Thursday, 10 September 2009

Pro Tools on the Mackie Onyx

So, the unimaginable has happened. You can now use a non-Digidesign or M-Audio interface with Pro Tools (M-Powered).
Rumors have been floating around about this for a little while now, but the official announcement has now arrived from Mackie - their new Onyx desks work with Logic, SONAR, Cubase, Ableton Live, and last of all, Pro Tools.
This is not just HUI control, or ADAT connection to an existing interface. So, what's the downside?
Well, it won't work yet - the small print says that the driver will be released with details how to use it with Pro Tools M-Powered 8 in the coming weeks. (So it might not be that straightforward to set up?). Also, if you read carefully, it says it is qualified by Mackie to use with Pro Tools M-Powered 8. So Digidesign have not agreed to this. What's to stop the next update crippling the Onyx?
On the bright side, it looks like a pretty nice piece of equipment (though I've not forgiven Mackie for the atrocity that was the dXb), and if it does work as advertised, it's pretty tempting. My advice? Hold off for now, see what Digidesign do first.

2 comments:

  1. Onix the Pokemon? Or Onyx the OSX maintenance tool? Neither - it's just the name they gave the series of consoles...

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