Mackie Performer Bundle — a complete bundle for live performance and recording
Maxim Liadov
Our readers already know the American company Mackie's ready-made equipment bundles. There are 4 in total. We recently reviewed the Mackie Creator Bundle, which allows users to start making music, adding sound to video, or broadcasting online immediately.
Today we will look at the Mackie Performer Bundle for live performance. It includes the same MC-100 headphones we liked before, along with the Mackie ProFX6v3 mixer with a built-in USB interface and two dynamic Mackie EM-89D microphones.
The other bundles Mackie Studio Bundle Mackie Producer Bundle are equally interesting, especially for studio musicians and recording engineers, because they also include Mackie audio interfaces and studio monitors.
The Mackie Performer Bundleallows a live performance with two wired dynamic microphones. It also suits many other tasks, from home karaoke to studio recording of vocals and acoustic instruments.
To connect a laptop, use a standard USB cable and install a driver on Windows. The mixer fully replaces an affordable audio interface, including a low-latency ASIO driver, and adds a hardware effects processor. Sound quality matches an ordinary affordable USB interface. The result is the same quality with far fewer cables and devices in the setup.
The ProFX v3 mixer belongs to the new third generation. Along with the Onyx microphone preamps, it adds new GigFX processing algorithms and a better USB interface. The software package now includes Pro Tools First and Waveform OEM, plus the 23-plugin Avid Mackie Musician Collection, giving users professional production tools.
As its name indicates, the Mackie ProFX6v3 is a 6-channel model. It has two microphone preamps, two balanced line inputs, and another input pair shared with the connected computer's USB channels. Although it is the smallest model, the internal design is the same across the range. To avoid repeating ourselves, see our detailed review of the 10-channel Mackie ProFX10v3, including internal photos and measurements. The models offer the same functions and reliability. For example, the ProFX6v3 power connector also locks with a nut, making it a good choice for important live performances.
Turning to the microphones, the accessory package is excellent. Everything needed is included: cables, storage and carrying pouches, and even branded threaded stand clips.
The dynamic microphones, the Mackie EM-89D are a new design that the manufacturer is proud of. They are successful products with very attractive prices. The cast-metal housing is solid and fairly heavy, like an expensive professional model. Styling is classic for a handheld vocal microphone, and the appearance is attractive. The manufacturer describes it as versatile: suitable for voice, instrument reinforcement, and instrument recording. Uses range from live events and performances to studio work.
The cardioid polar pattern captures the wanted source while rejecting unwanted sound from the sides.
The frequency response is typical of vocal microphones and meets professional performers' tonal expectations. The graph shows a bass roll-off, but the model still has a fairly strong low end. It has slightly more bass than the classic Shure SM58, whose response begins to fall gently from 150 Hz. Extra bass may help with male vocals or instrument pickup.
Mackie EM-89D specifications
- Capsule type: dynamic
- Polar pattern: cardioid
- Frequency range: 50 Hz–16 kHz
- Sensitivity: -52 dB
- Impedance: 600 ohms
- Dimensions: 185 × 51 mm
- Weight: 300 g
Inside is a fairly large dynamic capsule. As expected in a professional handheld microphone, it is isolated from the handle. Three layers protect the diaphragm from breath. Our tests showed that this protection works well. Performers still need good microphone technique, regardless of model, to get the best sound. The supplied headphones are useful for hearing the voice, controlling tone, proximity effect, and other factors while monitoring a recording.
Overall, the microphone feels like a solid, higher-quality model. It is above a basic karaoke microphone with an on/off switch. The ring around the grille has flat, nut-like sides to stop it rolling on a surface. Not every manufacturer pays attention to this, but Mackie clearly considers the user.
We liked the sound. A gentle presence boost makes voice bright and attractive without strong coloration. Tones remain correct and recognizable. Sensitivity is high, so even quiet speech needs no unusually large preamp gain. The supplied mixer's 60 dB gain range also handles much less sensitive microphones easily.
We compared the Mackie EM-89D with our much more expensive Shure BETA 58A dynamic vocal microphone. This is a higher-end development of the SM58 with improved sound. Both microphones were connected simultaneously to a high-quality studio preamp and monitored directly without recording. The Mackie surprised us: choosing a favorite was difficult. It had more bass and treble, although this could be described as more roll-off at the extremes on the Shure 58. The Shure handled overload slightly better. The Mackie therefore needs more care with source position, which is not a problem for a professional. Overall, our impression was very positive, and we saw great potential in the EM-89D.
It is a versatile microphone that would be interesting to try on acoustic instruments. Official Mackie material shows the EM-89D recording a demanding source, a grand piano. Before trying the microphone, that image surprised us. Now we readily believe it makes sense.
Full details about the closed-back Mackie MC-100 headphones are in our review of the Mackie Creator Bundle. We found them very light and successful for many uses. The sound is clean and undistorted. Their tone and bass boost can be criticized, but affordable models of this type are limited and average quality is modest. We can confidently recommend the MC-100 for work and music listening.
Conclusions
Our tests showed that the Mackie Performer Bundle is an excellent complete package of essentials for live performance and even a home studio. The mixer can replace an affordable USB audio interface. The software package includes downloads of licensed AVID Pro Tools First music software and 23 plugins.
The most interesting part of our test was the Mackie EM-89D dynamic microphone. At its low price, it is a real find and a versatile tool for a professional musician's tasks. It handles vocals easily and can also record instruments.
If your needs are mainly music production and studio work, remember the other ready-made packages, such as the Mackie Creator Bundle, which includes a dedicated condenser microphone and compact powered monitors.
The Mackie Performer Bundle costs 29900 rubles. Each product can also be bought separately rather than only as part of a bundle.
Note. This is an adapted machine translation into English. It follows the “In simple terms” approach. Read the original article at https://prosound.ixbt.com/microphones/mackie-performer-bundle.shtml.