.
48
Onyx Premium Analog Mixer with Multi-Track USB
Mac
A driver download is not necessary on a Mac.
However, some parameters will still need to be
changed within macOS.
1. Open the Audio MIDI Setup app using the Spotlight
search (Command + Spacebar).
2. Right-click on the device and select the Onyx mixer
in "Use This Device For Sound Input", as well as
"Use This Device For Sound Output".
3. Select the 'Configure Speakers' button and be sure
it is set to 'Stereo'.
4. Change the Left and Right options to Analog 3
and 4, then tap 'Apply'.
5. On the mixer, be sure the USB 3/4 button
is engaged (down) on the second-to-last channel.
6. On the Onyx12 (and larger) mixers, engage
the LR routing button located next to the fader.
This will send the signal to the main mix.
7. Turn up the channel fader to unity, then slowly
turn up the main mix fader.
You will know this worked if the main meters
illuminate and you hear PC audio through the device
connected to the main outputs.