Mackie ProFX8 User Manual

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ProFX8 and ProFX12
Pr
oFX8 and Pr
oFX12
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. Here’s 
how it works:
A mono signal should be patched into the input or re-
turn jack labeled left (mono). The signal will be routed 
to both the left and right sides of the return circuit, and 
will show up in the center of the stereo pair of buses it’s 
 assigned to, or it can be “panned” with the  pan control.
A stereo signal, having two plugs, should be patched 
into the left (mono) and the right input or return jacks. 
A jack switch in the right jack will disable the mono 
function, and the  signals will show up in stereo.
A mono signal connected to the right jack will show 
up in the right bus only. You probably will only want to 
use this sophisticated effect for special occasions.
TRS Send/Receive Insert Jacks
Mackie’s single-jack inserts are the three- conductor, 
TRS-type 1⁄4" phone. They are unbalanced, but have 
both the mixer output (send) and the mixer input 
 (return) signals in one connector. See Figure E.
The sleeve is the common ground (earth) for both 
signals. The send from the mixer to the  external unit is 
carried on the tip, and the return from the unit to the 
mixer is on the ring.
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).
This allows you to tap out the channel or bus signal 
without interrupting normal operation.
If you push the 1⁄4" TS plug in to the second click, you 
will open the jack switch and create a  direct out, which 
does interrupt the signal in that channel. See Figure F.
NOTE: Do not overload or short-circuit the signal you 
are tapping from the mixer. That will affect the internal 
signal.
“tip”
This plug connects to one of the 
mixer’s Channel Insert jacks.
“ring”
tip
ring
sleeve
SEND to processor
RETURN from processor
(TRS plug)
Figure E
Direct out with no signal interruption to master.
Insert only to first “click.”
Channel Insert jack
Channel Insert jack
Channel Insert jack
Direct out with signal interruption to master.
Insert all the way in to the second “click.”
For use as an effects loop.
(TIP = SEND to effect, RING = RETURN from effect.)
MONO PLUG
MONO PLUG
STEREO 
PLUG
Figure F