Mackie 802VLZ4 Owner's Manual

802VLZ4

When connecting a mono device (just one cord),

always use the left (mono) input (jacks 3, 5, or 7) and
plug nothing into the right input (jacks 4, 6, or 8)—
this way the signal will appear on both sides. This trick
is called “jack normalling.”

These jacks are where you connect serial effects

such as compressors, equalizers, de-essers, or filters.
Since most people don’t have more than a few of these
gadgets, we’ve included inserts for just the first two
channels. If you want to use this kind of processing on
channels 3 through 8, simply patch your source through
your processor before you plug into the 802VLZ4.

The channel insert points are after the gain [7]  

and low cut [5] controls, but before the channel’s  
EQ [25-27] and level [21] controls. The send (tip)  
is low-impedance (120 ohms), capable of driving any
line-level device. The return (ring) is high-impedance
(over 2.5 k ohms) and can be driven by almost any
device.

See Appendix B for details and drawings about insert

cables, and a diagram showing three ways to use the
jacks.

Besides being used for inserting external devices,

these jacks can also be used as channel direct outputs;
post-gain, post-low cut, and pre EQ. In fact, our Onyx
mic preamps have become so famous, that people buy
the mixers just to have some of these preamps in their
arsenal. 

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)

These inputs share circuitry (but not phantom power)

with the mic preamps, and can be driven by balanced
or unbalanced sources at almost any level. You can use
these inputs for virtually any signal you’ll come across,
from instrument levels as low as –40 dB to operating
levels of –10 dBV to +4 dBu, since there is more gain
available than on line inputs 3–8.

To connect balanced lines to these inputs, use a 1⁄4"

Tip-Ring-Sleeve (TRS) plug, the type found on stereo
headphones.

To connect unbalanced lines to these inputs, use a

1⁄4" mono (TS) phone plug or standard instrument
cable.

The line inputs 1–2 are a good place to connect older

instruments that need more gain. You can correct weak
levels by adjusting the corresponding channel’s gain
control [7].

These fully-balanced inputs are designed for stereo or

mono, balanced or unbalanced signals. They can be used
with just about any professional or semi-pro instrument,
effect or CD player.

In the stereo audio world, an odd-numbered

channel usually receives the “left signal.” For example,
you would feed the 802VLZ4’s line inputs 5-6 a stereo
signal by inserting the device’s left output plug into
the channel 5 jack, and its right output plug into the
channel 6 jack.