Mackie PPM1008

Gene Hardage

Gene Hardage

Junior
Jan 14, 2011
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St. Pete-A-Bug FLA
www.sarasotaslim.com
OK I finally did it. My old beater Mackie powered bread box 808S finally gave up half a ghost and forced me to get the new improved Mackie PPM1008 powered bread box. These are the kind of low end tools nobody likes to admit to but they get used A LOT. If this new one lasts half as long as my old one that must have been hand wired by Greg himself it will be a miracle. This is not a review yet just a report that it fired up and worked. It sounded pretty good and seemed to have a bit of umph to it. I'll use it a few times and report back here. Does anyone else want to admit to having one of these things and if so what do you think about it now that you've used it a bit?
 
Re: Mackie PPM1008

I haven't read a lot of good things about those newer class D powered Mackie PPMs. Reports of them cutting out when pushing a lot of low end through them. It's one thing to have an amp clip when you overdrive it. Having it mute/cut out is another. Let us know how it goes.

Greg
 
Re: Mackie PPM1008

Yes I've read all manner of bad review on this series too then I finally ran into one in person and it was working. The one I saw was owned by a croaky DJ that fits the stereotype so if it didn't die on him right away maybe I can limp it along too. I intend to utilize the sub out feature and feed it to a BGR bass guitar head into an 18 so I kin be all getto an get sum thump fo my kick. (tried it at the house - it works)
 
Re: Mackie PPM1008

Gene,

I bit the larger bullet and purchased the PPM1012. Honestly, I really like it. It is probably the most used console on my inventory at this time. I put it in a audiopile case and it goes everywhere. I have never had a problem with it cutting out as others have reported. It has 1600 watts (2x800 watts @ 4 ohms) It gets great gas mileage and sets up in a flash. I generally use 4 EV Sx100's. 2 FOH/2 Monitors. 8 channel snake and I'm set. What's not to like. My partner has an 808S that just keeps chugging along that he bought used over 10 years ago so, like you said if it last half that long I will be happy.

I have several pieces of Mackie gear that have been very good to me and have not failed that I still use. I have a pair of 1501 powered subs, a 1202 board that still comes in handy. I feel so much better getting that out. Oh, and I liked Niel Diamond in High School too!

Jon
 
Re: Mackie PPM1008

OK - we used it at gig yesterday. Nitro and his harp honking had the red lights flashing pretty good but it didn't cut out or die (yet) and overall it sounded pretty good. I used bgr bass amp head to drive a 15x1 monitor for a little bump back by the drummer and no matter what hole I plug into from the mixer it causes a hum. Yes it is on the same circuit - same outlet. I'll have to try it with a power amp to see if it hums.
 
Re: Mackie PPM1008

Just used this powered Mackie thingy last night with a Crown Xti 6000 running the mains in BiAmp mode driven by the main LEFT output. It's tolerable but not great. Unfortunately I've been spoiled by my new Presonus StudioLive toy and the lack of dynamic range or headroom or whatever you wanna call it is lacking on the Mackie when compared to a MixWiz or that Presonus. I routed the built in amps to monitors and it was most noticeable in the monitors when you lean on them - you not only run out of gas but there seems to be some kind of compressy-clippy kind of noise that lets you know there ain't no mo. So in conclusion - I this is a great low volume toy that can be used for coffee house stuff but don't expect it to make your corksniffer ears happy at a real gig. Let's hope it lives half as long as my old 808S did.
 
Re: Mackie PPM1008

Gene Hardage said:
OK - we used it at gig yesterday. Nitro and his harp honking had the red lights flashing pretty good but it didn't cut out or die (yet) and overall it sounded pretty good. I used bgr bass amp head to drive a 15x1 monitor for a little bump back by the drummer and no matter what hole I plug into from the mixer it causes a hum. Yes it is on the same circuit - same outlet. I'll have to try it with a power amp to see if it hums.
Click to expand...

A little update on this - The Bgr bass head died so the hum I was hearing was probably it's last dying breath. Have not used a powered sub or power amp with sub yet.
 
Re: Mackie PPM1008

OK - while I'm talking to myself I'll go ahead a tell myself to keep trying it will get better. No I don't like the hi-low channel gain button vs. the gain knobs on the old type. I read that these things will cut out or stop working momentarily when pushed. It's true - they do cut out briefly when pushed. YUK! I'll try again with the gain button pushed in and maybe the master turned up past 12 o'clock. I'm having a hard time finding a sweet spot for the "compressor" knob on the channel. It sorta works but can make things real thin when you're trying to tame a harp honking vocal cupping type. On the plus side at least my channel stayed hot while mister mic cupper was squished unlike the old 808S that only had a limiter on the mains and when Mr. mic cupper would honk his harps it would bring everything down. Stay tuned for future updates when I get my nerve back and try this thing again.
 
Re: Mackie PPM1008

Gene Hardage said:
OK - while I'm talking to myself I'll go ahead a tell myself to keep trying it will get better. No I don't like the hi-low channel gain button vs. the gain knobs on the old type. I read that these things will cut out or stop working momentarily when pushed. It's true - they do cut out briefly when pushed. YUK! I'll try again with the gain button pushed in and maybe the master turned up past 12 o'clock. I'm having a hard time finding a sweet spot for the "compressor" knob on the channel. It sorta works but can make things real thin when you're trying to tame a harp honking vocal cupping type. On the plus side at least my channel stayed hot while mister mic cupper was squished unlike the old 808S that only had a limiter on the mains and when Mr. mic cupper would honk his harps it would bring everything down. Stay tuned for future updates when I get my nerve back and try this thing again.
Click to expand...

Hi Gene, Saw you talking to yourself and thought I'd chime in. I don't like the "auto-gain" I've seen on more and more of the bread box type mixers lately. The Yamaha's and Peavey's both have them. I like the PPM1012 because it has adjustable gain. I've still been happy with this mixer and use it mostly at coffeehouse and small house concert gigs. Don't know that the built in compressors really work all that well. Like you, I like my SL much more. I hope you get to like you 1008 and it starts to like you also.

Jon
 
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