Mackie 1604-VLZ3 User Manual

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Owner’s Manual
Owner’
s Manual
AUX TALK
SENDS are outputs, RETURNS are inputs. Each 
channel's AUX [34] knobs tap the signal off the channel 
and send it to the AUX SEND [6] outputs. AUX 1 and 2 
are sent to the AUX SENDS 1 and 2 [49] master knobs 
before the AUX SEND  outputs; AUX 3 through 6 are sent 
directly.
These outputs can be fed to the inputs of a reverb or 
other device. From there, the outputs of the external 
device are fed back to the mixer’s STEREO RETURN [7] 
inputs. Then these signals are sent through the STEREO 
RETURN [51] level controls, and fi nally delivered to the 
main mix.
So, the original “dry” signals come from the channels 
to the main mix, and the affected “wet” signals come 
from the STEREO RETURNS to the main mix, and once 
mixed together, the dry and wet signals combine to cre-
ate a glorious sound. Armed with this knowledge, let’s 
visit the Auxiliary World:
49. AUX SENDS (MASTER)
These knobs provide overall level control of AUX 
SENDS 1 and 2, just before they’re delivered to their 
AUX SEND [6] outputs. This is perfect for controlling 
the level of stage monitors, since you’ll be using AUX 1 
and 2 for this, with their PRE [35] switches engaged. 
AUX SENDS 3 through 6 have no such control — they’ll 
just send their mixes directly to their respective AUX 
SEND outputs at unity gain.
These knobs go from off (turned fully down), to unity 
gain at the center detent, with 10 dB of extra gain 
(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. (It would follow suit that if 
the singer stuck his thumb down, you’d turn the knob 
down, but that never happens.)
50. AUX SENDS SOLO
Once again, in live sound situations AUX SEND 1 and 
2 are likely to feed your stage monitors. You’ll want to 
check the mix you’re sending them, and that’s what 
these two buttons are for. (AUX 3 through AUX 6 have 
no such switch.) Beside each switch is a green LED 
that, just like the channel’s –20 LED [28], helps you 
fi nd the rogue SOLO switch.
The only thing different about AUX SENDS SOLO is 
that it’s not really PFL (pre-fader listen), and it’s not 
really SIP (solo-in-place), it’s actually AFL (after-fader 
listen). During NORMAL (AFL) [44] mode , you’ll 
get AUX SEND 1’s solo signal, post-AUX SENDS [49] 
master level, in the left side of the control room outputs, 
phones output and meter display, and AUX SEND 2 on 
the right side. (If you ever use AUX 1 and 2 to create a 
stereo monitor mix, you’ll understand why.) In LEVEL 
SET (PFL) mode, you’ll get the signal dead-center, but 
still post-AUX SENDS master level.
51. STEREO RETURNS (LEVEL)
These four controls set the overall level of effects 
received from the STEREO  RETURN [7] input jacks. 
These controls are designed to handle a wide range of 
signal levels — each knob goes from off, to unity gain at 
the detent, to 20 dB gain fully clockwise, to compensate 
for low-level effects. Signals passing through these level 
controls will proceed directly to the MAIN MIX FADER 
[37], with exceptions that we’ll discuss in a moment. 
Typically, these knobs can just live at the 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 effects device’s outputs, not the mixer. That 
way, the mixer’s knobs are easy to  relocate at the center 
detent.
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