Mackie 1604-VLZ PRO METERS, Meters vs. Reality, AUX TALK, AUX SENDS (MASTER), MAIN MIX, MAIN MIX, AUX RETURNS, bought a Mackie, puts at unity gain, that never happens.)

METERS

The 1604-VLZ PRO’s peak metering system is made up of two columns of twelve LEDs. Deceptively 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 CTL ROOM/PHONES knob, 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.

Meters vs. Reality

You may already be anexpert 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 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 actually 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 is that there are so many to choose from.

Thanks to the 1604-VLZ PRO’s wide dynamic range, you can get a good mix with peaks flashing 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 are “in the ballpark.” You don’t have to stare at them (unless you want to).

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 complete 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 reverb 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 MIX .

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

AUX SENDS (MASTER)

These knobs provide overall level control of AUX

SENDS 1 and2,justbeforethey’redelivered to their
AUX SEND outputs . This is perfect for control-
ling the level of stage monitors, since you’ll be using
AUX 1 and 2 for this, with their PRE switches en-
gaged . AUX SENDS 3 through
6 have no such control — they’ll		1604-VLZPRO				12V
just send their mixes directly to		16-CHANNEL MIC/LINE MIXER				0.5A
	WITH PREMIUM XDRTM MIC PREAMPLIFIERS
their respective AUX SEND out-						LAMP
puts at unity gain.		U		U	U
						TO AUX
This knob goes from off (turned	1		1		1
						SEND 1
		+10		+20		+15 EFFECTS TO
fully down), to unity gain at the	OO		OO		OO
		U		U	U	MONITORS
center detent, with 10dB of extra	2		2		2	TO AUX
						SEND 2
gain (turned fully up). As with	OO	+10	OO	+20	OO	+15
	AUX
some other level controls, you may
	SEND			U	ASSIGN OPTIONS
never need the additional gain, but	1		3
	SOLO				MAIN MIX	1–2
if you ever do, you’ll be glad you			OO	+20	TO SUBS	3–4
	2			U
bought a Mackie.
	SOLO		4
					C-R / PHNS	RETURNS
This is usually the knob you	PHAN PWR		OO	+20
					ONLY	SOLO
				STEREO AUX RETURN
turn up when the lead singer
						LEFT RIGHT
glares at you, points at his stage				U
						0 dB=0 dBu
monitor, and sticks his thumb in						28
	OO	MAX	OO	+20		10
the air. (It would follow suit that if
	CTL ROOM / PHONES		TAPE IN			7
the singer stuck his thumb down,						4
	TAPE		TAPE TO			2
you’d turn the knob down, but
			MAIN MIX			0
that never happens.)	SUBS 1–2					2
						4
			OO	MAX	LEVEL	7
	SUBS 3–4		SOLO		SET
						10
						20
	MAIN MIX		MODE			30
	CTL ROOM		NORMAL (AFL)		RUDE
	SOURCE		LEVEL SET (PFL)		SOLO
					LIGHT

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