Mackie Mixer Rundown: ProFX Series Mixers

An audio mixer is a device used to combine, balance and process multiple audio signals into a cohesive output. Mackie mixers defined the modern small-format mixing console, building a longstanding reputation for the brand as a global leader in this space. Chances are, if you see a mixer at a show or in a studio, it's a Mackie.

At the heart of that reputation is our ProFX Series audio mixers, which combine the high-quality analog circuitry of a classic Mackie mixer with versatile GigFX effects. For every musician, creator or live sound professional, there’s a ProFX Series mixer. Choosing the right one will make it easy to get professional results for everything from live performance to podcasting and streaming. 

But how do you know which ProFX mixer is the best audio mixer for you? 

We don’t want you to get mixed up. Here are your options: There’s the standard ProFX Series, now in its third version. There’s the ProFX+ Series, which has extra features like Bluetooth® and USB Recording Modes—making it the perfect audio mixer for streaming. And then there’s the innovative ProFX10 GO, the first battery-powered professional mixer. It runs up to 8 hours in a single charge, great for remote gigs or shows with iffy power.

Here’s a quick chart with the different versions and their features:

Keep reading for a detailed rundown on the differences between ProFX Series models, and all the awesome things these powerful Mackie mixers can do. We’ll have you mixing in no time.

Every ProFX Mixer Has These Essential Features

So, what exactly makes the ProFX Series the best audio mixer for so many people? The core features. Every single ProFX mixer has these essentials: Onyx microphone preamps. Sweet-sounding EQ. Analog compression to keep levels in check. Digital effects to bring it all together. And, for recording to your computer, USB connectivity.

With these tools, you can mix any show at professional quality and record the results to a computer. ProFX mixers are seriously powerful consoles for live sound and recording, with a compact footprint and, it’s worth mentioning, a shockingly accessible price tag. That’s what makes it the go-to Mackie mixer for musicians and live sound pros.

Onyx Preamps

There was a time not so long ago when microphone preamps were rare, unreliable and expensive—especially if you were a professional who wanted low-noise, high-quality performance. Fixing that problem has been at the core of Mackie’s mission since 1989. Over the decades, Mackie has continuously improved our preamp designs to arrive at Onyx, our top-of-the-line analog preamp. Onyx appears on every mic channel of every ProFX mixer. 

Onyx preamps deliver a noise floor of -126 dB or lower. That’s competitive with the very best (and most expensive) boutique preamps out there. They also deliver up to 60 dB of gain, more than enough for demanding dynamic broadcast mics, no inline gain booster required.

GigFX Effects

Mixes sound better when you “glue” them together with effects like reverb and delay. That’s why every ProFX mixer combines professional analog mixing with GigFX digital effects. Pro + FX = ProFX, get it? Use the per-channel FX sends to add various reverbs, delays and more. It’s an incredibly easy way to polish your mix on the spot.

You get an enhanced version called GigFX+ with the “Plus” and “GO” models of ProFX (more on those later) but the standard GigFX effects still give you 24 different choices, more than enough to get professional results immediately.

Channel Strip Goodies

ProFX mixers also let you tweak your sound with the essentials from a professional channel strip, including Hi-Z switches for guitars, low-cut filters for microphones and analog EQ for sweetening your sound. All ProFX mixers (except the standard ProFX6v3) also include analog compression, which helps keep levels in check when singers and musicians get a little too eager. You can even crank the preamp and hit the compressor hard to use it as an effect that adds punch and sustain. This technique sounds especially cool on drums.

Built-in USB Interface

ProFX mixers are great for more than live sound—they’re also exceptional recording consoles.  As fully fledged USB audio mixers, all models have a built-in 2x4 audio interface. Just connect your laptop and record the full mix with stunning 24-bit / 192 kHz conversion. Whether you’re capturing a live show or using ProFX for home studio recording, you’ll get a high-resolution stereo track that sounds polished and clear.

A clever touch that makes a huge difference: ProFX always has two stereo USB returns. We designed USB 1-2 for playback from your computer, with a blend knob for monitoring the inputs. USB 3-4 comes in separately on its own channel, letting you record it along with the other inputs—making it perfectly suited to playing software instruments from your DAW.

While every ProFX mixer has these USB features, if you’re specifically looking for an audio mixer for PC, you’ll want to give the “Plus” and “GO” models a closer look. And you will, if you keep reading!

ProFXv3 “Standard” Has All the Channels You Could Ever Need

If you’re looking for a Mackie 16-channel mixer, or an audio mixer with up to 30 channels total, you’ll find what you need in the “standard” ProFX Series (rather than the “Plus” or “GO” versions). ProFXv3 mixers come in sizes all the way up to the ProFX30v3 (a whopping 30 channels). That’s right: there’s a ProFX mixer that can mix dozens of mics and instruments, and “glue” them all together with high-resolution GigFX effects.

However, if you don’t need quite so many channels, the “Plus” and “GO” models have some smart digital features that make them even more useful—especially for recording and streaming.

ProFX+ and ProFX10 GO Are Straight Up Geniuses

ProFX+ and ProFX10 GO push the ProFX Series beyond its traditional live sound roots, becoming more creator-friendly and convenient. These mixers have all the same essentials, but they add a set of smart features. If you want more control over your FX, you want to connect your smartphone, or you are looking for the best audio mixer for streaming, these latest ProFX models are cleverly designed to make life easier (and results better).

Other than the battery, ProFX+ and ProFX10 GO mixers share all these same extra features. Think of ProFX10 GO as a ProFX10v3+ that you can run on battery power. That’s what it is!

Connect Smartphones With Bluetooth®

Every “Plus” and “GO” model of ProFX includes a dedicated Bluetooth® channel for pairing your smartphone wirelessly. For musicians, Bluetooth® is an effortless way to stream backing tracks or play music from streaming apps between sets. For podcasters and streamers, Bluetooth® lets you bring in phone calls from guests. The channel is configured with Mix Minus to prevent the caller from hearing an echo of themselves. Pair your phone to your ProFX+ or ProFX10 GO mixer the same way you’d pair to a set of earbuds. It just works.

Enhanced GigFX+ Effects

The “standard” ProFX mixers have GigFX effects presets that sound great, but ProFX+ mixers and ProFX10 GO give you detailed control over the parameters with enhanced GigFX+ effects. You can tweak things like delay time, feedback, EQ and more, on the fly, with a color LCD screen. If you find a setting you love, GigFX+ has space for up to 6 user presets you can save and recall instantly when it’s time to perform. 

Think of GigFX+ as a dedicated effects rack built into your mixer, with plenty of knobs to turn.

USB Recording Modes

If you’re looking for an audio mixer for streaming, USB Recording Modes make ProFX+ or ProFX10 GO the easy choice for you. Choose between three modes with a dedicated REC button to change the way the mixer records to a computer connected via USB-C.

USB Recording Modes go like this: “Standard” mode works exactly like a standard ProFX mixer. It records your full, beautiful mix with effects. “Loopback” mode does the same thing while adding the feed from USB 1-2. Gamers know exactly why loopback is useful—it’s how you can bring in audio from a game while streaming. The final mode, “Interface” is perfect for musicians who want the cleanest recording possible. This mode records a direct feed from the first two channels of the mixer, grabbing the signal immediately after the Onyx preamps, before the EQ and effects. If you’re a home studio aficionado who wants the absolute lowest-noise tracks for later editing, with zero compromise, we made “Interface” for you.

ProFX10 GO Battery-Powered Mixer Will Never Miss a Beat

Imagine having a beautiful Mackie mixer with everything we just told you about, from the Onyx preamps to the enhanced GigFX+ effects, Bluetooth® and USB Recording Modes. Now, imagine unplugging that mixer from the wall. Is it still running? If you have a ProFX10 GO battery-powered mixer, the answer is yes—for up to 8 hours on a single charge!

GB-10 Battery

Thanks to the included GB-10 battery, ProFX10 GO lets you bring all the power of a ProFX10v3+ audio mixer anywhere and never miss a beat. Think of remote gigs like beach weddings, or shady venues where the power just isn’t reliable. Connect your ProFX10 GO mixer to a battery-powered loudspeaker speaker like Mackie Thump GO, and you have a full PA setup that doesn’t need any power cables. ProFX10 GO (and Thump GO, for that matter) have swappable batteries, so you could even bring a spare and swap it out to extend the battery life even longer. If you have somewhere to charge the spare, the show can go on forever!

ProFX Series Mixers Are for Everyone—Especially You

There’s a reason the ProFX Series is the industry standard for high-quality, reliable USB audio mixers—it’s because these mixers work for such a huge variety of people. Every ProFX model has the essentials that define a professional-level analog mixer and USB interface. Each mixer also comes at a price that is reasonable for gigging musicians and growing creators. 

But beyond that, the wide variety of models means there’s a ProFX mixer that is cleverly designed, not just for everyone, but specifically for you. We hope this rundown has helped you find the right one. Shop for each individual ProFX model on our website and be sure to check out our blog for more helpful Mackie tips!

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