Mackie has launched a new type of mixer designed for musicians, DJs and producers – the U.Series Production Mixer.

“The keyboardist, DJ and producer of today are forced to use over-complicated mixers designed for their dad’s era, or compromise with low-quality features and severely limited connectivity options,” said John Boudreau, Mackie brand group vice president. “U.Series mixers bridge that gap — making them ideal for vinyl, modular analog synths and anything in between. These are the simplest, most intuitive mixers on the market today.”

Here are the details:

Each model features a micro-master section with otherwise full-size qualities such as a prominent master volume knob and high resolution metering. Mic or stereo line channel strips with 3-band active EQ, a built-in DI box and RIAA phono preamps allow you to plug-in, and turn up for live sound and recording via integrated stereo Firewire I/O.

“Loop-thru” routing enables you to mix and record analog and DAW playback with a couple of simple moves. Each offers a stereo aux send, headphone out with pre-main level control and self-monoing outputs.

The U.420 4-channel stereo line mixer offers 3-band “full-kill” active EQ on each channel, a built-in DI box and a Mackie designed RIAA phono preamp.

The U.420d offers 2 Mackie mic channels with 30mm faders, and features 3-band active EQ with mid-sweep, while 2 high-headroom stereo line input channels include 2 Mackie designed RIAA phono preamps, 3-band active EQ, a full headphone cue system and a 30mm crossfader.

The U.Series mixers will be available in the U.S. and Canada in April 2008 and internationally in May 2008. The U.420 will be €249 and have a U.S. MSRP of $249.99 . The U.420d will be €299 and have a U.S. MSRP of $319.99.