Mackie 1604-VLZ Pro Owner's Manual - Page 11

LINE INPUTS These 1/4" jacks share circuitry (but not phantom power) with the mic preamps. You can use these inputs for virtually any signal you'll come across, from instrument levels as low as -50dB to operating levels of -10dBV to +4dBu, as there is 60dB of gain available via the TRIM knob . Always be sure to perform the Level-Setting Procedure . To learn how signals are routed from these inputs: . To connect balanced lines to these inputs, use a 1/4" tip-ring-sleeve (TRS) plug, the type found on some stereo headphones: RING SLEEVE SLEEVE RING TIP TIP RING TIP SLEEVE Tip = positive (+ or hot) Ring = negative (- or cold) Sleeve = shield or ground To connect unbalanced lines to these in- puts, use a 1/4" mono (TS) phone plug or standard instrument cable: SLEEVE SLEEVE TIP This 15dB of attenuation can be very handy when you are inserting a signal that is very hot, or you want to add a lot of EQ gain, or both. Without this "virtual pad," a scenario like that might lead to channel clipping. INSERT These 1/4" jacks are for connecting serial effects processors such as compressors, equalizers, de-essers, or filters . The INSERT point is after the TRIM control, but before the channel's EQ, LOW CUT, fader and MUTE controls. Insert cables must be wired thusly: ring tip sleeve (TRS plug) SEND to processor "tip" This plug connects to one of the mixer's Channel Insert jacks. "ring" RETURN from processor Tip = send (output to effects device) Ring = return (input from effects device) Sleeve = common ground Even though channels 1-8 already have DIRECT OUT jacks , INSERT jacks can also be used as channel direct outputs; post-TRIM, pre-LOW CUT, and pre-EQ. Here's three ways you can use the INSERT jacks: TIP Tip = signal (+) Sleeve = ground TIP SLEEVE TRIM Yes it's true, these controls are not located in the patchbay section at all. They're found along the top row of knobs in the channel strip section. But their purpose is so closely linked with the MIC and LINE input jacks that we couldn't bear to separate them. Here's why: Every time you plug something into a MIC or LINE input jack, you should perform the LevelSetting Procedure , and that procedure is basically "how to use the TRIM knob." TRIM adjusts the input sensitivity of the MIC and LINE inputs. This allows signals from the outside world to be adjusted to optimal internal operating levels. Through the XLR jack (MIC), there will be 0dB of gain with the knob fully down, ramping to 60dB of gain fully up. Through the 1/4" input (LINE), there is 15dB of attenuation fully down and 45dB of gain fully up, with a "U" (unity gain) mark at 10:00. MONO PLUG Channel Insert jack Direct out with no signal interruption to master. Insert only to first "click." MONO PLUG Channel Insert jack Direct out with signal interruption to master. Insert all the way in to the second "click." STEREO PLUG Channel Insert jack For use as an effects loop. (TIP = SEND to effect, RING = RETURN from effect.) DIRECT OUT Found only on channels 1-8, these 1/4" jacks deliver the signal from the very end of the channel path; post-TRIM, post-EQ, post-LOW CUT, post-fader and post-MUTE. They are the key player in "split monitoring," making the 1604-VLZ PRO perfect for an 8-track studio. To wire your own cables: . 11 OO OO OO OO OO TRIM 1 U M-1IC0dGBAVIN 0 60 +15dB -45dB AUX U 1 +15 U 2 +15 PRE U 3 5 +15 U 4 6 +15 5/6 SHIFT EQ U HI 12k -15 +15 U MID -15 +15 800 200 2k 100 8k U LOW 80Hz -15 +15 LOW CUT 75 Hz 18dB/OCT PAN LR 1 MUTE OL -20 SOLO 1-2 3-4 L - R