Mackie Designs Inc., Sam Ash, and Samson Settle Lawsuit

January 11, 1999 – Woodinville, WA – Mackie Designs Inc. (Nasdaq: MKIE) today announced settlements of the lawsuits between Mackie and Samson Technologies Corp. and Sam Ash Music Corporation, the terms of which will remain confidential. In accordance with the settlement with Sam Ash Music, Sam Ash Music will commence acting as a dealer for Mackie products effective April 2, 1999. Other terms of the settlement were not disclosed. Mackie's lawsuits against Behringer Spezielle Studiotechnick GmbH and Behringer International GmbH remain.

"As a designer and manufacturer of pro-audio equipment, it is appropriate that Mackie products are available in all high-traffic retail markets. As a well-recognized dealer, Sam Ash is an important part of the industry, providing these services in various regional markets," commented Roy Wemyss, Chief Operating Officer of Mackie Designs. "This settlement will increase access to Mackie products through Sam Ash outlets."

"We are pleased to be a Mackie dealer again," said Richard Ash, CEO of Sam Ash Music. "Performance and growth are a function of the products and brands we bring to market. The Mackie brand will enhance our product line and the choices available to our customers."

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains statements that are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the Company's business based, in part, on assumptions made by management. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements due to numerous factors, including those described above and the following: changes in demand for the Company's products, product mix, the timing of customer orders and deliveries, the impact of competitive products and pricing, constraints on supplies of critical components, excess or shortage of production capacity, difficulties encountered in the integration of acquired businesses and other risks discussed from time to time in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings and reports. In addition, such statements could be affected by general industry and market conditions and growth rates, and general domestic and international economic conditions. Such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release.

About Mackie
Mackie Designs Inc. is known worldwide as a leading manufacturer and marketer of high-quality, affordable professional audio systems. Mackie products can be found in professional and project recording studios, video and broadcast suites, post production facilities, sound reinforcement applications including churches and nightclubs, retail locations and on major musical tours. Mackie Designs Inc. products are marketed by 54 distributors to more than 100 countries around the world.

"Mackie." is a registered trademark of Mackie Designs Inc. in the United States and other countries.

For more information please contact: Mackie Designs Inc. • 16220 Wood-Red Road N.E. • Woodinville, WA 98072 • Phone: 425-487-4333 • Fax: 425-487-4337 • Internet: www.mackie.com