Mackie CR1604 - VLZ owner manual AUX Talk, AUX Sends Master, Meters vs. Reality

SUBS 3–4

MAIN MIX

SOURCE

U

TM

CR1604-VLZ

16-CHANNEL MIC/LINE MIXER

METERS

The CR1604-VLZ’s peak metering system is made up of two columns of twelve LEDs. Decep- tively simple, considering the multitude of signals that can be monitored by it. If nothing is selected in the SOURCE matrix and no channels are in SOLO, the meter display will just sit there. To put them to work, you must make a selection in the SOURCE matrix (or engage a SOLO switch).

Why? You want the meter display to reflect what the engineer is listening to, and as we’ve covered, the engineer is listening either to the C-R OUTS or the PHONES output. The only difference is that while the listening levels are controlled by the C-R/PHONESknob, the meter display reads the SOURCE mix before that control, giving you the real facts at all times, even if you’re not listening at all.

When the solo MODE switch is set to LEVEL SET (PFL) (down) , all soloed signals will be sent to the left meter only. That, combined with LEVEL SET LED , are along the path of enlightenment known as the Level-Setting Procedure . During NORMAL (AFL) mode, the meters will behave normally.

AUX TALK

First of all, there is no particular alliance between AUX SEND 1 and AUX RETURN 1. They’re just numbers. They’re like two com- plete strangers, both named Fred.

Sends are outputs, returns are inputs. The AUX knob taps the signal off the channel and sends it to the AUX SEND outputs . AUX 1 and 2 are sent to the AUX SENDS 1 and 2 master knobs before the AUX SEND outputs and AUX 3 through 6 are sent directly.

These outputs are fed to the inputs of a re- verb or other device. From there, the outputs of the external device are fed back to the mixer’s AUX RETURN inputs . Then these signals are sent through the AUX RETURN level controls, and finally delivered to the MAIN L-R MIX .

So, the original “dry” signals come from the channels to the MAIN L-R MIX and the af- fected “wet” signals come from the AUX RETURNS to the MAIN L-R MIX, and once mixed together, the dry and wet signals com- bine to create a glorious sound. Armed with this knowledge, let’s visit the Auxiliary World:

AUX SENDS (MASTER)

Meters vs. Reality

You may already be an

expert at the world of “+4” (+4dBu=1.23V) and “–10” (–10dBV=0.32V) operating levels. Basically, what makes a mixer one or the other is the

relative 0dB VU (or 0VU) chosen for the meter display. A “+4” mixer, with a +4dBu signal pouring out the back will actually read 0VU on

These knobs provide overall level control of AUX SENDS 1 and 2, just before they’re delivered to their AUX SEND outputs . This is perfect for controlling the level of stage monitors, since you’ll be using AUX 1 and 2 for this, with their PRE switches engaged . AUX

SENDS 3 through 6 have no such control — they’ll just send their

mixes directly to their respective

12V

0.5A

LAMP

its meter display. A “–10” mixer, with a –10dBV signal trickling out, will read, you guessed it, 0VU on its meter display. So when is 0VU actu- ally 0dBu? Right now!

At the risk of creating another standard, Mackie’s compact mixers address the need of both crowds by calling things as they are: 0dBu (0.775V) at the output shows as 0VU on the meter display. What could be easier? By the way, the most wonderful thing about standards

AUX SEND outputs at unity gain.

This knob goes from off	1		1
		+10
(turned fully down), to unity	OO
		U
gain at the center detent, with	2		2
10dB of extra gain (turned fully	OO	+10
	AUX
up). As with some other level
	SENDS
controls, you may never need	1		3
	SOLO
the additional gain, but if you
	2
ever do, you’ll be glad you
	SOLO		4
bought a Mackie.	PHAN	PWR

U

OO	+20
	U
OO	+20

	U
OO	+20
	U

OO +20

	U
1		TO AUX
		SEND 1
OO	+15	EFFECTS TO
	U	MONITORS

2	TO AUX
	SEND 2
OO	+15

ASSIGN OPTIONS

	MAIN MIX		1–2
	TO SUBS		3–4
C-R / PHNS		RETURNS
	ONLY		SOLO

is that there are so many to choose from.

This is usually the knob you

STEREO AUX RETURNS

Thanks to the CR1604-VLZ’s wide dynamic range, you can get a good mix with peaks flash- ing anywhere between –20 and +10dB on the meter display. Most amplifiers clip at about +10dB, and some recorders aren’t so forgiving either. For best real-world results, try to keep your peaks between “0” and “+7.”

Please remember: Audio meter displays are just tools to help assure you that your levels

turn up when the lead singer

glares at you, points at his stage

OO MAX

monitor, and sticks his thumb in	C-R / PHONES
the air. (It would follow suit that
		TAPE
if the singer stuck his thumb
down, you’d turn the knob
	SUBS 1–2
down, but that never happens.)

	U
OO	+20

TAPE IN

TAPE TO

MAIN MIX

OO MAX

SOLO

MODE

LEFT RIGHT

0 dB=0 dBu

CLIP

28

10

7

4

2

0

2

4

LEVEL 7

SET

10

20

30

are “in the ballpark.” You don’t have to stare at them (unless you want to).

NORMAL (AFL)	RUDE
LEVEL SET (PFL)	SOLO
	LIGHT

25