Here's what you can do when you buy Mackie or any other musical product for that matter and you'll save yourself some heartache if you get in another bind.
What you say? Well, buy from Guitar Center and get their extended warranty protection plan and get piece of mind in the process.
It will take warranty issues OUT of the hand of Mackie, etc., and put it IN the hands of Guitar Center proper. That way if you're faced with a similar situation return it to Guitar Center and they will either replace it on the spot or give you a temporary replacement whilst yours is being repaired. No hassles, and no fees out of your pocket.
You pay a little extra for the extended warranty protection plan but it seems to me it would be well worth it, especially for a gigging musician like yourself.
Here is the location of the Guitar Center in New York City at:
25 West 14th Street
New York, NY 10011
(212) 463-7500
The other Guitar Center locations that are in the State of New York are in Albany, Brooklyn, Buffalo, Carle Place, Commack, Johnson City, Larchmont, Queens, Rochester, and Syracuse.
Seems there must be at least one close by to you.
All the best,
Mike