Introduction - Mackie VLZ3 4BUS Owner's Manual

Introduction

Awesomely unheard of features
USB Recording and Playback
The VLZ3 4•Bus Series Mixers feature a 4x2 USB
recording and playback function. This means up to four
signals may be recorded simultaneously and a stereo
mix returned to the mixer for playback.
There are two switches in the master section labeled
"USB OUT" that allow for monstrous flexibility on the
four recordable signals. The default switch
configuration routes subgroups 1-4 over the USB
connection to your favorite DAW software for a "mix it
later" 4-track recording. The Subgroup 1-2 switch also
allows the L-R mix to be recorded for convenient stereo
mixes of the show. The Subgroup 3-4 switch allows aux
5/6 to be sent to the DAW for a unique stereo recording
or the use of DAW plug-ins as effects.
For playback, there are two switches in the master
section labeled "2-TRACK RETURN". One switch [TAPE/
USB] changes the standard dual RCA inputs to main
(tape, switch disengaged) to stereo USB to main (USB,
switch engaged). This is an extremely convenient
function for playing music over the main mix from a
computer. We prefer to jam some Johnny 'The Man in
Black' Cash in between bands at the local rock clubs.
But feel free to play whatever you want, unless it's...
ah, never mind, we won't go there!
Another cool feature of the VLZ3 4•Bus is routing
the stereo USB return to the last stereo channel of the
mixer. This is a mighty fine tool for a number of live and
recording uses. For example, playback through the
stereo channel allows the "Greg Mackie designed"
4-band EQ to be utilized to sweeten the sounds. It may
also be used for overdubbing by sending music to the
musicians' headphones through the auxes.
Last, but not least, it may be used to return plug-in
effects from the DAW in a live mix scenario. One of our
favorites is the CamelPhat VST that makes your
average drummer sound like Bonham on How The West
Was Won.
4 VLZ3 4•Bus
Powerful on-board dual FX engines and eight
individual compressors
In pursuit of the ultimate Mackie "do-it-all" Live
Sound Mixer, we threw in the kitchen sink and packed
this bad boy with a full set of processors allowing you
to travel "rack free" while still making professional
sounding mixes.
For starters, we added not one, but TWO, of our
patented Running Man FX processors (RMFX+
featuring 24 "gig-ready" effects right into the board. This
does not include useless effects such as "the warbler" or
the "insanity delay", but rather a suite of quickly
accessible and useable reverbs, choruses and delays
that make coloring your mix a breeze.
Additionally, both FX processors feature a tap delay,
typically only available on an outboard rack. Delays may
easily be sync'd with the song at the tap of a finger. And
because we love flexible routing (hehe), the processed
signal may be sent direct to the mains and monitors
from the effects section or re-routed to the two stereo
channels to bring them through the EQ and aux section,
utilizing the 60mm fader to draw them into the mix.
But wait, there's more! The VLZ3 4•Bus has eight
(yes, eight!) single knob compressors to stop the
dynamic signals from poking out of the mix. Four
compressors are located on the last four mic inputs
so that the most critical signals (such as vocals, snare
drum, the occasional jaw harp or mountain goats) may
be addressed. Plus, there are single knob compressors
on each of the four subgroups so that grouped signals
(such as a drum set or a choir of didgeridoos) may be
blended together for paramount smoothness.
Bottom line? You have an awesome mixer with Mackie
VLZ3 sound quality, "built-like-a-tank" build quality and
a recording and processing feature set that is
unparalleled. Congratulations... and happy mixing!
)
™