Mackie Introduces dXb 200 and dXb 400 Consoles at Winter NAMM

dXb 200 (Click for a close-up)

dXb 400 (Click for a close-up)

Following the unveiling of their new dXb Digital Production Console concept at the AES show last October, Mackie is using this year's NAMM show to introduce the first commercial product derived form the dXb platform, dXb 200, as well as preview a new dXb 400 concept directed at post production and broadcast applications.

"The significant excitement generated by the dXb at the AES show revealed a universal acceptance for the platform," stated Ken Berger, Sr. Vice President of Marketing and Product Development at LOUD Technologies Inc. "At the same time, many dedicated Mackie users asked for a version closer in price to the d8b. We have answered this request with the dXb 200."

Berger continued, "We also identified the need for an up-market console with more advanced surround sound capabilities for post production use. This has become the new dXb 400 concept. Both products show the significant versatility of the dXb platform."

The dXb 200 shares the same basic architecture and footprint with the concept shown at AES including the dual touch-screen interface, 96kHz operation (optional to 192kHz), on-board automation and DSP, 25 high-quality 100mm Penny+Giles faders, configurable I/O card cage and a FireWire I/O card option for streaming to/from desktop or laptop computers. Both models are compatible with select VST plug-ins and both integrate Mackie Control Universal functionality for controlling Pro Tools, Logic and other popular audio software applications.

The dXb 200's individual feature set and price point making it the logical progression for current Mackie Digital 8_Bus users. It features a 72 x 72 channel I/O matrix (36 x 36 at 192kHz) or 64 channels with DSP at 96kHz (32 channels with DSP at 192kHz). Channel DSP includes compressor/limiter, gate/expander, and four-band parametric EQ. A UAD-1 Powered Plug-ins Card can be installed in the dXb 200 as an optional accessory.

The new dXb 400 concept features a more expansive 96 x 96 channel I/O matrix (48 x 48 at 192kHz) or a minimum of 72 channels with DSP at 96kHz (36 channels with DSP at 192kHz). The dXb 400 is equipped with more advanced surround sound functionality that includes 24 busses, flexible panning assignment and complete surround monitoring features. Additionally, the dXb 400 ships with a UAD-1 DSP Card pre-loaded, providing instant access to plug-ins like the Teletronix LA-2A and 1176LN compressors, Pultec Program EQ, and DreamVerb high-end reverb.

Like the dXb concept shown at AES, development of the dXb was a collaborative effort between Mackie and Sanewave Inc., a Washington-based engineering and design company specializing in digital audio technology (www.sanewave.com). The dXb 200 will begin shipping in early 2004.