By Mark Farmer
Making a big choice to pick out and purchase your company’s new mixing board can be a costly time consuming process. These days sound reinforcement consoles have become more automated and computer based, although technology of old has not been forgotten. With that in mind, hands on mixing “live” must still be physically manipulated by an operator.
Console choices being many, to decide use of, cost, and any other variables that must be considered. So, as a purchaser of audio equipment for your company much research and input from employees should be gathered together. Narrowing things to how many channels, how many auxiliary sends, does it have enough channel equalization, and is it flexible enough to perform more than one type of reinforcement.
I considered all these ideas in the time I awaited the arrival of the new Mackie Sound Reinforcement Series console. As with any new piece of gear on the market, I was leery of its live sound use. But in 20 minutes I was able to unwire, remove a Yamaha 3204 and replace/rewire it with the Mackie SR24-4. I knew then I had a highly thought out piece of equipment.
The new Mackie SR console dedicates itself to the live sound market. Features presented on this desk rival that of much more expensive live reinforcement consoles.
Six AUX sends, a sweepable midrange, channel mutes, and 2 stereo channels set this Mackie apart from the others in this price range($1600.00 retail). Each channel has 2 pre-fader/pre-EQ(Aux 1 & 2), 2 post-fader/post-EQ(Aux 5 & 6), and 2 switchable pre or post fader(Aux 3 & 4). Markings on these Aux sends are very clearly marked. Unlike others, where one must refer to the manual for such information. Channel EQ frequencies consist of a fixed 12khz, sweepable midrange(100hz--8kz), and a fixed 80hz low end. All boosts or cuts can be made at plus or minus 15 decibels. According to the informative manual, the midrange has a fixed bandwidth of 1.5 octaves(Q=0.9), high and low both having shelving type bandwidths. Lastly in the EQ section is a low cut at 75hz with a 18db per octave slope. Channels 1-20 starring the same XLR microphone input and a 1/4” TRS(stereo) insert point. The top face of each channel containing, left/right pan knob, an all channel mute, solo/cue button(with flashing light), 3 sub mix assignment switches and 2 LED’s representing channel input gain. Green stating a -20db signal and the red for signal over load. Channel’s 21-24 are dedicated to being stereo channels. Equalization on these channels is different by adding two fixed frequencies at 3khz and 800hz respectively. Both providing Q equal to 1.4, at plus or minus 15db. The high(12khz) and low(80hz) remaining consistent. The low cut filter (75hz) being omitted on these channels. Access to the stereo channels are four mono 1/4” jacks. Five main points of output are available. Two main left and right XLR and two left/right 1/4” jacks. Also available is a summed mono out complete with its own level control. Main insert points are accessible with 1/4” TRS plugs. These inserts can also double as a pre-fader main direct output. Eight 1/4” sub outputs and four insert points appear next to the AUX return jacks The SR24-4 provides 4 stereo AUX returns all accepting balanced or unbalanced 1/4” connectors. Two headphone jacks are available next to the XLR talkback input. The talkback is switchable to AUX
1 & 2 or straight to the main master faders. Near the fused 3 pin European AC connectors the main power switch and a master phantom power switch for all microphone inputs. This does not apply to the talkback. For studio application, two balanced 1/4” TRS jacks(left & right) are available for input to control room monitor power amplifiers. Proper wire configuring for all inputs and outputs can be accessed via the handy manual.
IN USE
Working for a live sound company I was able to audition the Mackie in a variety of applications. Mixing bands at the Ohio State Fair, an NBC sales presentation, and The National American Legion Convention provided me with notes from each different show. My first play of a CD through the desk was a dynamic, full, warm sound. Hours later, finding out what I had missed previous days of mixing. Kick drums became amazingly deep. Vocals and drums overall had tremendous tones not heard on the more expensive console used before.
Poor video/audio was enhanced by using Mackie’s AIR EQ on the sub mix masters. It brought a broad-based treble centered around 16kz to the video tracks. The Airway virtually noiseless and also enhanced some cassette back tracks that needed life. I would compare it to almost a BBE type effect.
Setup time was very minimal after thourghly reading the well laid out manual. After a few hours of use, ergonomically I had no Problems with use.
Equalization seemed accurate hence I was able to reach most everything needed. A low-cut of 75hz rid microphones, television audio of unwanted rumbling without cutting too much needed low bass frequencies.
At the industrial shows the channel mutes and channel signal LED’s were highly useful. I was able to mute all channel outputs(AUX’s) to avoid unwanted signal to hit the satellite.
I found the stereo channels extremely helpful. I used them at stereo effect returns, video/audio, DAT, and cassette playback. Not having to eat up my regular channels was great. Not enough could be said about one of the most informative, well thought out manuals I have ever seen. Even though I received a rough draft with the first month production model it still answered all of my questions. If not Mackie provides a toll-free technical support number to help out during the big panic mode.
A helpful addition to this console would by to access the channel audio while it is muted. I had to resort to the cassette deck for headphone cue of the tape. To check my eight wireless microphones, the 4 pre-fader AUX sends had to be turned down. Maybe too in the future one of the headphone jacks could by moved near the main mix master faders. All these things aside, which are minimal, this is something to be added to anyone’s sound inventory.
For the features, size, and cost of this desk I see it becoming a very popular piece. Competitively, I don’t think it can by touched in this price range. I’ll be awaiting the invention of that 40 channel 12 AUX Mackie Sound Reinforcement Series console.

Product Overview
Mackie SR24 Live Sound
Reinforcement Console

PLUS
+Dynamic sound
+compact size
+channel mute’s
+6 flexible AUX sends

MINUS
-Non-ability to listen to muted
channel audio
-headphone jacks in rear

SCORE
Bigger console sound and features for a great price