Left/Right Level Meters; Solo Mode; Rude Solo Light - Mackie 3204VLZ4 Quick User Manual

58. Left/Right Level Meters
60. So o Mode
These peak meters are made up of two columns of
twelve LEDs, with three colors to indicate different
ranges of signal level, traffic light style They range from
—30 at the bottom, to 0 in the middle, to +20 (CLIP) at
the
top.
When a channel is soloed in PFL, the right meter
shows no reading, and the left meter shows the level of
that channels signal level. pre-fader.
In AF'L, both left and right meters illuminate to
indicate the 'After Fader Level' of the signal and stereo
imaging. AFL is always used for outputs, regardless
of the position of the PF[JAFL master switch, as you
always want to view the output level after the fader.
The left meter's 0dB LED is labeled 'level set" to
show where the level should be when adjusting a
channels gain
[231
in the solo mode (as described in
"Set the Levels" on page 6).
When 0 dbu (0.775 V) is at the main left and right
TRS outputs
171,
it shows as 0 dB on the meters.
You can get a good mix with peaks flashing anywhere
between —20 and
+10
dB on the meters. Most amplifiers
clip at about
+
10 dEn, and some recorders aren't so
forgiving either. For best real-world results, try to keep
your peaks between "0" and "+7." Remember. audio
meters are just tools to help assure you that your levels
are "in the ballpark." You don't have to stare at them
(unless you want to).
59, Rude Solo Light
l'his large red LED flashes when one or more solo
switches are engaged [41,49,53 55,73]. This acts as
a reminder that what you hear in the control room and
headphones is the soloed channel(s), 2-track return,
stereo return, aux(es). and/or group(s). If you forget
that you are in sole mode, you can easily be tricked
into thinking that something is wrong with your mixer.
Hence, the rude solo light. Please forgive its rudeness,
it is only trying to help, and wants to be your friend.
Engaging a channel's soLo switch [41 will cause this
dramatic turn of events: kny existing source selection
is immediately replaced by the solo signal, appearing
at the monitor utputs 115, 16], phones [1] an I at
the left meter [58] (left and right meters when in AFL
solo mode). The audible solo levels are then controlled
by the solo knob [67]. The discrete level controls for
headphones and monitor outputs are dependent on
what is plugged in.
With the solo mode switch in the up position,
wit
are
in PFL mode, meaning Pre-Fader Listen. This mode is
required for the 'Set the LewIs" procedure and is handy
for quick spot.ehecks of channel ,especiall ones that
have their fader turned down. PEL mode is only
a'~ailable to input signals. While in PFL mode, if an
output is soloed, its signal will show up, hut it will
he an All signal.
With the solo mode switch down, you are
ii
AFL
mode, meaning After-Fader Listen. You will be able
to hear the stereo output of the soloed channel
—
it
will follow the channel's fader [43] and balance [37]
settings. It is similar to muting all of the other channels,
hut without the hassle. AFL mode is the only soloing
mode for subgroups arid aux masters. Subgroups 1-2
or 3-4 may be soloed simultaneously for a true stereo
image.
APL is a new feature available to channel inputs and
provides a mixdown solution that allows soloing the mix
as it is on the faders.
In PFL mode, solo will not be affected by a channel's
mute switch [381 position.
Reniombem; PFL mode taps the channel signal
before the fader. If you haveS
~
channel's fader
set way below "U" (unity gain), solo will not
know that and will send a unity gain signal to the
monitor outputs [15, 16]. phones output [17], and
meter display [58]. That may result in a startling level
boost at these outputs when switching from AFL to PFL
mode, depending on the position of the solo level
knob [67)
Owner's Manual
L . 1