By George Petersen


WE OFTEN GET A LOT OF STRANGE ITEMS IN THE MAIL at the Mix offices here, but the other day we were intrigued by the arrival of a rather odd parcel. Within the ordinary-looking outer packaging was an unmarked black box (somewhat reminiscent of the black monolith from Stanley Kubrick’s 2001-A Space Odyssey) and within that was a Mackie Onyx 820i analog mixer with FireWire interfacing, a copy of Pro Tools M-Powered software, a DVD marked “Insert Me” and a page of instructions printed using ransom note-style cut-out letters. The outside of the mixer’s box (shown in the photo below) touts a large notice saying it’s COMPATIBLE WITH PRO TOOLS M-POWERED in large letters with the words “and Logic, SONAR, Cubase, etc.” listed beneath in smaller type.


In true Mackoid tradition, the DVD had a short video clip of a Mackie employee with an altered voice, wearing a stocking (actually it was a pair of pantyhose) over his face to conceal his identity. The mystery spokesperson explains a few people were chosen to receive this “top-secret” parcel and then goes to play part of a Pro Tools session through the 820i. More mysterious perhaps was the other file on the DVD–an installer for the “Mackie Universal Driver Version 1″ that would let Mackie products act as an audio interface/front end for Pro Tools M-Powered software. If so, it’s a big deal–a lot of impact for a relatively few lines of code.

Assuming this isn’t simply a case of reverse-engineering on Mackie’s part, this development is significant for several reasons. Up until this point, Digidesign has been exceedingly protective about its hardware, with the only sanctioned deal being certain gear from sister company M-Audio working with the specially branded Pro Tools M-Powered software. So this is either the first step (admittedly, a small step and not a leap) toward penetrating Digidesign’s “software curtain” on Pro Tools hardware, or simply opening the market somewhat on the M-Powered side to bring more users into the Pro Tools fold. And once there, some of these users would, in theory, eventually upgrade to Pro Tools LE or a full-bore Pro Tools HD system, making it a coup for Mackie and a win on Digidesign’s part.

Yet, other than a mysterious note, a new FireWire-enabled mixer and a driver with a LOT of potential, there are many questions and few answers–at least so far. What other products are planned? Will/can other manufacturers join in the fray? Will this lead to third-party openings for other Digi products, such as Pro Tools HD or Pro Tools LE? In all, quite a mystery. However, more information should surely come on September 9–Mackie’s “official” launch date for the 820i. But one thing’s for sure: This story ain’t over yet. Not even close. Stay tuned to mixonline.com for more developments.

We’ll be watching this one!

When not working on Mix stuff, George Petersen records and performs with the SF Bay Area-based rock band ARIEL. Click here www.jenpet.com/ariel.html and check ‘em out.
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