Sometimes you need to take the show on the road—and that’s the spirit of Mackie ShowBox. When I heard that Mackie made a 400 watt battery-powered PA with a breakaway mixer, I knew I wanted to bring my band up to their HQ to put it through its paces.
Affiliate links (Sweetwater)
Mackie ShowBox: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/Showbox
Mackie EM-89D Cardioid Dynamic Vocal Microphone: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/MackieEM89
Mackie ShowBox 2-button Footswitch: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/MackieFootswitch
Mackie ShowBox Gig Bag: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/ShowBoxGigBag
Fender Tom DeLonge Starcaster: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/TomStarcasterGold
Fender Mustang PJ Bass: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/MustangPJBassGold
Pre-save “Automatic” by Sundae Crush: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/sundaecrush3/automatic
Not only does the Mackie ShowBox boast two instrument (2, 4) and two vocal inputs (1, 3), but it also has a special 5/6 input that can be a Bluetooth source, a USB source, or another instrument like a keyboard—all at once. You can even use the USB connection to record to a computer or stream to a phone, or can record directly to a micro SD card.
Oh, and there’s an FX loop and an actual looper, because of course there is.
But the beauty in the ShowBox is the breakaway, mic-stand-mountable mixer. You can set gain manually or use their auto-gain feature. You can also add and mix two effects PER CHANNEL. You can also tune and mute everything from the breakaway mixer, which is powered by the ShowBox itself.
In all seriousness, the Mackie team thought of everything with the ShowBox. I’m beyond impressed with this little guy and was delighted when Mackie let us take one home!
Support Get Offset by…
Shopping on Sweetwater: https://imp.i114863.net/GetOffset
Shopping at Perfect Circuit: https://link.perfectcircuit.com/t/v1/8-12626-262719-9759
Buying Seymour Duncan Pickups: https://seymour-duncan.sjv.io/9WjYWW
Subscribing on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/getoffset
Trying out Coach Guitar Lessons: https://coachguitar.com?ref=emilyharrys
Shopping our Merch: https://getoffsetpodcast.com/shop/
Saving 7% on Your DistroKid Account for the First Year: http://distrokid.com/vip/getoffset
Leaving us a review on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/get-offset/id1442326978
29 Comments
That is really neat, if I were busking I'd definitely buy one! 😺👍
I didn’t know that a battery powered option like this was available. I guess i don’t pay attention to gear properly. Mind blown. 🤯
My jaw dropped when I saw the breakaway mixer could charge an iPad. They really thought of everything, didn’t they?
Cool demo and performance. Nice. 🤘 ❤
this and the new line 6 pod are meant to be!!
Very cool, it’s on my list of busking gear.
That Starcaster is gorgeous
Was gigging in South Sound between 90-93. Mackie already had a reputation. Remember reading about them and talking to our sound dude about them and he wanted one because of their price and reviews. Very glad that Mackie has survived as a business and still has their old DNA going strong. Congratulations Mackie! Best Regards and Best Wishes!
First of all, Emily do you just have an EDC box opener in your pocket?? 😂 Second of all, I do think this is cool, its a good offering, but I think I'd still go for Spark's product. I think the daisy chaining is the big highlight of the showbox
Great sound/video editing and loved your playing! Definitely one to consider for busking, especially for the breakaway mixer/charger and the swappable battery.
wow, there's so much going on in this thing. if i did the busking kinda thing, i'd totally be interested in something like this. or like, places like coffee shops or restaurants that do some live music but dont want or are unable to install a fancy shmancy sound system., having this on hand might be a good option. cool.
They make lots of nice stuff. The Studio monitors kick ass for a good price
Very cool piece of gear. The first thing I thought of was the use for practicing and small rehearsals, which is what you ultimately mentioned at the end. My only concern would be battery life (which I don't think was mentioned), but of course you could just plug it in. honestly really sounded good Emily! I know you said you didn't like your guitar sound, but honestly I think it sounded great! we are always our own worst critics!
Used to live super close to Bothell, had no idea Mackie was *right there*!
This is an awesome speaker system. Love that breakout box. They really thought of everything.
Wow, this thing has everything.
Happy Birthday from Wenatchee!
I think I've found my next PA! I've been super-stoked for this since NAMM, thank you for the thorough demo and Sundae Crush teaser, as well as the walkthrough of Mackie HQ.
Fun to watch, also thanks to cool vibe of your duo tunes. What most interests me about the ShowBox, though, is how it sounds in real life, i.e. not just with SD card recordings (which are a brilliant feature, to be sure!). As a solo performer that sings and plays mostly acoustic and now some electric (Jazzmaster), too, I‘m using (and loving) an Everse 8 with an acoustic/electric pedalboard, but could well imagine using the ShowBox, instead, for greater simplicity. But it all comes down to the sound, so will no doubt order one at some point and hear for myself. Oh, and about a great amp/cab sim to use for busking and quick-and-dirty performances of any kind, I‘ve settled on the brilliant-sounding and highly flexible Boss Katana Go, plus the compatible Boss wireless footswitch. For all practical purposes, I don‘t miss my ToneX or any of the other gadgets I could be using instead of the Katana Go. And if you don‘t feel like having it dangling from your guitar with a flimsy cable, just plug your guitar into another pedal (tuner?) and stick the Go into that, running an adapter to your mixer/speaker. P.S. I also tried the Line 6 Express and the Boss IR-2, but the Katana kicks them big time in terms of both sound and versatility.
Man that demo caught me off guard. 11/10
great video thanks!!
@12:04 The OUTDOOR MODE had np effect on THROWING the HIGHS a little bit FURTHER. That option only makes the display on the mixer BRIGHTER to see easier in sunlight.
i just purchased one from Amazon at discounted price. Well !! what i got it for it is useless, i wanted to use on a Beat buddy drum machine..it can not take it's bass more than 10-15 % of volume.. Really have to get used to that 1-3 is mic 2-4 is instrument 5-6 stereo.input..loudness: JBL boombox 3 is louder than than machine… it is good for someone who does not need BASS to play..if you turn up the volume it has very severe "hissing" sound..
it is sold as an acoustic guitar amp so am unsure how well it actually works with electric ones, or bass guitars… anyone having any issue?
Great system, however it appears you still need an external power source for the pedal board? It would be nice if you had an ac out for that.
It can’t phantom power your microphone. Why not?
I currently own a Bose S1. Since I'm a singer, I have two questions for you. First, is it as loud as my Bose, and which sounds better for vocals, the Mackie or the Bose?? Thanks!
I watched this for the demo of the bluetooth, thank you.. "Wow this thing is light". The actual weight would be nice because what feels light to you may be different than what feels light to someone else. It's difficult to say anything critical or even neutral when you're being hosted by the person who designed it. I understand this is a demo and not a review though.
I appreciate that it may be impossible haha but it's a damn shame the inputs aren't to the mixer rather than the speaker itself. Would make for a much much cleaner setup. Other than that, im seriously considering this for my travel PA
Can I connect two mics and 2 guitars to this pa ? With that 6 channel mixer ?
Two many additonal "pedals" and processors to showcase the amp itself!