Mackie 1604-VLZ Pro Owner's Manual - Page 3

READ THIS PAGE!!! We realize that you must have a powerful hankerin' to try out your new 1604-VLZ PRO. Or you might be one of those people who never reads manuals. Either way, all we ask is that you read this page NOW, and the rest can wait until you're good and ready. But do read it - you'll be glad you did. LEVEL-SETTING PROCEDURE Message to seasoned pros: do NOT set levels using the old "Turn the trim up until the clip light comes on, then back off a hair" trick. When a Mackie Designs mixer clip light comes on, you really are about to clip. This procedure really works - it assures low noise and high headroom. Please read on. It's not even necessary to hear what you're doing to set optimal levels. But if you'd like to: Plug headphones into the PHONES output jack, then set the C-R PHONES knob about onequarter of the way up. The following steps must be performed one channel at a time: 1. Turn the TRIM, AUX send and fader controls fully down. 2. Be sure the 1-2, 3-4 and L-R channel assignment switches are all disengaged. 3. SettheEQknobsatthecenterdetents. 4. ConnectthesignalsourcetotheMICor LINE channel input. 5. Engage(pushin)thechannel'sSOLO switch. 6. PushintheMODEswitchintheoutput section (LEVEL SET (PFL) mode) - the LEVEL SET LED will light. 7. Playsomethingintotheselectedinput,at real-world levels. 8. Adjust the TRIM control so that the display on the meter stays around "0." (Only the left meter is active in the Level-Setting Procedure.) 9. If you'd like to apply some EQ, do so now and return to the previous step. 10. Disengagethatchannel'sSOLOswitch. 11. Repeat for each of channels1-16. Other Nuggets of Wisdom For optimum sonic performance, the channel faders and the MAIN MIX fader should be set near the "U" (unity gain) markings. Always turn the MAIN MIX fader and CTL ROOM/PHONES knob down before making connections to and from your 1604-VLZ PRO. If you shut down your equipment, turn off your amplifiers first. When powering up, turn on your amplifiers last. Save the shipping box! You may need it someday, and you don't want to have to pay for another one. INSTANT MIXING Here's how to get going right away, assuming you own a microphone and a keyboard: 1. PlugyourmicrophoneintoChannel1'sMIC input. 2. Turnonthe1604-VLZPRO. 3. Perform the Level-Setting Procedure . 4. ConnectcordsfromtheMAINOUTjacksto your amplifier. 5. Hookupspeakerstotheampandturniton. 6. Setchannel1'sfadertothe"U"mark. 7. Engage(pushin)Channel1'sL-Rswitch. 8. SettheMAINMIXfaderone-quarterofthe way up. 9. Singlikeacanary! 10. Plugyourkeyboardintochannels3and4. 11. Turnchannel3'sPANknobfullyleftand channel 4's PAN knob fully right. 12. Setthosefaderstothe"U"mark. 13. Perform the Level-Setting Procedure . 14. EngagetheL-Rswitchonthesechannels. 15. Playlikeamadmanandsinglikeacanary! It's your first mix! Please write your serial number here for future reference (i.e. insurance claims, tech support, return authorization, etc.): Purchased at: Date of purchase: Part No. 0006982-90 Rev. A1 06/03 ©2003 Mackie Designs Inc. All Rights Reserved. 3