Mackie MR8 Owner's Manual - Page 5
Quick Start - studio monitors
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Owner's Manual QUICK START We realize that you can't wait to hook up your new Mackie MR8 Studio Monitors and try them out. Nevertheless, please take the time to read this page NOW, and the rest can wait until you're good and ready. 1. Turn the INPUT LEVEL [2] control on the back of the cabinet down (fully counterclockwise) before turning on the monitor for the first time. 2. Set the power switch [5] on the back panel off. This will prevent you from accidentally connecting a hot signal source to the monitor and getting a rude surprise. 3. Leave the High Freq [3] and Low Freq [4] Filter switches at their Normal positions. 4. Connect the line-level monitor signal from your mixer, preamp, or other signal source to the INPUT [1] jack on the MR8 Studio Monitor (1⁄4-inch PHONE, XLR, or RCA). 5. Connect the supplied AC power cord to the IEC socket [6] on the back of the monitor. Plug the other end into an AC outlet properly configured with the voltage corresponding to the markings next to the IEC socket. 6. Start your signal source (tape deck, CD, DAW, or whatever), but leave the master volume control on your mixer or preamp down. 7. Turn on the power switch [5] on the MR8. The power LED [8] on the front panel will illuminate. 8. Slowly turn up the INPUT LEVEL [2] control on the back of the monitor to its fully clockwise position (MAX). 9. Adjust the master volume on your mixer or preamp to a comfortably loud listening level. If the MR8 gets loud really fast, turn down the INPUT LEVEL control to its center position (12 o'clock) to provide more volume control on your mixer or preamp. Enjoy the silky smooth highs and authoritative, commanding lows of the MR8. Then read the rest of this manual. AN EXTREMELY IMPORTANT NOTE ON MR8 BASS RESPONSE AND YOUR CONTROL ROOM. Your new MR8s achieve their best bass response in a room that's optimized for bass reproduction. A lot of factors can conspire to thwart the MR8s' extended low frequency - including room shape, room volume and acoustical treatment. This is not a cop-out or an apology. It's plain old physics in action. Luckily we've armed you with some compensating controls that you can use to optimize the frequency response of the speakers in your particular room. Consider the following: Low-Frequency Response When you put your MR8s in a corner or up against walls, their bass characteristics change. The apparent loudness of the low frequencies increases when the monitors are placed close to a wall, and even more so when they are placed in a corner. If you have placed the monitors away from the walls and corners and you would like to hear a little more bass, try setting the LOW FREQ FILTER [4] switch to the +2 dB position to provide a gentle boost to the low frequencies (below 100 Hz). If it's still not enough bass, try the +4 dB position to provide a little more bass boost. High-Frequency Response The MR8s are designed to provide a smooth frequency response throughout the mid and high range. Nevertheless, you may decide that you need a little more or a little less high frequencies in your monitors while you are mixing. The HIGH FREQ FILTER [3] switch provides a gentle boost or cut in the frequencies above 5 kHz. Remember that boosting the high frequencies in the monitors can result in a duller mix, while reducing the high frequencies can result in a brighter overall mix. Additional Tidbits of Wisdom • Never listen to loud music for prolonged periods. Please see the Safety Instructions on page 2 for information on hearing protection. • When you shut down your equipment, turn off the MR8 studio monitors first to prevent thumps and other noises generated by any upstream equipment from coming out the speakers. When powering up, turn on the monitors last. • Save the shipping box! You may need it someday. • Save your sales receipt in a safe place. • Also record all MR8 serial numbers in the space provid- ed on page 3, along with where and when you bought them. Owner's Manual