Read This Page; Other Nuggets Of Wisdom; Instant Mixing - Mackie 1402-VLZ3 Owner's Manual

Read This Page!

We realize that you must be dying to
try out your new 1402-VLZ3. All we ask
is that you read this page NOW, and the
rest later — you'll be glad you did.
WARNING: Before you plug the AC power
cord into the mixer, make sure the VOLTAGE
SELECTOR switch is set to the same voltage
as your local AC mains supply (see page 12).
Level-Setting Procedure
Message to seasoned pros: do not set levels using the
old "Turn the GAIN up until the clip light comes on,
then back off a hair" trick. When a Mackie mixer clip
light comes on, you really are about to clip. We worked
and slaved to come up with a better system, one that
provides low noise and high headroom.
Adjusting input levels (Chs. 1–6 only)
On the fi rst six channels, it's not even necessary to
hear what you're doing to set optimal levels. But if you'd
like to: Plug headphones into the PHONES jack, then
move the CONTROL ROOM/SUBMIX fader up a little.
The following steps must be performed one channel at
a time:
1. Turn the GAIN, AUX SEND knobs and FADERS
fully down.
2. Set the EQ knobs at the center detent.
3. Connect the signal source to the input.
4. Engage (push in) the channel's SOLO switch.
5. Engage the AFL/PFL switch in the master sec-
tion. A green LEVEL SET light will turn on.
6. Play something into the selected input. This
could be an instrument, a singing or speaking
voice, or a line input such as a CD player or
tape recorder output. Be sure that the volume
of the input is the same as it would be during
normal use. If it isn't, you may have to readjust
these levels during the middle of the set.
7. Adjust the channel's GAIN control so that the
display on the LED meters stays around "0" and
never goes higher than "+7."
8. If you apply some EQ, repeat step 7.
9. Disengage that channel's SOLO switch.
10. Repeat for channels 1 through 6.
Part No. 0019815 Rev. A
©2006 LOUD Technologies Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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Other Nuggets of Wisdom

For optimum sonic performance, the channel faders
and MAIN MIX faders should be set near the "U" (unity
gain) markings.
Always turn the MAIN MIX and CONTROL ROOM/
SUBMIX faders down before making connections to and
from your 1402-VLZ3.
If you shut down your equipment, turn off your ampli-
fi er fi rst. When powering up, turn on your amplifi er last.
Save the shipping box! You may need it someday.

Instant Mixing

Here's how to get going right away, assuming you have
a microphone and a keyboard:
1. Plug your microphone into channel 1's MIC
input.
2. Turn on the 1402-VLZ3.
3. Perform the Level-Setting Procedure.
4. Connect cords from the MAIN OUTS (XLR, 1⁄4"
or RCA, your choice) to your amplifi er.
5. Hook up speakers to the amp and turn it on.
6. Turn up the 1402-VLZ3's channel 1 fader to the
U mark, and the MAIN MIX fader one quarter of
the way up.
7. Sing like a canary!
8. Plug your keyboard into stereo channel 7-8.
9. Turn that channel's fader to the U mark.
10. Play like a madman and sing like a canary!
It's your fi rst mix!
Please write your serial number here for future
reference (i.e., insurance claims, tech support,
return authorization, make dad proud, etc.)
Purchased at:
Date of purchase:
Owner's Manual
3