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.

1642

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

a true 6-bus mixer.

 

 

 

 

 

science — they operate by

27. SOLO

 

 

dragging a metal pin (the

 

 

 

31

wiper) across a carbon-based strip (the

This lovable switch allows you to check signals in your

track). It is possible for airborne crud

headphones and control room without having to assign

30

to land on the track. Should that hap-

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

pen, you may hear scratchy noises or

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

 

29

signal dropouts as the wiper stumbles

 

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

 

28

over the crud. Do all you can to keep

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

 

airborne crud out of your profession.

 

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

 

27

Use air conditioned rooms whenever

constantly, so you can easily catch any channels which

 

possible, avoid smoking near the mixer,

 

 

have been soloed by those naughty SOLO pixies.

 

 

keep food and drink away from the

 

26

 

 

mixer, and for pity’s sake, never put the

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

 

 

mixer in your kitchen! We also recom-

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

 

 

mend “exercising” the faders — give

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

 

25

them a walk up and down once a week

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

 

or so, and that will help scare the crud

MODE switch is described on page 20.

 

 

away. We do not recommend spray

 

 

 

cleaners.

 

14

1642-VLZ3