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I have a left and right channel, both of these have a XLR and TRS connector. This is a Mackie Onyx.

In such setups am I supposed to be able to hook multiple sets of speakers (in my case 4 total speakers) at the same time, or are they intended to be simply one output per channel (R/L) with an option on how to connect?

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My Mackie mixer has two output channels (L & R) and four output jacks, two XLRs (LR) and two 1/4 inch (LR). These output jacks can be used in any combination. I sometimes use the XLRs to send signals to the main front PA speakers and the 1/4" to monitors. All four outputs are line out signals that may be connected to any device that will receive a line-level signal. I sometimes just use the 1/4" outputs with unbalanced cables and other times only the XLR outputs that are balanced. I have never found any difference between the XLRs and 1/4" output signals and have had no problem using 1 or more of the outputs in any combination.

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Yes, you can use both outputs on each channel into two pairs of powered speakers. You won't have individual volume controls for each pair of speakers though.

There are several 'Onyx' models in Mackie's catalogue. Maybe yours also offers alternative, more controllable outputs. Perhaps the Ctrl Room outputs?

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  • Thank you for this answer, accepted the other one just because it was a little more detailed but this was also helpful.
    – Ken - Enough about Monica
    Commented Jun 25 at 11:57
  • @Ken-EnoughaboutMonica Actually my answer contained more information. The one you chose said just one thing - yes, you can use both outputs - at great length. Mine said that succinctly, and also offered an alternative way of connecting two pairs. But I'm not bitter about it!
    – Laurence
    Commented Jun 27 at 16:16
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Mackie Onyx are not powered mixers, so you can only use active speakers. The exact configuration of the mixer depends on the model (which you fail to mention).

On the models I looked at, the XLR outputs can be switched between +4dBu and mic level and (unsurprisingly) have separate output drivers because of that.

This is easy enough to see in the block diagram included in the bog standard user manual for the mixer. Have you bothered looking at the documentation? Even if you for some reason do not have it any more, it can be downloaded from the Mackie website.

If you are more curious or technically inclined, even the full circuit diagrams can be downloaded from there. There really is no reason to go hunting on external websites for information that Mackie willingly shares.

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    And the reason for the dv..?
    – Tim
    Commented Jun 24 at 10:47
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    @Tim general arrogance and not even trying to answer the question.
    – ojs
    Commented Jun 24 at 18:43
  • @ojs - do I understand that this comment agrees - or disagrees - with my comment. It's absolutely unclear. It would appear that the answerer has done some homework at least, and as usual, there's no explanation for the dv, which dismays me a lot.
    – Tim
    Commented Jun 24 at 19:00
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    @Tim If you hover the mouse pointer over the downvote button, you'll see there is the explanation "this answer is not useful". Note that it doesn't say "this is offensive", "this is against The Rules" or even "this is wrong", just "this is not useful". The next time you see a downvote without explanation, just think that someone thought it's not useful.
    – ojs
    Commented Jun 25 at 5:58
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    @Tim like ojs said, arrogance and not trying to answer the question. One can ask for clarification in a comment if necessary. Notice also that this user was brand new, seems to have left, and could have been a bot.
    – Ken - Enough about Monica
    Commented Jun 25 at 11:55

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