Mackie 402-VLZ4 Owners Manual - Page 14
Instrument Switch (Ch. 1-2), 7. Gain (Ch. 1-2), 8. Hi EQ
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402VLZ4 6. Instrument Switch (Ch. 1-2) When this switch is pressed in, channel 1 or 2's line input can accept direct instrument-level signals from guitars or other instruments. They will be impedance-matched to the line input, without the need for a DI box. When this switch is out, you can connect line-level sources such as CD players, MP3 players, keyboards, drum machines and more. You will need a DI box if connecting instrument-level signals to the inputs of channel 3 and 4. Direct-In (DI) boxes are commonly available from most music stores. They provide signal and impedance matching for the direct connection of guitars and other instruments to amplifiers and mixers. They convert unbalanced instrument-level signals to a balanced mic-level output. Normally, they just look like a funny little box with a 1/4" TS input at one end, and an XLR output at the other. The good thing is that you do not need them with the 402VLZ4. 7. Gain (Ch. 1-2) If you haven't already, please read the 'Getting Started' section on page 5. Gain adjusts the input sensitivity of the mic and line inputs connected to channels 1 and 2. This allows signals from the outside world to be adjusted to optimal internal operating levels. If the signal comes through the XLR jack, there will be 0 dB of gain with the knob fully down, ramping to 60 dB of gain fully up. Through the 1⁄4" input, there is 20 dB of attenuation fully down and 40 dB of gain fully up, with a "U" (unity gain) mark at 10:00. This 20 dB of attenuation can be very handy when inserting a very hot signal, or when you want to add a lot of EQ gain, or both. Without this "virtual pad," this s cenario might lead to channel clipping. "U" Like Unity Gain VLZ4 mixers have a "U" symbol on almost every level control. This "U" stands for "unity gain," meaning no change in signal level. Once you have adjusted the input signal to line-level, you can set every control at "U" and your signals will travel through the mixer at optimal levels. What's more, all the labels on our level controls are measured in decibels (dB), so you'll know what you're doing level-wise if you choose to change a control's settings. 2-Band Equalization The 402VLZ4 has 2-band equalization at carefully selected points - low shelving at 80 Hz, and hi shelving at 12 kHz. "Shelving" means that the circuitry boosts or cuts all frequencies past the s pecified frequency. For example, rotating the low EQ knob 15 dB to the right boosts bass starting at 80 Hz and continuing down to the lowest note you never heard. With EQ, you can also screw things up royally. We've designed a lot of boost and cut into each equalizer circuit, because we know everyone will occasionally need that. But if you max the EQs on every channel, you'll get mix mush. Equalize subtly and use the left sides of the knobs (cut), as well as the right (boost). Very few gold-record-album engineers ever use more than about 3 dB of EQ. If you need more than that, there's usually a better way to get it, such as placing a mic differently (or using a different kind of mic entirely). 8. Hi EQ This control +15 gives you up to +10 15 dB boost or +5 cut above 12 kHz, 0 -5 and it is also flat -10 at the center. Use -15 it to add sizzle 20Hz 100Hz 1kHz 10kHz 20kHz to cymbals, and Hi EQ an overall sense of transparency, or edge to keyboards, vocals, guitar and bacon frying. Turn it down a little to reduce s ibilance, or to hide tape hiss. 14 402VLZ4