Introduction
The Mackie Mix5 is a small, easy-to-use mixer made for newbies and smaller music setups. It’s simple and not too expensive, making it a good starting point for people who are just getting into music. However, it doesn’t have lots of channels and fancy effects, which might limit its use for bigger musical setups. It’s really good for carrying around and doing basic music mixing.
Mixer Features
- Simple Controls: Easy-to-use knobs for adjusting volume and tone.
- Compact Size: Ideal for portability and small spaces.
- Durable Build: Sturdy construction ensures longevity.
Mixer Pros
- Clear sound quality for its size
- Easy setup and user-friendly interface
- Compact and portable, great for on-the-go use
- Durable build, withstands wear and tear
Mixer Cons
- Limited channels, restricting multiple instrument connections
- No built-in effects or USB interface, limiting versatility
Performance
The Mix5 delivers clear sound, but its limited channels might be a downside for those needing more connections. It’s great for small setups but lacks the versatility for larger productions.
Ease of Use
Operating the Mix5 is a breeze; even beginners will find it simple to set up and use. Its straightforward controls make adjustments hassle-free.
Conclusion
The Mackie Mix5 is a simple and durable mixer that’s great for beginners and small setups. It’s affordable and has good sound quality, but might not have enough features or connections for bigger music setups.
HeatVision –
UPDATE 2:About a month in, channel 4 now produces an insane amount of hiss when the volume is turned up, even with gain at zero. Unusable. The other channels are fine. What a letdown.UPDATE:The second unit arrived and does not have the same issue with the left channel, so all is good there.Things happen I guess… and like I said, I knew it was a cheap option. However, I’ve always associated Mackie with quality so it was disappointing to receive a lemon.Anyway, round two was a success and my setup is back in working order.I only wish that the four stereo channels had EQ on them. I still compromised and got this board for the fact that it had four of them, because that is exactly the number of stereo devices that I need to run through it, and I also needed the form factor of this small board. It was still the best option in this class of boards. But, I really wish they hadn’t skimped on that. Having no EQ is fine for three of the four devices, but could really use a bass boost on one of them (record player). So I ended up having to use two of the mono channels instead of a stereo channel for that one.Giving this a 4/5 stars.ORIGINAL REVIEW:I bought this knowing it is cheap, but I am only using it for a simple purpose… to replace another simple mixing board in my office setup that had a power supply failure. All I need is to blend four stereo sources together (computer, computer, chromecast, record player) and send them to some studio monitors and into some speakers in the other room via the control room outputs.Without any need for additional bells and whistles, this board looked perfect. It sports four stereo channels and is cheap and simple.I’ve owned other Mackie gear in the past (for actual live and studio audio tasks) and have always liked them, so I gave this one a shot knowing full well it’s a cheap model.Well, it arrived, and right out of the box, the entire left channel just simply doesn’t work.I hooked everything up as I had it before and then systematically tried to debug this, unplugging everything. Any channel, stereo or otherwise, sends no signal to the left output of the Mains, Control Room, or Headphone output.Amazon is replacing it and I’ll update my review if the 2nd one works properly.Beware that quality control issues are a factor with this unit.
Nimjim52 –
I bought this to replace my old Mackie portable which finally died after 25 years. The first thing is that it is not as solid as the older unit and is built from plastic instead of steel. This is not an issue if you don’t abuse it, but that goes without saying.As for the chips inside, it seems to be pretty good. Mackie mixers are known for being of pretty good sound quality, and at these prices you don’t sweat the issue of servicing, since they are inexpensive enough to replace easily. The mic pre’s are pretty good for basic work.Personally, I use it for remote mixing without FX, and to feed my Bi-amped monitors, it is well up to both tasks. The bottom line: the simpler your needs, the better it is. Keep it basic and it works pretty well. At this price it is a good value.
Amazon Customer –
I have already had the opportunity to use as many as four inputs at one time as advertised. I was NOT expecting it to improve the quality of the music coming from it. I am totally pleased with this product.
DC –
The self noise is not that low as advertised, but is acceptable. Overall is a good mixer. It lacks an on/off power switch and that is really annoying. Also, individual on/off switches for the +48V phantom power on 1-4 inputs, would have made a huge difference.
BJC –
Perfect for my purposes (video editing on laptop), and the space requirements of my small desk. Sound is very good, and plenty of power. Easy and quick setup. Would be better with phantom power. And a power button would be great. So, 4 out of 5.
paul m. –
I had been reading reviews and or feedback on this mixer. People talking about no shutoff switch. I solve the problem for me by buying a single plug shutoff switch. It was an easy way to solve the problem. So if that’s the only reason to not buy this mixer. This will fix the issue. For me the mackie mixer is working really good so far it has a very clear clean sound. Not sure how long it will last but I hope for a lot of years.
Excellent product must buy –
Sound quality superb
Oscar González Hope –
Excelente mezcladoraMuy buena para su tamaño y practica.
Michael Campochiari –
OttimoOttimo lo uso per gli in ear live
Frederic –
Parfait sauf….Un produit d’excellente qualité..il fait le travail. Le seul petit problème c’est qu’il n’as pas de bouton on/off…On est obligé de débrancher l’alimentation à la source…..