VLZ3-

Channel Strip Description

Many of the functions are identical for the mono and

26. ASSIGN (1–2, 3–4, L/R)

 

 

There are eight mono, and four stereo channel strips.

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stereo channels. We’ll start at the bottom and work our

Alongside each channel fader are four buttons,

labeled SOLO, 1–2, 3–4 and L/R. The bottom three are

 

 

way up, pointing out the differences as we go along.

 

collectively referred to as channel assignment switches.

 

 

 

 

 

 

“U” LIKE UNITY GAIN

1, 3 and L are the left sides of these stereo pairs, and

 

 

2, 4 and R are the right sides. Used in conjunction with

 

 

Mackie mixers have a “U” symbol on almost

the channel’s PAN [31] knob, these switches determine

 

 

every level control. This “U” stands for “unity

the destination of a channel’s signal: With the PAN knob

 

gain,” meaning no change in signal level. Once you have

set at the center detent, the left and right sides receive

 

performed the Level-Setting Procedure, you can set

equal signal levels. To feed only one side or the other,

 

every control at “U” and your signals will travel through

just turn the PAN knob accordingly.

 

 

 

the mixer at optimal levels. Also, the

If you’re doing a mixdown to a 2-track, simply engage

 

 

 

labels on our controls are measured

 

 

 

the L/R switch on each channel that you want to hear,

 

 

 

in decibels (dB), so you’ll know what

 

 

 

and they’ll be sent to the main mix. If you want to create

 

 

 

you’re doing level-wise if you choose to

 

 

 

a subgroup of certain channels, engage either the 1–2

 

 

 

change a control’s settings.

 

 

 

or 3–4 switches instead of the L/R, and they’ll be sent

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

25. CHANNEL FADER

to the appropriate subgroup faders. From there, the

 

 

 

subgroups can be sent back to the main mix, allowing

 

 

 

The fader is almost the last control in

you to use the subgroup faders as a master control for

 

 

 

a channel’s signal path. It’s placed after

those channels.

 

 

 

the EQ [32] and MUTE [30] (post-EQ

If you’re printing new tracks or bouncing existing

 

 

 

/post-MUTE), and before PAN [31]

 

 

 

ones, you’ll also use the 1–2 and 3–4 switches, but not

 

 

 

(pre-PAN). The “U” mark, about three-

 

 

 

the L/R switch. Here, you don’t want the subgroups sent

 

 

 

quarters of the way up, indicates unity

 

 

 

back into the main mix, but sent out, via the SUB OUT

 

 

 

gain, meaning no increase or decrease

 

 

 

[8] jacks, to your multitrack inputs. However, if you’re

 

 

 

of signal level. All the way up provides

 

 

 

printing tracks via the DIRECT OUT [5] jacks, all the

 

 

 

an additional 10 dB, should you need to

 

 

 

channel assign switches should be disengaged (up).

 

 

 

boost a section of a song. If you find that

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the overall level is too quiet or too loud

The 1642-VLZ3 is what we call a “true 4-bus mixer.”

 

 

 

with a fader near unity, you’ll want to

Each channel can be assigned or unassigned to any of

 

 

 

confirm the GAIN setting by performing

the subgroups without affecting the other subgroups or

 

 

 

the Level-Setting Procedure.

settings within the channel, and each subgroup has its

 

 

 

 

own master fader and dedicated output. In fact, since

 

 

 

A Clean Fade

there are 4 subgroups and the main L/R mix, it’s actually

 

 

 

Faders are not rocket science

a true 6-bus mixer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

— they operate by dragging a

27. SOLO

 

 

 

metal pin (the wiper) across

 

 

 

 

31

 

a carbon-based strip (the track). It is

This lovable switch allows you to check signals in your

 

possible for airborne crud to land on

headphones and control room without having to assign

30

 

the track. Should that happen, you may

them to the L/R, 1-2 or 3-4 mixes.

 

hear scratchy noises or signal dropouts

You can solo as many channels as you like. SOLO does

 

 

29

as the wiper stumbles over the crud. Do

 

 

not interrupt any of the other channels, buses or out-

 

 

28

all you can to keep airborne crud out

puts — that’s called nondestructive solo. When SOLO is

 

 

of your profession. Use air conditioned

 

27

pressed, that channel's -20 (SOLO) LED [28] will light

 

 

rooms whenever possible, avoid smok-

constantly, so you can easily catch any channels which

 

 

ing near the mixer, keep food and drink

 

 

 

have been soloed by those naughty SOLO pixies.

 

 

 

away from the mixer, and for pity’s sake,

 

 

26

 

 

 

never put the mixer in your kitchen! We

Using the MODE [44] switch, the 1642-VLZ3’s solo

 

 

 

also recommend “exercising” the faders

system comes in two flavors: NORMAL (AFL) (some-

 

 

 

— give them a walk up and down once

times called SIP, or solo-in-place) and LEVEL SET

 

25

 

a week or so, and that will help scare

(PFL) (sometimes called PFL, or pre-fader-listen). The

 

 

the crud away. We do not recommend

MODE switch is described on page 20.

 

 

 

spray cleaners.

 

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1642-VLZ3