Mackie 1642-VLZ3 User Manual

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VLZ3
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 section. In the 
output section, things get a bit more complicated, so put 
on your thinking caps. 
37. MAIN MIX FADER
This controls the levels of  signals sent to the MAIN 
OUTS [14] and TAPE [11] OUTPUT jacks. All channels 
and stereo returns that are assigned to the main mix, 
that are not muted or turned fully down, will appear at 
the MAIN OUTS. Before the main mix gets to this fader, 
the signals pass through the MAIN INSERT [13].
The main mix signals are off with the fader fully down, 
the “U” marking is unity gain, and fully up provides 10 
dB of additional gain. This additional gain will typically 
never be needed, but it’s nice to know it’s there. The 
fader itself is a stereo version of the channel and sub-
group faders — same supersmooth custom taper, same 
dead silence when turned fully down. This is the fader 
to pull down at the end of the song when you want “The 
Great Fade-Out.”
38. SUBGROUP FADERS
As you might expect, these faders control the levels 
of signals sent to the SUB OUT [8] jacks. All channels 
that are assigned to subgroups, not muted and not 
turned fully down, will appear at the SUB OUTS. Unlike 
the MAIN OUTS [14], the subgroup signals do not pass 
through an insert jack on their way to the subgroup 
faders. That’s no problem — should you want to send 
these signals through a serial effects processor, simply 
patch from the SUB OUTS to the effect’s input, and from 
the effect’s output to whatever the fi nal destination is, 
usually a multitrack recorder.
The subgroup signal is off when its fader is fully down, 
the “U” marking is unity gain, and fully up provides 10 
dB additional gain. Remember that if you’re treating 
two subgroups as a stereo pair, subgroup 1 and 2 for 
example, make sure that both subgroup faders “ride” 
 together, to maintain the left/right balance. 
39.  ASSIGN TO MAIN MIX
One popular use of the subgroups is to use them as 
master faders for a group of channels on their way to 
the main mix. Let’s say you’ve got a drum kit hogging up 
seven channels and you’re going to want to fade them 
out at a different rate than the other channels. You don’t 
want to try that with seven hands or seven fi ngers, so 
just un-assign these channels from L/R, reassign them 
to subgroup 1–2,  engage the ASSIGN TO MAIN MIX, 
LEFT on subgroup 1 and RIGHT on subgroup 2. Now you 
can ride the entire stereo drum mix with two faders — 1 
and 2. 
If you engage just one of these switches per subgroup 
(left or right), the signal sent to the main mix will be 
the same level as the SUB OUTs [8]. If you want a sub-
group to appear in the center of the main mix, engage 
both left and right switches for that subgroup. The 
signal will be sent to both sides, and will be attenuated 
just enough to preserve constant loudness, just like the 
channel PAN [31] knobs when set in the center.
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