Mackie Onyx Vs Focusrite (2i2 Vs Onyx Artist): The Battle Of The Audio Interfaces

Today I am comparing the Mackie Onyx vs Focusrite, specifically the Focusrite 2i2 vs Mackie Onyx Artist (just skip the Blackjack if you were considering it), these are two popular brands and two pretty epic audio interfaces for the quality and price.

But when faced with the option of which one to get, which should you choose?

Table Of Contents

At A Glance
Key Things To Consider
A Closer Look At The Focusrite Scarlett 2i2
A Closer Look At The Mackie Onyx Artist

At A Glance

Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 3rd Gen USB Audio Interface for Recording, Songwriting, Streaming and Podcasting — High-Fidelity, Studio Quality Recording, and All the Software You Need to Record
Pro performance with the finest pre-amps - Achieve a brighter and a more open recording thanks to the best performing mic pre-amps the Scarlett range has ever seen. A switchable Air mode will add extra clarity to your acoustic instruments when recording with your Scarlett 2i2.
Get the perfect guitar and vocal take - There’s no need to sacrifice your tone with two high-headroom instrument inputs to plug in your guitar or bass so that they shine through. Capture your voice with clarity and your instruments in all their glory without any unwanted clipping or distortion thanks to our Gain Halos.
Low-noise for crystal clear listening - Two low-noise balanced outputs provide clean audio playback. Hear all the details and nuances of your own track or music from Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon Music. Plug-in your own headphones via the output for private listening in high-fidelity.
Studio quality recording for your music and podcasts - You can achieve professional sounding recordings with Scarlett’s high-performance converters which enable you to record and mix at up to 24-bit/192kHz. Your recordings will retain all of their sonic qualities so that you can sound like the artists you admire.
Easy Start - It’s easier than ever to get up and running with your Scarlett with our online tool, Easy Start. Whether you’re looking to record or playback audio, we will help you get started.
All the tools you need to start recording right, now - We’ve partnered with our favourite industry partners to provide you with plenty of sound content and software so that you can create and record music right away.
Enjoy three years of warranty - Wherever you happen to be in the world, you can rely on a three-year warranty if any Focusrite hardware needs repairing or replacing due to a manufacturing fault.
Mackie Audio Interface, Onyx Artist 1X2 USB Audio Interface (Onyx Artist 1-2)
Boutique-quality onyx mic preamp with class-leading fidelity and dynamic range 48V phantom power for use with Studio condenser mics ¼” TRS input with Hi-Z switch for connecting guitar, bass, and more
High-resolution 2 in x 2 Out 24-bit/192kHz recording zero-latency direct monitoring of Analog inputs dedicated outputs for connecting studio monitors powerful headphone output
Bus-powered for easy mobile recording with no power adapter needed USB 2. 0 connectivity for fast transfer speed and low latency Built-Like-A-Tank design to survive day-to-day abuse
Traction music production software included
Os Requirements – Mac: OS X 10. 8

Key Things To Consider

There are a few key things to consider when choosing an audio interface:

Number of Inputs and Outputs

The first is the number of inputs and outputs that you need. If you only need one or two inputs, then either of these interfaces will work great. But if you need more than that, then the Mackie Onyx will be the better choice, as it has more input and output options.

Sample Rate and Bit Depth

The next thing to consider is the sample rate and bit depth. The Mackie Onyx Artist supports up to 24-bit/192kHz, while the Focusrite only supports up to 24-bit/96kHz. So if you need a higher quality recording, then the Mackie Onyx is the better choice.

Latency

The last thing to consider is latency. Both of these interfaces have very low latency, but the Mackie Onyx has a slight edge over the Focusrite in this area. So if you're looking for the interface with the lowest possible latency, then the Mackie Onyx is the way to go.

A Closer Look At The Focusrite Scarlett 2i2

I have had the Scarlett 2i2 for a while now, and you can checkout my review comparison of the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Vs Solo, if you happen to be considering those two interfaces.

The design of the interface is very sleek and professional looking. It's all-metal construction with a red anodized aluminum finish, and it looks great. The unit is small and compact, so it's easy to take with you on the go- perfect for mobile recordings.

It has two combo input jacks on the front, which can be used for either microphones or instruments. And on the back, it has two more line inputs, as well as two line outputs, a headphone output, and a USB port.

The sound quality of the interface is excellent. It has very low noise levels and sounds great with both microphones and instruments. The included software is also very good- it's easy to use and has all the features you need to get started.

The only downside of the interface is that it only supports up to 24-bit/96kHz, so if you need a higher quality recording, then you'll need to look elsewhere. But for most normal people, this won't be an issue.

A Closer Look At The Mackie Onyx Artist

Mackie's Onyx Artist USB audio interface is a great option for singer-songwriters and content creators who are looking for a high-quality, bus-powered interface. The Onyx Artist features an Onyx mic pre plus a ¼" input with Hi-Z switch, allowing you to quickly and easily capture your best performance.

The Onyx Producer expands the versatility of the Onyx series with dual Onyx mic pres and MIDI I/O for controllers, synthesizers and more.

Both models offer zero-latency direct monitoring plus a headphone output, L/R line-output and +48v phantom power. Mackie's Onyx series is a great option for anyone looking for a high-quality, bus-powered USB audio interface.

My Thoughts On The Mackie Onyx Artist After A Week

While I have only had the Mackie Onyx for a little over a week, I have been using it with my Macbook Air and Garageband without any issues.

The sound quality is fantastic and the low latency is definitely noticeable. Overall, I am very pleased with the Mackie Onyx and would highly recommend it to anyone in the market for a new audio interface.