Mackie Onyx Blackjack

The Mackie Onyx Blackjack stands out from the other USB audio interfaces in the test in terms of looks alone. Except for the headphone jack, all inputs and outputs are on the back of the device, while the rotary controls and knobs are clearly visible slightly beveled front are placed. About the operation and cable management thought was clearly given here, and with success. You can find out what else the Mackie Onyx Blackjack has to offer in our test.

The Mackie Onyx Blackjack is inexpensive and delivers excellent audio quality. With inputs and outputs on the back, the Blackj makes it easy Cable Management. Only the lack of support for Windows 10 and the device's susceptibility to dust are negative.

Workmanship and design

Made entirely of black aluminum, the Mackie Onyx Blackjack is supported on a small silver stand, which not only enhances the whole thing visually, but also ensures a pleasant alignment and height of the user interface.

The 2-in/ 2-out USB audio interface with two XLR/jack combo connections does not need many other features - five potentiometers, four switches, five LEDs and a jack socket - that's it. A successful, bulky design (16,7 x 10,96 x 6,42 cm, 700 grams) that we like right away and shows a clever construction.

As with the predecessor models of the Mackie Onyx Blackjacks, the Onyx-i series, the preamps are of high quality.

But not only that Housing is what puts a smile on the face of many users. As with the previous models of the Blackjack, the Onyx-i series, the preamps are of high quality. This is simply because the same preamps from the successful series have been taken and combined with the newly developed recording interface. A promising approach, which the device fully lives up to thanks to its comparatively low price.

For Microphones a dB range between 0 and +60 dB is possible, instruments can be activated via the Z switch and use between -15 and +45 dB. The new Blackjack not only uses the technology of the larger Onyx devices for the preamps. It also comes up trumps with the great function of the "Input Monitor". This is a possible setting whereby the input signal can be tapped on an analog level directly behind the gain potentiometer and routed to the monitor and phone output. The result is: no latency! All controls are equipped with an LED light for checking and of course there is also a phantom power for feeding condenser microphones. A successful audio interface so far.

A gain pot or potentiometer is an electrical component whose resistance values ​​can be changed by turning it. Strictly speaking, signals are not increased at the GAIN control but weakened less.

Windows 10 falls by the wayside

In order to still find a "negative" point with the Mackie Onyx Blackjack, we had to get down to the drivers in our test. Contrary to Complete audio 6 or to the Scarlett This time Windows and not iOS “suffers” from slight driver problems. In this case, slight driver problems mean that there are no drivers at all for Windows 10. Even more: Windows 8 and 10 are not listed as compatible at all. Sounds strange, but you can get started right away even without a driver! The interface works (more or less) on all systems, but a better user interface on the monitor could still be possible with suitable drivers and software for Windows 10. Since Windows 10 will probably make us happy for a long time while older operating systems are no longer supported, Mackie should deliver here.

Installation of the Mackie Onyx Blackjack

To install the new Onyx you need the device, an XLR cable and an instrument or Microphone, in our case the microphone Rode NT2A. If this is available, the rest takes care of itself:

1. Connect the Mackie Onyx Blackjack to your PC with the supplied USB cable or Mac.
2. Drivers can be found, but the Plug&Play is simply expressed and comparable and you can get started right away. Anyone who is still interested in drivers can take a look at the "Onyx Drivers Matrix".
3. Then connect your microphone to the interface using the XLR cable. Then activate the USB connection for the power supply.
4. Rotate the appropriate one GAIN control of the two inputs and levels your microphone using the peak function the LED light.

Sound quality at a high level

The Mackie Onyx Blackjack sounds about as good as its competitors. The latency is low and the output loud enough. The Z button also makes it possible to use instruments without any problems. All in all, a successful product and, in our opinion, particularly interesting for streamers and YouTubers who rarely change their setup and can benefit from the cable management options.