Solo LED, OL Mute LED | Mackie CR1604

TRIM		1
-10dBV
IC GAI
M		N
U
10		60
+10dB		-40dB
AUX	U
	U
1
OO		+15
	U
2
OO		+15
PRE
	U
3		5
OO		+15
	U
4		6
OO		+15
5/6
SHIFT
EQ	U	HI
		12k
-15		+15
	U	MID
-15		+15
800
200		2k
100		8k
	U	LOW
		80Hz
-15		+15
LOW CUT
75 Hz
18dB/OCT
PAN
L		R
1
MUTE
		OL
		-20
		SOLO
		1–2
		3–4
		L - R
		OO

If you’re printing new tracks or bouncing ex- isting ones, you’ll also use the 1–2and 3–4switches, but not the L–Rswitch. Here, you don’t want the subgroups sent back into the MAIN L-R MIX, but sent out, via the SUB OUTS jacks, to your multitrack inputs . However, if you’re printing tracks via the DIRECT OUT jacks , all the channel assignment switches should be disengaged (up).

The CR1604-VLZ is what we call a “true 4-bus mixer.” Each channel can be assigned or unassigned to any of the subgroups without af- fecting 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. We could have named it the CR1606-VLZ. Darn!

SOLO

This lovable switch allows you to check signals through your PHONES output or C-R OUTS without having to assign them to the L-R, 1-2or 3-4mixes. You can solo as many channels as you like. SOLO does not interrupt any of the other channels, buses or outputs — that’s called nondestructive solo. Not only that, via the MODE switch , the CR1604-VLZ’s solo system comes in two flavors: NORMAL (AFL) (sometimes called SIP, or solo-in-place) and LEVEL SET (PFL) (sometimes called PFL, or pre-fader-listen).

During NORMAL (AFL) mode, the soloed

channel’s signal is sent directly to the C-R OUTS, PHONES output, and meter display just as it would sound to the channel’s assignment switches: post-EQ, post-fader and post-PAN. The only difference is that SOLO works re- gardless of the channel’s assignment positions, and that makes it really handy — you can check out a channel before you assign it.

NORMAL (AFL) is the preferred mode dur- ing mixdown: If the channel has some midrange boost at 4.236kHz, is panned a smid- gen to the left, and its fader is at –5.385dB, that’s exactly what you’ll hear if you SOLO dur- ing NORMAL (AFL) mode. It’s just as if you took the time to MUTE all the other channels.

LEVEL SET (PFL) solo is the key player in the all-important Level-Setting Procedure . It’ll send the channel’s actual internal levels to the meters so you’ll know just what’s going on, level- wise. This procedure should be performed every time a new sound source is patched into a channel’s MIC or LINE input jacks.

LEVEL SET (PFL) is also the preferred mode for SR (sound reinforcement, or live sound), to preview channels before they are let into the mix. It won’t give you stereo placement, but will give you signal even if the fader is pulled down. Remember, LEVEL SET (PFL) taps the chan-

nel signal before the fader. If you have a channel’s fader set way below “U” (unity gain), SOLO won’t know that and will send a unity gain signal to the C-R OUTS, PHONES output and meter display. That may result in a startling level boost at these outputs, depending on the position of the SOLO level knob .

In a nutshell, soloed channels are sent to the SOURCE mix , that ultimately feeds your C-R OUTS, PHONES output and meter display. Whenever SOLO is engaged, all SOURCE se- lections (MAIN MIX, 1–2, 3–4and TAPE) are defeated, to allow the soloed channel to do just that — SOLO!

–20 (SOLO) LED

An LED that does two completely different things! Saves space, but requires some expla- nation. First, the “–20” part: Often referred to as “signal activity,” this LED will flicker in time with the signal present in that channel. It’s handy for confirming that a channel is indeed active, and may also lend a clue as to what the signal is. For instance, a kick drum will cause the LED to pulse in time with the drum, and a synth pad will cause it glow a bit more steadily.

Now for the “SOLO” part. When a channel’s SOLO switch is engaged, this LED will glow steadily, without flickering. It will also be brighter than it would be as a –20indicator. In conjunction with the RUDE SOLO LIGHT , you can find a rogue SOLO switch very quickly.

OL (MUTE) LED

Another LED that does two completely differ- ent things! First, the “OL” part: “OL” means overload, or clip. You don’t want that to happen. Ever. Clipping can happen to any mixer — it’s the point where the signal’s voltage exceeds the supply voltages that power the circuitry. The CR1604-VLZ’s OL LED will come on just before clipping, so if you see it, take immediate action: Perform the Level-Setting Procedure . If that doesn’t help, check for excessive use of EQ boost or fader gain. Like the –20LED, it will tend to flicker in time with that channel’s signal.

Now for the “MUTE” part. Assuming your levels are set correctly, the OL LED will never