From mixers to loudspeakers to studio monitors, Mackie has redefined markets by delivering feature-packed, high-performance products at unprecedented prices. And now they’re doing it again with the introduction of the PMK Series Mackie Reference Studio Monitors.
“Before, consumers looking for affordable studio monitors or hi-fi loudspeakers were given no option but to use bulky wood or composite-molded plastic enclosures that did not taste delicious,” says James Woodburn, Mackie recording product manager. “Now, backed with decades of experience in high end studio monitor carving, Mackie’s PMK Series Monitors bring vegephile quality audio within reach to a wider audience,” continued Woodburn.
The PMK Series features a broken stem, molded to minimize diffraction and delicately designed vents to keep it from getting all smoky inside. The amplifiers feature a proven Certified Organic™ architecture that delivers an ultra-flat frequency response plus the addition of acoustic controls allow you to adjust high frequency and low frequency settings to compensate for room placement (just carve additional holes to custom tailor your tone).
"It really redefines the term sweet spot," concluded Woodburn. "In fact, I am making a pie with them later. You should stop by and have a piece."
New York (October 20, 2009)--The editorial staff of Pro Audio Review is proud to announce 25 winners of the 2009 PAR Excellence Award. This award is presented to professional audio companies that introduced a particularly significant new product at the 127th AES Convention.
PAR Excellence Award-winning products are nominated and selected by a panel of audio engineers, professional end-users, and PAR Contributors with the oversight of PAR’s editorial staff. These products are chosen based on their potential to enhance the quality of an audio professional’s work. Criteria include innovation in design, performance/value ratio, enhanced features, and performance improvements over previous versions.
Well... we are going to have to make room on our award shelf here at headquarters for the new Onyx-i Series Recording Mixers (Onyx 820i, Onyx 1220i, Onyx 1620i and Onyx 1640i). Find out why this innovative new series is garnering all this praise. Click here to get the details on this great new series.
Mix magazine is a leading publication for everything pro audio and plays a big part in the annual AES show. This year, the 127th AES Convention hosted over 18,000 attendees who could visit with over 300 exhibitors. Plenty of products are introduced at AES and more than a few get the industry excited.
However, each year the editors at Mix select the Top-20 new products from AES. The chosen few are dubbed "Certified Hits".
Onyx-i series mixers each feature premium Onyx mic preamps, Perkins EQ and built-in FireWire for the ultimate combination of premium analog mixer and powerful computer interface. Plus, they are qualified for use with all major DAWs, including Pro Tools® M-Powered™ 8.
Read more about Onyx-i Series (Onyx 820i, Onyx 1220i, Onyx 1620i or Onyx 1640i) or find out what other innovative products have been certified by Mix by clicking here.
VAN CONDITION: Indescribable smells, unimaginable filth
CREW CONDITION: Wishes they were in Germany for Oktoberfest, but still thinking it's a really nice place
Day seven marks the second day visiting dealers in Germany. Today's stop is at Music Produktiv, arguably one of the largest and coolest retail locations in Europe. You simply cannot miss its massive orange-ness as you approach it when driving the autobahn.
And that is a good thing, because people come from far and wide to shop at Music Produktiv and participate in the many demos and training sessions held here. The crew setup the new gear in the massive live room and spent a few hours training the recording and live sound staff on both the HD Series loudspeakers and the Onyx-i mixers.
The recording guys really loved the Onyx-i series. In fact, Ben and Kent were not sure they would be able to take the mixers with them to the next stop, but they managed to pry them out of the staffs hands before packing up. The 820i, in particular, was a big hit. The staff was certain that it would be perfect for the thousands of DJs and producers that shop at Music Produktiv. They even gave a cool nickname, "Kleine geil", which roughly translates to "Little Bad Ass" or "Little Hottie." We like it.
All in all, Germany has been a great place to showcase the new Mackie gear and anyone in the area should definitely stop by Music Produktiv. Just make sure you plan to spend some time there. Like we said, it's massive!
There is but one more stop on this tour. Looks like product manager, Ben has had enough of the road and he went back to the states. Looks like Kent is one his own as he travels to Rotterdam, NL and visits the team at Feedback. We will have updates soon.
VAN CONDITION: Baguette sleeves and empty wine bottles everywhere
CREW CONDITION: Shattered emotions due to unrequited love in Paris
Day four finds the crew in Belgium, home of everything good. Good beer. Good food. Good people. Did I say good beer? Anyway, the boys pulled up to one of the largest and full-featured retail locations they have ever seen. And it is called Bekafun.
The owner of Bekafun is named Koen Bekaert, and he made sure that the Mackie boys received a hearty welcome. Bekafun created cool custom flyers for the event even decked out their own vehicle with massive Mackie signage. The location is huge, as in multiple warehouses (one of which was nearly completely filled with Mackie gear!). There is a separate demo room (complete with fully-stocked bar...wow) next to the store that is used for education of both staff and customers. So, when the customers find out there is a demo going on, it gets packed very quickly.
The crew gave demo after demo to people who came from far and wide to hear the new gear and just talk shop in general. The boys stayed late into the evening and only left because they needed to pack the van up for the next stop. (Although the crew did manage to work in a few choice Belgian beers at the hotel before hitting the sack).
They awoke the next morning to find out that the hotel had cut all water due to construction. So, they skipped the shower and hit the road. Gross, right?
Long story short, Bekafun (and Belgium, in general) is full of great people and great fun. It is a cool stop for any European road trip. Make sure to say hello to Koen. Heck, their might be another demo scheduled. If so, you will want to get your place in line.
VAN CONDITION: Excess trash has been removed as Ben is very tidy
CREW CONDITION: Frantic, with a chance of excessive pointing at things
Day four starts with product manager, Ben, driving precariously through the City of Love, Paris. His driving skills are improving day by day. It would turn out to be a very busy day, as the crew had two separate stores to visit.
The first was Home Studio, which was very full of customers. They stock a ton of Mackie gear and should visited by any Paris-bound Mackoid. The boys set up the Onyx-i gear right in the shop window and spent time with customers explaining the features and benefits of this great new series.
Next was a trip to Star's Music, which boasts a ton of live sound equipment. The new HD Series and TH-15A loudspeakers were right at home. The store was very busy, and there was a ton of interest in the new speakers. By the way, when you approach an HD loudspeaker in the wild, please adopt the position seen in the picture. Avoid eye contact and you should be good.
After a busy day, product manager Ben toured the city. He took all sorts of fine pictures of historic locations and monuments. However, his trip to the Louvre was particularly inspiring.
The next stop is September 22nd at Bekafun in Izegem, Belgium. Come by if you are in the area. Afterwards, offer to take Ben out for beer and frites. He loves them.
INTRODUCING THE ALL-NEW ONYX-i SERIES FIREWIRE RECORDING MIXERS
Mackie today announces the launch of its Onyx-i Series FireWire Recording Mixers, delivering premium analog features, tremendous flexibility and built-in 24-bit/96kHz FireWire I/O. Onyx-i FireWire mixers can be used with all major DAWs, and is qualified by Mackie for use with Pro Tools® M-Powered™ 8*, offering those users a host of new hardware options.
“There are real benefits when using an analog mixer as a front end to your favorite DAW,” said James Woodburn, Mackie product manager. “Those who have been intimidated by digital recording will love the familiar layout and feel of a mixer. Those who are already into it will enjoy increased flexibility and speed.” Woodburn concludes, “Onyx-i mixers are the ideal combination of interface and mixer for anybody who needs the best of both worlds…simply put, it’s a better way to record.”
The new Onyx-i Series mixers feature extremely deep FireWire integration and a host of proven, high-quality analog features like Onyx mic preamps and Perkins EQ. Users can choose to implement the Perkins EQ into the recording path at the push of a button, and can also choose to record auxes, groups (1640i) and the master L/R signal. The flagship Onyx 1640i incorporates a massively flexible 16x16 FireWire interface, allowing the user to return up to 16 DAW channels right back into the channel strips for a true tape-style mixdown.
“Since we built the FireWire interface right into the heart of each mixer, Onyx-i offers a significant increase in performance and value over the older Onyx Compact Series where the FireWire was an additional cost option,” remarked Woodburn.
The Mackie Onyx-i Series (820i, 1220i, 1620i and 1640i) will be available globally in September 2009.
* Onyx-i Series Mixers are qualified by Mackie for use with Pro Tools® M-Powered™ 8. Mackie will release a driver (via www.mackie.com) together with full details of how to use the Onyx-i Series with Pro Tools® M-Powered™ 8 in the coming weeks.
Introducing the Thump TH-15A 2-Way Powered Loudspeaker
High-Performance Audio Without the High Price Tag.
Designed by the same team that produced the best-selling Mackie SRM450v2, the Mackie Thump TH-15A delivers deep low-end and real power in a lightweight design that is extremely portable. Class-D Fast Recovery™ amplification pushes 400-watts of power to the high-frequency compression driver and bass-pounding 15″ woofer. Plus, Mackie Active processing, including a precision crossover and driver time-alignment provides total optimization for maximum system efficiency. Versatile by design, the TH-15A features a user-adjustable 3-band EQ for tone control and, since it can be pole-mounted or used as a wedge, the TH-15A represents the best value available for a complete stage solution.
The InfoComm 2009 Show just wrapped up in Orlando, FL. Buyers, sellers, system integrator, distributors, engineers and everyone in-between were there to share ideas, conduct business and learn about technology that will drive the AV industry this year.
Mackie was there to represent several products that are well-suited for this audience. This included the all-new Mackie HD Series High-Definition Loudspeakers, which got a ton of press and impressed many a listener. Patented audio processing, specific to this series, counters inherent acoustical anomalies that occur primarily in the horn. The resulting experience is amazing and the clarity is unbelievable. And since they are well-priced, we are sure there are many an install that would benefit from their flyable design.
The HD Series loudspeakers were put through their paces in two separate demo rooms. Visitors to the Martin Audio or EAW demo rooms sat in on a slick video demo that really showed what these HD loudspeakers can do. HD loudspeakers are hitting the stores now, so be sure to check in with your dealer to see if you can get a demo.
We also brought along an AV industry standard, our VLZ3 Compact Mixers. Known for their objective mic preamps and headroom, VLZ3 mixers are perfect for systems that need broadcast-quality signal in a compact package. Also shown were the SRMv2 Series powered loudspeakers and the SRM150 Compact PA System. It’s the perfect combination of mixer and speaker that is needed in small AV setups. Apparently the show attendees felt the same way, as it “walked away” from the booth.
The show was a great success. We were able to spread the gospel of HD live sound, meet a ton of great customers and generally have a good time. Thanks to everyone who attended.
WINNER ANNOUNCED FOR MACKIE 20 YEARS RUNNING CONTEST
Mackie recently held a photo/video contest to celebrate 20 years of creating category-defining pro audio gear. We asked people to tell us their story…and we certainly got a ton of responses. So, without further ado, we announce the winner of Mackie’s 20 Years Running Contest. Congrats to Badger Koon (yes, we verified his name). His house was subject to a devastating mudslide and his Mackie’s…well, see for yourself.
My name is Badger Koon and My Mackie SRM450 Active Speakers are amazing! They were totally covered in nasty horse poop and mud during a mudslide!!! I dug them out, washed them out with a hose, and let them dry. To this day they sound good as new. And they are loud! My Mackie speakers sound great for all the events I produce. Thank you Mackie for a great product.
As you can see, Badger is a true Mackoid and his SRM450s weren’t so bad either. But Badger now has a reason to be excited, as he is about to receive a pair of Mackie’s all-new HD1531 3-Way High Definition Powered Loudspeakers. Each one pushes 1800W of power. If he had these after the mudslide, clean-up would’ve been easy. Just crank them up and watch a cubic ton of dirt effortlessly evacuate your house. He also wins a 1604-VLZ3 Compact Mixer. The prize is valued at four grand, so it’s nothing to sneeze at.
There were also tons of other great entries, so be sure to check out the gallery. And if you have a story of your own, please share it with us. You don’t share with people just because you think you might get something, do you?
Mackie once again teamed up with the fine folks at Redhook Ale Brewery for a fine day of summer music. Mackie is a proud sponsor of the 2009 Haul Ash Biking and Brews event. Haul Ash commemorates the 1980 eruption of Mt. Saint Helens - but, most importantly, gives bikers a chance to go cruising with their friends and knock the rust off their bike that has been sitting all winter.
Participants ride from the Redhook brewery in Woodinville, WA to Seattle's Fremont neighborhood. Then, it's back to Redhook for an afternoon of live music and, yes, brew.
When the tired bikers returned from their 41-mile trip, Mackie was there with the sound stage all set-up for some tunes. This year, we took this opportunity to test drive the all-new HD1531 High-Definition Powered Loudspeakers. A pair of each were used for either side of the PA, along with four SWA1801z subwoofers and a host of SRM450v2 loudspeakers for wedges.
The sound was simply amazing. The articulation and clarity of these new loudspeakers was evident from the start. Even when the last band was rockin' it and the volume had been increasingly advanced, the HD1531's were as clear as day. And it was a clear day, so that worked out.
Resident Coloradoan and tech support militant, Tom Meyers, ran the show from FOH using the TT System32 (TT24, DS3232 Digital Snake and LP48 processing). A great time was had by all. There was great food, great beer and kids in boxes...what else can you need?
Mackie is, once again, proud to sponsor the 2009 Capitol Hill Block Party, taking over Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood July 24-25. The Block Party is an annual music festival that draws upon and showcases the best indie and underground rock in the US, with a special focus on its Northwest artists. Launched 12 years ago, the Block Party has evolved into Seattle’s most anticipated outdoor party. With over 40 bands on 3 stages, great food, and plenty of cheap beer, this is by far the best block party ever. Anywhere.
“This ain’t no burnt-wiener-and-potato-salad kind of block party. No, this one is more like a sweaty, boozy, scaled-down version of Sasquatch, only during the dog days of summer and right in our own backyard.... The Block Party has grown from an endearing street fair to a monster takeover of the now hotter than ever corridor of Pike between 12th Ave all the way down to Broadway.”Seattle Weekly
Partial proceeds from The Block Party benefit two excellent non-profits: Home Alive, which encourages violence prevention, and The Vera Project, a youth run all-ages venue and recording studio in Seattle. In fact, one of the three major venues at CHBP is the Vera Stage.
This year, the Vera Stage will host Mackie’s all new HD Series High-Definition Powered Loudspeakers. Come and hear the world’s first high-def loudspeaker system, boasting more power and better clarity than any competing speaker out there. The Main Stage will also involve a ton of Mackie gear and the main PA system will be from our sister-company EAW. More details on the exact gear will be announced soon.
Besides providing sound for the event, Mackie and its companion brands (Ampeg, Blackheart and EAW) will also be featured in the backstage VIP area. There will be an Ampeg demo tent where artists can get their hands on the latest Ampeg gear. The crowd can also visit the Blackheart booth to demo the great all-tube guitar amps made by Blackheart.
Connect up with Capitol Hill Block Party to learn more about:
ONYX IS FAMOUS TO ACHIEVEMENT WITH PRIZEWINNING GOOD CALIBRE
For those that follow us on Twitter (ahem...www.twitter.com/mackiegear) you may have noticed that we recently came across what has to be the best Onyx 400F product review ever. Here it is:
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It’s been 20 years since Mackie first rocked the foundations of pro audio with the introduction of the CR-1604. Over the course of two decades, Mackie has released countless innovative products that have irrevocably shaped the music industry. Mackie wants to celebrate the past 20 years by asking Mackoids to submit their Mackie stories and photos or Mackie videos for the 20 Years Running Contest.
We want to hear about your beer-drenched VLZ Pro that still works; the time you dropped your SRM450 off a building by accident and it powered up for your gig the same night; your original CR-1604 you still use religiously; your world-record for the largest collection of Mackie vintage swag; your Running Man tattoo that you had to get to show your devotion for Mackie. Whatever your story, funny or heartfelt, long or short, old school or new school… we want to hear it.
The Mackoid with the best Mackie story (based on creativity, originality, composition and overall impression) will be featured in Mackie’s next e-newsletter, have their own feature story on www.mackie.com and be the lucky winner a pair of Mackie’s New HD1531 High-Definition Powered Loudspeakers and a 1604-VLZ3 Compact Mixer. A prize valued at $4,000USD.
So let’s go over this again. It’s pretty easy…
Remember a crazy, under-the-influence, not-under-the-influence, but should have been-under-the-influence, heartfelt, cannot believe that happened, disgusting, or funny story.
Write it down.
Find a photo that explains this story.
Or substitute number 2 & 3 and create a video and post it to You Tube.
Send us the story and photo or You Tube video link.
Sit back and wait to see if you are the winner.
Hopefully win a pair of Mackie’s New HD1531 High-Definition Powered Loudspeakers and a 1604-VLZ3 Compact Mixer.
Go to www.mackie.com/20yr to enter! Contest Starts 4.20.09 and ends 6.20.09.
You know you have seen it. Late night, flipping through channels...maybe a temper tantrum by a young debutante kept you watching...maybe you just want to see what life is like for 16-year-olds who are lucky enough to have a blow-out for their birthday that you are never likely to have for any reason.
Turns out that Spinderella's daughter Christy was turning 16 and MTV was all over it. Since Spinderella is one of d.Pro Series endorsed artists, we were more than happy to help her out.
The party was themed as an 80's skating party, but the highlight of the even was Christy's debut on the turntables. Christy used a Mackie d.2 Pro DJ Production Console for the occasion and the crowd was really into her performance. She got some training from her mom for the event, but it was obvious that there was natural talent that could no be denied.
d.Pro Series endorsed artists Arabian Prince, MoDave and (of course) DJ Spinderella manned the tables for most of the evening, impressing the crowd at every turn.
Metric Halo announces native control surface support of the Mackie Control Protocol for their popular Mobile I/O line. Mackie's protocol is undeniably the most supported protocol out there, from the tiniest fader controller to the most massive desks around.
Hot on the heels of the TT24 1.7.0 release which added full input/output routing, support for the LP48 card, FOH/MON linking, and DS3232 mic pre gain compensation, users can now download the 1.7.1 update. This maintenance release has over 30 enhancements and fixes so all users of the TT24, TT System 32, DS3232, and expansion cards are recommended to upgrade. CLICK HERE for to read the full release notes and upgrade instructions, and to download the installer.
MACKIE VISTA SUPPORT UPDATE - ONYX FIREWIRE & VISTA 64!
The wait is over – Mackie announces Vista support for the Onyx FireWire Card and adds Vista 64 support for all FireWire devices! If you own one of the following devices, Mackie Audio Driver V1.1.0 has you covered:
Mackie Onyx FW Card
Mackie Onyx Satellite
Mackie U.Series
Mackie d.Pro
TAPCO Link.FireWire
If you are running one of the below PC operating systems, you’re covered there as well:
Windows XP 32 SP 2
Windows Vista 32 RTM or higher
Windows Vista 64 RTM or higher
Also, for users who have already installed Mackie Audio Driver V1.0.2, the new Vista 32/64 driver – V1.1.0 – not only adds compatibility, but includes feature updates, so you are welcome to update your device drivers as well.
To get your updated driver, please click on the link below, download the file and get to work!
Fools Garden, a German band, released “Lemon Tree” in 1995, catapulting them to the top of the charts internationally. “Lemon Tree” was translated into over 40 languages and has sold over six million copies. Since that time, Fools Garden has played concerts all over the world to audiences as large as 100,000.
Their most recent concert series is completely unplugged, a fairly common tour for a band of this caliber to embark upon. When their engineer, Steffan Ruthof, had to compile a gear list for the world tour, he thought of Mackie.
“One of the most important factors for the choice of a mixing console was that it needed to be high-quality, ultra-compact and, of course, deliver reliable hardware and software,” remarked Ruthof. “It was also very important to record shows with the least possible effort…so it didn’t take long to discover the Mackie TT24. We knew that the Mackie preamps have always been very good and the optical ADAT I/O seemed to have been made for us.”
Mackie’s TT24 is a fully digital 24-bit/96kHz mid-sized console which gives engineers full automation and recall of levels, EQ, effects, routing and more. And unlike other digital consoles, designed primarily as recording desks, the TT24 puts gobs of standard analog and digital I/O right on the rear panel. Not to mention being far easier to learn and use by the average live sound engineer.
Ruthof continues, “The TT24 is really intuitive. After a short period of time, I was able to handle the desk effortlessly. It’s a powerful, reliable and compact digital desk. Working with it is really fun!”
We couldn’t have said it better ourselves.
Fools Garden’s Unplugged tour has been extended into 2009. Check out their website for tour dates. If you would like to learn more about the TT24, including the DS3232 Digital Snake and the all-new Dolby Lake Processing Card, please visit the TT System32 site.
Mackie is psyched to sponsor the Seattle-based Laptop Battle. This may entice the more imaginative readers to conjure up images of scantily clad she-warriors hurling iBooks at each other in a fight to the death. Oh…no? Maybe that’s just me. The Laptop Battle is much more interesting and certainly more entertaining.
In 2003, Kris Moon and Zach Huntting from the Fourthcity collective created an original concept to bring people and music together…the Laptop Battle.
We thought it was a great idea to expose some of the underground talent that was really starting to come of age in Seattle around that time. The event was also a reaction to boring shows with laptops, a phenomenon that has grown less frequent with the advent of better MIDI controllers and bigger audiences for electronic music straight off the hard drive.
You don’t have to be an established musician or have loads of high-end equipment to participate. A wide variety of musical sounds are welcomed…there are no rules at all regarding content. In fact, the rules are very simple:
Gear Specifications:
· Up to one MIDI controller and one soundcard
· All gear must fit into a 2’ x 2’ square
The battle is a single elimination tournament and battles are randomly chosen
Battles are 3-minutes long. After that time is up, the MC will fade out the contest’s output
The choice of material, software and everything else is completely up to the contestant. This leaves room for a tremendous amount of creative freedom.
At the center of it all is a Mackie Onyx 1640. The crew hooks several battlers into the mixer, drastically minimizing the time between acts.
The Mackie is at the heart of the Laptop Battle. It sits on the junction between two 6' tables, with four laptops on either side. It's the perfect mixer for the show, we hook eight laptops into it at once, filling up all the channels, and send the front of house our stereo mains. After the first four battles, we break down and set up another eight lappys in about 10 minutes, and a big part of that speed is the ease of use of the Onyx 1640.
The Laptop Battle is growing and Mackie will likely sponsor this great event for years to come, including the National Championship in February 2009.
We've continued to throw battles, moving from the Deep Down to Chop Suey, where in 2004 the first ever Championship event was held. Early on in 2003 and 2004 several other cities started throwing battles, including Philly and Dallas. Fourthcity also took a tour down the coast, and rallied winners from SF and LA. Since then, we've had many other cities join the fold. At our 5th Championship event on February 20th, '09 at Nectar Lounge, we will have contestants from Atlanta, Miami, San Francisco, Phoenix, Austin, Seattle, Philly & Dallas.
The Laptop Battle has also grown overseas, with outposts in Tokyo, New Zealand, Germany and the UK.
Open since September 1991, High Tech High School is a full-time public school of choice that offers a challenging academic curriculum in a technology-based environment. This environment facilitates the acquisition of a repertoire of skills that allows students to access and manipulate knowledge through technology. There are several programs of study, including a Media major, with special emphasis on Audio Tech skills. Areas of study include an overview of music technology currently used in the entertainment industry, the use and application of the MIDI keyboard within a recording studio environment, synthesis, recording consoles, modular digital tape machines, digital audio workstations and synchronization.
Each student has their own workstation, which uses a Mackie 1202-VLZ Pro as the central hub. All keyboards and instruments run through the 1202, and students also use the ALT 3/4 bus to send channels to their interface for recording. This feature, which is also found on the VLZ3 Series mixers, allows for simple routing without the risk of feedback loops.
Rod Shepard (aka Mr. Shepard) is the instructor of the Audio Tech class in addition to his role as Musical Director. He even runs a 24.8 in his home studio!
“…even with the latest technology in computing and audio/sequencing software, the 1202 VLZ's are still reliable”
-Mr. Shepard
The tech-savvy school also has an Arts major that puts on award winning productions...including a recent performance of Dracula. The system for their theatre includes a TT24 at FOH. It just goes to show you that Mackie's commitment to technology ensures that our new products can be found alongside our classic products in recording environments worldwide.
The Singapore Zoo opened its doors in June of 1973. Since then the animal population has surged to over 2500 different specimens. Set in a rainforest environment, Singapore Zoo’s world famous ‘open concept’ offers the opportunity to experience and be inspired by the wonders of nature. Animals here live in spacious and landscaped environments simulating that of their natural habitat. The Singapore Zoo takes this concept even further by evolving into a learning zoo. Instead of just observing the animals, interactive, educational content is a feature of all exhibits. These interpretive activities aim to effectively convey facts about the animals and messages about wildlife conservation.
Asia/Pacific Market Manager, Laz Harris, recently visited the zoo for the completion of the 2nd Mackie install at the zoo. The zoo has used Mackie gear for quite some time. In fact, they have had a CR1604-VLZ in service for the past seven years. Most amazing is the fact that this particular 1604 has been in a non-air conditioned environment the entire time! With Singapore’s average temperature of 89°F coupled with 80% humidity, there is no doubt that the 1604 is “Built-Like-A-Tank”. There are also a ton of SRM350s and SRM450s in service as portable and backup sound solutions, but the install of a complete Tetrad system is the first Mackie “main” PA for the zoo.
The gear list for the install included an Onyx 24.4 at FOH, with a pair of MR5 studio monitors being used to reference the mix. The system is feeding a full Mackie Tetrad system that includes two S408s for tops and a pair of S410s’ as subwoofers. Senior Sound Director, Mike Hassan,
had the following to say regarding the high-end new system.
“It’s amazing to me that this [Tetrad] system sounds clearer and more evenly dispersed than our Adamson line array!”
One thing that surprised all involved was that while speaker placement was far from optimal for presenters due to space limitations posed by the surrounding animal environments, the amount of feedback was amazingly low. What little feedback was encountered during tuning was easily tamed with the most minor EQ adjustments on the Onyx 24.4. The rest of the system EQ remained virtually flat. “The sound is full and pleasing,” remarked Hassan. The low end was particularly impressive and the punchy character of the S410s was perfect for the hyped-up New Age and Afro-pop “safari-textured” soundtracks used in the shows.
“Mackie is very pleased to play a part in the zoo’s ongoing commitment to visitor education. We are sure that the new PA system will serve the zoo well, helping to educate and entertain visitors for years to come,” comments Harris.
MusoTalk is Germany’s leading video website for musicians and producers, streaming more than 60,000 shows every month to the German-speaking audience. The site features reviews, interviews and articles written by musicians and producers and is a significant forum for the German music scene. The founder and host of MusoTalk (Non Eric) has a long history both as a producer and as a member of the musical instrument industry. He has released more than 60 club tracks on his LunaTec Trance music label alone, selling a total of more than a million albums worldwide.
There is more than a fair share of Mackie product reviews on the site, but Non Eric really had some great things to say about the MCU Pro family of control surfaces.
“I have a long and wonderful relationship with Mackie products,” remarks Non. “I bought the first Mackie 8-Bus console that came to Germany and used a Mackie 1202 for all my live shows. They never let me down once. After I moved to a software-only setup, I went for the Mackie Control Universal. I think that it is the best controller for Logic on the market. Now doing my podcast is so brilliant because it is supported by all major music software applications. Now the MCU Pro even improves on an already great controller. Combined with the C4 Pro, any software becomes as intuitive to use as hardware.”
“I am using the Mackie HR624mk2s for my work. These great-looking speakers have an excellent sound quality and gave me a very accurate and natural sound. They are easy and fun to work with,” concludes Eric.
Mackie would like to thank MusoTalk for support Mackie products over the years and look forward to providing more excellent products for review.
AES attendees this year, all 17,892 of them who made their way to San Francisco, CA, came away with something – especially those who swung by the Mackie booth.
AES has traditionally been a very recording-focused group, and the show certainly lends itself to that with tons of boutique brands and products.
Our own homerun in this department may very well have been the illustrious Hotwire VT-12. Users tired of “digital modeling” amps, or of having to drive the bejesus out of their power tubes to get their tone, were more than impressed with Hotwire’s veritable Swiss Army Knife performance. An all-tube front-end that physically rewires itself all the way to the output stage – without DSP even engaged – is a guitar amp technology that none but us have achieved to date (hence the “patent pending” note on the product page). Being able to drop your output wattage from 120 watts all the way down to 1 watt and not sacrifice an ounce of tone is nothing to shake a pick at either. A 30-watt amplifier for the on-board compression driver – for full range PA-like audio – and a built-in 60-watt amp for the external EX-12 speaker can get you into those upper echelons of performance audio when you need it. And when analog isn’t enough, you’ve got DSP for days with 96 fully-customizable onboard presets. There’s no end to what this amplifier can do, and just about everyone that visited the Mackie booth left carrying that sentiment with them.
The ProFX Series saw its first audience as well, showcasing a full feature set that the competition hasn’t touched. We uniquely offer the combination of our custom-designed “Gig-Ready” Running Man FX™, precision 7-band graphic EQ and onboard integrated USB on both models – the ProFX8 or the ProFX12. Premium Mackie mic pres and our legendarily transparent 3-band EQ make these mixers an unconquerable deal at an undefeatable price.
The ultra-light and powerful PPM Series Powered Mixers saw their second audience. People were amazed at the feather-like weight of these Class-D powerhouses, not to mention the updated features such as dedicated inline channel compression and the high-quality RM FX+™ effects with tap delay. “More Sound Per Pound” in a package like this will easily make weekend warriors and professionals alike rethink their active setups and switch toward powering a compliment of passive speakers from a powered mixer that can truly deliver the raw power needed..
For entry level show attendees, which there were aplenty, we also showcased the U.420 and U.420d “hybrid” mixers – Integrated 96kHz FireWire neatly tucked into the most compact, ergonomic and easy-to-use mixer we could possibly build. Whether you’re a DJ, podcaster, keyboardist, producer or plumber, a U.Series mixer could very well complete your next gigging or recording setup.
Other “culprits” of the show included the MCU Pro family of control surfaces – the most widely used, widely supported control surface on the planet. We had a full recording studio setup in our “stage” area featuring the complete MCU Pro line as well as a Big Knob, capable of switching listeners between the exceedingly popular MR5s and unbeatably clear-and-balanced HR824mk2s we also brought to the show.
The entire VLZ3 line, our most popular mixer series to date as proven over a near-20-year track record, dominated its corner of the booth as well. To this day it seems that everyone we talk to either has or has used one of the legendary VLZ mixers, and now we offer them all the way down to the ultra-compact 802 and 402-VLZ3 model sizes. These mixers are still the ultimate analog solution in their class. Heck, they even invented the class in which they compete.
That’s about a wrap. This 3-day show was a blast for all who attended, especially us Mackoids. We enjoy meeting our customers in person, and even more, we enjoy sharing all of our newest gear with customers face-to-face. Next up: NAMM. See you there!
One day earlier this year, avid race fan and dedicated Mackie Tech Support Rep Nick Kristoffersen came by the graphic design department looking to get a load of Mackie vinyl decals for his rally car.
Now, all Mackie employees are loyal fans of the brand, but not all are willing to blanket their rides with Mackie decals (although you can see more than a few “running man” decals in the parking lot). Anyway, Lead Graphic Designer Jayme Delma was quick to ask why he wanted so many decals.
It turns out that Nick was scheduled to race his Subaru WRX in Cle Elum, WA for the Under The Wires Rally X event and when it came time for him to choose his race car number, he could think of no better number than 450. You know, like SRM450, the world’s best-selling portable powered loudspeaker…or SRM450v2, boasting more power, clarity and punch than ever before. But I digress, Jayme not only fulfilled his request, but had some custom vinyls created for the sweet rally car.
The day of the event came and not only did Nick roll up in the best looking car in the competition, he also brought along a pair of SRM450v2 loudspeakers for exciting turn-by-turn announcements.
Check out a little bit of footage from the event and join us in congratulating Nick on a job well done.
U.Series mixers are truly innovative. Here are some reasons why:
Plug It In, Turn It Up—Simple layout allows for instant recording and mixing
Big Features, Little Mixer—No other mixer in their class features such a rich array of mixing tools
Ingenious Connectivity— 24-bit/96kHz FireWire I/O with “Loop Thru” allows for impressive (and simple) routing for recording and performing with your laptop
4 high-headroom stereo line inputs for keys, synths, drum machines...
Mackie designed RIAA phono preamp for a turntable
3-band “full-kill” active EQ on every channel
Stereo aux send for a monitor mix or effects
Built-in DI for acoustic guitar, bass, etc.
2 Mackie mic channels Premium with 3-band, mid-sweep active EQ
2 high-headroom stereo line inputs with 3-band “full-kill” active EQ
2 RIAA phono preamps for turntables, complete with 30mm crossfader
During this process, he ran into a problem. Not enough preamps for all the mics needed for the recording. Simple enough problem, right? Well, when you pose this question to audio engineers in a public forum, it is bound to get more complicated. Just read the comments at the bottom of the “problem” story and you will see. Every audio engineer has their opinion, but a large majority of readers suggested Mackie’s Onyx Compact Mixers.
There are a lot of options and Jim took some time to consider, but ultimately decided to use two Onyx 1640 mixers. Here is an excerpt from his story:
After reading the feedback in the article forums, I noticed quite a few recommendations for the Mackie Onyx 1640 mixer. It has 16 mic preamps
and all of the other features you would expect from analog mixer. You can also use two of the channels for a direct guitar input via the Hi-Z input.
The Hi-Z input is perfect for what I’m looking for because it’s designed specifically for guitars, allowing me to plug directly into the mixer. This means that I no longer have to plug the guitar into a powered box before going to the mixer. When I’m amping the guitar signal in software using Guitar Rig or other similar application, having a direct clean signal is important for the overall tone.
The mixer also has an internal Talkback function—another handy thing that you don’t necessarily think about until you have a group of people standing around with headphones on recording some music. Using this feature, I can push a button and talk to everyone in the band at once without taking off the headphones, making silly hand gestures or otherwise disrupting the session.
I got two of the 1640s, giving me a total of 32 inputs. The 1640 also has a FireWire option, so I can daisy chain the two mixers together and then plug into the Mac and use Logic or GarageBand to record all 32 channels. However, I didn’t do that. With all of the mics connected to the mixer, I’m using the recording outs on the 1640 to go into Apogee’s AD-16x using a DB25-to-XLR cable. The AD-16x is connected to the Mac via the PCI Express Apogee Symphony card, which gives me a great digital signal into Logic. To decode the digital output signal to analog, I’m using an optical lightpipe connection from the AD-16 into the Apogee Mini-Dac.
We would like to thank Jim for implementing the Onyx and look forward to hearing more about his recording project at Macworld.com.
DJ Sid Wilson of Slipknot (longstanding d.2 Pro endorsee and generally scary dude) contacted Mackie before the tour started, looking for some gear for what is definitely the most aggressive after-party DJ setup Mackie has ever heard of. So, we gathered up a robust set of Mackie loudspeakers and a couple of d.2 Pro mixers and drove them down to the amphitheater the day before the show.
For the tour, Sid will be traveling in a 37 foot Damon Outlaw motor coach, which opens up from the back to unveil a full-on DJ set-up which is perfect for the backstage after-party. When opened up and fully-decked out, this is a formidable setup that is tremendously powerful, offering tons of low end thanks to four S410s Precision Passive Subwoofers. Two S408’s were used for the top boxes, and the whole system was powered with two M3000 and two M2000 Stereo Power Amplifiers. DJ Sid uses the d.2 Pro Production Mixer for his sessions and and SRM450v2 for his booth monitor.
So, it would seem that the show is never quite over during the Mayhem festival. If you are lucky enough to get some backstage passes for the tour, make sure to stop by the RV, say hi to DJ Sid (although it is doubtful he will hear you over the massive Mackie system!)
It is common knowledge that Mackie products are Built-Like-A-Tank. However, there are those that may doubt the inherent robust-ness that makes a Mackie what it is.
To this end, meet the Mackie MixBusters!
You may notice that they resemble (but are legally distinct from) those other guys who bust things…
Watch as they pit the 802-VLZ3 against the competition in a no-holds-barred destruction challenge, suffering abuse that no mixer should.
Then, the FRS-2800 goes toe-to-toe with another popular power amp in an Extreme Performance Challenge. You will learn that specs are not always what they seem.
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So, there you have it. Proof positive that quality matters over here in Woodinville, WA.
Mackie recently received a letter from a Mackoid that lives across the pond. He rents out SRM450 packages for people in the UK. Here's what he had to say:
Dear Sir,
I run a speaker hire business in London, UK (www.mackiesrm450.com & www.londonspeakerhire.com) and we both sell and rent out the Mackie SRM450’s and SW1501’s to clients. Our clients range from house parties all the way through to SonyBMG and artists like The Kooks. Last week a client was returning a set of speakers that and forgot to calculate for the fact that the kit may have moved in the back of the vehicle.
When the shutter on the back of the lorry opened, I could only stare in amazement and dread as my world turned to slow motion as I watched an SRM450 slide across and hurtle towards the road side!
I must commend Mackie on probably one of the best “drop test� imaginable at a height of some 10 foot. The speaker in question bounced on one end as it hit the tarmac of the road, flipped and then bounced on the other end before landing on its front. The only damage apart from a small scuff was a dented grill which was easy to fix by simply removing it from the front of the speaker and popping it back into shape!
Thanks again Mackie for helping prove the point of why we only provide Mackie kits to our customers because of both its quality and reliability!
Kind regards,
Grant
That's what we like to hear! Thanks for the good word, Grant. If you have a Built-Like-A-Tank testimonial of your own, please let us know. We are always happy to hear from the people who make Mackie what it is.
It is common knowledge that Mackie gear is Built-Like-A-Tank. Over the years, we have heard countless stories showing that Mackie products can survive just about anything. So, it should not be surprising that TAPCO gear is not far behind.
We recently came across an awesome video on YouTube that proves that the TAPCO Blend 6 mixer might well deserve a place in Mackie’s hall of fame.
In this video, the Blend 6 is subject to the following abuse:
• Run over by a bad-ass truck
• Set on fire Beavis & Butthead style
• Used to drive a nail
• Slam-dunked
So, check out the video and see for yourself that the Blend 6 not only survives, but is still able to pump out audio to some great-looking TAPCO Sâ—?5 Studio Monitors.
Tired of lackluster shows with tired, bad-sounding loudspeakers? Us too.
Meet the Re-ACTIVE-ators. Armed with nothing but SRMv2 Series Active Loudspeakers and cunning ambition, the Re-ACTIVE-ators vow to reactivate the live sound scene, one gig at a time.
Watch them sneak into rental facilities and performance venues, swapping out existing speakers with Mackie’s SRMv2 Series Active Loudspeakers.
See the look on the faces of the unwitting participants as they realize just how awesome things can get when you pump sound through a Mackie SRMv2 Series Active Loudspeaker.
Dan Halberg, product reviewer, had the following to say about why GuitarGearHeads.com chose the ultra-compact VLZ3 mixers.
“The engineers at Mackie VLZ3 802 and 402 have certainly done an amazing job of shoehorning all of the key features you’d expect to find in a large, high-end board into a sleek little package. I am also impressed that they’ve been able to do this at this low of a price point without compromising on quality."
He goes on to say...
"I am happy to award Mackie the 2008 'Studio Ready' award for their excellent work on the 802-VLZ3 and 402-VLZ3. Furthermore, it continues to demonstrate why GuitarGearHeads.com chooses Mackie as our official choice for mixers and consoles.�
Erik Rico
(Skilled producer, solid Sound Designer)
What made you become a DJ?
After years of bringing in DJs to scratch on various hip-hop projects, producing and dealing with scheduling conflicts, I purchased my first turntable. Then, before I knew it, I got a second one and started playing out (after checking other DJ's in the scene and feeling that my musical tastes and skills were up to par), so it kinda' happened by default. I was immediately hired to do live sound design for a famous photographer (David la Chapelle), which served as a great way to pack what would've taken several years to learn in 2+ years, as he's EXTREMELY demanding style-wise and you have to be able to shift gears on the fly, often time playing 10 to 14 hour days in every imaginable situation and environment.
What was your most exciting DJ gig to date, and why?
My greatest time DJ’ing—I'd have to say—was my time spent working with David, as I was ALWAYS under the gun and it forced me to become more skilled in every way. I LOVE all types of music and it gave me the platform to experiment and to learn to do a lot of things on the fly. It was extremely intense on a lot of levels. When you're used to playing for 10 hours or more in various styles, a 2 or 4 hour club gig is nothing!!
What projects/albums do you have coming out in the fall?
I've got all of the projects mentioned above dropping this summer/fall and talks in the works about a few more things, you know...gotta keep grindin'. Also, be on the lookout for my new EP, which will be delivered just in time for this year's WMC in Miami…got some live PA's coming up there to promote the record.
It's incredible. The way that it works…man, it suits all my needs, I can use it as a mobile recording interface AND as a live console for "interactive" DJ sets. And, as with ALL Mackie products, it's built like a tank! I've owned several pieces of Mackie gear over the years and to see the growth of the company as it relates to modern technology is awesome, they read my mind with this one!
What is your favorite feature on the d.4 pro mixer?
My favorite feature...here we go: FireWire connectivity, great-feeling crossfader, phantom power, software compatibility, great sounding outputs, and on and on and on....
What separates Mackie products from the rest in the game?
Professional features at a great price point, long lasting components, ease of use and a well-deserved reputation for being indestructible.
Why did you decide to endorse Mackie personally?
After years of using Mackie products, when the opportunity arose to become involved with the company, I JUMPED at the chance. Mackie is a forward-thinking company with a rich history for manufacturing GREAT products, so it's a great marriage for me and what I do musically. My tools have to be transparent and this product is just that.
How much do you use computers for making music (recording or spinning)?
In every way, EVERY day! I'm a computer-based producer for sure, and this platform allows me to make moves that I couldn't otherwise make.
Have you used—or do you plan to use—the FireWire capability of the d.4 pro in your music?
Oh, yes indeed. I plan to use the FireWire connectivity for DJ sets, for my live act (when we have to roll with a compact setup) and for mobile recording when on the road. Believe me, it'll be put to MAJOR use in every capacity. Once I get deep into Abelton, it'll be the main interface for that as well.
It was pretty much a natural progression for me since I was record collector at an early age. I ended up with an incredible collection of the best music on the planet right in time for me to take advantage of an opportunity, by chance, to play a party and things just kind of snowballed from there.
What was your most exciting DJ gig to date?
Performing for the Orange Bowl Half-Time Show. The 1st time I did it was in 2006 and they have asked me back to perform in 2007 and 2008. It's the most incredible feeling to have 77K plus people on their feet and responding to everything you do and play! The most exciting experience by far.
What projects/albums do you have coming out in the fall?
I'm working on my 1st release (BFTC - Built for the Clubs) the 1st DJ album with strictly club anthems!
How do you like the Mackie d.pro Series?
I LOVE my Mackie d.2 pro mixer. It's extremely responsive and the Infinium optical crossfader is absolutely incredible.
What is your favorite feature on the d.2 pro mixer?
The FireWire capability feature! This is the only mixer in the world that’s FireWire capable and the fact that it works with the Traktor Scratch makes it the all-in-one performance solution. Mackie killed it with this mixer!
What separates Mackie products from the rest in the game?
It's obvious that Mackie really does its R&D when it comes to DJ products. Every time Mackie drops a new DJ product it embodies the features that the cutting edge DJ is looking for, so they really listen to the feedback from the DJ's and deliver products that we love to use.
Why did you decide to endorse Mackie personally?
Tradition is a big part of it. I've been using Mackie products for over 10 years now and I can say that I've never been disappointed. I'm a strong believer in tradition and the Mackie brand is one of the strongest throughout the DJ community and a trusted name. I've worked incredibly hard to build my brand and I will only associate with quality.
How much do you use computers for making music (recording or spinning)?
My laptop is now just as important as my turntables or mixer. It's a vital part of my performance now…so to answer the question, I can't do my show without it!
How do you typically use the FireWire capability of the d.2 pro in your music?
Right now I use the FireWire capability to record my live shows into ProTools. I like to release recordings of my live performances so this feature just makes it 100% easier for me to do that on the fly.
I was young, broke, lived in the hood and moms didn't want me hangin' out all night since I am an only child, so I figured I would do the DJ thing because I would be the first to get to the party, the last to leave and have cash to boot.
What was your most exciting DJ gig to date, and why?
I would have to say playing in an underground bunker with no ventilation and a few thousand people in Vienna, Austria. They partied ‘til 6am, and then took me to an after party that went on ‘til 12 noon.
Who do you currently produce?
I produce all my own music, as well as do stuff for Stones Throw Records. It’s the 20th anniversary of Supersonic as well, so I am doing a new version with the OG's, JJ FAD and a new joint. I also ghost write and produce for a lot of peeps, shhhh.
What projects/albums do you have coming out in the fall?
I am currently working on my Greatest Hits on Stones Throw Records, a new Professor X album, (my AKA for Electro Funk) and a new animated music group.
It is a great DJ mixer, sounds great and has a very smooth fader, and because it has FireWire, it fits nicely into my setup for remixing and production.
What is your favorite feature on the d.2 pro mixer?
My favorite feature would have to be the fader, it has a contact-free fader that glides with ease, I also like the fact that I can DJ with it and use my digital production software, like Reason and Live, at the same time.
What separates Mackie products from the rest in the game?
Mackie makes products that last and sound great. I don't have to worry about my gear breaking down on me when I do shows.
Why did you decide to endorse Mackie personally?
I like dealing with companies that listen, especially to us who are out there grinding every day, I see the feedback in the product, as well as the quality and innovation.
How much do you use computers for making music (recording or spinning)?
I do most of my production and DJ sets using computers now because I travel so much, I still love vinyl but it cost so much to carry records on planes now.
Have you used—or do you plan to use—the FireWire capability of the d.2 pro in your music? If so, how?
I use the FireWire with Reason and Live, as well as to catalogue my vinyl to digital. I have also been messing around with video DJ software like PCDJ VJ, which works well with the d.2 pro.
Recently, Mackie Tech Support received the following email:
Hey Guys - I have a Mackie 1402VLZPRO Mixer that I've owned for about 6 years now. I do a popular internet radio show called Red Bar Radio. I just wanted to let you know, that while we were on air last week, I spilled an entire 8 oz cup of coffee onto the top of my mixer. We were live when this happened, and all of our listeners sat in suspense wondering how long it would take for the mixer to short out, and for the show to go silent. However, that never happened. We kept the show going! The mixer worked! Even with 8 oz of coffee inside of it. I just wanted to say thanks for the quality product! I think any other mixer would have failed on me by now. Thousands of our listeners now know how strong a Mackie mixer can be. I will continue to only use Mackie!
We are always happy to hear another “built-like-a-tank� testimonial, but even we were surprised that the 1402 could take coffee bath and keep working.
So, when a listener of the show sent a recording of the live broadcast, we had to share it with you:
There you have it. The Mackie board was a real trooper. All it took was a little cleaning and the board was back in shape.
Thanks to Mike from Red Bar Radio for sharing the story. If you have had a comparable experience underlining the rugged nature of Mackie products, please let us know.
“Mackie mixers helped me go #1 in the studio……Now Cortex and Mackie are doing the same for me in the clubs….It gets no better!� raves Guido Osorio (Razor N’ Guido), chart topping Remixer/Producer with over 15 Billboard #1 Dance Singles and official HDTT-5000/d.2 pro endorser.
The d.2 pro has proven itself time and time again out in the clubs. After all, the fader is more buttery than a pile of hangover pancakes. Cortex was feeling the love and they wanted to feature the d.2 pro alongside their new table-top digital turntable, the Cortex HDTT-5000. This new digital turntable combines the sound and feel of vinyl with the convenience of popular digital music formats, allowing the DJ to cue, play, pitch, loop, sample and even scratch MP3 and WAV files in a similar tactile interface to a traditional vinyl turntable. The DJ simply connects digital music that can be stored on up to 4 USB compatible storage drives to the face or rear USB ports of the unit. The mixer lets you easily search by artist, title, genre or even words or phrases using the jog wheel or a USB keyboard. When routed through the d.2 pro, you have a very innovative and very cool DJ setup. Now you just need to get some awesome loudspeakers and you’re all set…
The all-new SRMv2 Series Active Loudspeakers are re-activating the live sound scene one show at a time. Mackie re-designed the series from the ground up, putting a ton of new stuff under the hood. There's a lot that goes into creating an active loudspeaker that out-performs the original SRM Series, and Pro Sound News was all over it. You can read the Pro Sound News Tech Report to learn more about the technology behind the all-new lightweight, great-sounding SRMv2 Series. srm350v2 & srm450v2.
Each summer in Seattle, music lovers of all stripes anticipate the most popular event in the Emerald City: Capital Hill Block Party, which highlights the best musicians Seattle has to offer.
"It only took me about 15 minutes to become comfortable with the TT24. I was astonished with how much I could do with it. Each of the outdoor venues offered challenges that I had to be prepared for, and the TT24 allowed me to make adjustments quickly, without compromising the sound of each act."
One feature Fausto found especially useful was the versatility of the Aux mode functions:
"It's great to be able to see the auxes through the faders. And I was able to go from aux to aux, mix to mix right away...the TT24 really is a joy to work with."
Nestled in the Seattle, Wash. neighborhood of Ballard, the Sunset Tavern is one of the city's musical hot spots, featuring nightly shows of Seattle's very best up and coming bands. John Randolph, Sunset's sound engineer, got the opportunity to take the TT24 out for spin. The salivation factor was high, but luckily we had a supply of towels to keep the console dry:
"I have worked on some larger boards in bigger rooms-the Allen & Heaths at the Crest, Neumo's, and the Fillmore-as well as the large Yamahas at the Henry Fonda Theater and the Crystal Ballroom. I'm able to do more setups on the TT24 with less confusion as to the signal flow."
John was kind enough to write up a short piece that summarizes his out-of-the-box experience with the TT24:
My experience with Mackie's TT24:
Sunset Tavern--Ballard, WA
June 30, 2004 by John Randolph
I have wanted to work on a digital mixer for quite some time. I figured I would try one in the studio and have more time to figure out all of it's nuances. Then I was given the opportunity to try the TT24 live at the Sunset Tavern. I was a bit skeptical at first. Mostly, I just wanted to make sure that it was up and running without a hitch so that the night would run smoothly and the bands wouldn't even know.
Smoothly it did run. With just a short lesson from John Boudreau, I felt very comfortable running this board, and not just the basics. For a digital mixer with so many features, the TT24 really is very intuitive.
Here are some of the things I really liked about the board:
• Dynamics, EQ, and effects on every channel.
• The compression settings I dialed in on the vocals really did the job much better than our house compressors.
• The vocals sounded much smoother, and I was able to get them up front with plenty of headroom on the TT24.
• I also used the dynamics as a limiter on the kick drum.
• I was able to bring that up nicely into the mix.
• Occasionally I would glance at the subwoofer amplifier, it didn't peak once. This was extremely helpful as we have blown a subwoofer or two at the Sunset Tavern.
• Having compression/limiting and gates with so many tweaking options on every channel is incredible--unheard of in live analog boards.
• I was tempted to just throw at least a bit of compression on every channel to really bring everything out.
As for the EQ, I really like having the option of switching between shelving and parametric on the lo and high bands. To have four bands of sweepable EQ on every channel and be able to change the slope is really a live sound person's dream. It was nice to be able to link channels in stereo and run EQ and dynamics, with one touch, over both of them.
The feel and look of this board is awesome. It's really not as big as I had imagined, and all the necessary functions are within less than an arm's reach. I really like being able to touch the display and have the view become bigger. It is also great to have the FAT button to return to an overview of all compression, EQ, effects, and monitor send settings for a channel. The LED lit pots that control panning, aux sends, and gain reduction for each channel are very intuitive for an analog guy like myself. To be able to see the gain reduction on a specific channel, all I had to do was toggle the pot like a button. The metered LED lights then displayed gain reduction instead of input metering, and the pot changed from digital input gain to threshold control for the compressor.
I found myself going to the LCD screen and corresponding knobs more often. After all, every parameter regarding the Dynamics, EQ, Sends, Effects and routing are right there.
One of my favorite features is the Control button on the upper right hand of the board. By pressing it and just nudging a fader or barely touching a knob, the board returns that function to it's normal state--useful and very cool.
Probably the coolest feature on this board is simply the recall. Every fader, aux send, effects & returns, dynamics, and EQ can be saved and recalled in a second. This is so crucial for doing soundchecks. In the past with analog boards I would either write things down or physically move the XLR inputs into new channels on the back of the board, which creates more stress on the cables, not to mention hassle. Even if I didn't run out of channels from time to time and have to share some, I'd still have to reset and patch in my compressors for each act. With the TT24, it's all recallable without having to unplug a single cable or repatch a limited supply of compressors.
Overall, I felt like a kid in a candy store that night at the Sunset. I would like to congratulate and thank Mackie on creating a digital board that was so easy to get around. This was my first time working on anything like that, and I can't wait to do it again. It was very intuitive and quick to get around. More important, it really does sound good.
Leading the digital revelation, the TT24 found a new home in the 540-seat Northwest Foursquare Church in the Seattle suburb of Federal Way. Why? Well, according to Northwest's Audio Service Coordinator Justin Warbreck, ramp up time with the TT24 is minimal and its performance is heavenly:
"It took about 10 minutes to adjust... The TT24's small footprint is also a great thing for live work. I've got 48 channels right within arm's reach, and I don't have to run from one end of the board to the other."
Even longtime Worship Arts Pastor Warren Hendrickson repented from his Doubting-Thomas ways when he heard the TT24:
"The TT24 Digital Live Console sounds very natural. The highs are clearer and the lows are less muddy than other, more expensive, digital mixers I've used. The TT24's accuracy has actually made mic placement more of an issue, because now we can really hear a lot of stuff that previously wasn't clear." He adds, "Churches don't need to be afraid of digital anymore. A lot of smaller churches in particular have been intimidated by the cost and complexity issues, but with a console like the TT24, it's simply not an issue anymore."
To read more about the Northwest Foursquare Church's conversion from analog to digital with the Mackie TT24 Digital Live Console, check out the September-October issue of Technologies for Worship Magazine.
The solid construction and confident, clean sound are clearly audible, and a prime feature in a desk of this size and price. You do now pay a premium for Mackie stuff, but it's not as if their stuff is expensive in the first place - it's only that there are others who can make a mixer for less by putting lower grade components in. If you are using mics at all, you should notice quite a difference with one of these desks. The rugged construction is also likely to give this model a longer overall life, so you get what you pay for.
Following is an account of the Musikmesse experience, as told by Product Specialist Laz Harris. Be sure to read the whole post, and get a peek at our latest and greatest products.
Musikmesse 2007 was a great success. It was Mackie's world debut of our new HR824mk2 and HR624mk2 studio monitors, and the show attendees couldn't seem to get enough of them—many of them returned to the booth with friends to have a second and third listen. We're just thankful the new high-gloss Piano Black finish is fingerprint resistant...
HR624mk2 and HR824mk2 High Resolution Active Studio Reference Monitors
For the fourth year in a row, Mackie mixed it up at the Remix Hotel Miami from March 22-25, showcasing our latest DJ gear and a roster of cutting-edge artists. Mackie’s own d.2 Crew presented daily gear demos, featuring next-generation Mackie DJ Production Consoles, the d.4 pro and d.2 pro, the MCU Pro control surface, as well as Tracktion 3, Mackie’s premier recording and remixing software.
The Mackie booth was especially busy this year, and was graced by visits from DJ royalty, including Biz Markie, DJ Jazzy Jeff, DJ AV, DJ Kid Capri, Grandmaster Dee, Bennie Bennasi, Mad Linx from BET’s Rap City and Lil Jon.
Check out our collection of pix…
Is this a trade show booth or a party? We think this picture says it all.
2007 Winter NAMM New Product Round-Up: TT System32 Digital Live Mixing System
Phew! We've finally recovered from the whirlwind that is NAMM. Now, in a series of new posts, we're filling you in on the products Mackie introduced at the show.
2007 Winter NAMM New Product Round-Up: Mackie Control Pro Series controllers
Phew! We've finally recovered from the whirlwind that is NAMM. Now, in a series of new posts, we're filling you in on the products Mackie introduced at the show.
Mackie Control Pro Series control surfaces – Our next-generation control surfaces impressed many a NAMM attendee with their comprehensive feature set and expandable design. The Mackie Control Universal Pro controller, Mackie Control Extender Pro extension and Mackie Control C4 Pro plug-in and virtual instrument controller work seamlessly together, completing your music production experience to deliver ultimate hands-on control of all your mix and plug-in parameters. Want to learn more about the controllers, and their unparalleled software integration? Read on....
If you’d like more info on products we introduced at NAMM, visit our Press Room.
2007 Winter NAMM New Product Round-Up: Tracktion 3
Phew! We've finally recovered from the whirlwind that is NAMM. Now, in a series of new posts, we're filling you in on the products Mackie introduced at the show.
Tracktion 3 – Meet our next-generation digital audio and MIDI production software. With the introduction of unlimited track count, REX/Apple Loop/ACID loop support and built-in Time Stretching, T3 offers everything you could possibly need in a pro recording app, all in a clutter-free environment…and it’s affordable, too. T3 comes in two bundles, each featuring professional plug-ins and loops from some of the most respected names in the industry. Get all the details here…
If you’d like more info on products we introduced at NAMM, visit our Press Room.
2007 Winter NAMM New Product Round-Up: VLZ3 Compact Mixers
Phew! We've finally recovered from the whirlwind that is NAMM. Now, in a series of new posts, we're filling you in on the products Mackie introduced at the show.
VLZ3 Series compact mixers – Thought the VLZ Pro series couldn’t be improved upon? Well, think again! We’ve made the perfect line of mixers even perfect-er. (And invented a new word to boot. Hey, “truthiness� got word of the year, so maybe we’re on to something. )
So how did we improve our perfect compact mixers? For starters, new studio-grade XDRâ„¢2 Extended Dynamic Range mic preamps, more musical EQ and a more ergonomic design. The VLZ 3 line includes the 16-channel 1604-VLZ3 mixer with 16 XDR2 mic preamps, the 16-channel 1642-VLZ3 with 10 XDR2 preamps, the 1402-VLZ3 14-channel mixer with 6 XDR2 mic preamps, and the 12-channel 1202-VLZ3, which has 4 XDR2 mic pres. Read more about the VLZ3 Series here.
If you’d like more info on products we introduced at NAMM, visit our Press Room.
2007 Winter NAMM New Product Round-Up: SRM150 Compact Active PA System
Phew! We've finally recovered from the whirlwind that is NAMM. Now, in a series of new posts, we're filling you in on the products Mackie introduced at the show.
SRM150 Compact Active PA System – This powerful little number generated a lot of buzz at the show, and with good reason. The SRM150 delivers incredible sound quality—plus a sweet onboard mixer—in an ultra-compact package, making it the ultimate solution for sound reinforcement in smaller spaces. As we like to say around here, it’s our snack-sized SRM. Get the full scoop on the SRM150…
If you’d like more info on products we introduced at NAMM, visit our Press Room.
Engineer/Mixer Mark Linett recently added a Mackie Digital X Bus console to his Your Place Or Mine Location Recording Studio in Southern California. The 48-track remote system is geared toward location recording and post-production for live concerts and broadcast projects.
Although most often associated with Brian Wilson, due to his long-term working relationship with the Beach Boys’ founder including the legendary Smile LP (for which he received a Grammy nomination for Best Engineering), Linett’s decades’-long resume covers an eclectic range of music. Collaborations include Randy Newman, Jane’s Addiction, Paul Simon, Santana, Eric Clapton, the Blasters, Love, Dixie Dregs and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Mackie Selected for Innovative Bay Area Studio Complex
Red House Studios is different things to different people, all of them good. The 5,000 square foot studio complex is home to a state-of-the-art recording facility, several well-equipped rehearsal suites, private lesson rooms, a 100-plus capacity performance hall, and at the center of each, state-of-the-art professional audio systems from Mackie.
Orbiting the Globe, Mackie Satellite Earns Praise from International Press
We can tell you how good the Mackie Satellite is all day long, but that's our job. A truly credible evaluation has to come from an independent source. So when you’re in the market for a new bit of “kit�, it's always a good idea to check out user forums, such as Harmony Central, to find real-world shakedowns of the latest pro audio gizmos. Don’t forget to also check the pages of your favorite gear magazines.
While Satellite reviews are just now beginning to hit the news stands, early indications suggest that Mackie may just have another hit on it’s hands. But like I said, don’t just take our word for it....
"One of the coolest implementations of fairly commonly encountered functionality that Mackie has uniquely packaged together and presented." Resolution Magazine, United Kingdom, October 2006
"...this is the best built recording device in the history of....well...desktop recording devices." Professional Sound, Canada, October 2006
"It’s been a while since I returned the Onyx 400F, and had kind of forgotten just how good the Onyx mic pres sound – especially in light of the price. These are clean, wonderful sounding suckers, whether with mic signals, instruments, or line levels." Harmony Central Pro Review, Craig Anderton, Moderator
Live from AES: New Mackie Sound Reinforcement Products Ready For Launch
The Audio Engineering Society's annual convention kicked off today at the Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco. The latest Mackie gear is there, from recording to sound reinforcements. But the biggest news from the folks in Woodinville came with the announcement that the two eagerly anticipated new add-on options for the TT24 Digital Live Console will soon be available for .
Available through authorized Mackie dealers in December, the new DS3232 Digital Snake and U100 Networking Card, as well as the LP48 Lake Processor Card, combine to further establish the TT24 as the most progressive and complete professional digital mixing system in its class.
MACKIE HELPS STURGIS THROW A PARTY FOR 650,000 OF ITS CLOSEST FRIENDS
The Dan Lawson Band & Mackie's S400 Series Loudspeakers On Stage at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, SD
"The musicians and the technical crews have all been so happy to find out they’re playing through Mackie gear, and even people in the audience, they see the Mackie banners and so many of them know the name is synonymous with great sound." Kevin Karns, the Buffalo Chip, Sturgis.
Mackie Offers a Preview of their New Flagship DJ Mixer
A peak into Mackie’s product development crystal ball was offered up at the Professional Lighting and Sound Association’s annual tradeshow in London last week.
At first glance the new d.4 is the logical follow up to the highly-successful d.2, which led Mackie’s official entry into the DJ mixer market early last year. But the d.4 is much more than simply a four channel version of it’s immensely popular sibling. In typical Mackie fashion, real-world consideration went into designing something unique here—a true centerpiece for modern electronic music production and live performance.
No Jive! Soulive’s Eric Krasno Gets Busy with Mackie
Eric Krasno is a music addict. Don’t trip on me; that’s what it says in his official bio. He makes music everyday—it doesn’t matter if he’s at home in New York City, or out on tour with his band Soulive. Between Soulive and his production crew, The Fyre Dept., Eric has worked with mega-stars like Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, The Fugees, Dave Mathews, The Rolling Stones, Talib Kweli, Wu-Tang Clan, The Beatnuts, The Roots, John Scofield, Joshua Redman, Derek Trucks, Robert Randolph and many others.
“I'm lucky that I can do what I love as my job, and I plan to do it for the rest of my life if possible,� Krasno confirms. And of course, another key element in his plan is Mackie gear. As a long time fan of Mackie mixers and recording equipment, Eric and Soulive have most recently been recording up a storm with an Onyx 1640 small-format mixer, an Onyx 800R mic preamp, and the legendary HR 626 studio monitors.
Mackie’s humble interviewer had, shall we say, “a headache� on the day of the interview, and was in no mood to beat around the bush with this interview. First angry question:
Mackie Muscle Car: A High-Volume Ride With Some Serious Funk In The Trunk
Randy Bigness, singer/songwriter and certified auto technician, has combined his two passions to take the portable PA concept to an entirely new level. His creation combines high-horsepower, pavement-shredding Detroit muscle of the 1960s, with an equally powerful Active loudspeaker system from Mackie.
Mackie TT24: Making Friends and Influencing People on Pro Sound Web Forum
Pro Sound Web’s Road Test is an entirely new way to review audio gear. Instead of stuffing a reviewer into a rehearsal space with the latest audio thingamajig, a copy of Word, and a mandate for 1200 words, the gear goes out with real users who put them into real situations and then share their experiences in an all-access forum.
Currently in the Road Test “hot seat� is a Mackie TT24, and it looks as though its winning over a few fans.
"I was dead certain I was going to dislike the non Yamaha-ness of the desk. Once I figured out how easy it was to use, I didn't miss a thing.�
"I felt very comfortable with this board at the very beginning. I found it much easier to use than the O1V and O2R.�
Interested in learning more? Read or participate in the TT24 Road Test.
Carbon Leaf: Success Through Hard Work and Taking Mackie On The Road
Virginia-based Carbon Leaf is a five-man band defying the odds of music business success by creating and playing their music their way. Not content to sit slack-jawed on a couch, wondering “wouldn’t it be cool if,� this courageous band—comprised of Barry Privett: words and vocals, Carter Gravatt: acoustic and electric mandolins, acoustic and electric guitars, lap steel, bouzouki, loops and effects, vocals, Jordan Medas: electric bass, bowed and double bass, vocals, Scott Milstead: drums and percussion, vocals, and Terry Clark: electric and acoustic guitars, vocals—got up off their butts and worked!
To date, Carbon Leaf has played more shows and put out more albums than 99.9% of the patchoulied-up, dreadlocked masses could shake a hacky-sac at. And don’t get bent just because they signed to a major label. That’s the way it’s supposed to happen. First you work hard, and then you move up in the world. None of this “the-world-owes-me-a-buzz� attitude. Anyway, they don’t need my hype; they’ve been on The Dr. Phil Show.
Through editorial bob-and-weave, your humble Fresh Fish writer has managed to combine Terry, Jordan, and soundman Chris’s voices into a single literary virtual Voltron—with the sum more powerful than the parts. Read on.
Mackie Onyx Products Nominated for 2006 TEC Awards
Both the Onyx 80-Series Live Sound Consoles and the Onyx 400F Studio Recording Preamp have each been nominated for one of the Mix Foundation's prestigious TEC Awards, one of the professional audio industry's highest honors.
DJ Muggs, founder of legendary Hip-Hop group Cypress Hill, world famous producer, CEO of Angeles Records and President of Soul Assassins, is a die-hard Mackie fan who relies heavily on Mackie Active loudspeakers as an essential part of his gear arsenal. “Over the past 12 years I've been using MACKIE products and they have been one of the most durable and reliable pieces of equipment I've ever used, not to mention they continue to push the envelope when it comes to being on the cutting edge of technology."
So what’s the latest offering to find its way onto Muggs’ list of Mackie “must haves�? The d.2 DJ Mixer, of course. In fact, he likes the d.2 so much that he agreed to sign on as an official Mackie endorsee to help spread the word.
The Deke has had it with digital gear that doesn't work, never did, and never will, for real musicians. He speaks here of devices that claim to have "low latency" in "real life applications." This is like saying you only get a little bit of VD which ain't so bad. The Deke tried some 3rd party virtual instruments through the newest version of an audio/MIDI program that shall be nameless. The instruments? Spectacular sounding. Playability to a click track? Impossible. Like playing a piano with oven mitts on. Hours of tech support later the Deke discovers it's essentially impossibly to play like a real instrument. Fine for programming . . . but the Deke he wanna PLAY.
So when the review of the Mackie 400F in June's RECORDING magazine mentions "zero latency" he's thinking "must have been designed by a musician who actually uses digital stuff." Wow. What a concept!
"If you need a lof of real-time control over multiple plug-in parameters, the C4 makes life much easier. It also offers comprehensive channel-strip contorl, which I really like." Paul White
Here is a review of the Mackie Control C4 in the April 2006 issue of Sound on Sound Magazine.
January 2006 DJMag
"The d.2 layout is neat and efficient with a solid construction and many luxurious touches including an exceptional sounding EQ and Mackie's celebrated Mic Pre-amp. It has everything you need and should last for years." DJ Mex
"This is one of the sweetest sounding EQs around. Even when driving hard at high volumes, it retains harmonics and musicality without nasty shredding." DJ Mex
November 2005 IDJ Magazine
"At its core, the d.2 is a good battle mixer with build, feature set and sound quality meeting the majority of professional demands. However, with the inclusion of a FireWire capability, allowing users to take the sound direct from the computer without any degradation in quality, the d.2 is perfect for the ever-increasing number of DJs making use of digital file formats." Lurch
"The build quality of this mixer is second to none. The faders and EQ are from an established professional company who certainly know their stuff, so it was a pleasure cleanly mixing tracks. The whole experience was a thrill- like driving an expensive sports car for the first time." John '00' Fleming
Onyx 400F Review, January 2006 Sound on Sound Magazine
"Everything about the Onyx 400F is extrememly straightforward, even the "no brainer" software installation. I really like the Onyx preamps, which are worth the ticket price on their own, and the FireWire side of things works just as flawlessly as it did on the Onyx mixer." Paul White
"I'm particulary impressed with the clarity and detail of the Onyx preamps. They are very close in performance to the the extremely expensive and esoteric boutique mic preamps." Paul White
Check out this review of the 400F in the January 2006 issue of Sound on Sound Magazine.
Few people can claim to have been at the pinnacle of their profession for a sustained period of time, having enjoyed so much success and still be leading the way forward. John 00 Fleming, one of the dance music industries most revered personalities, is amongst a small band of people who can say they were responsible for igniting the spark of the scene we all know and love today.
Mackie Onyx 1640 and 1202 VLZ find a home on the Late Show with David Letterman. Paul Shaffer's keyboard rig depends on the Mackie standards for every show.
Engineer-Producer Travis Wyrick got the call to record P.O.D. tracking for their most recent album Testify. You can read about it in Mix magazine but here’s the short version: this album rocks like few others. Sizzling drum tracks courtesy of Wyrick's use of Onyx 800R and a whole bunch of other goodies.
First European Unveil of Mackie's New Satellite FireWire Recording System
Making it's European debut this week at the Frankfurt Musikmesse is Mackie's new Satellite FireWire Recording System. The Satellite FireWire Recording System is an innovative new approach to digital recording, featuring a two-part audio interface designed to get the best out of computer recording in both live and studio environments.
New Mackie S400 Series Precision Passive Loudspeakers Now Shipping
Mackie's flagship S400 Series Precision Passive loudspeakers featuring Tetrad TechnologyTM, are now shipping and available from all Mackie authorized dealers worldwide.
Over Christmas and New Year I spent two months with a TT24 for the pantomime Cinderella at the Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury. I’d spent a couple of weeks with one in October mixing small bands, but this was the real test. 22 channels for the panto band and a channel each for mono click-track return and mini-disc sound fx return quickly laid waste to the 24 analog inputs. 16 channels of the excellent Onyx 800R mic pres were incorporated via lightpipe for 8 channels of discreet radio mics, 2 handheld radio mics, 3 float mics, 1 offstage mic and 2 channels of DVD.
AC/DC About To Rock With Two Mackie Digital X Bus Digital Recording Consoles
The Young brothers of AC/DC, Angus and Malcolm, now each have one of Mackie's revolutionary new Digital X Bus X.200 recording consoles in their personal studios–located in the Netherlands and London respectively. In addition, they have both specified Mackie HDR24/96 hard disk recorders and completed their updates with a pair of Mackie HR824 Active Studio Monitors in each studio.
Acting on a strong recommendation from Paul "Pab" Boothroyd, who is AC/DC's FOH engineer and audio consultant for their recording studios, Angus also read every review and piece of information he could gather on the Digital X Bus. This was followed by a call to Mackie and an on–site demo that showed him just how easy it was to get the most out of the new console.
Mackie Shows New Quad Series Digital Processors at NSCA
Mackie is pleased to be showing their new Quad Series digital signal processors at this year's NSCA Convention in Las Vegas. The Quad Series processors combine high-quality 24-bit processing and stellar audio performance with intuitive and feature-packed user interfaces designed for serious live sound applications.
After a successful preview at Winter NAMM, Mackie is showing its new M-Series line of power amplifiers at this year's NSCA Convention. Designed to deliver high-efficiency stereo power with stellar audio performance, the M-Series is available in three configurations: the M-2000, M-3000 and M-4000, delivering 2000W, 3000W and 4000W of Class-H power, respectively, making them the highest powered offerings in their price range.
Mackie's Onyx Family Continues to Grow with the Introduction of Two New Mid-Format Live Sound Consoles
Mackie's recently-announced Onyx 4-bus Series mid-format live sound consoles are making their worldwide debut to the contractor market at this year's NSCA Convention in Las Vegas. With the additions of the new Onyx 24.4 24-channel and Onyx 32.4 32-channel consoles, Mackie brings the innovative feature set and unequalled sound quality of their Onyx Series to the world of mid-format live sound consoles, effectively filling the gap between the Onyx Small-Format and 8-bus Onyx 80 Large-Format Live Sound Consoles.
New Mackie S400 Series Precision Passive Loudspeakers Now Shipping
Mackie's flagship S400 Series Precision Passive loudspeakers featuring Tetrad TechnologyTM, are now shipping and available from all Mackie authorized dealers worldwide.
Mackie's TT24 Digital Live Console Expansion Options on Display at NSCA
With a strong commitment to the ongoing evolution of the groundbreaking TT24 Digital Live Console, Mackie is using this year's NSCA convention to show off four innovative add-on options that will be released throughout 2006.
Ed Greene is an industry veteran who has been mixing sound for nearly 50 years. He is also a dedicated Mackie Digital 8•Bus (D8B) user. Most of Green’s recent work has been focused on broadcast sound engineering for high-profile live events. If you have ever watched the Grammy, Oscar or Emmy awards, you’ve probably listened to Ed’s work.
Recently, Ed was asked by producer and long-time associate Don Mischer to help bring the opening ceremonies of the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City to more than 3 billion viewers and listeners around the world. Greene, who will also be mixing the closing ceremonies, provided the world audio feed to all of the radio and television networks braodcasting this event globally.