Mackie 1642-VLZ3 AUX DISCUSSION, 49. AUX SENDS (MASTER), Meters vs. Reality

			Thanks to the 1642-VLZ3’s wide dynamic range, you
			can get a good mix with peaks flashing anywhere be-
49			tween –20 and +10 dB on the meter display. Most ampli-
			fiers clip at about +10 dB, and some recorders aren’t so
51
			forgiving either. For best real-world results, try to keep
49			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).
50			AUX DISCUSSION
51			SENDS are outputs, RETURNS are inputs. The AUX
50			[35] knobs tap the signal off the channel and sends it to
			the AUX SEND [6] outputs: AUX 1 and 2 are sent to the
			AUX SENDS 1 and 2 [49] 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 STEREO RETURN [7]
			inputs. Then these signals are sent through the STEREO
			RETURN [51] level controls, and finally delivered to the
			main mix.
			So, the original “dry” signals come from the channels
46		48	to the main mix and the affected “wet” signals come
			from the STEREO RETURNS to the main mix, and once
	45		mixed together, the dry and wet signals combine to cre-
44			ate a glorious sound. Armed with this knowledge, let’s
			visit the Auxiliary World:
			49. AUX SENDS (MASTER)
47			These knobs provide overall level control of AUX
			SENDS 1 and 2, just before they’re delivered to their
			AUX SEND [6] 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 [36] switches engaged.
			AUX SENDS 3 and 4 have no such control — they just
			send their mixes directly to their AUX SEND outputs at
Meters vs. Reality			unity gain.
			These knobs go from off (turned fully down), to unity
You may already be an expert at the world of “+4” (+4
			gain at the center detent, with 10 dB of extra gain
dBu=1.23 V) and “–10” (–10 dBV=0.32 V) operating
			(turned fully up). As with some other level controls, you
levels. Basically, what makes a mixer one or the other
			may never need the additional gain, but if you ever do,
is the relative 0 dB VU (or 0 VU) chosen for the meter
			you’ll be glad you bought a Mackie.
display. A “+4” mixer, with a +4 dBu signal pouring out
			These are usually the knobs you turn up when the
the back will actually read 0 VU on its meter display.
A “–10” mixer, with a –10 dBV signal trickling out, will			lead singer glares at you, points at his stage monitor,
read, you guessed it, 0 VU on its meter display. So when			and sticks his thumb in the air. (It would follow suit
is 0 VU actually 0 dBu? Right now!			that if the singer stuck his thumb down, you’d turn the

Manual Owner’s

At the risk of creating another standard, Mackie’s compact mixers address the need of both crowds by calling things as they are: 0 dBu (0.775 V) at the output shows as 0 VU 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.

knobs down, but that never happens.)

Owner’s Manual

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