Mackie 1202-VLZ Pro Owner's Manual - Page 3

READ THIS PAGE!!! We realize that you must be dying to try out your new 1202-VLZ PRO. Or you might be one of those people who never read 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. We worked and slaved to come up with a better system, one that provides low noise and high headroom. Adjusting input levels (Chs. 1-4 only) On the first four channels, 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 jack, then set the CONTROL ROOM/SUBMIX knob about one-quarter of the way up. The following steps must be performed one channel at a time: 1. Turn the TRIM, GAIN and AUX send knobs fully down (counterclockwise). 2. Set the EQ knobs at the center detent. 3. Connect the signal source to the input. 4. Engage (push in) the SOLO switch. 5. Play something into the selected input. This could be an instrument, a singing or speaking voice, or a line input such as a CD player or tape recorder output. Be sure that the volume of the input is the same as it would be during normal use. If it isn't, you might have to readjust these levels during the middle of the set. 6. Adjust the channel's TRIM control so that the display on the right LED meter stays around "0" and never goes higher than "+7." 7. If you'd like to apply some EQ, do so now and return to step 6. 8. Disengage that channel's SOLO switch. 9. Repeat for each of channels 1 through 4. Other Nuggets of Wisdom For optimum sonic performance, the channel GAIN knobs and the MAIN MIX knob should be set near the "U" (unity gain) markings. Always turn the MAIN MIX and CONTROL ROOM/SUBMIX level controls down before making connections to and from your 1202-VLZ PRO. If you shut down your equipment, turn off your amplifier(s) first. When powering up, turn on your amplifier(s) 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. Plug your microphone into channel 1's MIC input. 2. Turn on the 1202-VLZ PRO. 3. Perform the Level-Setting Procedure . 4. ConnectcordsfromtheMAIN OUTS (XLR,1⁄4"or RCA, your choice) to your amplifier. 5. Hook up speakers to the amp and turn it on. 6. Turn up the 1202-VLZ PRO's channel 1 GAIN knob to the center detent and the MAIN MIX knob one quarter of the way up. 7. Sing like a canary! 8. Plug your keyboard into stereo channel 5-6. 9. Turn that channel's GAIN knob to the center detent. 10. Play like a madman and sing like a canary! 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. 0006980-90 Rev. A1 6/03 ©2003 Mackie Designs Inc. All Rights Reserved. 3