Aux Talk; Aux 1 Select; Aux 1 Master; Aux Returns - Mackie 1402 VLZ Owner's Manual

AUX TALK

First of all, there is no par-
ticular alliance between AUX
SEND 1 (or 2) and AUX
RETURN 1 (or 2). They're
just numbers. They're like two complete
strangers, both named Fred.
Here's the whole idea behind sends and re-
turns: sends are outputs, returns are inputs.
AUX SENDs tap signals off the channels, via
their AUX knobs
, mix these signals, then
send them out via the AUX SEND jacks
These outputs are fed to the inputs of a re-
verb or other device. From there, the outputs of
this external device are fed back to the mixer's
AUX RETURN jacks . Then these signals are
sent through the AUX RETURN level controls,
and finally delivered to the MAIN MIX.
So, the original "dry" signals go from the
channels to the MAIN MIX and the affected
"wet" signals go from the Aux Returns to the
MAIN MIX, and once mixed together, the dry
and wet signals combine to create a glorious
sound. So, armed with this knowledge, let's
visit the Auxiliary World:
U
+10
O O

AUX 1 MASTER

PRE
POST
AUX 1 EFX TO
SELECT MONITOR
SOURCE
MAIN
MIX
ALT
3 – 4
TAPE
ASSIGN
TO MAIN MIX
(NORMAL)
IN PLACE AFL
PRE-FADER
(LEVEL SET)
SOLO
MODE
PHANTOM POWER
CONTROL
/ PHONES
ROOM
dB dB
10 10
5 5
U U
5 5
10 10
20 20
30 30
40 40
50 50
60 60
O O O O
24
mix, Aux Sends serve another critical role —
that of delivering cue mixes to stage monitors,
so musicians can hear what they're doing. On
the MS1402-VLZ, AUX SEND 1 can play either
role, depending on the position of this switch.
gaged), AUX SEND 1 will tap a channel
pre-FADER and pre-MUTE/ALT 3-4, meaning
that no matter how you manipulate those con-
trols as they feed the MAIN MIX, the AUX
.
SEND will continue to belt out a constant sig-
nal level. This is the preferred method for
setting up stage monitor feeds. EQ settings
will affect all AUX SENDS.
comes an ordinary effects send — post-FADER
and post-MUTE/ALT 3-4. This is a must for ef-
fects sends, since you want the levels of your
"wet" signals to follow the level of the "dry."
control of AUX SEND 1, just before it's deliv-
ered to the AUX 1 OUTPUT. (AUX SEND 2 has
no such control.) This knob goes from off
(turned fully down), to Unity gain at the center
U
detent, with 10dB of extra gain (turned fully
up). As with some other level controls, you may
1
+20
O O
NORMALLED
never need the additional gain, but if you ever
U
2
do, you'll be glad you bought a Mackie.
AUX
+20 RETURNS
O O
LEFT RIGHT
the lead singer glares at you, points at his
+28 CLIP
stage monitor, and sticks his thumb up in the
+10
air. (It would follow suit that if the singer
+7
+4
stuck his thumb down, you'd turn the knob
+2
down, but that never happens.)
0
-2
-4
-7
LEVEL
-10
SET
-20 effects received from STEREO AUX RETURN in-
-30
puts 1 and 2 . These controls are designed to
=
0dB 0dBu
handle a wide range of signal levels, from off, to
RUDE SOLO LIGHT
unity gain at the detent, with 20dB gain fully
MAIN MIX
clockwise, to compensate for low-level effects.
center detent, and the effects device's output
control should be set at whatever they call
Unity gain (check their manual). If that turns
out to be too loud or too quiet, adjust the ef-
fects device's outputs, not the mixer. That way,
the mixer's knobs are easy to relocate at the
center detent.

AUX 1 SELECT

Besides being used to work effects into your
With the AUX 1 SELECT switch up (disen-
With the switch down, AUX SEND 1 be-
AUX 1 MASTER
The AUX 1 MASTER provides overall level
This is usually the knob you turn up when

AUX RETURNS

These two controls set the overall level of
Typically, these knobs can just live at the