Mackie 16-8 BUS Owner's Manual
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Mackie 16-8 BUS Owner's Manual

Mackie 16-8 bus recording and pa consoles: user guide
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8•BUS OWNER'S MANUAL
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  • Page 1 8•BUS OWNER'S MANUAL...

  • Page 2: Safety Instructions

    11. Servicing — Do not attempt to service the 8•Bus Console and External Power Supply beyond those means described in this operating manual. All other servicing should be referred to the Mackie Service Department. 12. To prevent electric shock, do not use the 8•Bus Console and...
  • Page 3 IMPORTANT SENSITIVITY ADJUSTMENT PROCEDURE! To fully achieve the Mackie 8•Bus console’s impressive headroom and specs, you should “tune” channel sensitivity for each channel. FOLLOW THIS PROCEDURE FOR EACH CHANNEL IN USE: 1. Assign signal to channel fader: If channel will be used with a micro–...

  • Page 4: Table Of Contents

    TABLE OF CONTENTS SECTION 2* — Panel Layout and Function.. 4 INPUT CHANNELS ... 4 Fader ... 4 Mute ... 4 Pan & Assignment switches 4 –20 & OL LEDs ... 5 Channel Solo ... 5 Phantom power ... 5 Trim ...

  • Page 5: Recording Recording

    SECTION 1: Introduction The Mackie 8•Bus Series is a flexible ‘in-line monitoring’ style console. They are available with 24 or 32 microphone/line inputs fed into 8 submix buses, 2 stereo mix buses and 6 auxiliary send buses. There are 24 or 32 tape return inputs for multitrack monitoring and mixing or for use as additional line inputs.

  • Page 6: Panel Layout And Function

    CHANNEL INPUT/OUTPUT CHANNEL STRIPS INPUT CHANNELS (CHANNEL STRIPS) The 24 or 32 input channel strips on the Mackie 8•Bus consoles are identical, and contain all of the level, assignment and equalization controls for each input channel. This section describes the controls and functions of each feature of an input channel in detail.

  • Page 7: Ol Leds

    On the Mackie 8•Bus console, the SOLO assignments are stereo except for the AUX sends. SOLO maintains the perspective set up with the PAN controls.

  • Page 8: The Flip Switch: Mic/Line Or Tape

    (via the source switch), can be achieved by modifying the channels. Instructions for this modification can be found on our website at www.mackie.com (click on Support). Or you can call Tech Support at 1-800-258-6883 for assistance. 1. When the Mix-B SOURCE switch (11) is up, MIX-B receives its input from the FLIP switch.

  • Page 9: Mix-B Split

    MIX-B SPLIT The SPLIT switch (14) in the MIX-B section splits the EQ sec- tion of the channel when –5 depressed. In the up position, all –10 four sections of EQ remain, if en- –15 gaged, in the primary channel signal path feeding the channel fader and the 8-plus-2 buses.

  • Page 10: Lo Mid Eq

    Now you know some of the de- sign philosophy behind our Hi Mid EQ. It’s time to start experi- menting with it yourself. Don’t forget to try the control at its –5 bandwidth extremes — espe- –10 cially at the 3-octave end. You’ll –15 be pleasantly surprised.

  • Page 11: Aux 1 & 2

    AUX SENDS can be modified to be pre-EQ, pre-fader. Instructions for this modification can be found on our website at www.mackie.com (click on Support). Or you can call Tech Support at 1-800-258-6883 for assistance.

  • Page 12: Output Section

    OUTPUT SECTION The output section is the large area to the right of the input channel strips. It contains the master fad- LAYOUT ers and metering, as well as the send and return masters, cue, monitoring and communication FUNCTION controls. 8•BUS FADERS At the bottom of the output panel are the mas- ter faders for each of the eight buses (1).

  • Page 13: Metering Bus Meters 1-8

    METERING Bus Meters 1-8 Directly above each bus fader is a peak-reading meter displaying the bus output level. Zero (0) on the meter references a level of +4dBu (1.23 volts RMS) at the output jack. Note: If the –10dBV switches are engaged at the Subgroup output jacks, then zero (0) on the meter references a level of –10dBV at those outputs.

  • Page 14: Aux Solo

    AUX SOLO The SOLO button next to each level control (7) solos that send and allows you to check the LAYOUT send level in the main meters. There is a solo LED (8) in the Send section, to help you locate FUNCTION what the heck you soloed.

  • Page 15: Phones

    Death’s Heads above your RUDE SOLO LITE, you are very lucky. Only one in 10,000 Mackie consoles has what we call “Grim Greg” on it, and if you send in the top panel of...

  • Page 16: Jack Panels (Input Strip And Master Output)

    The BNCs are wired with the center post at +12 VDC. Mackie doesn’t offer lamps, but most dealers do. We recommend LittleLite lamps #12G or #12G-HI (a high-intensity version).

  • Page 17: Output Panel

    OUTPUT PANEL The input and output jacks that cor- respond to most of the functions in the Output Panel are, logically, located in the jack panel directly above the Output Panel. The 8•Bus outputs to tape (and the inputs from tape) are located on the rear panel.

  • Page 18: Main Mix

    LAYOUT FUNCTION Main Mix The Main Mix jacks (6) on the top panel are 1/4" TRS unbalanced, with tip high, and ring and sleeve tied to ground. The nominal level is +4dBu. These two jacks carry the L/R Main Mix, for connection to your master 2-Track recorder’s inputs, for instance.

  • Page 19: Rear Panel Connections

    REAR PANEL CONNECTIONS The connections to and from your multitrack re- corder are on the Rear Panel of the 8•Bus Series. There are 24 or 32 Tape Return jacks (depending on the model) and 24 Submaster/Tape Out jacks. Tape Returns The Tape Return jacks (1) are 1/4"...

  • Page 20: Main Bal. Outputs

    This is where the funny plug that looks like a Supersoaker squirtgun nozzle fits (6). Your 8•Bus console should ONLY be powered by the appropriate Mackie 8•Bus Power Supply. This concludes our guided tour of the 8•Bus console’s controls and connections. Now it’s time for...

  • Page 21: Section 3: General Information

    But don’t turn them up too loud. Unity Gain On a Mackie 8•Bus console, the easy way to do this is to set all the level controls according to the Sensitivity Adjustment procedure detailed on page 1.

  • Page 22: Buses

    Dictionary agrees, defining the word bus in elec- tronics as “a conductor serving as a common connector for three or more circuits.” The Mackie 8•Bus Series has, in fact, many more than eight buses. The eight memorialized in the name are important, but there are also six...
  • Page 23 The equalizer on the 8•Bus Series combines several different types of EQ into five different sections. The HI MID EQ section is a fully parametric equalizer. This means all the significant parameters can be varied, as you can see in Fig- ure 1.

  • Page 24: Connectors

    18dB/octave. Connectors If you’ve used a Mackie VLZ PRO compact mixer, you’re familiar with the various kinds of connectors used with a mixing board. If you’re new to this whole thing, review the drawings in Figure 4 on Page 21.

  • Page 25: Recording

    SECTION 4: RECORDING WITH THE MACKIE 8•BUS CONSOLE RECORDING OVERVIEW The recording process can be as simple as one microphone recorded on a monaural tape re- corder. Not much advice needed for that. But since you’ve bought such a large mixing console, we expect you’ll occasionally be doing...

  • Page 26: Wet Or Dry Monitor

    Mix-B during tracking or overdubbing for cue mixes as well as effects. In- structions for this modification can be found on our website at www.mackie.com (click on Sup- port). Or you can call Tech Support at 1-800-258-6883 for assistance.

  • Page 29: Let's Record

    Getting reverb into the monitors is a little more involved, since there is no return assign- ment switch to MIX-B. You have three choices: • Assign MIX-B to L/R Mix in the MIX-B master section. Then, select L/R Mix as your only source in the monitor section.

  • Page 30: Mixing Setup

    and meticulous setup. Creatively, you must blend the tracks so they at least sound like music again; technically, you must take into account the sound of home and car speakers, mono com- patibility, human perception changes under different listening conditions, matching similar product in your market, not to mention tonal and level balance between songs, and meeting the criteria for tape and disc mastering.

  • Page 37: Send / Return Devices

    (or a matched pair for stereo) EQ or compressor on the set of tracks. The Mackie 8•Bus console offers you several options using subgroups, depending on the situation. • To assign channels to a subgroup during mixing, first de-assign the channels you want to subgroup from the L/R MIX.

  • Page 38: Monitoring And Levels

    The Mackie 8•Bus consoles can’t give you the infinite number of channels you dream of, but you can very easily double the number of inputs by using the MIX-B buses. If you are mixing off tape as we set it up a few...

  • Page 39: Pa And Sound Reinforcment Applications

    If you have any doubt as to the durability of your new console, just think of how many smaller Mackie mixers have logged literally millions of air miles on grueling tours (and how many vintage Tapco mixers that Greg Mackie designed are still around and in day-to- day use).
  • Page 40 Mono Compressor Noise Gate...
  • Page 42 Mono Compressor...

  • Page 44: House And Monitor Mix Together

    HOUSE AND MONITOR MIX TOGETHER It’s a big board, but it’s the only one you own. So you find yourself mixing house and monitors all from the same panel. First, let’s take a moment and set everything up sensibly. Just like in a recording session, it’s good to group your inputs and sub-mix buses by instruments, stage position or whatever else suits you.

  • Page 45: Mic Splitters

    If you need to split your inputs but do not have splitter transformers, you can make a spe- cial harness of cables to split out of the Mackie channel insert. This technique is not always as flexible or ground-loop-proof as splitter trans- formers, but is much less expensive.

  • Page 46: Appendix A: Connections

    Insert Jacks, and in the mono/stereo AUX Return Jacks. See Special Mackie Connections on page 45. We also use these switches to ground the inputs of most line level ins/outs when nothing is plugged into them.

  • Page 47: Rca Plugs & Jacks

    TIP (RETURN) TIP (SEND) In most cases, the plug must be inserted fully to activate the switch. Mackie takes advantage of this in some circuits, specifying circumstances where you are only to partially insert the plug. Once again, see Special Mackie Connections, on the next page.

  • Page 48: Using Return Only

    Whatever ETC. The Stereo AUX Returns are a fine example of the Mackie philosophy (which we just made up) of Maximum Flexibility with Minimum Headache. The returns will automatically be mono or stereo, depending upon what you plug into the Return Jacks.

  • Page 49: Appendix B: Options, Add-Ons And Extra Stuff

    APPENDIX B: Options, Add-Ons and Extra Stuff OPTIONS Meter Bridge You can order an optional Mackie meter bridge for any 8•Bus Series console. The meter bridge extends across the width of the mixer and pro- vides a 12-LED bar-graph meter (identical to the 8 submaster bus meters) for each channel strip.

  • Page 50: Appendix C: Specifications

    Noise.(Measured 20Hz to 20kHz bandwidth, Tape Returns selected, no EQ, Channel Pans alternating L/R, L/R. “Faders up” refers to Unity gain, 0dBu position.) Because Mackie Designs is always Main L/R Output Noise. Master fader down, trying to improve its products with new –101dBu;...

  • Page 51: Dimensions

    24x8x2 8-BUS MIXING CONSOLE V. 1.5 6/4/95 ©1995 MACKIE DESIGNS INC. 2.65" 1.00" 0.69" 25.24" 28.58" 28.74" Note: add 3.75" to depth for power supply cable clearance 35.02" 37.02" 37.00" 24•8 console WEIGHT* 64 lbs. exclusive meter bridge...
  • Page 52 32x8x2 8-BUS MIXING CONSOLE V. 1.5 6/4/95 ©1994 MACKIE DESIGNS INC. 2.65" 1.00" MB32•8 Optional Meter Bridge 0.69" 25.24" 28.58" 28.74" Note: add 3.75" to depth for power supply cable clearance 43.82" 45.82" 45.80" 32•8 console WEIGHT* 78 lbs. exclusive...
  • Page 53 8•BUS SIDE CAR RACK 28.75" V. 1..1 6/5/95 ©1995 MACKIE DESIGNS INC. Side Car WEIGHT* 45 lbs. 22.5" SIDE VIEW [existing console] CABLE HANGER BRACE 23.13" TOP VIEW FRONT VIEW 19.0" 220-W Power Supply WEIGHT 24 lbs. 220-WATT POWER SUPPLY FOR 8•BUS CONSOLES &...

  • Page 54: Block Diagram

    8•BUS CONSOLE BLOCK DIAGRAM Rev. 5.1- 6/6/95 ©1995 Mackie Designs MIC IN MIC/LINE INSERT • • • • PHANTOM POWER LO CUT • IN/OUT (PER 8 CH'S) • •• 75Hz • PRE EQ LINE TO AUX MOD TRIM FLIP GAIN •...
  • Page 55 • • NOTE: ALL SWITCHES SHOWN IN DISENGAGED (UP) POSITION • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •...

  • Page 56: Service

    Second, it will save money. If you ship your console to Mackie or an Authorized Service Center and they can’t dupli- cate the problem, you may get slapped with a service charge (plus shipping costs).

  • Page 57: Center

    Woodinville, WA 98072 USA To obtain service from an Authorized Mackie Service Center: 1. Call Mackie Designs at 800/258-6883, 8AM to 5PM Monday through Friday (Pacific time) to obtain an RA number and the name and address of your nearest Mackie Authorized 8•Bus Service Center.

  • Page 58: Track Sheet

    TRACK SHEETS Some of you folks are meticulous and do things like keep your checkbook reconciled and cross-file each tape. For you we have included master Track and Master sheets. They are in- tended for duplication purposes (unless you bought this console just to do one session). TRACK SHEETS FOLLOWING...
  • Page 59 SESSION ______________________ DATE ___/___/___ TRACKS _____ thru _____ TRACK COMMENTS: Tk. ___ ______________________ ______________________ ______________________ Tk. ___ ______________________ ______________________ ______________________ Tk. ___ ______________________ ______________________ ______________________ Tk. ___ ______________________ ______________________ ______________________ Tk. ___ ______________________ ______________________ ______________________ Tk. ___ ______________________ ______________________ ______________________ Tk.
  • Page 60 This is the back of a master track sheet, which came in the Mackie 8•Bus console manual. If you find this sheet in a copy machine, please return it to the engineer/owner of the console. If you find this sheet in the back of a...
  • Page 61 SESSION ______________________ DATE ___/___/___ BUS COMMENTS: Bus___ ______________________ ______________________ ______________________ Bus ___ ______________________ ______________________ ______________________ Bus___ ______________________ ______________________ ______________________ Bus___ ______________________ ______________________ ______________________ Bus___ ______________________ ______________________ ______________________ Bus___ ______________________ ______________________ ______________________ Bus___ ______________________ ______________________ ______________________ Bus___ ______________________ ______________________ ______________________...
  • Page 62 This is the back of a session note sheet, which came in the Mackie 8•Bus console If you find this sheet in a copy machine, please return it to the engineer/owner of If you find this sheet in the back of a gloomy tavern, buy it a cold one.

  • Page 63: Bus Limited Warranty

    B. Failure to register online or return the product registration card will not void the 1-year warranty. C. Service and repairs of Mackie products are to be performed only at the factory (see D below) OR at an Authorized Mackie Service Center (see E below).
  • Page 64 Mackie Designs Inc. 16220 Wood-Red Road NE • Woodinville, WA 98071 • USA US and Canada: 800.898.3211 Europe, Asia, Central and South America: 425.487.4333 Middle East and Africa: 31.20.654.4000 Fax: 425.487.4337 • www.mackie.com E-mail: sales@mackie.com...

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