10
Onyx Blackjack
Onyx Blackjack Features
Front Panel
“U” like Unity gain
Mackie interfaces have a “U” symbol on the preamp
inputs. It stands for “unity gain,” meaning no change in
signal level if supplying a line-level signal. The labels
on the controls are measured in decibels (dB), so you’ll
know what you’re doing level-wise if you choose to
change a control’s settings.
4. GAIN CONTROL
The gain knobs adjust the input sensitivity of the mic
and line inputs. This allows signals from the outside
world to be adjusted to run through each input at
optimal internal operating levels.
If the signal originates through the mic XLR jack,
there will be 0 dB of gain with the knob fully down,
ramping to 60 dB of gain fully up.
The 1⁄4" line inputs have 15 dB of attenuation fully
down and 45 dB of gain fully up, with unity gain "U" at
10:00.
5. SIG/OL LED
This dual-colored LED will illuminate green when the
channel's input signal (at least -20 dBu) is present,
indicating signal (SIG). It will remain lit non-stop so
long as there is signal above -20 dBu present in that
channel.
This dual-colored LED will illuminate red when the
channel's input signal is too high, indicating a signal
overload (OL). This should be avoided, as distortion will
occur. If the OL LED comes on regularly, check that the
gain control [4] is set correctly for your input device.
6. HI-Z Switch
Engage this switch if you want to connect guitars
directly to the 1/4" line inputs.
Without this switch, you need to use a DI box first,
before connecting guitars. If these switches are not
pressed in, guitars will not sound good, particularly the
high frequency response.
Plugging a guitar into a lower-impedance line-
level input can result in the loss of high
frequencies, causing an unnatural and dull
sound. Normally, you must use a direct box between a
guitar and the interface’s input, which serves to convert
the impedance of the guitar from high to low. These
hi-z inputs make the need for a direct box unnecessary.
However: The hi-z inputs are unbalanced (when the
switch is in), so if you’re doing a live show and running a
long cord between the instrument and the Onyx
Blackjack (say over 25 or 30 feet), it is best to use a
direct box with a balanced output to avoid picking up
noise over the length of the cord.
7. TO MON LEVEL
This knob is used to monitor input signals using
studio monitors or headphones. This input monitoring
occurs in the analog domain, resulting in zero-latency.
Although the signal from inputs 1 and 2 is always
routed directly into the DAW right after gain is applied
on the Onyx Blackjack, a "copy" of the analog input
signals intended for monitoring purposes is also
available via the input monitor section. Simply choose
whether to monitor the input(s) in mono or stereo
(input 1 hard-panned left, input 2 hard-panned right),
POWER
USB
PHANTOM
TO MON
MONITOR
PHONES
INPUT
MONITOR
HI-Z
LINE
HI-Z
LINE
STEREO
MONO
GAIN
1
2
SIG/OL
SIG/OL
2x2 USB RECORDING INTERFACE
MAX
O
O
MAX
O
O
MAX
O
O
+45dB
-15dB
U
20
30
40
60
GAIN
U
+45dB
-15dB
U
20
30
40
60
U
4
7
9
10
11
8
12
13 14
5 6
