Binding Posts; Speakons - Mackie M-2600 Owner's Manual

• When connecting an unbalanced output
to a balanced input, be sure that the signal
high (hot) connections are wired to each
other. The unbalanced ground (earth) connec-
tion should be wired to the low and the ground
connections of the balanced input. If there are
ground-loop problems, try connecting the un-
balanced ground connection only to the input
low connection, and leaving the input ground
connection disconnected.
• In some cases, you will have to make up
special adapters to interconnect your equip-
ment. For example, you may need a balanced
XLR female connected to an unbalanced 1⁄4"
TS phone plug. The balanced-to-unbalanced
connection has been anticipated in the wiring
of Mackie jacks. A 1⁄4" TS plug inserted into a
1⁄4" TRS balanced input, for example, auto-
matically unbalances the input and makes all
the right connections. Conversely, a 1⁄4" TRS
plug inserted into a 1⁄4" unbalanced input
automatically ties the ring (low or cold) to
ground (earth).

BINDING POSTS

The binding posts provide a safe and secure
connection for speaker wire.
Prepare your wire by stripping back the in-
sulation to reveal clean, shiny wire. Make sure
it is not stripped back any further than 3/8"
(9.5mm), to avoid the chance of a shock haz-
ard. Carefully twist the wire so that any fine
wire strands are together.
Make sure the amplifier is
turned off before connect-
ing the speaker wire, as
there may be high AC volt-
ages present at the outputs
• Untighten the posts and insert the
bare wire as shown below.
• Check there are no strands of wire
sticking out which may touch the
other terminal.
• Tighten the posts by hand, do not use
a wrench!
Figure D: Binding Posts with Bare Wire

SPEAKONS

®
Speakon connectors have become popular
with many loudspeaker manufacturers be-
cause they provide a quick, yet safe and secure
method of connecting speaker cables. The con-
nectors have a twist-locking mechanism that
prevents them from being pulled out acciden-
tally. Plus, they are capable of handling high
currents and meet IEC 65 and IEC 348 safety
requirements.
Pin 1+ is speaker positive(+) and Pin 1– is
the speaker negative (–).
The amplifier is fitted with three Speakon
connectors, one for the left, one for the right
and one for the bridged mono operation. The
bridged mono connector must not be used with
any other connection, no speaker wire at-
tached to the binding posts, and no other
Speakons used.
Internally, the bridged mono Speakon is
wired directly to the binding posts. Pin 1+ is
connected to the Channel 1 positive and Pin 1–
is connected to Channel 2 positive. If you find
that your speaker (in bridged mono) sounds
strange, check that the AMP MODE switch is
correctly set to BRIDGED. Otherwise, your
speaker will be playing the difference between
Channel 1 and Channel 2, like an earlier
method of home theater center fill.
1–
1–
1+
COLD
Figure E: Speakon
Connectors
1+
2–
2+
HOT
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