Quick Start; Low/High-Frequency Response - Mackie MR5mk3 Owner's Manual

Quick Start

We realize that you can't wait to hook up your MRmk3
Studio Monitors and try them out. Nevertheless, please
take the time to read this page NOW, and the rest can
wait until you're good and ready.
1. Turn the input level [6] control on the back of the
cabinet down (fully counterclockwise) before turning
on the monitor for the first time.
2. Set the power switch [2] on the back panel off. This will
prevent you from accidentally connecting a hot signal
source to the monitor and getting a rude surprise.
3. Leave the low freq [4] and high freq [5] filter switches
at their normal positions.
4. Connect the line-level monitor signal from your mixer,
preamp, or other signal source to the input [3] jack
on the MRmk3 Studio Monitor (1⁄4", XLR, or RCA).
5. Connect the supplied AC power cord to the IEC socket
[1] on the back of the monitor. Plug the other end into
an AC outlet properly configured with the voltage
corresponding to the markings next to the IEC socket.
6. Start your signal source (8-track player, turntable,
CD player, DAW, or whatever), but leave the master
volume control on the mixer or preamp down.
7. Turn on the power switch [2] on the MRmk3.
The Running Man logo [8] on the front panel
will illuminate.
8. Slowly turn up the input level [6] control on the back of
the monitor to its fully clockwise position (MAX).
9. Adjust the master volume on the mixer or preamp to
a comfortably loud listening level. If the MRmk3 gets
loud really fast, turn down the input level control to its
center position (12 o'clock) to provide more volume
control on the mixer or preamp.
Enjoy the silky smooth highs and authoritative,
commanding lows of the MRmk3. Then read the rest of
this manual.
An Extremely Important Note
on MRmk3 Bass Response and
Your Control Room
MRmk3s achieve the best bass response in a
room that's optimized for bass reproduction.
A lot of factors can conspire to thwart the
MRmk3s' extended low frequency – including room shape,
room volume and acoustical treatment.
This is not a cop-out or an apology. It's plain old
physics in action. Luckily we've armed you with some
compensating controls that you can use to optimize the
frequency response of the speakers in your particular
room. Consider the following:
Low-Frequency Response
When you put your MRmk3s in a corner or up against
walls, their bass characteristics change. The apparent
loudness of the low frequencies increases when the
monitors are placed close to a wall, and even more so
when they are placed in a corner.
If you have placed the monitors away from the walls
and corners and you would like to hear a little more
bass, try setting the low freq filter [4] switch to the +2
dB position to provide a gentle boost to the woofer. If it's
still not enough bass, try the +4 dB position to provide a
little more bass boost.
High-Frequency Response
The MRmk3s are designed to provide a smooth
frequency response throughout the mid and high range.
Nevertheless, you may decide that you need a little more
or a little less high frequencies in your monitors while
you are mixing. The high freq filter [5] switch provides
a gentle boost or cut to the tweeter. Remember that
boosting the high frequencies in the monitors can result
in a duller mix, while reducing the high frequencies can
result in a brighter overall mix.
Additional Tidbits of Wisdom
• Never listen to loud music for prolonged periods.
Please see the Safety Instructions on page 2 for
information on hearing protection.
• When you shut down your equipment, turn off the
MRmk3 studio monitors first to prevent thumps and
other noises generated by any upstream equipment from
coming out the speakers. When powering up, turn on
the monitors last.
• Save the shipping box! You may need it someday.
• Save your sales receipt in a safe place. It's your
warranty!
Owner's Manual
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