Mackie ProFX12 Owner's Manual - Page 28

ProFX8 and ProFX12 TRS Send/Receive Insert Jacks Mackie's single-jack inserts are the three-­conductor, TRS-type 1⁄4" phone. They are unbalanced, but have both the mixer output (send) and the mixer input ­(return) signals in one connector. See Figure E. The sleeve is the common ground (earth) for both signals. The send from the mixer to the e­ xternal unit is carried on the tip, and the return from the unit to the mixer is on the ring. ring tip sleeve (TRS plug) SEND to processor "tip" This plug connects to one of the mixer's Channel Insert jacks. Figure E "ring" RETURN from processor Using the Send only on an Insert Jack If you insert a TS (mono) 1⁄4" plug only p­ artially (to the first click) into a Mackie i­nsert jack, the plug will not activate the jack switch and will not open the insert loop in the ­circuit (thereby allowing the channel signal to continue on its merry way through the mixer). Mackie Stereo Inputs and Returns: Mono, Stereo, Whatever Stereo line inputs and stereo returns are a fine example of the Mackie philosophy (which we just made up) of Maximum Flexibility with Minimum Headache. The inputs and returns will automatically be mono or ­stereo, depending upon how you use the jacks. Here's how it works: A mono signal should be patched into the input or return jack labeled left (mono). The signal will be routed to both the left and right sides of the return circuit, and will show up in the center of the stereo pair of buses it's ­assigned to, or it can be "panned" with the ­pan control. A stereo signal, having two plugs, should be patched into the left (mono) and the right input or return jacks. A jack switch in the right jack will disable the mono function, and the ­signals will show up in stereo. A mono signal connected to the right jack will show up in the right bus only. You probably will only want to use this sophisticated effect for special occasions. This allows you to tap out the channel or bus signal without interrupting normal operation. If you push the 1⁄4" TS plug in to the second click, you will open the jack switch and create a d­ irect out, which does interrupt the signal in that channel. See Figure F. NOTE: Do not overload or short-circuit the signal you are tapping from the mixer. That will affect the internal signal. MONO PLUG Channel Insert jack Direct out with no signal interruption to master. Insert only to first "click." MONO PLUG Channel Insert jack Direct out with signal interruption to master. Insert all the way in to the second "click." STEREO PLUG Channel Insert jack For use as an effects loop. (TIP = SEND to effect, RING = RETURN from effect.) Figure F 28 ProFX8 and ProFX12