Mackie 1402-VLZ3 -- BASIC

INTRODUCTION:

There are many terms used to refer to the complicated-looking piece of electronic gear sitting on the table in front of the Sound Booth window:

console, mixer, mixing board, sound board, mixing desk, sound desk.

[I will try to be consistent and to always refer to the mixer. If I slip up, you now know the other possible terms.]

In a production studio, the mixer is used to send sound signals from various sources, (microphones, CD players, FX units) to various destinations (usually tape machines, hard disk recorders or FX units). It can also be used to modify the tonal quality (EQ) or relative balance of the sound signals passing through it.

In a performance space, the mixer serves to send the various sound sources (microphones, CD players or FX units) to various loudspeakers on the stage or throughout the house. It allows you to control where the sounds will be heard and how loud they will be.

The same mixer will generally serve for either the production studio or performance space. One of the mixers we have at John Abbott is a MACKIE 1402-VLZ3, designed in the U.S. and manufactured in China. It is representative of mixers you will find in many production studios or theatre spaces today.

MACKIE 1402-VLZ3 MIXER:

In a sound system, a source of sound is referred to as an output (or send). A destination is referred to as an input (or return).

Building a sound system involves connecting sources to destinations -- an output to an input to an output to an input.....and so on.

The sources could be the outputs of mics. on stage, CD players, effects units or tracks from a computer.

The destinations could be the inputs of the House speaker system, onstage monitors, headphone amps or effects units.

The MACKIE 1402-VLZ3 mixer allows you to simultaneously control and send, any (one or more) of fourteen sound sources to either of two main destinations; the MAIN MIX, and/or to either of two auxilliary destinations; the AUX1-2 outputs.

In a sort of technical short-hand, this mixer may referred to as a 14:2 mixer (with 2 auxiliaries) to indicate it offers 14 inputs, and 2 main outputs (with 2 auxiliaries).

6 MONO INPUT STRIPS	4 STEREO INPUT STRIPS	1 MAIN/MONITOR/AUX STRIP

MONO INPUT STRIP
MONO inputs are used to connect to sources with a single output -- microphones, guitars.
Audio signal levels fall into one of two categories. Microphones, electric guitars and other electronic instruments generate very low level signals; on the order of a few millivolts -- thousandths of a volt. These are called microphone level signals. Tape recorders, CD players, FX units and most other professional studio equipment, all generate much higher signal levels -- several tenths of a volt or more. These are called line level signals. Microphone level signals connect to the three-pin XLR-type female connectors. Line level signals connect to the 1/4 inch TRS jacks. DO NOT connect signals to both sockets on the same input channel. There is a difference of 40 or 60dB (decibels) between microphone level and line level signals. That's a ratio of 100:1 or 1000:1 Either type of signal must be connected to the mixer via the appropriate jack or socket. Connecting a line-level output to a mic-level input will result in distortion. Connecting a mic-level output to a line-level input will result in an unusably low (quiet) signal.
LOW CUT (High Pass Filter): cuts sharply (18dB/octave) from 75Hz can be used to cut traffic or air conditioning rumble don't use on bass guitars or tubas.
The "GAIN" control allows you to adjust the input strip so that you can operate with the white channel fader in its normal range, around "-U-" on the scale. ("U" stands for UNITY gain -- no amplification.) This assures that the signal will have the maximum headroom and minimum noise. (See "SOLO" button below.) *Headroom* is the level difference available between normal level and the point of distortion. *Noise* is the background hiss you hear when you turn the gain or volume up too much.
. On the MACKIE 1402VLZ3: AUX 1 can be used to feed a stage monitor or headphones. You wouldn't necessarily want the mix in the headphones to change as you trim the house levels. AUX 2 can be used to feed a reverb device. You would want the strength of the reverb effect to follow the level as controlled by the channel fader.
HIGH: Boost or cut the "TREBLE" like on your stereo or car radio. MID: Boost or cut the "PRESENCE" to make a voice sound closer or farther away. LOW: Boost or cut the "BASS" like on your stereo or car radio.
Turning the "PAN" control allows you to move or place a sound anywhere between the MAIN L(eft) and R(ight) speakers. Pushing the "MUTE" button will cut the input signal is off from MAIN L(eft) and R(ight) speakers. The "SOLO" button sends the input signal directly to the left/right monitor speakers (or headphones) and illuminates the large red indicator labeled "RUDE S0L0". The white sliding control is the input channel fader. This is your operational control over the signal level during a recording or performance. It allows you to smoothly fade an individual sound in or out. At the "-U-" setting of the channel fader, there is still 10 dB of gain available, should the talent move back from the microphone. This gives you room to maneuver should the input signal change. Working at "-U-" on the channel fader also allows for smooth fades in or out.

STEREO INPUT STRIP

STEREO inputs are used for sources with a left and a right output -- CD or DVD players, keyboards, effects processors or computer audio outputs.

Line level audio signal levels fall into one of two categories. The LEVEL button allows you to select the right amount of gain for the source. It is the coarse equivalent of the GAIN control on the STEREO line inputs.

+4 -- Professional line level -- professional CD or DVD players, keyboards, effects processors or computer audio outputs. These are usually on XLR or TRS connectors. The electrical signal is nominally 1.23 volts (V).

-10 -- Consumer line level -- consumer CD or DVD players, keyboards, effects processors or computer audio outputs. These are usually on RCA connectors. The electrical signal is nominally 100 millivolts (mV).

The rest of the controls on the STEREO Input Strip are identical to those on the MONO Strip.

AUX MASTER STRIP The AUX1 MASTER SEND control adjusts the loudness of signals sent to the AUX1 SEND output. The PRE/POST button should be "OUT" to use AUX 1 SEND for feeding a stage monitor. On the MACKIE 1402VLZ3, AUX 2 SEND should be used for feeding an FX processor.
MONITOR STRIP The C-R/SOURCE buttons allow you to monitor (listen to) different signals on the control room monitors and/or read their level on the meters.. Press the MAIN MIX button to see the signal level on the meters.
MAIN OUT STRIP The CTL ROOM / SUBMIX fader controls the loudness of the control room moniotrs. If the ALT 3/4 bus is used as a submaster, then this fader controls how much of the submaster mix is mixed into the MAIN outputs. The "MAIN" faders control the loudness of the signals from the MAIN left and right outputs.

REAR PANEL CONNECTORS

MAIN LEFT/MAIN RIGHT -- connect main (FOH) speakers here.

FRONT (TOP) PANEL CONNECTORS

AUX SEND 1/2 -- connect inputs of external effects processors or monitors here. MAIN OUT -- same signal as rear panel XLRs but on TRS connectors.


LINKS
Mackie 1402-VLZ3 -- Track Sheet -- Print these sheets to record your show presets. Mackie 1402-VLZ3 -- Block Diagram Mackie 1402-VLZ3 -- Owner's Manual -- Read this attentively to really understand the mixer's operation. Mackie Glossary -- Technical terms.

	STAGE PRACTICES Michael Drolet -- 2017
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