Mackie hui User Manual

H

U

I      R E F E R E N C E  G U I D E

Momentary Footswitch

(optional)

Studio

Mic 2

Studio

Mic 1

Talkback

Mic

Compressor

Talkback

Trigger

Out

Insert

Insert

Out

Mic 2

Mic 1

DAW audio interface

Internal

External

Mic

HUI has two stand-alone microphone pream-

plifiers for connecting mics for use during
recording. These mic preamps are of the same
high-headroom, low-noise design found on
Mackie’s celebrated 8•Bus and SR Series mix-
ing consoles. Because we know you don’t want
to run your quality mics through second-rate
preamps, we use preamps with large-emitter-ge-
ometry, conjugate-pair transistors, allowing them
to sound as good as the preamps on the most
expensive consoles.

Connect your mics to the HUI preamps by

using an appropriate cable with XLR connec-
tors. (Pin 1=Shield [Ground], Pin 2=Signal
High [+], Pin 3=Signal Low [–].)

To get the best signal-to-noise ratio, it is im-

portant to set the MIC TRIM controls properly.

1. Connect the microphone to the  MIC IN-

PUT connector. Push in the +48V PHANTOM
switch if required for your microphone.

2. Turn the TRIM level control all the way

down (counterclockwise).

3. Disconnect any external gear connected

to the INSERT jack.

4. Connect the BAL/UNBAL OUT connector

to the input of the DAW audio interface. En-
gage the Rec/Rdy function on that channel,
and set its input level to unity gain.

5. Make appropriate “noise” into the micro-

phone. For example, have a performer play/
sing/strike something or someone, etc. at the
level they’re going to record or perform. Don’t just
play a single sustained note, but rather, jam away
as you would during a recording or performance.
You might want to roll an already-recorded
track from your recorder.

6. Adjust the TRIM level control. The goal is

to produce the highest signal level possible
without distorting the mic preamp stage, and
to attain the highest bit level when the analog
signal is converted to digital, without exceed-
ing the maximum digital value (which results
in digital clipping). As a general rule, you want
the meter on the DAW audio interface to read at
or around –15 dB. The peaks should regularly
hit, and occasionally exceed, the –15 dB desig-
nation on the meter.

7. If you connect an external processor to

the INSERT jack, you may need to readjust the
input level control for the DAW audio interface.

Though HUI has its own talkback mic on the

front panel, you may want to connect an exter-
nal talkback mic of your own. That’s why we’ve
included a talkback mic preamp on the rear
panel. This mic preamp is identical to the other
two mic preamps (described above), giving you a
total of three high-quality mic inputs. Connect
your external talkback mic the same way you
would the other mics. Be sure the talkback
TRIM control is turned up (adjust to taste).

The MIC INTERNAL/EXTERNAL switch on

HUI’s rear panel lets you choose between the
front in-panel mic or an external talkback mic.
Be sure it is switched according to your needs.

To connect studio monitors (like a pair of

Mackie’s HR824s) to HUI, simply connect one
end of your cables (with 1/4

″

 TRS plugs) into

MONITOR OUTPUT 1 (the left one is for Left
speaker or mono output; right is for Right
speaker output), and the other ends to your
studio monitors.

HUI features three pairs of monitor output

jacks, so you can run up to three sets of monitors
at one time. You may have one set of monitors
in your control room, and one or two others
running to various other places like vocal
booths or the like. Or you may want to audition
your mixes through three different types of
speakers (monitors).