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MIXER ANATOMY: CHAPTER 2
Inputs, Outputs, and Related Controls
the mixer. So, while there’s a wide adjustment range
Mackie E-Z Interfacing
for both mic and line inputs, the mic inputs have
Concerned about levels, balancing, impedance,
higher gain.
polarity, or other interface goblins? Don’t be. On
Don’
Summary of the content on the page No. 2
MIXER ANATOMY: CHAPTER 2 Even though microphones produce alter- Barenekked Preamps! nating current (AC), they have a defi nite People have thought highly of Mackie mic pre- polarity orientation. Be sure that you don’t amps for a long time, so when it was time to put the reverse the wires between pins 2 and 3. engineers to work on some new designs, they brought Did you pick up a cool retro mic at a yard sale that us the Onyx series, which includes the 800R. This an- has a 1/4" phone plug inst
Summary of the content on the page No. 3
E N R I P V A C I B M G d MIXER ANATOMY: CHAPTER 2 Always be sure to perform the Level-Setting Pro- sound, but the guitar will lose punch and treble. The cedure when connecting to LINE inputs that have proper way to connect an instrument pickup directly TRIM controls, and check the level and adjust it to a Mackie mixer is to use a Direct Box (or DI =Di- externally on the stereo inputs without TRIMs. rect Injection) between the guitar and a MIC input. To connect balanced sources to the line-lev
Summary of the content on the page No. 4
MIXER ANATOMY: CHAPTER 2 In recording applications, the TAPE INPUT jacks bus outputs to slate the tape. (“Purple Tears, take provide a convenient way to play back your mixes seventeen.”) through the Control Room monitors. You’ll be able The Onyx series mixers let you have it both ways. to listen to a mix, then rewind and try another pass There’s a built-in talkback mic as well as a connector without repatching or disturbing the mixer levels. In for an external talkback mic. It has 48 V
Summary of the content on the page No. 5
MIXER ANATOMY: CHAPTER 2 Don’t confuse this subwoofer output with its simi- Main Output Level Switch larly named neighbors, the SUB (subgroup) outputs. Several compact mixer models MAIN OUTS are equipped with a switch that Tape Outputs L attenuates the XLR main outputs These unbalanced RCA jacks tap the MAIN MIX by 30 dB, bringing them down outputs to make simultaneous recording and sound to approximately the level of a +4 MIC reinforcement more convenient. They’re also handy microphon
Summary of the content on the page No. 6
MIXER ANATOMY: CHAPTER 2 PAN pan fully right. Bus/Subgroup Outputs The 8-Bus console extends this trick by tripling the In 4- and 8-Bus consoles, the output L R outputs of each of the eight busses to accommodate a of the PAN control can be assigned to 1 MUTE 24-track recorder. subgroup busses. The ASSIGN switches OL (1-2, 3-4, L-R) direct the channel out- On most Mackie mixers, subgroup busses can be put to pairs of busses. The subgroup bus routed to the main outputs so that all channels
Summary of the content on the page No. 7
MIXER ANATOMY: CHAPTER 2 effectively muting its input. Stage monitors are almost always fed from a pre- fader send, so that the engineer can create a mix To use ALT 3-4 as output busses, just connect the for the musicians on stage and leave it alone once ALT 3-4 outputs to whatever destination you desire. they’re happy. (Turn the drummer up really loud in Pressing the MUTE button will remove the channel his monitor and he’ll think he’s really loud in the signal from the MAIN bus and route
Summary of the content on the page No. 8
MIXER ANATOMY: CHAPTER 2 easy reach of the mixer. By plugging a normally open, AUX Send Shift latching (push-on-push-off) foot switch into the Some Mackie consoles have six AUX SEND busses EFX FOOT SWITCH jack, you can mute the effect but only four AUX knobs. The SHIFT button selects return without leaving your performing position. If whether their associated knobs send the channel the mixer is in sight, the lighted EFX BYPASS LED signal to AUX outputs 3 and 4 or outputs 5 and 6 on a wi
Summary of the content on the page No. 9
MIXER ANATOMY: CHAPTER 2 On some models, the headphones and control room You can also insert a signal processor such as a share the same level control; on others, there’s a delay, fl anger, or reverb unit in the channel path to separate control for headphone level. process the source coming into that channel. This is sometimes called a “serial” effect hookup since it’s in Some models have two headphone jacks. The two series with the signal path. jacks on the 1642-VLZ PRO are fed from the sam
Summary of the content on the page No. 10
MIXER ANATOMY: CHAPTER 2 If you want to use an external mic preamp with Insert Jack Tricks – Direct Outputs and your mixer (boo-hoo!), or perhaps a Voice Processor Inputs (combination preamp, compressor, equalizer, de-es- Besides being used for adding outboard signal pro- ser, and automatic word rememberer) you can com- cessors to the channel signal path, the INSERT jacks pletely bypass the fabulous world famous Mackie mic can be used as pre-EQ direct outputs. preamp by bringing the signal f
Summary of the content on the page No. 11
MIXER ANATOMY: CHAPTER 2 the total impedance isn’t lower than 2 ohms. Chances PPM Series Outputs are, however, that the effi ciency of the speakers will The PPM mixers have two power amplifi ers built be different enough that they’ll produce noticeably in. A fl exible arrangement of switches and jacks allow different volumes. This may or may not be what you you to use those two amplifi ers for any combination want. of main and monitor speakers. Note that the stereo and mono PPM mixers have
Summary of the content on the page No. 12
MIXER ANATOMY: CHAPTER 2 amplifi ers are dedicated to the MAINs. If you want to POWERING UP! – Power supplies and Ac- connect a stage monitor, you’ll either need to use a cessory Power powered speaker or an external power amplifi er con- nected to the MONITOR LINE OUT jack. Compact Mixers The speaker outputs are affected by the MAIN Of course you have to be able to turn your mixer MASTER level control and the MAIN Graphic Equal- on – but you don’t want to turn it off inadvertently, izer. ei
Summary of the content on the page No. 13
MIXER ANATOMY: CHAPTER 2 BNC Lamp Socket Those decidedly non-audio-looking BNC connec- tors on the top panel of several Mackie mixers are for mounting and powering gooseneck lamps so you can fi nd the knobs in the dark. The BNCs are wired with the center post at +12 VDC. We recommend LittleLite lamps 12" gooseneck #12G or #12G-HI (a high-intensity version) for the smaller consoles, and the 18G-HI with an 18" goose- neck for the larger mixers. Buy them from your pro audio dealer. Now that w
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MIXER ANATOMY: CHAPTER 2 Notes 30 Compact Mixer Reference Guide
