Mackie DJ Mixer User Manual

Owner’

s Manual

These male XLR connectors provide a balanced mic- 

or line-level signal from the main level control [32]. The 
line/mic switch [10] determines if it is a mic-level or 
line-level output. Connect these to the balanced inputs 
of the active speakers, or power amplifier(s) powering 
your main speakers.

If you are connecting the d.2 Pro main out to an un-

balanced input, use the RCA main outs [11] instead.

Balanced connections offer better immunity 
to external noise (specifically, hum and buzz) 
than unbalanced connections. Because of 
this, it is the preferred interconnect method, 

especially in cases where very long lengths of cable are 
being used. A long unbalanced cable carries with it more 
opportunity for noise to get into the system — having 
balanced cables means very little noise will enter the 
system. If you must use an unbalanced connection, keep 
the cable length to 10 feet or less (3 meters).

If you are connecting the XLR main outs [9] to line-

level inputs like a power amplifier’s inputs, leave this 
switch out, in the line position.

If you are using the d.2 Pro as a submixer and con-

necting the XLR main outs to the mic inputs of another 
mixer, push this switch in to the mic position. This 
inserts a 30 dB pad to reduce the output signal to a mic 
level. This feature allows you to connect the d.2 Pro 
output directly to a snake without using direct boxes.

These RCA connectors provide an unbalanced line-

level signal from the main out, either pre- or post-main 
level control [32], depending on the setting of the 
live/record switch [12].

When this switch is out (live position), the RCA main 

outs provide the signal just after the main level control 
[32], so it essentially provides the same signal as the 
XLR main outs [9], except it is an unbalanced signal 
rather than a balanced one.

When this switch is pushed in (record position), the 

RCA main outs provide the signal just prior to the main 
level control. This allows you to make a stereo recording 
that is not affected by main out level changes during a 
performance.

When the power switch is turned on, power is sup-

plied to the d.2 Pro and the cool blue EQ knobs light up.

This is a standard 3-prong IEC power connector. 

Connect the detachable linecord (included in the box 
with your d.2 Pro) to the power receptacle, and plug the 
other end of the linecord into an AC outlet.

The d.2 Pro has a universal power supply that can 

accept any AC voltage from 100 VAC to 240 VAC. No need 
for voltage select switches. It will work virtually any-
where in the world. It is less susceptible to voltage sags 
or spikes than conventional power supplies, providing 
greater electromagnetic isolation and better protection 
against AC line noise.

FireWire (a.k.a. IEEE 1394) is a high-

speed serial I/O interface for connecting 
digital devices. The d.2 Pro has two FireWire connectors 
for transferring digital audio to and from the digital 
audio workstation running on your laptop computer. Use 
either connector.

The FireWire interface provides a total of 13 audio 

outputs to your computer, including:

•  Main mix outputs L/R (2 outputs) 
•  FX sends L/R (2 outs)
•  Post-EQ microphone (1 out)
•  Post-EQ program channel L/R (4 outs)
•  Line/phono direct program L/R (4 outs)

The main output signals are pre-main level control 

[32], so they are independent of any adjustments made 
to the main level control. This allows you to easily re-
cord your live performance directly to your laptop. 

The FireWire interface also lets you use your com-

puter to playback six channels into the d.2 Pro:

•  Program 1 L/R (2 inputs) 
•  Program 2 L/R (2 inputs) 
•  FX Returns L/R (2 inputs) 

The FireWire program source for pgm 1 and pgm 2 is 

selected using the source select switch [26]. Two other 
FireWire channels can be returned to the main mix by 
pressing the FireWire FX return switch [37].

See Appendix E on page 26 for more FireWire details. 

The block diagram on page 23 shows the points where 
FireWire signals enter and leave the mixer.