Mackie recently introduced Spike, a digital recording solution that combines a high-quality USB-based audio/MIDI interface with software for sequencing and mixing. Mackie is marketing Spike with the phrase "Recording music on your computer doesn't have to be such a pain in the ass." We tested Spike to see if it lives up to that promise.

Spike is a hardware and software solution that is designed to provide everything that you need to record from mics, guitars and line-level sources to your computer. It includes: the XD-2, a USB 24-bit 96kHz Audio/MIDI Interface that features high-end mic preamps and onboard dynamics processing; Tracktion, a new multitrack audio/MIDI sequencer; the Nomad Factory Blue Tubes Warmer Phaser plug-in; and a limited version of Ableton's Live 3.

Mackie intends Spike, combined with a recent computer, to be a complete solution for high-quality digital recording in home studios, project studios, and on-location.

First impressions

On opening the box, the first thing that strikes you about the Spike package is the XD-2 interface, shown at right. The XD-2 feels rugged, made of thick aluminum, rubberized knobs and a tough plastic base. It feels like it could easily take the abuse of on-location work, or being stuffed regularly into a laptop bag.

The XD-2 is attractively designed, with connections sensibly layed out around its body. The front face features all the controls, along with a headphone output. The curved back has two 1/4" line-ins, two 1/4" line-outs MIDI In and Out, SPDIF In and Out, a USB connector, and a power socket. The arrangement is great, because all the connections are easy to get to, while all the controls are right on the face.

The XD-2 has a clever "x" base that turns parallel to the body for storage, and perpendicular to the body for extra stability when you stand it up. It locks into place, and gives the XD-2 a large enough footprint that your cables won't tip it over. It also has rubberized feet, so it won't slide when you set it on the table.

The specs for the XD-2 are excellent. It supports 24-bit, 96kHz recording, has high-quality mic preamps, and supports ASIO 2.0, WDM and OS X Core Audio. Inside the interface is a SHARC processor, which is a digital signal processor that lets you use dynamic processing and EQ for tracking and monitoring. This can be configured through a graphic interface on the computer, but the processing is handled entirely by the onboard processor.

Face layout and Rear Connections

The front is sensibly layed out. All of the connections are around the curved back, except for the headphone connection, which is conveniently placed at the front bottom. This leaves the front clean and keeps all controls easily accessible.



At the top, there are two sets of controls for the two inputs. For each, there is a gain pot, and two on-off buttons. One adjusts the input circuit for guitar levels, and the other enables a high-pass filter. In addition, there are three indicator level lights. A 48v button enables/disables phantom power for mics that need it.

Besides the input controls, there are three more pots; one adjust the mix from direct to USB; the second adjust the monitor output level; the last adjusts the Phones level.



The two analog inputs have high-headroom Mackie mic preamps, and support mic, line and instrument sources.

Discussing the XD-2's layout doesn't really do the interface justice. The XD-2 combines the functions that most users will commonly need for home and location recording. It places them very ergonomically. Even with multiple lines connected, it seems stable and its easy to make connections or change control settings. Best of all, everything is arranged and labeled sensibly, making it easy to use.

The Spike XD-2 USB Interface is fantastic. It's stylish, easy-to-use, tough and intelligently designed. Its size and construction make the XD-2 a great option for laptop-based studios.

Software

The XD-2 would be useless without software to use it with. The Spike Recording System comes with a CD of software that includes the XD-2 interface software, Tracktion, a cut-down version of Live, and a phaser plug-in.

It's worth noting that Mackie is only supporting current operating systems with Spike. The minimum requirements are Windows XP, or Mac OS X 10.3.

The CD includes a HTML file that guides you through the installation and authorization process. We tested this on a mid-range Mac system. Unfortunately, the installation documentation is only provided on the CD, as a HTML file. This means that you have to toggle between a web browser and the multiple windows that are used during the install. This is cumbersome, and slows things down. We would like to see a hard copy version of the install instructions included, or at least a version included that is formatted for printing (PDF).

Other than this minor inconvenience, the installs went without a hitch. There are separate installs for Tracktion & Mackie Live. This lets you install only the software that you want to use.

Once you load Tracktion and Live, it is easy to use the XD-2 with these applications. Mackie does not provide any documentation for using the XD-2 with other applications, but says that it should work with applications that support ASIO, WDM, and OS X Core Audio. Using it with Apple's Garageband only required selecting it within the Garageband preferences.

In addition to Live and Tracktion, Spike includes the Nomad Factory Warmer Phaser and MDA virtual instruments and effects. These add some additional flexibility and sound options.

XD-2 Software

The XD-2 can be configured and controlled from a software interface. While important controls like levels are available directly on the front of the XD-2, the software supports much greater control.

The software lets you configure functions of the onboard dynamics processor, including compression and EQ. It's important to note that the software interface is controlling the functionality of the XD-2, and is not doing the processing on your computer. This means that you can apply dynamics processing to the incoming signals without any extra load on your machine.

The software is very powerful, and includes features lacking in many of the compressors and EQ's built into popular audio/MIDI sequencers. The bottom line is that you get excellent control over dynamic processing without a CPU hit. Sweet!

Spike includes a full copy of Tracktion, a Mac & PC audio/MIDI sequencer. It was originally developed by Raw Material Software, and now distributed by Mackie. Tracktion is designed to be easy to use, but powerful.

Tracktion includes many of the features of the top professional digital audio applications:

Unlimited track and effect count (based on computer’s processing power) Full VST support, including VSTi synths Drag & drop waveform editing Full automation capabilities Built-in Sampler, Reverb, Chorus, Delay, EQ, Compressor, and Phaser Pitch Shift and Time Stretch features Full ReWire support Audio file rendering, exporting, and archiving capabilities