The Mackie Onyx 1640 is a premium 16-channel analog mixer designed for professional recording studios, project studios, and demanding live sound applications. It is built around Mackie's acclaimed Onyx microphone preamplifiers, which are discrete, high-headroom designs known for their ultra-low noise and transparent sonic character, making them ideal for capturing pristine recordings of vocals, acoustic instruments, and drum kits. The mixer provides a versatile input section with 16 channels, each featuring a combination XLR/TRS jack for microphones or line-level sources, along with dedicated stereo tape returns. Its intuitive layout includes 3-band semi-parametric EQ with sweepable mid-frequency on each mono channel, allowing for precise tonal shaping critical during both tracking and mixing.

A key feature of the Onyx 1640 is its flexible routing and monitoring capabilities. It includes four subgroup outputs for bus processing, direct outputs on each channel for multi-track recording, and six auxiliary sends (four pre-fader, two post-fader) for comprehensive monitor and effects setups. The mixer also features a dedicated stereo aux return section, a talkback system with a front-panel microphone input, and robust headphone amplification with a dedicated level control. The inclusion of 100mm long-throw faders across all channels and the master section provides smooth, precise level adjustment, contributing to a professional, tactile mixing experience.

Constructed with a robust steel chassis, the Onyx 1640 is built for durability and reliability in both studio and mobile environments. While it is a purely analog mixer, its comprehensive direct outputs and flexible routing make it an excellent front-end for multi-track recording into an external digital audio interface or recorder. By combining pristine analog preamps, extensive routing options, and a professional control surface, the Mackie Onyx 1640 delivers the sonic integrity and hands-on workflow cherished by engineers, serving as a powerful and reliable centerpiece for critical audio production where analog sound quality and flexible connectivity are paramount.