It's NAMM 2018 again—well, actually, it can only ever be NAMM 2018 once, but that's beside the point—and just in time for the convention, Mackie has released a bunch of utilitarian gear perfect for live and studio engineers. Indeed, Mackie is a company that enthusiastically prides itself on offering quality at a reasonable price, and these pieces are no exception.
Let's begin with the MDB series, Mackie's foray into the world of direct injection boxes, or Dis, for short. Here you'll find passive DIs like the MDB-1P and MDB-2P (mono and stereo, respectively), active boxes like the MDB-1A, and even a USB stereo DI in the MDB-USB. These boxes provide HI-Z, 1/4" inputs and balanced XLR outputs with ground-lift switches. Except for the MDB-USB, they sport thru-ports for relaying signal down the chain to an amp or other suitable device. Whichever model you choose, enjoy the low-noise and low-distortion performance, as well as the -15 dB pad (on the MDB-1P, MDB-1A, and MDB-2P) for high-level signals. And then there's the build: These boxes are built so much like tanks that Mackie went and trademarked the phrase Built-Like-A-Tank™ (it's true, they did.)
Next on our docket, an item that won't fit in your pocket—it requires a power socket and yes, you can lock it away in your live or studio rack. I speak of the HM-400, a headphone amplifier distributing signal to four different headphone outputs.
But wait, there's more: Each channel can distribute signal to three sets of headphones, giving you 12 headphone outputs in total!
But wait, there's even more! Each channel gives you a panoply of controls, including the ability to mute the left and right side independently, as well as bass/treble controls, an overall output level, and a blendable 1/4" auxiliary input; simply use the balance knob to blend the aux channel with the mains, or feed each auxiliary channel with its own mix and leave the main inputs out of the circuit entirely.
If four channels of headphone amplification aren't enough to whet your whistle, how about eight channels—with sixteen 1/4" headphone outputs in totem? You can have that with the HM-800, which allows you to distribute two sets of stereo inputs to each channel.
But that's not all, folks! You can also switch each headphone output between mono and stereo, or switch each channel between inputs one and two independently, further expanding on the functionality of the unit. Auxiliary inputs are also provided for individual cue-mixes, if need be.
Both units are also built like a tank—so much so that Mackie now owns the phrase "Built-Like-A-Tank."
Mackie is noted for its speakers, but now the company is getting all up in your ears with in-ear monitors for the stage. You've got choices, such as the MP-120 with a single dynamic driver, the MP-220 (dual dynamic drivers), and the MP-240 (dual hybrid drivers with balanced armatures).
Another useful on-the-goal tool comes by means of the M48, a box that supplies 48V phantom power to any microphone that craves it. Indeed, if a lack of phantom power is, shall we say, menacing you, then you can make use of this piece, which runs on 9V batteries, gives you XLR I/O, supplies power and low-battery indicators, offers noise-free operation, and, you guessed it, is built like a tank—or should I say, Built-Like-A-Tank? Yes. Yes, I should.
Last, but certainly not least, is the MTEST-1, a cable tester, sure—but this isn't your grandpappy's cable tester. It comes with its own probes, and tests TRS, TS, XLR, MIDI, and RCA connections. It can suss out each individual pin with a six-way switch, and it runs off a single 9V battery. Okay, maybe that does sound like your grandpappy's cable tester—but let me ask you this: Is your old cable tester… built like a tank? Because this one is.
All of these are available from B&H, so come on down to our SuperStore or visit us online to check them out.
