Mackie Mix5 Owners Manual - Page 15

Main Mix, 29. Meters, FX [Mix12FX only], 30. Preset Select [Mix12FX only]

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Owner's Manual 28. Main Mix This knob controls the levels of signals sent to the main and tape outputs. All channels and aux returns that are not turned fully down will wind up in the main mix. Fully counterclockwise is off, the center is unity gain, and fully clockwise ­provides 10 dB o­ f additional gain. This additional gain will typically never be needed, but once again, it's nice to know it's there. This is the knob to turn down at the end of the song when you want "The Great Fade-Out." NOTE: Mix12FX users, you probably noticed that there is no main mix knob, but rather a main mix fader. It works exactly the same as listed above except you raise and lower the fader. Trying to turn it clockwise and counterclockwise would be counterintuitive to what you are trying to accomplish. It would damage the mixer, too, and you don't want that! FX [Mix12FX only] The Mix12FX features an internal effects processor with 12 presets. Signals to this effects processor comes from adjusting the FX send on each channel. The output from the processor may be added to the main mix by adjusting the FX to main knob. Very careful thought and lots of audio love has gone into the design of the 12 presets. The engineers spent a lot of time lounging about in warm halls, visiting bright halls and small stages and going to concerts just to get these sounds right for you. Initially, they wanted to investigate "warm beach in Hawaii," but had to make do with "cold forest in Washington" instead... 32 29. Meters Mix Series mixers peak metering system - say that five times fast! - should be made up of two columns of four LEDs. If you happen to see more than that, post a picture to Instagram and/or Twitter with the hashtag #LEDsGalore. The threshold ranges from -20 dBu on up to +18 dBu (OL = overload). The 0 dB LED corresponds to an output level of 0 dBu (0.775 V RMS). The OL LEDs illuminate when the output reaches +18 dBu. There is a fair margin of safety before actual clipping distortion occurs, but turn things down if the OL LEDs illuminate. The meters typically display the level of the main mix after the main mix level. However, if the tape to control room / phones switch is engaged, the meters will display that level instead of the main mix. You can get a good mix with peaks flashing anywhere between -20 and +6 dB on the meter display. Most amplifiers clip at about +10 dB, and some recorders aren't so forgiving either. For best real-world results, try to keep peaks between "0" and "+6." If the meters are too high, there will be distortion. If they are too low, the signal-to-noise ratio will suffer. Use the meters to help adjust the mixer for optimum performance without distortion or noise. Then adjust the amplifier's level controls for good overall volume. The result: the best overall signal-to-noise ratio! Please remember: Audio meter displays are just tools to help assure you that your levels are "in the ballpark." You don't have to stare at them (unless you want to). If you find that staring at the meters sends you into a hypnotic trance, please do not be alarmed. Just mow my lawn and polish my car every Tuesday. 30 31 30. Preset Select [Mix12FX only] Rotate this detented switch to select the desired preset effect. Please refer to Appendix C: Table of Effects Presets on page 22 for more details about the presets and examples. 31. FX to Main [Mix12FX only] Signals from the internal effects (FX) processor make their way through this knob and continue on to the main mix fader. They contain the effects' "wet" signals and are mixed together with the channels' "dry" original signals. Turned fully up, it provides 15 dB of additional gain, the center "U" mark is unity gain, and fully down is off. 32. FX Sig / OL LED [Mix12FX only] This dual-colored LED will illuminate green when the FX signal is present, indicating FX signal. It will remain lit so long as there is an FX signal above -20 dBu. This dual-colored LED will illuminate red when the FX signal is too high, indicating a signal overload. This should be avoided, as distortion will occur. If the OL LED comes on regularly, check that each channel's FX knob is set correctly for the input device and/or turn the FX to main knob down. Owner's Manual 15

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15
Owner’s Manual
Owner’s Manual
28. Main Mix
This knob controls the levels of signals sent to the
main and tape outputs. All channels and aux returns
that are not turned fully down will wind up in the main
mix.
Fully counterclockwise is off, the center is unity gain,
and fully clockwise provides 10 dB of additional gain.
This additional gain will typically never be needed, but
once again, it’s nice to know it’s there. This is the knob
to turn down at the end of the song when you want
"The Great Fade-Out."
NOTE:
Mix12FX users, you probably noticed
that there is no main mix knob, but rather a
main mix fader. It works exactly the same as
listed above except you raise and lower the fader. Trying
to turn it clockwise and counterclockwise would be
counterintuitive to what you are trying to accomplish.
It would damage the mixer, too, and you don't want that!
29. Meters
Mix Series mixers peak metering system – say that
five times fast! – should be made up of two columns of
four LEDs. If you happen to see more than that, post a
picture to Instagram and/or Twitter with the hashtag
#LEDsGalore. The threshold ranges from –20 dBu on up
to +18 dBu (OL = overload).
The 0 dB LED corresponds to an output level of 0
dBu (0.775 V RMS). The OL LEDs illuminate when the
output reaches +18 dBu. There is a fair margin of safety
before actual clipping distortion occurs, but turn things
down if the OL LEDs illuminate.
The meters typically display the level of the main mix
after the main mix level. However, if the tape to control
room / phones switch is engaged, the meters will display
that level instead of the main mix.
You can get a good mix with peaks flashing anywhere
between –20 and +6 dB on the meter display. Most
amplifiers clip at about +10 dB, and some recorders
aren’t so forgiving either. For best real-world results, try
to keep peaks between “0” and “+6.”
If the meters are too high, there will be distortion.
If they are too low, the signal-to-noise ratio will suffer.
Use the meters to help adjust the mixer for optimum
performance without distortion or noise. Then adjust
the amplifier's level controls for good overall volume.
The result: the best overall signal-to-noise ratio!
Please remember: Audio meter displays are just tools
to help assure you that your levels are “in the ballpark.”
You don’t have to stare at them (unless you want to).
If you find that staring at the meters sends you into a
hypnotic trance, please do not be alarmed. Just mow my
lawn and polish my car every Tuesday.
FX [Mix12FX only]
The Mix12FX features an internal effects processor
with 12 presets. Signals to this effects processor comes
from adjusting the FX send on each channel. The output
from the processor may be added to the main mix by
adjusting the FX to main knob.
Very careful thought and lots of audio love has gone
into the design of the 12 presets. The engineers spent
a lot of time lounging about in warm halls, visiting
bright halls and small stages and going to concerts
just to get these sounds right for you. Initially, they
wanted to investigate "warm beach in Hawaii," but had
to make do with "cold forest in Washington" instead...
30. Preset Select [Mix12FX only]
Rotate this detented switch to select the desired
preset effect.
Please refer to Appendix C: Table of Effects Presets
on page 22 for more details about the presets and
examples.
31. FX to Main [Mix12FX only]
Signals from the internal effects (FX) processor make
their way through this knob and continue on to the main
mix fader. They contain the effects’ “wet” signals and are
mixed together with the channels’ “dry” original signals.
Turned fully up, it provides 15 dB of additional gain, the
center “U” mark is unity gain, and fully down is off.
32. FX Sig / OL LED [Mix12FX only]
This dual-colored LED will illuminate green when the
FX signal is present, indicating FX signal. It will remain
lit so long as there is an FX signal above –20 dBu.
This dual-colored LED will illuminate red when the
FX signal is too high, indicating a signal overload. This
should be avoided, as distortion will occur. If the OL
LED comes on regularly, check that each channel's FX
knob is set correctly for the input device and/or turn the
FX to main knob down.
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31
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