Mackie VLZ3 4BUS Owner's Manual page 13

PHONES MONITOR GROUP INSERTS
(TIP=SEND, RING=RETURN)
17 12
L 4 3 2
15
MONITOR GROUP OUTS
(MONO) (BAL/UNBAL)
16 11
R 4 3 2
AUX INSERTS
(TIP=SEND, RING=RETURN)
14
6 5 4 3 2
AUX SENDS
13 (BAL/UNBAL)
6 5 4 3 2
POWER
ON
22
20
The USB routing capabilities are as follows:
USB input TO the mixer - playback:
(1) Stereo channel 23/24 (on the 2404-VLZ3) and
31/32 (on the 3204-VLZ3) features a USB button, so one
may route computer output (such as iTunes
last stereo channel of the board. This stereo signal may
then be EQ'd, sent to auxiliaries (i.e. to feed monitors,
headphones or effects) and is routable to mains and/or
subgroups via the fader routing features that are
available on all other channels. In short, this signal may
be sent to nearly any desired output or pair of outputs.
Additionally, the gain knob at the top of this channel
strip adjusts the USB input level to the mixer to achieve
an optimal signal level.
(2) The 2-Track Return section features a "flip"
switch, so a "Tape" source (connected via RCA cables,
such as an iPod
®
(playing Windows Media Player
be routed to the main bus. This section also features a
solo button and input level adjustment for fading house
music up and down between bands, at a house of
worship, or any other event where this may be
necessary.
USB output FROM the mixer - recording, etc:
(1) A variety of different signals may be recorded
via the USB output section, depending on the setup. In
the 'USB OUT' section, the switch on the left [51] will
select either Groups 1-2 or the main mix to feed USB
output channels 1-2. The second switch (to the right)
will select either Groups 3-4 or Aux 5-6 to feed USB
output channels 3-4.
For example, with both USB ouput switches in the
default position (up), true 4-track recording may be
accomplished via routing to subgroups 1-4. The USB tap
points for the subgroups are pre-fader (also pre-insert)
and post-compressor. The signals will show up on the
DAW dependent upon how they are panned on the
channels.
23/24 21/22 20
(BAL/UNBAL) (BAL/UNBAL)
1
L
4
(MONO)
INSERT INSERT
1
R
LINE IN LINE IN
STEREO RETURNS
(BAL/UNBAL) (BAL/UNBAL)
(BAL/UNBAL)
1 2 1
MIC 20 MIC 19
L
5
(MONO)
1
R
RIGHT
TALKBACK
PHANTOM
MIC
ON
INSERT LINE
TIP=SEND
21 19 RING=RETURN 8 (BAL/UNBAL)
) or the USB signal from a computer
files, for example) may
®
19 18 17 16
INSERT INSERT INSERT INSERT
LINE IN LINE IN LINE IN LINE IN
(BAL/UNBAL) (BAL/UNBAL) (BAL/UNBAL) (BAL/UNBAL)
MIC 18 MIC 17 MIC 16 MIC 15
LEFT
MAIN OUT MAIN OUT
INSERT LINE
7 7
TIP=SEND
RING=RETURN 8 (BAL/UNBAL)
In other words, if subgroups 1 and 2 are used to sub-
mix drums and those drums have a stereo image
(e.g. overheads and toms pan according to desire), this
stereo image is retained in the DAW inputs (assuming
subgroup 1 is set to "L" and subgroup 2 is set to "R").
Any adjustments made to the subgroup drum levels
) down the
®
during the show only pertain to the live show itself;
recording levels are not adjusted in the DAW unless they
are adjusted on the channels. However, compression
settings made on the mixer will apply to the recording.
Likewise, it is possible to record the main mix to take
home a copy of the live show. These levels are also
pre-main fader. Therefore, levels may be mixed up or
down in the DAW later depending on the needs of the
recording versus the live show. The end result is that
fade-ins and/or fade-outs made during the show do not
affect recorded levels.
And finally, it is possible to route the aux 5-6 (again,
pre-fader) mixer signals into a DAW or plug-in host.
From there, re-route the output of the DAW (or plug-in
host) back into the mixer. Voilà...a powerful outboard
effects unit!
Success here is partially dependent upon the
computer's speed. It needs to be fast enough
to run at low buffer sizes so that there is no
noticeable latency between the input signal and, say,
the reverb return. This kind of flexible routing allows
for a variety of choices: running aux 5-6 as effects sends
to outboard gear, internal effects sends (native to the
board), DAW plug-ins (via USB) or as monitor mix
feeds...a truly powerful feature! Be sure to review the
software requirements on www.mackie.com to confirm
that the latest device drivers are currently in use.
Owner's Manual
15 14 13 12
INSERT INSERT INSERT INSERT
LINE IN LINE IN LINE IN LINE IN
(BAL/UNBAL) (BAL/UNBAL) (BAL/UNBAL) (BAL/UNBAL)
MIC 14 MIC 13 MIC 12 MIC 11
MONO
MAIN OUT
INSERT LINE
9 OUTPUT
O O +6
LEVEL
TIP=SEND
RING=RETURN 8 (BAL/UNBAL) 10
11 10 9 8
3
INSERT INSERT INSERT INSERT
2
LINE IN LINE IN LINE IN LINE IN
(BAL/UNBAL) (BAL/UNBAL) (BAL/UNBAL) (BAL/UNBAL)
MIC 10 MIC 9 MIC 8 MIC 7
1
TAPE
IN OUT
L
USB
18
6 R
13
7