Description
Technical
Specifications
Inputs / Outputs
| Total inputs | 56 |
|---|
Processing
| Mix buses | 8 |
|---|---|
| DSP engine | Processeur compatible Pentium 166 MHz + DSP 32 bits, OS propriétaire Mackie |
| Max sample rate | 48 kHz |
| Bit depth | 24 bits |
| Processing resolution | 32 bits |
| Traitement Voies | EQ + dynamique simultanés sur les 48 voies |
| Dsp | DSP 32 bits, dynamique interne > 190 dB |
Surface
| Physical faders | 24 |
|---|---|
| Motorized faders | Yes |
| Touchscreen | No |
| Surface | Faders motorisés 100 mm, molette de transport, édition souris sur écran VGA externe |
Recording
| Onboard recording | No |
|---|
Networking
| Networking & protocols | ADAT / AES/EBU / Network |
|---|---|
| Redundant PSU | No |
| Redundant networking | No |
Other
| Io | 56 entrées, 72 voies, 8 bus |
|---|---|
| Cpu | Processeur compatible Pentium 166 MHz, 16 Mo RAM, OS propriétaire Mackie (ni DOS ni Windows) |
| Convertisseurs | Convertisseurs 24 bits, suréchantillonnage 128×, S/N 115 dB (EIAJ) |
| Connectique | Ethernet intégré ; cartes AIO optionnelles (analogique, ADAT, AES/EBU, S/PDIF, TDIF) + cartes d'effets |
| Extensibilite | Support de plug-ins tiers ; mises à jour logicielles régulières |
Strip & details
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Editorial & artists
Our take
History & design
The Mackie Digital 8-Bus (d8b) is Mackie's first digital console, sold from 1998 to 2005. It democratised automated digital mixing in the project studio: 56 inputs, 72 channels, 8 buses, with EQ and dynamics available simultaneously on all 48 channels. The surface features 100 mm motorised faders and a transport jog wheel, while most editing is done with a mouse on an external VGA monitor.
At the heart of the system is a 166 MHz Pentium-compatible processor with 16 MB of RAM, running Mackie's own proprietary operating system — neither DOS nor Windows. The 32-bit DSP claims greater than 190 dB of internal dynamic range; the 24-bit converters (128× oversampling) offer a 115 dB signal-to-noise ratio. Connectivity includes a built-in Ethernet port and slots for optional I/O cards (AIO: analogue, ADAT, AES/EBU, S/PDIF, TDIF) as well as effects cards.
The d8b stood out for its third-party plug-in support and for regular software updates that expanded its features for years. Sold at an unprecedented price for its day, it became a cult console for home and small studios at the turn of the 2000s, and remains sought-after on the used market.
- Greg Mackie — Fondateur de Mackie
Links
Related consoles
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