Mackie Showbox (new portable PA speaker)

[JakeStone]

First a Bose S1 user .. Switched to Everse 8.
But this thing takes it up a notch as ultimate “all in one”.

I like that it has more inputs and more flexibility than the Everse.
Plus the Effects loop.

[Methos1979]

Originally Posted by JakeStone

First a Bose S1 user .. Switched to Everse 8.
But this thing takes it up a notch as ultimate “all in one”.

I like that it has more inputs and more flexibility than the Everse.
Plus the Effects loop.

Yep! Almost the same here - rabid Bose S1 Pro user for years, recently switched to the Stagepas 200BRT, and now this - ticks nearly every box I've been pining for the past several years. Already ordered mine and it will get a thorough A/B'ing with the Stagepas. But if it sounds as good then it will be an easy decision. This has every feature I've wanted in a small and lightweight system and a few I hadn't even considered (looper, ability to record, detachable control pad, to name a few). Mackie really did their homework.

[JakeStone]

Originally Posted by Methos1979

This has every feature I've wanted in a small and lightweight system and a few I hadn't even considered (looper, ability to record, detachable control pad, to name a few). Mackie really did their homework.

Yes. I preordered too and think it has a great feature set.

But honestly the Everse 8 effects and EQs sound really good!

So in the end .. it will come down to sound fidelity for me

[jseth]

Although I'm quite happy with all my gear (Bose L1 Model II, AER Compact 60, Bose T1 mixer), this really does look great...

I can say that having the Bose mixer on a little shelf on my mic stand is simply a boon for gigging! It's great to have control of everything, right at my fingertips... plus, it lets me use short cords for my guitars and mic, providing a really clean, uncluttered stage!

I will be interested to read the reports of how the thing sounds, how it does with dispersion... I suspect it will sound wonderful!

[jricc]

Originally Posted by Groberts

The looper is yet another single button/multipress to stop. For me that is unacceptable for live looping. Double press to stop doesn't work for me.

I said this in another thread; there is no way I'm using a lime green connecting cable. I believe the Mackie rep said it's a CAT 5 cable and you can use your own.

How does it sound remains to be seen/heard? That's gonna make or break it for a lot of players. Does anyone know what the power rating is?

This may seem silly but I so agree with you Gary, no way I'd use a lime green cable either.
It does seem like a cool product though, and I look forward to Scott's and Jake Stone's thoughts.
But for now, I'm good with my Everse 8.

[GTRGUY005]

Originally Posted by Groberts

The looper is yet another single button/multipress to stop. For me that is unacceptable for live looping. Double press to stop doesn't work for me.

I’ve never used a looper. Why is double tap to stop a deal breaker? I’ve seen that mentioned a few times in this thread.

[zeeway]

Originally Posted by GTRGUY005

I’ve never used a looper. Why is double tap to stop a deal breaker? I’ve seen that mentioned a few times in this thread.

Loopers take a lot of foot/eye/ear coordination…less foot taps is easier…unless you are a tap dancer…

[Marshall]

Originally Posted by GTRGUY005

I’ve never used a looper. Why is double tap to stop a deal breaker? I’ve seen that mentioned a few times in this thread.

I'm not a looper either. But I expect that when you want to stop your loop, you want it to stop NOW !
Not, now NOW !

[Rudy4]

Originally Posted by GTRGUY005

I’ve never used a looper. Why is double tap to stop a deal breaker? I’ve seen that mentioned a few times in this thread.

With a single button looper once your loop is stopped if you want to clear the loop you end up hearing a second or two of the loop before you can do the second tap to clear.

Consider what that sounds like if you're using the looper in live performance. Maybe that's not what you want an audience to hear.

[nostatic]

Originally Posted by GTRGUY005

I’ve never used a looper. Why is double tap to stop a deal breaker? I’ve seen that mentioned a few times in this thread.

buy a looper and take it on stage. You'll find out quickly


In all seriousness, some folks are fine with it but as noted above, most single button loopers use push/hold to erase and if you've stopped a loop with a double tap, when you push and hold the loop with start again briefly before erasing.

Also stepping once is just easier than stepping twice. In the heat of the moment (ie on a gig), most people want to simplify as much as possible.

[JakeStone]

Lol!

With all the Showbox excellent tech and features..
Funny how we focus on the color of the Cat5 cable!
They're like $6 bucks to buy another color.

Ya the built in looper is a bonus for some..
But most gigging folks prob will go with a separate one.

The Effects loop is a fantastic addition!

[SpruceTop]

Although denigrated by some, I've liked Mackie PA systems for over 15 years. Indeed, my foray into my second phase of performing in 2006, since pausing in 1984, was with a pair of Mackie SM450 Active Speakers and they sounded wonderful. If the Shadowbox sounds nice and is easy to use with its features, count me in.

[Silverspur]

No phantom power ?

[Stratcat77]

Originally Posted by SpruceTop

Although denigrated by some, I've liked Mackie PA systems for over 15 years. Indeed, my foray into my second phase of performing in 2006, since pausing in 1984, was with a pair of Mackie SM450 Active Speakers and they sounded wonderful. If the Shadowbox sounds nice and is easy to use with its features, count me in.

I used two Mackie SRV450v2 speakers before I got my LD Systems Maui11G2. I was very happy with the Mackies. Nice big punchy tone with more power than I ever needed. But the LD system is far lighter and easier to set up. And for what I’m doing, I prefer its sound. I own two of them but rarely need more than one to fill the room.

I’m very intrigued by the features of the new Mackie Showbox but am really curious about the sound. Anxious to hear some user reviews!!

[Robin, Wales]

Originally Posted by Silverspur

No phantom power ?

I can't see it listed:

https://mackie.com/img/file_resources/SHOWBOX_SS.pdf

That's a bit of an oversight. 2 x xlr inputs and no phantom power? Better off with a powered speaker and a small 4 channel mic' stand mounted mixer.