Getting Started - Mackie 1642VLZ4 Owner's Manual

Getting Started

We realize that you must be really keen to try out
the mixer. Please read the safety instructions on page
2, then have a look through some of the features and
details in this manual.
Setup
Use the mixer in a nice clean and dry environment,
free from dryer lint and dust bunnies.
Zero the controls
1. Fully turn down all the knobs and faders
to minimum, except for the channel EQ
and pan controls, which should be centered.
2. Make sure all buttons are in the out position.
Connections
1. Make sure the AC power switch is off before
making any connections.
WARNING: Before plugging the AC power
cord into the mixer, make sure the VOLTAGE
SELECTOR switch is set to the same voltage
as the local AC mains supply (see page 13).
2. Push the linecord securely into the IEC
connector on the rear panel, and plug it into a
3-prong AC outlet. The mixer may accept any
AC voltage ranging from 100 VAC to 240 VAC.
3. Plug a balanced microphone into one of the mic
XLR (3-pin) connectors. Or connect any
line-level signal (keyboard, or guitar preamp)
to a line input jack using a TS or a TRS
1/4" plug.
4. If your microphone requires phantom power,
turn on the 48V phantom power button.
5. Channels 1-8 have insert jacks that can be used
to connect an external effects or dynamics
processor into the signal chain.
6. Connect the XLR or TRS 1/4" main outputs
of the mixer to the line level inputs of your
amplifier (with speakers already attached)
or to the line level inputs of powered speakers.
Set the levels
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 output jack, then turn up the
CR/phones knob just a little.
1. Turn on the mixer by pressing the top edge of
the power switch.
2. For one channel, press the solo switch in.
3. Engage the mode switch in the master
section. A green level set light will turn on.
4. Play something into that input at real-world
levels.
5. Adjust that channel's gain control until the
left main meter stays around the 0 dB LED
(marked "level set") and never goes higher
than "+7."
6. Disengage the channel's solo switch.
7. Repeat steps 2 to 6 for the remaining channels.
8. Turn up the channel fader to the "U" mark.
9. Slowly turn up the main mix fader until you
hear the signals in the headphones.
10. If needed, apply some channel EQ wisely.
11. Adjust the channel faders to get the best mix.
Keep the gain controls and levels fully down
on unused channels.
12. During the performance, if you notice a channel
OL LED turning on during peaks, carefully turn
down that channel's gain control until OL does
not turn on.
Things to Remember
• Never listen to loud music for prolonged
periods. Please see the Safety Instructions on
page 2 for information on hearing protection.
• Always turn down the main mix fader and
control room/phones knob down when making
connections to the mixer. Better yet, turn off
the power.
• When shutting down, turn off any power
amplifiers or powered speakers first. When
powering up, turn them on last. This will
reduce the chance of turn-on or turn-off
thumps.
• Save the shipping box!
Owner's Manual
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