Mackie M1200/M1400 Power Cord, Speaker Outputs, If you shut down your System, turn off your ampli

Page 15

soothing green light adjacent to it glows. To turn the amp off, push the lower half. It’ll click again and the green light will extinguish.

When you power up the M•1200/M•1400, a built-in delay circuit prevents any pops or thumps from being transmitted to the speakers due to turn-on instability in the system. Be sure the signal driving the amplifier is turned down when you first power up the system. There are few things as rude as 3 seconds of silence followed by 225 watts of full-blast stereo sound! (Well, maybe 225 kilowatts of accordian music...)

If you shut down your

system, turn off your ampli-

fiers first. When powering

up, turn on your amplifiers last. This way, equipment

feeding the amp won’t “pop” or “thud” when it’s powered up or down.

POWER CORD

We all know what a power cord is. The M•1200 and M•1400 have big beefy cords built in. Plug the power cord into a 3-prong outlet that is capable of delivering 120VAC at 15 amps.

For current-delivery

purposes, the M•1200/

M•1400’s voltage source

(wall outlet, extension cords, or power strips)

must be capable of continuously delivering 15 amps. And for safety reasons, that source must be a “3-prong” outlet with hot, neutral, and ground terminals. We’re dealing with some big- time electricity here — don’t mess with it. See “AC Power Considerations” .

SPEAKER OUTPUTS

Some call them “GR” jacks, others call them “Banana” jacks, but we prefer to call them “Binding Posts.” You can call them whatever you like (except late for supper). These termi- nals are your standard fare.

To use the binding post outputs, you can terminate your speaker cables with single or double banana plugs, spade lugs, or leave them unterminated: Unscrew the amp’s binding posts enough to reveal the holes on their sides, then insert your stripped wires (stripped about 3/8" back) into the holes and retighten the posts (finger tight is fine — please don’t reef on them with a wrench!). Be careful that no runaway strands touch the chassis or other terminals.

The red posts are labeled “+,” which means positive. The black posts are labeled “–” for negative. You probably know the importance of getting these terms correct — if one side is hooked up “in phase” and the other side is “out of phase,” you’ll be “out of work.” (By the way, although everyone says “phase” in this situa- tion, the correct word is “polarity”... but it’s not as much fun to say.)

Using high-quality stranded speaker cable (16 gauge or thicker), connect the positive outputs of the M•1200/M•1400 to the positive inputs of your speakers, and the negative out- puts to the negative inputs. The exception: If you’re using the M•1200/M•1400 in BRIDGE mode, this does not apply. Please read on.

Note (M•1200 only): In addition to the binding posts, the M•1200 also has 1/4" TS (tip-sleeve)SPEAKER OUTPUTS, so you can use speaker cables with 1/4" TS plugs. The tip is positive (+) and the shield is negative (–). They’re wired in parallel with the binding posts and behave exactly the same (except they can’t be used in BRIDGE mode).

1CHANNEL / BRIDGE / MONO

LOW CUT

INPUT

FILTER

 

TYPICAL

BALANCED

OR

35 Hz

UNBALANCED

 

STAGE

 

MONITOR

AMP MODE

STEREO

MONO

 

BRIDGE

TYPICAL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INPUT

BALANCED

OR

UNBALANCED

CHANNEL 2

LOW CUT

FILTER

TYPICAL

35 Hz

STAGE

MONITOR

100 Hz

OUTPUT APPLICATION

100 Hz

OFF

170 Hz

 

FULL

 

SUB

 

OFF

170 Hz

 

 

 

RANGE

 

WOOFER

 

 

 

 

CONSTANT DIRECTIVITY

LIMITER (CH1 & CH2)

FREQUENCY

 

CONSTANT DIRECTIVITY

 

HORN EQ/AIR EQ

 

 

 

 

HORN EQ/AIR EQ

 

 

 

STEREO

 

 

 

 

4.5 kHz

 

 

125Hz

 

4.5k Hz

ON

TYPICAL

 

ON

 

 

 

 

 

2k Hz

5.6k Hz

 

ON

OFF

63Hz

 

2k Hz

5.6k Hz

 

AIR EQ

OFF

 

 

 

OFF

 

AIR EQ

 

 

TYPICAL

 

 

 

TYPICAL

 

 

 

 

THRU

 

 

THRU

 

 

15

Image 15
Contents Speaker Outputs Safety Instructions While this Noise level exposures shown in this chartManent hearing loss To suffi Protectors CientlyM1200/M1400 amps Be sure the Power switch is off before making connectionsQuick Start M1200/M1400 Amps can be mounted1/4 TS connectors are wired Tip = hot + and sleeve = cold Start dancing, but don’t let the ants out of your pantsThings You Must Remember Arcane Mysteries Illuminated Application DiagramsPlug for the Connectors Section General Precautions ConsiderationsContents Application M1400 Main Speakers and Stage Monitors with ONE Amplifier M1200/M1400 Stereo System with Bridged Subwoofer DB for those of you sittin’ there with your calculator GainHigh Current Design MetersOutputs. Both the Protect and the Short LEDs light up SIGProtect ShortTemp Status PowerIf you shut down your System, turn off your ampli Power CordFiers first. When powering Speaker OutputsChoose to terminate your Speaker cables with An amp’s signal routingInput Be Aware Should youHot + Pin Cold Pin RingPin Shield Thru LOW CUT FilterConstant Directivity More on Constant Directivity Horns AMP ModeNEL 1 inputs only BridgeOutput Application LimiterSelect a rolloff point, via the Frequency Here’s how to configure it Turn the M1200/M1400’s Power offTurn the M1200/M1400’s Power on. Woof SubwooferSubwoofer Frequency switch setting either 63Hz or 125Hz AC Power Considerations Rack MountingThermal Considerations Feet Input WiringOutput Wiring AC Power DistributionImpedance Wire 70V Distribution SystemsLoad Gauge Are both Gain knobs set to the same position? Warranty ServiceTroubleshooting Make sure the AMP Mode switch is set to BridgeRepair Mackie DesignsWood-Red Rd. NE Woodinville, WA Term for a sound mixer, usually a large desk-like mixer Sound Pressure Level SPL measured with an a weighting filterEMI See Hertz FrequencySignal whose level falls between -10 dBu and +30 dBu Male counterpart to the phone jack. See aboveControl affecting the final output of a Unity gain TRSInstruments XLR Connectors⁄4 TS Phone Plugs and Jacks Unbalancing a LineBinding Posts SpeakonsBalanced Lines Balanced line is a threeBalanced lines offer increased immunity Don’t use hardware-store light dimmers GroundingHere are some guidelines Optimizing Sound System LevelsDynamic Range Next set the master output level faderBiamplified System with Active Crossover Do the Math OHMS, Loads and Such As a load gets heavier, its impedance in ohms decreasesOhm speaker load is twice as heavy as a Specifications Limiter Section IndicatorsPower Consumption AC Line PowerFreq Mackie Designs Inc All Rights Reserved Colophon

M1200/M1400 specifications

The Mackie M1200 and M1400 are two prominent power amplifiers that have gained recognition for their reliability, performance, and innovative design in the professional audio field. Engineered for both live sound and studio applications, these amplifiers deliver exceptional sound quality and unmatched power, making them a favorite among audio professionals.

One of the standout features of the M1200 and M1400 is their impressive power output. The M1200 boasts a power output of 1200 watts at 4 ohms, while the M1400 takes it a step further with 1400 watts at 4 ohms. This substantial power allows users to drive a wide range of speakers, making them suitable for various settings, from small clubs to large venues and outdoor events. Furthermore, they excel in providing clean, distortion-free sound even at high volumes.

Both models incorporate Mackie's patented Smart Protect DSP technology. This intelligent thermal and signal protection system helps prevent overheating and ensures that the amplifiers operate within safe limits, enhancing longevity and reliability. The DSP also contributes to superior sound quality, maintaining clarity and detail across different frequency ranges.

Another key feature of the M1200 and M1400 is their rugged construction. Designed for the rigors of touring and live performances, these amplifiers feature a sturdy chassis that withstands the challenges of transport and heavy use. Their efficient heatsink design allows for effective cooling, ensuring the amplifiers remain operational even under demanding conditions.

In terms of connectivity, both models are versatile. They offer XLR and TRS inputs, allowing compatibility with a variety of audio sources. The outputs include Neutrik Speakon connections, providing secure and reliable speaker connections. Additionally, the amplifiers have built-in limiters that help to prevent speaker damage by controlling signal levels.

The user-friendly interface of the M1200 and M1400 includes level control knobs, LED indicators for power and signal, and a comprehensive set of output options. This simplicity ensures that audio engineers can quickly adjust settings to cater to specific acoustic environments, making setup and operation seamless.

In conclusion, the Mackie M1200 and M1400 power amplifiers are remarkable for their powerful performance, durability, and advanced technology. Whether for live sound reinforcement or studio applications, these amplifiers continue to set a standard in audio excellence, proving their worth to sound engineers worldwide.