Mackie 1642-VLZ4 Owners Manual - Page 11

Owner's Manual Y-cord advice: Do not use the stereo "headphone-toleft/right" splitter adapters. Use the type that send the same signal to two places; the tip of the source plug feeds the tips of both destination plugs. 6. Aux Send Outs These 1/4" jacks usually patch to the inputs of a parallel effects devices or to the inputs of stage monitor amps. To learn how signals are routed to these outputs, see the Aux discussion on page 21. Effects: Serial Or Parallel? You've heard us carelessly toss around the terms "serial" and "parallel." Here's what we mean by them: "Serial" means that the entire signal leaves the mixer [insert send], is routed through the effects device, and returns to the mixer [insert return]. Examples: compressor/limiters, graphic equalizers. Line-level sources can also be patched through a serial effects device before or after the mixer. Insert Send Dry Signal IInnsseerrtt RReettuurrnn Signal Processorr (e.g., Compressor)) PPrroocceesssseedd SSiiggnnaall "Parallel" means that a portion of the signal in the mixer isSAInetusnaxedrpt ped off to the deRRvIenAeAtistuuuceuxxrrentn (aux sendOO)uutt,ppuputtrocessed SSeeccttiioonn and retuSrennded to the mixer (sRteeturrneo return) to be mixed with the Dry Signal originaS(Sleig(.igegn"..n,agdaC.l,lrPoRPrmyeoropv"cecreeressbsssi)ssogoorrrn) al. ThiWWseetwtSSaiiggynna,allmultiple Processed channels can all make use of the same effects d­ eviScigena.l Examples: reverCbha,ndneilgPaitthal delay. MMiixx PPrroocceesssseedd SSttaaggee SSiiggnnaall Dry Signal(s) Aux Send DDrryy SSiiggnnaall((ss)) Aux Output Return Section Signal Processor (e.g., Reverb) Wet Signal Dry Signal(s) Channel Path Mix Stage Dry Signal(s) Processed Signal 8. Sub Outs These four 1/4" jacks are usually patched to the inputs of a multitrack deck, or to secondary amplifiers in a complex installation. To learn how signals are routed to these outputs, see subgroup faders [38], page 18. (See also the discussion on double busing on the previous page.) 9. CR Outs (Control Room Outputs) These 1/4" jacks are usually patched to the inputs of a control room amplifier or a headphone distribution amplifier. To learn how signals are routed to these outputs, see ctl room/phones [43]. 10. Phones Out (On Front Panel) The 1642VLZ4's stereo 1/4" phones jack will drive any standard headphone to very loud levels. To learn how signals are routed to these outputs, see CR/phones [43] on page 19. If you're wiring your own cable for the phones output: Tip = left channel Ring = right channel Sleeve = common ground WARNING: When we say the headphone amp is loud, we're not kidding. It can cause permanent ear damage. Even intermediate levels may be painfully loud with some earphones. BE CAREFUL! Always turn the CR/phones [43] knob all the way down before connecting headphones. Keep it down until you've put the phones on. Then turn it up slowly. Why? ­"Engineers who fry their ears find themselves with short careers." 11 7. Stereo Returns This is where to connect the outputs of parallel effects devices (or extra audio sources). There are four stereo returns. They'll accept just about any pro or semipro ­effects device on the market. To learn how signals are routed from these inputs, see stereo return level [51] on page 22. Mono: If you have an effects device with a mono output (one cord), plug that into the left input of a stereo return and leave the right input unplugged. That way, the signal will be sent to both sides, magically appearing in the center as a mono signal. 10 11. Tape Out These unbalanced RCA jacks tap the main mix outputs to make simultaneous recording and PA work more convenient. Connect these to your 2-track recorder's inputs. To learn how signals are routed to these outputs, see main mix [37] fader details on page 18. Mono: If you want to feed a mono signal to your tape deck or other device, simply use the 1/4" mono [15] output jack. Owner's Manual 11