Mackie 1642-VLZ3 User Manual download pdf (Page 21)

Owner’s Manual

Meters vs. Reality

You may already be an expert at the world of “+4” (+4

dBu=1.23 V) and “–10” (–10 dBV=0.32 V) operating

levels. Basically, what makes a mixer one or the other

is the relative 0 dB VU (or 0 VU) chosen for the meter

display. A “+4” mixer, with a +4 dBu signal pouring out

the back will actually read 0 VU on its meter display.

A “–10” mixer, with a –10 dBV signal trickling out, will

read, you guessed it, 0 VU on its meter display. So when

is 0 VU actually 0 dBu? 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: 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 stan-

dards is that there are so many to choose from.

Thanks to the 1642-VLZ3’s wide dynamic range, you

can get a good mix with peaks ﬂ ashing anywhere be-

tween –20 and +10 dB on the meter display. Most ampli-

ﬁ ers clip at about +10 dB, 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 DISCUSSION

SENDS are outputs, RETURNS are inputs. The AUX

[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 ﬁ nally 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 STEREO RETURNS to the main mix, and once

mixed together, the dry and wet signals combine to cre-

ate a glorious sound. Armed with this knowledge, let’s

visit the Auxiliary World:

49. AUX SENDS (MASTER)

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

unity gain.

These knobs go from off (turned fully down), to unity

gain at the center detent, with 10 dB of extra gain

(turned fully up). As with some other level controls, you

may never need the additional gain, but if you ever do,

you’ll be glad you bought a Mackie.

These are usually the knobs you turn up when the

lead singer glares at you, points at his stage monitor,

and sticks his thumb in the air. (It would follow suit

that if the singer stuck his thumb down, you’d turn the

knobs down, but that never happens.)

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Mackie 1642-VLZ3 User Manual Page 21

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