Mackie 1202-VLZ Pro Owner's Manual - Page 25

AUX RETURNS These two controls set the overall level of effects received from STEREO AUX RETURN inputs 1 and 2 . These controls are designed to handle a wide range of signal levels, from off, to unity gain at the detent, with 20dB gain fully clockwise, to compensate for low-level effects. Typically, these knobs can just live at the center detent, and the effects device's output control should be set at whatever they call unity gain (check their manual). If that turns out to be too loud or too quiet, adjust the effects device's outputs, not the mixer. That way, the mixer's knobs are easy to relocate at the center detent. Signals passing through the AUX RETURN level controls will proceed directly to MAIN MIX , with one exception (see next paragraph). The AUX RETURNs do not have MUTE/ALT 3-4 switches, so if you want these signals to get to the ALT 3-4 mix, you'll have to patch the effects device's outputs into one of the stereo channels , and MUTE/ALT those channels. EFX TO MONITOR The idea behind the EFX TO MONITOR switch is simple. If you want to add reverb or delay to the stage monitor mixes, this is the switch for you. The implementation leading up to the switch is the tricky part: With the switch up, AUX RETURN 1 and 2 behave normally - they deliver their signals into the MAIN MIX. With the switch down, AUX RETURN 1 still behaves normally, but AUX RETURN 2 will feed AUX SEND 1 instead of the MAIN MIX. Still with us? Good. So far, with the switch down, we have AUX RETURN 1 feeding the MAIN MIX and AUX RETURN 2 feeding AUX SEND 1. Now, suppose you only have one effects device, and you want it to feed both the MAIN MIX and AUX SEND 1. That's where "jack normalling" comes in. JACK NORMALLING Jack normalling (not to be confused with Jack Normalling, Chicago Cubs utility infielder, 1952-61, .267 LBA) is a feature found on almost every mixer, keyboard and effects device. These jacks have special spring-loaded pins that connect to the signal pins, but when something is plugged into the jack, that connection is broken. These normalling pins can be used in all sorts of ways. The ubiquitous phrase "LEFT (MONO)" means that if you plug a signal into the LEFT side and have nothing in the RIGHT side, that signal is also fed to the right input, courtesy of jack normalling. As soon as you plug something in the RIGHT side, that normalled connection is broken. How does all this relate to the EFX TO MONITOR switch? AUX RETURN 1's inputs are normalled to AUX RETURN 2. If you have one effects device, plug it into AUX RETURN 1. Plug nothing into AUX RETURN 2. Now the signals feeding the AUX RETURN 1 inputs will also be sent to the AUX RETURN 2 inputs. Engage the EFX TO MONITOR switch, and now the AUX RETURN 2 knob will become an additional AUX SEND 1 knob for the signal at AUX RETURN 1 . Say that ten times! Once again, AUX RETURN 1 will behave normally, as always. Congratulations! You've just read about all the features of your 1202-VLZ PRO. You're probably ready for a cold one. Go ahead. The rest of the manual can wait. MODIFICATIONS For most folks, the 1202-VLZ PRO works just fine the way it is. But for special applications, there are three signal routing changes that can be performed easily on the 1202-VLZ PRO. Easy for someone with soldering experience, that is. If you don't know how to solder, find a technician that can. This is NOT a good place to learn! • Modification A changes AUX SEND 2 to be pre-fader, pre-mute instead of post-fader, post-mute. • Mod B changes AUX SEND 1 (in post mode) and AUX SEND 2 to receive signal regardless of the channel's MUTE/ALT switch position, but still be post-fader (GAIN knob). • Mod C changes the SOURCE matrix's MAIN MIX selection to tap the stereo signal before the MAIN MIX level control (pre) instead of after (post). Instructions for performing these modifications can be found on our website at www.mackie.com (click on Support). Or you can call Tech Support at 1-800-258-6883 for assistance. 25