For today’s content creators, whether you’re looking to live stream, record podcasts, vlogs, or anything else in between, creating any sort of online content with a studio-like quality would typically require you to invest in multiple pieces of high-end recording equipment so that your recorded content has both a high-quality audio and video. This not only includes purchasing decent PC setup for editing your recorded content in case you don’t have one, but also a high-end microphone and a high-resolution camera for respectively recording your audio and video at a studio-quality, all of which can cost you a small fortune. Nevertheless, Mackie, who’s a leading producer of high-quality professional audio products, has recently released the Mackie DLZ Creator, which aims to empower content creators of all backgrounds with an all-in-one podcasting and streaming audio solution for content creators of any experience level that’s both affordable and easy to operate.
The Mackie DLZ Creator is a professional-grade, all-in-one adaptive digital mixer for podcasting and streaming, featuring a wide range of input and output ports, including 4 XLR/TRS combo inputs for microphones and instruments boasting Onyx80 mic preamps that ensure a pristine sound quality up to 80dB gain, 4 headphone outputs, both a MicroSD Card slot and a USB-A port for multi-track or stereo recording, a USB-C port for audio recording or live streaming, a stereo bi-directional Bluetooth channel for adding a caller into the mix via your Smartphone, plus some additional inputs and outputs, as well as a 10.1” high-resolution full-color touchscreen display which is powered by Mackie’s Mix Agent smart setup audio assistant that offers you an easy setup and helps to automate functions, several built-in digital audio controls, an Auto Mix function, and 3 unique Control Modes that adapt the device’s functionalities to each user’s skill level.
Designed to be much more than just a studio-quality podcast mixer or a professional audio interface, this all-in-one adaptive digital mixer makes it easy and seamless for users at all levels to get professional results for any sort of digital content they want to create.
Now, let’s have a more detailed look at the Mackie DLZ Creator and go over the many cool features and functionalities that this high-end all-in-one adaptive digital mixer has to offer you.
DESIGN
Starting with the device’s size, know that the Mackie DLZ Creator has a reasonably compact size, as the device measures just 15 inches long by 13 inches wide by 4.1 inches tall (381 x 330 x 103 mm). Moreover, the device is also fairly lightweight, weighing just 6.1 lbs. (2.8 kg).
Thanks to its compact form factor, this high-end adaptive digital mixer is completely portable, allowing you to carry it with you pretty much anywhere.
In addition to its portability, the Mackie DLZ Creator also sports an ultra-modern design, which gives it an incredibly professional look after it is set up, no matter if you’re using it to record content from your home office, or even from a professional recording studio.
The device’s outer shell comes in a beautiful Black Matte color, which features a very smooth glossy coating finish for an added touch of quality.
Lastly, note that this professional-grade adaptive digital mixer also packs an extremely durable and high-quality construction.
INTERFACE
CONNECTIVITY PANEL
Moving on to the Mackie DLZ Creator’s interface, meaning both its connectivity panel as well as its dedicated control panel.
Starting at the back side of the device, we have its ultra-versatile connectivity panel, which integrates a wide range of input and output ports.
Going from left to right and from top to bottom, its connectivity panel includes:
- a Power On/Off Switch;
- the unit’s dedicated 18V / 1.5A Power Adapter port;
- a MicroSD Card slot and a USB-A port;
- an Ethernet port;
- a 1/8” TRS input (has a standalone stereo channel)
- a USB-C port;
- 4 independent headphone outputs;
- 2 1/4” TRS outputs;
- 2 1/4” TRS inputs (share one stereo channel together);
- 4 XLR/TRS combo inputs (used for connecting microphones and instruments)
The 4 XLR/TRS combo inputs also boast Onyx80 mic preamps, which ensure a pristine sound quality up to 80dB gain.
The device’s 4 independent headphone outputs feature individual level control for each output, and also allow users to create custom mixes for each output (only while using the device in Pro Mode).
All of the device’s audio input and output connection ports offer users a professional-quality of audio processing, plus several different studio-quality audio functionalities, including a 3-band parametric EQ and a high pass filter, a built-in Noise gate, De-esser, and Compressor, and also an Atomizer Reverb and a Chronotronic Delay.
For digitally storing their recorded audio, users can utilize the device’s MicroSD Card slot or its USB-A port for either flexible multi-track recording or stereo audio recording, or ultimately, use its USB-C port either for audio recording or live streaming.
Not only that, but the Mackie DLZ Creator also boasts a stereo bi-directional Bluetooth channel that can be used for adding a caller into the mix by connecting the device with your Smartphone via Bluetooth.
CONTROL PANEL & AUDIO FUNCTIONALITIES
Moving on to the front side of the device, we have its dedicated control panel. Integrated at the top, we have a large 10.1” high-resolution full-color touchscreen display, which also has an anti-glare coating that offers a great level of protection against fingerprint smudges.
The device’s 10.1” high-res full-color touchscreen display is powered by Mackie’s Mix Agent technology, which is a smart setup audio assistant that offers users an easy-to-follow guided setup through the configuration of each audio channel (including both its microphone inputs and headphone outputs) with minimal effort or learning curve, for which users are even offered an Automatic Gain Setting that sets their input levels for them, while also helping to automate all of the device’s other audio-related functions.
Embedded below, we have the company’s official video guide of the device’s software setup, which can be performed in just 5 minutes or less:
When operating the device’s 10.1” color touchscreen display, users can select between 3 unique Control Modes which adapt the device’s functionalities to each user’s skill level by seamlessly transforming its digital interface from just looking simple, intuitive, and straightforward to looking highly-advanced and very detailed, all with no compromise in processing power or sound quality, no matter which mode users choose to go with.
Users can choose between Easy, Enhanced, and Pro Control Modes.
The Easy Mode consists of a no-fuss user interface that offers users the fastest path to recording their first podcast, making it perfect for those who want to get great results without having to go through any sort of menu-diving.
The Enhanced Mode provides users with an expanded control over their sound and mix, making it more suitable for users who want some customization without an overwhelming number of options.
Lastly, there’s the Pro Mode, which offers users total control and fully customizable of all of the device’s audio functions, making it best for more experienced users that know exactly which audio functionalities they want to use and fine-tune, and how to get them.
Integrated at the right side of its 10.1” color touchscreen display, there are also 5 built-in dynamically color-coded control knobs that are used for easily adjusting the volume levels from all of your connected peripherals, giving you control over your headphone outputs and also the parameters of your processors.
Just to the right side of those 5 control knobs, there are also 3 touch control buttons, which going from top to bottom, consist of a Home button, a REC (Start Recording) button, and an Auto Mix button.
The device’s Auto Mix button offers users an on-demand Auto Mix function that once enabled, automatically reduces channel levels when not receiving signal, while also ensuring a consistent overall output level as well as reducing potential feedback mix.
Finally, integrated at the bottom half of the device’s front side, there are also 9 professional 100mm faders that are used to easily adjust the volume level for any peripheral that you have connected to the device’s wide range of input and output ports.
Integrated at the right of its 9 faders, you also have a Backlit Mute button, plus 6 backlit instant-trigger sample pad buttons, for which you can either choose from 4 different banks of pre-made playback samples that are available to you with one-touch access, or ultimately, store your favorite sounds and record new ones on the fly to a MicroSD Card.
Best of all, the device’s digital interface also boasts a vast range of useful digital audio functionalities included its integrated audio software.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The Mackie DLZ Creator is a professional-grade, all-in-one adaptive digital mixer for podcasting and streaming, featuring a wide range of input and output ports, including 4 XLR/TRS combo inputs for microphones and instruments boasting Onyx80 mic preamps that ensure a pristine sound quality up to 80dB gain, 4 headphone outputs, both a MicroSD Card slot and a USB-A port for multi-track or stereo recording, a USB-C port for audio recording or live streaming, a stereo bi-directional Bluetooth channel for adding a caller into the mix via your Smartphone, plus some additional inputs and ouputs, as well as a 10.1” high-resolution full-color touchscreen display which is powered by Mackie’s Mix Agent smart setup audio assistant that offers you an easy setup and helps to automate functions, several built-in digital audio controls, an Auto Mix function, and 3 unique Control Modes that adapt the device’s functionalities to each user’s skill level.
With its fully adaptable interface, versatile Control Modes, and its full studio-worthy suite of processing, this professional-grade, all-in-one adaptive digital mixer puts studio-quality podcasting and streaming into the hands of users of any skill level, whether no matter if they’re already experienced content creators or just beginners tapping into the world of online content creation.
From daily uploads of unboxing videos and streaming the latest games all the way to organizing professional-quality podcasts, the Mackie DLZ Creator makes creating digital content at a studio-like quality much easier.
If you’re interested in purchasing it, know that each unit is priced at $799.99. You can order it online right now, either directly from Mackie’s official shopping page, or alternatively, you could instead order it from Amazon, if you’d prefer. You can also find it available at multiple retailers.
