Mackie 1642-VLZ3 Manual De Usuario

164

2-

VLZ3

Alongside each channel fader are four buttons, 

labeled SOLO, 1–2, 3–4 and L/R. The bottom three are 
collectively referred to as channel assignment switches. 
1, 3 and L are the left sides of these stereo pairs, and 
2, 4 and R are the right sides. Used in conjunction with 
the channel’s PAN [31] knob, these switches determine 
the destination of a channel’s signal: With the PAN knob 
set at the center detent, the left and right sides receive 
equal signal levels. To feed only one side or the other, 
just turn the PAN knob accordingly.

If you’re doing a mixdown to a 2-track, simply engage 

the L/R switch on each channel that you want to hear, 
and they’ll be sent to the main mix. If you want to create 
a subgroup of certain channels, engage either the 1–2 
or 3–4 switches instead of the L/R, and they’ll be sent 
to the appropriate subgroup faders. From there, the 
subgroups can be sent back to the main mix, allowing 
you to use the subgroup faders as a master control for 
those channels. 

If you’re printing new tracks or bouncing existing 

ones, you’ll also use the 1–2 and 3–4 switches, but not 
the L/R switch. Here, you don’t want the subgroups sent 
back into the main mix, but sent out, via the SUB OUT 
[8] jacks, to your multitrack inputs. However, if you’re 
printing tracks via the DIRECT OUT [5] jacks, all the 
channel assign switches should be disengaged (up).

The 1642-VLZ3 is what we call a “true 4-bus mixer.” 

Each channel can be assigned or unassigned to any of 
the subgroups without affecting the other subgroups or 
settings within the channel, and each subgroup has its 
own master fader and dedicated output. In fact, since 
there are 4 subgroups and the main L/R mix, it’s actually 
a true 6-bus mixer.

This lovable switch allows you to check signals in your 

headphones and control room without having to assign 
them to the L/R, 1-2 or 3-4 mixes.

You can solo as many channels as you like. SOLO does 

not interrupt any of the other channels, buses or out-
puts — that’s called nondestructive solo. When SOLO is 
pressed, that channel's -20 (SOLO) LED [28] will light 
constantly, so you can easily catch any channels which 
have been soloed by those naughty SOLO pixies.

Using the MODE [44] switch, the 1642-VLZ3’s solo 

system comes in two flavors: NORMAL (AFL) (some-
times called SIP, or solo-in-place) and LEVEL SET 
(PFL) (sometimes called PFL, or pre-fader-listen). The 
MODE switch is described on page 20.

There are eight mono, and four stereo channel strips. 

Many of the functions are identical for the mono and 
stereo channels. We’ll start at the bottom and work our 
way up, pointing out the differences as we go along.

Mackie mixers have a “U” symbol on almost 
every level control. This “U” stands for “unity 

gain,” meaning no change in signal level. Once you have 
performed the Level-Setting Procedure, you can set 
every control at “U” and your signals will travel through 

the mixer at optimal levels. Also, the 
labels on our controls are measured 
in decibels (dB), so you’ll know what 
you’re doing level-wise if you choose to 
change a control’s settings.

The fader is almost the last control in 

a channel’s signal path. It’s placed after 
the EQ [32] and MUTE [30] (post-EQ 
/post-MUTE), and before PAN [31] 
(pre-PAN). The “U” mark, about three-
quarters of the way up, indicates unity 
gain, meaning no increase or decrease 
of signal level. All the way up provides 
an additional 10 dB, should you need to 
boost a section of a song. If you find that 
the overall level is too quiet or too loud 
with a fader near unity, you’ll want to 
confirm the GAIN setting by performing 
the Level-Setting Procedure.

Faders are not rocket science 
— they operate by dragging a 
metal pin (the wiper) across 

a carbon-based strip (the track). It is 
possible for airborne crud to land on 
the track. Should that happen, you may 
hear scratchy noises or signal dropouts 
as the wiper stumbles over the crud. Do 
all you can to keep airborne crud out 
of your profession. Use air conditioned 
rooms whenever possible, avoid smok-
ing near the mixer, keep food and drink 
away from the mixer, and for pity’s sake, 
never put the mixer in your kitchen! We 
also recommend “exercising” the faders 
— give them a walk up and down once 
a week or so, and that will help scare 
the crud away. We do not recommend 
spray cleaners.