Mackie 1604-VLZ3 Owner's Manual

Mackie 1604-VLZ3 Owner's Manual

16-channel mic/line mixer
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1604-VLZ3
16-Channel Mic/Line Mixer
O W N E R ' S M A N U A L

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Summary of Contents for Mackie 1604-VLZ3

  • Page 1 1604-VLZ3 16-Channel Mic/Line Mixer O W N E R ’ S M A N U A L...
  • Page 2: Important Safety Instructions

    (service) dans le livret d'instruction accompagnant l'appareil. 1604-VLZ3 20. NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules.
  • Page 3: Read This Page

    Message to seasoned pros: do NOT set levels using the old “Turn the trim up until the clip light comes on, then back off a hair” trick. When a Mackie mixer clip light comes on, you really are about to clip.
  • Page 4: Introduction

    XDR2 Extended Dynamic Range premium studio-grade mic preamp. Now that you have your 1604-VLZ3, fi nd out how to get the most from it. That’s where this manual comes in. How To Use This Manual Since many of you folks will want to hook up your 1604-VLZ3 immediately, the fi...
  • Page 5: Table Of Contents

    56. RETURNS SOLO AND LED ... 25 APPENDIX A: SERVICE INFORMATION ... 26 APPENDIX B: CONNECTIONS... 27 APPENDIX C: TECHNICAL INFORMATION ... 30 SPECIFICATIONS ... 30 TRACK SHEET... 32 BLOCK DIAGRAM ... 34 1604-VLZ3 LIMITED WARRANTY ... 35 Owner’s Manual...
  • Page 6: Hookup Diagrams

    HOOKUP DIAGRAMS Mic 1-2 Guitar Bass Processors Stereo Compressor Keyboard Drum Machine Multi-track Digital Recorder Stereo Compressor and Stereo EQ Stereo Tape Deck HR824s or Reverb other Powered Studio Monitors Delay Mono in Stereo out Headphones Recording System 1604-VLZ3...
  • Page 7 Stereo Compressors Mics 1-4 Guitar Processor Drum Machine Active Stage Monitors Keyboard or other line-level input Left and Right Active PA Speakers Mono EQ Mono EQ CD/DVD Player Stereo Compressor and Stereo EQ Reverb Multi-track Digital Recorders Delay for Optional Live Recording Headphones Live Stereo PA System Owner’s Manual...
  • Page 8: Converting To Rackmount Mode

    Converting To Rackmount Mode Not only is the new 1604-VLZ3 a compact, profes- sional-quality tabletop mixer, it’s rack- mountable. The unique rotating input pod makes this possible. With a trusty phillips screwdriver, nerves of steel, grit, determination, your charming good looks, and a few...
  • Page 9: Patchbay Description

    Professional ribbon, dynamic, and condenser mics will all sound excellent through these inputs. The 1604-VLZ3’s mic inputs will handle any kind of mic level you can toss at them, without overloading. Be sure to perform the Level-Setting Procedure on page 3.
  • Page 10: Line Inputs

    [3], post-EQ [32], post-LOW CUT [33], post-FADER [25], and post-MUTE [30]. They are the key player in “split monitoring,” making the 1604-VLZ3 perfect for an 8-track studio. SPLIT MONITORING With split monitoring, you use the fi...
  • Page 11: Aux Send Outputs

    2-track, your control room system, or your headphones. But let’s not forget that the 1604-VLZ3 is a 4-bus mixer. These buses lead to the SUB OUTS [8], and are designed to accomplish the task of getting channels to the multitrack without using the direct outputs.
  • Page 12: Stereo Returns

    To learn how signals are routed to these outputs, see CTL ROOM/PHONES [43] on page 20. 10. PHONES OUTPUT (on front panel) The 1604-VLZ3’s stereo 1/4" phones jack will drive any stan- dard headphone to very loud lev- els.
  • Page 13: Tape Input

    WARNING: Before you plug the AC power cord into the 1604-VLZ3, you must make sure that the VOLTAGE SELECTOR [17] slide switch is set to the same voltage as your local AC mains supply.
  • Page 14: Fuse

    1A SLO BLO, 5x20mm, available at electronics stores or your dealer (or a 500 mA SLO BLO 5x20 mm if your 1604-VLZ3 is set to 220V-240V). If two fuses blow in a row, something is very wrong.
  • Page 15: Channel Strip Description

    DIRECT OUT [5] jacks, all the channel assignment switches should be disengaged (up). The 1604-VLZ3 is what we call a “true 4-bus mixer.” Each channel can be assigned or unassigned to any of the subgroups without affecting the other subgroups or settings within the channel, and each subgroup has its own master fader and dedicated output.
  • Page 16: Solo

    — it’s the point where the signal’s voltage tries to exceed the supply voltages that power the circuitry. The 1604-VLZ3’s OL LED will come on just before clipping, so if you see it, take immediate action: Perform the Level-Setting Procedure on page 3.
  • Page 17: Pan

    EQ you’ll ever need! (Shelving means that the circuitry boosts or cuts all frequencies past the specifi ed frequency. For example, the 1604-VLZ3’s LOW EQ boosts bass frequencies below 80 Hz and continuing down to the lowest note you never heard. Peaking means that certain frequencies form a “hill”...
  • Page 18: Low Cut

    36. 5/6 SHIFT Don’t let the fact that there’s only four AUX knobs per channel fool you — the 1604-VLZ3 has six AUX SENDs [6]. With this 5/6 SHIFT switch up, the knobs labeled AUX 3 and AUX 4 deliver their signals to AUX SEND 3 and 4 outputs.
  • Page 19: Output Section Description

    Output Section Description You’ve just learned about the input channels and how the signals get in and out. The signals come in via MIC [1] and LINE [2] input jacks, are manipulated by the channels, and then sent to the output (master) section. Things get a little more complicated, so put on your thinking caps, take a deep cleansing breath, take this manual, get on a bycycle, ride down to the canal, ponder...
  • Page 20: Tape In (Level)

    (if recording). But what if the engineer needs to hear something other than the main mix? With the 1604-VLZ3, the engineer has several choices of what to listen to. This is one of those tricky parts —...
  • Page 21: Mode (Normal (Afl)/Level Set (Pfl))

    This fl ashing LED (light emitting diode) serves two purposes — to remind you that you’re in SOLO, and to let you know that you’re mixing on a Mackie. No other company is so concerned about your level of SOLO awareness.
  • Page 22: Meters

    48. METERS The 1604-VLZ3’s peak metering system is made up of two columns of twelve LEDs. Deceptively simple, con- sidering the multitude of signals that can be monitored by it. If nothing is selected in the SOURCE [42] matrix, and no channels are in SOLO [27], the meter display will just sit there.
  • Page 23: Aux Talk

    (turned fully up). As with some other level controls, you may never need the additional gain, but if you ever do, you’ll be glad you bought a Mackie. This is usually the knob you turn up when the lead singer glares at you, points at his stage monitor, and sticks his thumb in the air.
  • Page 24: To Aux 1 And To Aux 2

    15 dB of gain turned fully up. STEREO RETURN 3 and 4 have no such knobs. 1604-VLZ3 53. MAIN MIX TO SUBS (STEREO RETURN 3) With this switch up, STEREO RETURN 3 behaves like all the others —...
  • Page 25: C-R/Phns Only (Stereo Return 4)

    Congratulations! You’ve just read about all the fea- tures of your 1604-VLZ3. You’re probably ready for a cold one. Go ahead. The rest of the manual can wait. Owner’s Manual...
  • Page 26: Appendix A: Service Information

    Appendix A: Service Information Warranty Service If you think your Mackie product has a problem, please check out the following troubleshooting tips and do your best to confi rm the problem. Visit the Support section of our website (www.mackie.com/support) where you will fi nd lots of useful information such as FAQs, and documentation.
  • Page 27: Appendix B: Connections

    These switch- es may open an insert loop in a circuit, change the input routing of the signal or serve other functions. Mackie uses switches in the channel insert and bus insert jacks, input jacks and AUX returns.
  • Page 28: Unbalancing A Line

    Using the Send Only on an Insert Jack If you insert a TS (mono) 1⁄4" plug only partially (to the fi rst click) into a Mackie insert jack, the plug will not activate the jack switch and will not open the insert loop in the circuit (thereby allowing the channel signal to continue on its merry way through the mixer).
  • Page 29 Mackie Stereo Inputs and Returns: Mono, Stereo, Whatever Stereo line inputs and stereo returns are a fi ne example of the Mackie philosophy (which we just made up) of Maximum Flexibility with Minimum Headache. The inputs and returns will automatically be mono or stereo, depending upon how you use the jacks.
  • Page 30: Appendix C: Technical Information

    Therefore, we reserve the right to change these specifi cations at any time without notice. “Mackie,” and the “Running Man” are registered trademarks of better than –70 dB LOUD Technologies Inc. All other brand names mentioned are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective hold- ers, and are hereby acknowledged.
  • Page 31 Dimensions 19.0 in/ 483 mm (with Rack Ears fitted) 17.3 in/ 440 mm 17.5 in 445mm Pod in normal position 13.0 in 330mm Pod in back position 17.9 in 446mm Pod in front (with optional RotoPod) 5.1 in 5.7 in 129 mm 146 mm (with Rack Ears fitted...
  • Page 32: Track Sheet

    LOW CUT LOW CUT 75 Hz 75 Hz 18dB/OCT 18dB/OCT MUTE MUTE - 20 SOLO 1 – 2 3 – 4 L - R 1604-VLZ3 GAIN GAIN GAIN +15dB -45dB +15dB -45dB +15dB -45dB SHIFT SHIFT SHIFT 80Hz 80Hz 80Hz...
  • Page 33 GAIN GAIN GAIN GAIN +15dB -45dB +15dB -45dB +15dB -45dB +15dB -45dB SHIFT SHIFT SHIFT SHIFT 80Hz 80Hz 80Hz OW CUT LOW CUT LOW CUT LOW CUT 75 Hz 75 Hz 75 Hz 75 Hz 8dB/OCT 18dB/OCT 18dB/OCT 18dB/OCT MUTE MUTE MUTE MUTE...
  • Page 34: Block Diagram

    Block Diagram CR/PHN R CR/PHN L LOGIC SIP R SIP L AUX 6 AUX 5 AUX 4 AUX 3 AUX 2 AUX 1 SUB 4 SUB 3 SUB 2 SUB 1 MAIN R MAIN L 1604-VLZ3...
  • Page 35: 1604-Vlz3 Limited Warranty

    The Product Warranty will not extend to anyone other than the original purchaser of the product (hereinafter, “Customer,” “you” or “your”). For products purchased outside the U.S. or Canada, please visit www.mackie.com/warranty to fi nd contact information for your local distributor, and information on any warranty coverage provided by the distributor in your local market.
  • Page 36 16220 Wood-Red Road NE • Woodinville, WA 98072 • USA United States and Canada: 800.898.3211 Europe, Asia, Central and South America: 425.487.4333 Middle East and Africa: 31.20.654.4000 Fax: 425.487.4337 • www.mackie.com E-mail: sales@mackie.com...

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