Mackie Onyx Artist 1x2 vs SSL Origin 2x2 USB Audio Interface

Mackie Onyx Artist 1x2 vs SSL Origin 2x2 USB Audio Interface compared — specs, features, and which one to buy for your setup. See the full breakdown on CreatorConfig.

Mackie Onyx Artist 1x2
Mackie
Mackie Onyx Artist 1x2
$199
SSL Origin 2x2 USB Audio Interface
SSL
SSL Origin 2x2 USB Audio Interface
$199

The Ruling

Mackie Onyx Artist 1x2 or SSL Origin 2x2 USB Audio Interface? Get the SSL Origin 2x2 USB Audio Interface.

The SSL Origin 2x2 USB Audio Interface wins Mic Inputs and Connectivity.

Check price on Amazon

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.

CategoryMackie Onyx Artist 1x2SSL Origin 2x2 USB Audio Interface
Audio Resolution10/1010/10
Mic Inputs5/1010/10
Monitoring10/1010/10
Creator Features10/1010/10
Connectivity5/1010/10
Power10/1010/10

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 TRS outputs to the SSL Origin 2x2 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 Origin 2x2 USB Audio Interface

Desktop audio interface intended for creator workflows, microphone input, monitoring, and clean signal routing.

On paper the SSL Origin 2x2 USB Audio Interface takes XLR inputs (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 +1
    2
    1

    More XLR inputs let you record multiple microphones simultaneously.

  • TRS Outputs +2
    4
    2

    More TRS outputs allow routing to studio monitors and outboard gear.

Where they’re identical

These 8 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
  • ADAT Expansion No
  • Bus Powered Yes

The Record

19 specs, grouped by area

Full specification comparison of Mackie Onyx Artist 1x2 and SSL Origin 2x2 USB Audio Interface, grouped by area.
Specification
Mackie
Mackie Onyx Artist 1x2
SSL
SSL Origin 2x2 USB Audio Interface
Audio ResolutionEven
Sample Rate192kHz192kHz
Max Sample Rateno datano data
Bit Depth24-bit24-bit
PreampsNot enough data
Preamp Gainno datano data
Dynamic Rangeno datano data
Mic InputsSSL Origin 2x2 USB Audio Interface
XLR Inputs1✓ 2
MonitoringEven
Headphone Outputs1no data
Direct MonitoringYesYes
Creator FeaturesEven
LoopbackNono data
ADAT ExpansionNoNo
MIDI I/ONoneno data
Bundled Softwareno datano data
ConnectivitySSL Origin 2x2 USB Audio Interface
TRS Outputs2✓ 4
Connection Typeusb-c, xlr, trsusb-c, xlr, trs
PowerEven
Bus PoweredYesYes
Phantom PowerYesYes
BuildNot enough data
Dimensionsno datano data
Weight0.5 kgno data
CompatibilityNot enough data
Operating Systemwindows, macoswindows, macos

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 Origin 2x2 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.

The alternative
Easiest Setup

The Mackie Onyx Artist 1x2 is priced at $199.00. It trades raw specs for a simpler, more focused experience. Fewer ports and inputs — plug in and go.

  • × Fewer XLR inputs (1 vs 2)
  • × Fewer TRS outputs (2 vs 4)

Also worth knowing

  • ✓ Your workflow matches its specific feature set

Look elsewhere if

  • × You plan to record multiple microphones simultaneously
  • × You need the best TRS outputs available

Best for beginners.

Our pick
Best ValueMost ConnectivityBest for Multi-mic

The SSL Origin 2x2 USB Audio Interface is priced at $199.00. It leads in XLR inputs (2) and TRS outputs (4). Offers the most spec advantages per dollar in this comparison.

  • + More XLR inputs (2 vs 1)
  • + More TRS outputs (4 vs 2)

Also worth knowing

  • ✓ You need 2 XLR inputs for recording multiple sources
  • ✓ You want the stronger TRS outputs (4)

Best for value-focused buyers, complex setup builders, multi-person podcasts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main difference between Mackie Onyx Artist 1x2 and SSL Origin 2x2 USB Audio Interface?

The largest gap is XLR inputs, where the SSL Origin 2x2 USB Audio Interface leads — 2 against 1. Across the catalog's specification sheet the two differ on 2 specs. They match on 8 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 Origin 2x2 USB Audio Interface?

Get the SSL Origin 2x2 USB Audio Interface. The SSL Origin 2x2 USB Audio Interface wins Mic Inputs and Connectivity.

What do the Mackie Onyx Artist 1x2 and SSL Origin 2x2 USB Audio Interface have in common?

Both share 8 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.

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