Mackie 802VLZ4, 8-channel Ultra Compact Mixer with High Quality Onyx Preamps

I almost don't remember when I bought my first Mackie Mixer. It's been probably 20 years ago. I was never in the need of a big board ... although I've owned a 16 channel Mackie before ('big board' ... lots of input channels, features, meters, inserts and aux busses). But I've used the 1402 VLZ series in my audio work with great success. I've always been impressed with the incredible flexibility and low noise in these mixers. I still have 3 or 4 of them around, including my first one. My most recent purchase was a 1402VLZ3 ... Nice Board!So, when I went looking for a mixer for a small special application, Mackie was the first place I looked. I wasn't disappointed. Mackie had a couple of smaller mixers either of which would have worked, but I think the 802VLZ4 had just the right combination of features for what the application required. It just arrived today, and I'm already impressed, even before I plug it in.I usually opt for the Power Supply being inside the unit. Hook up the power cord and plug it in. In this application, though, I wanted the board to be as small as possible, and the outboard plug-in supply removes that part of the design from the internals of the mixer, allowing a smaller footprint. "Wall Warts" can also be a problem, but this one was designed to be thin, so as to not rob space on your power strip.The 1402's and many, many other mixers use 'sliders' to control the incoming channel levels. The 802VLZ4 however, just uses "Volume Control Knobs". In the application I'm looking at, a small footprint is a priority, and using what most people would call "Volume Control Knobs" will take up less space than the sliders. (I love Mackie's Sliders, but I just don't have the room for them in this application, and replacing them with "Volume Control Knobs" just makes sense).There's a ton more I could say good about the Mackie 802VLZ4, but you can read a lot of it in their advertising info. But I do like the color coding on their knobs. Very nicely implemented.One small drawback, when I got my other 1402's, they all came with a really good manual. I really appreciated Mackie's audio professionalism that they shared with the owners of their products in their manuals. And of particular usefulness is their "Schematic" or "Block Diagram" (Page 26 in the 802VLZ4 manual). It is a tremendous aid in understanding and using your mixer. I always made a copy of that page on my 1402's and put it in a notebook to take with me wherever I went.I was a bit disappointed to see a "Quick Start Guide" arrive with the new mixer with not much info. However, I had already downloaded their manual in PDF format from their website, and printed it out. I might suggest to Mackie that adding the Block Diagram to the Quick Start Guide would be a real quick help to someone setting up the new mixer, as when you have a flexible product, that flexibility also adds a bit of complexity, and the Block diagram helps figure it out real fast. Also, if a user is to rely on the PDF format for their manual, It would be an great help to format the PDF for 8.5 X 11" paper. (The manual is slightly larger).Overall, I'm at 4.9999 stars with Mackie's equipment.I'm getting up in years, so I'm not seeing too many more new Mackie's in my future, but if that requirement ever comes up (one never knows), that's where I'll be looking first.

I've always had excellent performance and value from Mackie products, and this Mixer is no exception! Worked perfectly and as advertised right out of the box. What amazed me beyond words was when I needed to call Mackie Customer Service (to resolve a weird issue that was due only the the complexity of my studio setup — *not* a problem with the product). I reached Customer Service directly and they answered on the 3rd ring. The Technician was cheerful, knowledgeable and resolved my issue in under 1 minute. I followed his advice and this Mixer is performing wonderfully in my system, with incredibly clear, distortion-free sound. This model offers a great deal of flexibility on how and where to route Inputs, Outputs, 'Sends', and 'Effects'. Even the Channel Mute buttons offer the option to route Muted channels to another Output; so the signal is not wasted. Separate controls for Main, Control Room Send, AUX Send, and Tape (recording outs) come in super handy. Designed in U.S.A. (but built in China), I was skeptical that the quality might not be premium — but Mackie did not sacrifice build quality: the chassis is a sleek, black METAL. The sliders (well, knobs actually) all have a very smooth action and their operation electronically with regards to Gain is perfectly smooth and analog. I can detect no distortion or loss concerning signals that are processed by this Mixer. It's a great unit — especially for the 'budget' cost. Great for home studio, gigs and Podcasts, etc.

Having owned a 1202VLZ and the "OG" 1604 back in the day, I kinda knew what to expect. This is a fantastic mixer with so many routing possibilities (what makes Mackie so versatile). It's built like a tank, the knobs & buttons feel substantial and well-made, and will probably last forever. Not much more to say. I needed an analog mixer with XLR, 1/4" & RCA inputs, several output options and flexible routing. This fit the bill perfectly. Highly Recommended.

If it were possible to give this mixer 10 Stars - I would! Prior to this I used a similar sized mixer from a company whose name begins with a "B" and ends in an "R". I decided to see if Mackie was truly an upgrade. This was my first purchase of Mackie gear of any kind! I am a mobile DJ that uses this type of mixer as a sub mixer to route my DJ controller, a hardwired mic and a wireless mic. Sometimes, I'll route a back up mixing console through the mixer as well.The Construction is TOP SHELF. This thing is SOLID. All metal with exception to the knobs. The mic pre-amps are clean, powerful and very rich sounding. Depending on the gear that you're putting though it, I find myself using less EQ to balance out my sound.OUTPUTS- I was first drawn to this mixer because it has XLR Balanced outputs - I just like that better than 1/4" TRS outputs. You can get roughly 2 more mixes out of this board as well - making it a 3 Bus Board.I don't really use effects, and there are none built-in. There is a Power Switch on the rear - my previous mixer didn't have a power switch. I like a power switch!The LED display is VERY accurate. I have experienced better response from my powered speakers and a cleaner - tighter mix because the ability to SEE what's happening!The MIC channels have a MUTE Button!!! I love that as well!Many of the things that I am raving about are very standard issue on larger mixers from most manufacturers. Again, my previous mixer was a plain-jane mixer. I can't allow myself to bad mouth the "B" brand - they served me well over the years. I will gladly attest to Mackie's Overall Quality! This board is a STEAL at this price point!!! I can see myself owning this board for many years to come.