Mackie Onyx Artist 1x2 vs SSL 2+ USB Audio Interface
Mackie Onyx Artist 1x2 vs SSL 2+ USB Audio Interface compared — specs, features, and which one to buy for your setup. See the full breakdown on CreatorConfig.
The Ruling
Mackie Onyx Artist 1x2 or SSL 2+ USB Audio Interface? Get the SSL 2+ USB Audio Interface.
The SSL 2+ USB Audio Interface wins Mic Inputs, Monitoring and Connectivity.
At a Glance
Where each one actually leads
Every axis is scored out of 10 from the catalog specs below. The scores are relative to the products on this page, so a 10 means “best of these”, not “perfect”, and two identical columns mean the catalog genuinely cannot separate them. Axes the catalog holds no figure for on both sides are left off entirely rather than guessed at.
| Category | Mackie Onyx Artist 1x2 | SSL 2+ USB Audio Interface |
|---|---|---|
| Audio Resolution | 10/10 | 10/10 |
| Mic Inputs | 5/10 | 10/10 |
| Monitoring | 7.5/10 | 10/10 |
| Creator Features | 10/10 | 10/10 |
| Connectivity | 5/10 | 10/10 |
| Power | 10/10 | 10/10 |
The Split
What each one wins
Mackie Onyx Artist 1x2
Desktop audio interface intended for creator workflows, microphone input, monitoring, and clean signal routing.
It gives up XLR inputs and headphone outputs to the SSL 2+ USB Audio Interface. The two are priced the same, so price does not decide it.
Leads on
- Nothing on the spec sheet goes this one’s way.
SSL 2+ USB Audio Interface
Desktop audio interface intended for creator workflows, microphone input, monitoring, and clean signal routing.
On paper the SSL 2+ USB Audio Interface takes XLR inputs (2, +1), headphone outputs (2, +1) and TRS outputs (4, +2). It concedes nothing measurable on the sheet. The two are priced the same, so price does not decide it.
Leads on
-
XLR Inputs +121
More XLR inputs let you record multiple microphones simultaneously.
-
Headphone Outputs +121
A second headphone output lets a guest monitor without a splitter.
-
TRS Outputs +242
More TRS outputs allow routing to studio monitors and outboard gear.
Where they’re identical
These 9 specs are the same on both of them, so none of it is part of the decision.
- Connection Type usb-c, xlr, trs
- Operating System windows, macos
- Sample Rate 192kHz
- Bit Depth 24-bit
- Phantom Power Yes
- Direct Monitoring Yes
- Loopback No
- ADAT Expansion No
- Bus Powered Yes
The Record
19 specs, grouped by area
A group is won by whoever takes more of its rows outright. Specs the catalog cannot rank are shown but never decide a group.
Bottom Line
Who each one is for
The SSL 2+ USB Audio Interface is the pick on the specs the catalog holds, but “better on paper” and “right for you” are different questions. Each case below names what the product is actually good at and who that suits.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between Mackie Onyx Artist 1x2 and SSL 2+ USB Audio Interface?
The largest gap is XLR inputs, where the SSL 2+ USB Audio Interface leads — 2 against 1. Across the catalog's specification sheet the two differ on 3 specs. They match on 9 specs, including connection type, operating system and sample rate. Two audio interfaces from Mackie and SSL, each taking a different approach to audio quality and I/O flexibility.
Which is better for streaming, Mackie Onyx Artist 1x2 or SSL 2+ USB Audio Interface?
Get the SSL 2+ USB Audio Interface. The SSL 2+ USB Audio Interface wins Mic Inputs, Monitoring and Connectivity.
What do the Mackie Onyx Artist 1x2 and SSL 2+ USB Audio Interface have in common?
Both share 9 specifications in the catalog, including connection type (usb-c, xlr, trs), operating system (windows, macos), sample rate (192kHz) and bit depth (24-bit), among others. None of those is a reason to pick one over the other.