Mackie 800R owner manual BIT Depth

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6. 48V Phantom Power Switch

Most professional condenser microphones require phantom power, which is a low-current DC voltage delivered to the microphone on pins 2 and 3 of the XLR microphone connector. Push in the 48V button if your microphone needs phantom power. An LED lights next to the button to indicate that phantom power is active on that channel.

Dynamic microphones, like Shure’s SM57 and SM58, do not require phantom power. However, phantom power will not harm most dynamic microphones should you accidentally plug one in while the phantom power is turned on. Be careful with older ribbon microphones. Check the manual for your microphone to find out for sure whether or not phantom power can damage it.

7. Signal Level LEDs

These LEDs indicate the channel’s signal level after the GAIN control.

If you’ve followed the “Set the Levels” procedure on page 5, the –20 and 0 LEDs should light frequently, and the OL (Overload) LED should not light at all. If the OL LED is blinking frequently, the signal is probably distorted from overdriving the input. Either turn down the GAIN control or turn down the signal at its source.

HOWEVER: The HI-Z inputs are unbalanced, so if you’re doing a live show and running a long cord between the instrument and the mixer (say over 25 or 30 feet), it is best to use a direct box with a balanced output to avoid picking up noise over the length of the cord.

10. POWER Switch

This one is self-explanatory. When the POWER switch is turned ON (up), power is supplied to the Onyx 800R.

11. SAMPLE RATE Switch

Turn this switch to select the sample rate used by the analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) and the digital output.

This eight-position switch offers the following selections: 32 kHz, 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 176.4 kHz, 192 kHz, and EXTERNAL. The LED next to the selected sample rate lights to indicate the sample rate currently being used.

If EXTERNAL is selected, the 800R locks to the exter- nal clock connected to the EXTERNAL WORD CLOCK IN connector [19] on the rear panel.

For any of the internal sample rate settings, the ADAT OPTICAL OUT and the AES/EBU OR S/PDIF OUT run at the selected sample rate, which is detected by the device to which the Onyx 800R is connected.

Owner’s Manual

8.UNBAL HI-Z Instrument Input (Channels 7-8)

This is a 1/4" connector, which accepts an unbalanced instrument-level input signal from a high-impedance instrument like a guitar.

9. MIC/LINE/HI-Z (INST) Switch

Channels 7 and 8 have an extra button for switching between the MIC/LINE and HI-Z inputs. When the but- ton is out (MIC/LINE), the XLR MIC input or the DB25 LINE input is used, depending on the setting of the MIC/LINE switch [2], and the HI-Z input is disconnect- ed. When the button is pushed in (HI-Z), the 1/4" HI-Z input is used and the XLR MIC and DB25 LINE inputs are disconnected. The input stage of the HI-Z inputs is specially designed for the high-impedance pickups on electric guitars, basses, acoustic guitar pickups, etc.

Plugging a guitar straight into a typi-

cal line input can result in the loss of

high frequencies, causing an unnatural

and dull sound. Normally, you must use a direct box between a guitar and a

mixer’s or preamplifier’s input, which serves to convert the impedance of the guitar from high to low. The HI-Z inputs on channels 7 and 8 make the need for a direct box unnecessary.

12. LOCK

As described above, if EXTERNAL SAMPLE RATE is selected, the 800R locks to the the EXTERNAL WORD CLOCK IN on the rear panel. If there is not a valid clock connected to the EXTERNAL WORD CLOCK IN, the LOCK LED flashes, indicating the problem. If a valid ex- ternal clock is detected, the LOCK LED lights continu- ously and the corresponding sample rate LED will light.

13. BIT DEPTH

This button determines the word length at the digital output, and toggles between 24-bit and 16-bit. The corresponding LED above the button lights to indicate the selection. You might use 24-bit when recording to a 24-track hard disk recorder or DAW, and 16-bit when re- cording direct to 2-track on a CD-recorder or DAT deck.

When 16-bit is selected, a dithering algorithm is applied to the digital signal to improve the dynamic range and reduce low-level distortion, called quantization noise.

ANALOG MIC PREAMP WITH 192kHz DIGITAL OUTPUT

ON

 

 

 

 

 

32kHz

96kHz

LOCK

24

16

 

 

BIT

BIT

 

 

 

 

 

(DITHER)

 

44.1kHz

176.4kHz

 

 

 

 

48kHz

192kHz

 

 

 

 

88.2kHz

EXTERNAL

SAMPLE RATE

BIT

 

DEPTH

 

 

 

 

 

Owner’s Manual

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Contents Premium Eight Channel Microphone Preamp Onyx 800R Table of Contents Glossary of Terms is a fairly comprehensive IntroductionWe know that many of you can’t wait to get your new Set the Levels Getting StartedZero the Controls ConnectionsHookup Diagrams HI-Z Channels From On-Stage Mic Splitter Onyx 800R Live Mixing Front Panel MIC/LINE SwitchPhase Switch Low-Cut SwitchBIT Depth Closer Look AT MID/SIDE Recording Rear PanelMIC Inputs MID/SIDE DecodeTermination Optical OUTMany to choose from. a variety 22 Ω/75Ω SwitchPRO/CONS Switch AES/EBU or S/PDIF OUTPower Receptacle Dual WIRE/SINGLE Wire SwitchIs the input connector plugged completely into the jack? Appendix a Service InformationWarranty Service TroubleshootingRepair Review the preceding troubleshooting suggestions. PleaseUnbalancing a Line XLR ConnectorsAppendix B Connections RCA Plugs and JacksDigital DB25 ConnectorsAnalog Onyx 800R Specifications Appendix C Technical InfoAC Power Requirements Onyx 800R Block Diagram Please keep your sales receipt in a safe place Onyx 800R Limited Warranty

800R specifications

The Mackie 800R is a high-performance 8-channel microphone preamp that is designed for recording professionals and studios that demand exceptional sound quality and flexibility. This versatile unit stands out due to its robust build quality, advanced features, and user-friendly operation, making it a vital addition to any audio setup.

One of the main features of the Mackie 800R is its high-quality mic preamps, which employ the renowned Onyx technology. The Onyx preamps are characterized by their high headroom, low noise, and excellent linearity, resulting in clear, detailed sound reproduction. Each channel provides a gain range of up to 60 dB, allowing it to accommodate a wide variety of microphones, from dynamic to condenser, ensuring your recordings are always crisp and professional.

The 800R also includes eight balanced TRS outputs, which allow for seamless integration with mixers and audio interfaces. This flexibility simplifies the workflow in any recording environment, making it easy to patch into existing setups. Additionally, the unit features both analog and digital outputs, providing options for connecting to ADAT and S/PDIF devices, further enhancing its versatility.

Another notable characteristic of the Mackie 800R is its user-friendly interface. Each channel is equipped with a direct output, a 48V phantom power switch, and a -20dB pad, which allows users to tailor their settings on the fly. The built-in LED indicators provide visual feedback on signal levels, ensuring that users can easily monitor their inputs.

This preamp is also designed for durability with its solid metal chassis, which is built to withstand the rigors of both studio and live environments. Its compact size makes it ideal for mobile setups, allowing engineers to take high-quality audio with them wherever they go.

In summary, the Mackie 800R is a powerful and reliable microphone preamp that provides outstanding sound quality and flexibility for recording engineers and musicians alike. With advanced Onyx preamp technology, multiple output options, and a user-friendly design, the 800R stands out as an essential tool for anyone serious about capturing high-fidelity audio.
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