Mackie 1604-VLZ4 User Manual - Page 5

Owner's Manual Getting Started We realize that you must be really keen to try out the mixer. Please read the safety instructions on page 2, then have a look through some of the features and details in this manual. Setup Use the mixer in a nice clean and dry environment, free from dryer lint and dust bunnies. Set the levels 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 turn up the CR/phones knob just a little. 1. Turn on the mixer by pressing the top edge of the power switch. 2. For one channel, press the solo switch in. 3. Engage the mode switch in the master section. A green level set light will turn on. Zero the controls 1. Fully turn down all the knobs and faders to minimum, except for the channel EQ and pan controls, which should be centered. 2. Make sure all buttons are in the out position. Connections 1. Make sure the AC power switch is off before making any connections. WARNING: Before plugging the AC power cord into the mixer, make sure the VOLTAGE SELECTOR switch is set to the same voltage as the local AC mains supply (see page 13). 2. Push the linecord securely into the IEC connector on the rear panel, and plug it into a ­3-prong AC outlet. The mixer may accept any AC voltage ranging from 100 VAC to 240 VAC. 3. Plug a balanced microphone into one of the mic XLR (3-pin) connectors. Or connect any line-level signal (keyboard, or guitar preamp) to a line input jack using a TS or a TRS 1/4" plug. 4. If your microphone requires phantom power, turn on the 48V phantom power button. 5. All 16 channels have insert jacks that can be used to connect an external effects or dynamics processor into the signal chain. 6. Connect the TRS 1/4" main outputs of the mixer to the line level inputs of your amplifier (with speakers already attached) or to the line level inputs of powered speakers. 4. Play something into that input at real-world levels. 5. Adjust that channel's gain control until the left main meter stays around the 0 dB LED (marked "level set") and never goes higher than "+7." 6. Disengage the channel's solo switch. 7. Repeat steps 2 to 6 for the remaining channels. 8. Turn up the channel fader to the "U" mark. 9. Slowly turn up the main mix fader until you hear the signals in the headphones. 10. If needed, apply some channel EQ wisely. 11. Adjust the channel faders to get the best mix. Keep the gain controls and levels fully down on unused channels. 12. During the performance, if you notice a channel OL LED turning on during peaks, carefully turn down that channel's gain control until OL does not turn on. Things to Remember • Never listen to loud music for prolonged periods. Please see the Safety Instructions on page 2 for information on hearing protection. • Always turn down the main mix fader and control room/phones knob down when making connections to the mixer. Better yet, turn off the power. • When shutting down, turn off any power amplifiers or powered speakers first. When powering up, turn them on last. This will reduce the chance of turn-on or turn-off thumps. • Save the shipping box! Owner's Manual 5