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4

10-VLZ3

1202-

VLZ3

Introduction

Thank you for choosing a Mackie professional com-

pact mixer. The 1202-VLZ3 is equipped with our pre-
cision-engineered XDR

TM

 Extended Dynamic Range 

premium studio-grade mic preamp.

Now that you have your 1202-VLZ3, find out how to get 

the most from it. That’s where this manual comes in.

How To Use This Manual 

Since many of you folks will want to hook up your 

1202-VLZ3 immediately, the first pages you will en-
counter after the table of contents are the ever-popular 
hookup diagrams. These show typical mixer setups for 
Record/Mixdown, and Stereo PA.

After this section is a detailed tour of the entire mixer. 

Every feature of the 1202-VLZ3 is described “geographi-
cally;” in other words, in order of where it is physically 
placed on the mixer’s top or rear panel. These descrip-
tions are divided into the first three sections, just as 
your mixer is organized into three distinct zones:

Patchbay: The patchbay along the top and back, 

where you connect things. 

Channel Strip: The eight channel strips where you 

adjust each channel.

Output Section: The output section on the right. 

Throughout these sections you’ll find illustrations, 

with each feature numbered. If you’re curious about a 
feature, simply locate it on the appropriate illustration, 
notice the number attached to it, and find that number 
in the nearby paragraphs.

This icon marks information that is critically 
 important or unique to the 1202-VLZ3. For your 
own good, read them and remember them. They 
will be on the final test.

This icon will lead you to in-depth explana-
tions of features and practical tips. While not 
mandatory, they usually have some valuable 
nuggets of information.

Appendix A is a section on troubleshooting and repair 

information.

Appendix B is a section on connectors: XLR connec-

tors, TRS balanced connectors, TS unbalanced connec-
tors, and Insert connectors.

Appendix C shows the technical specifications, and 

a block diagram showing the internal signal path and 
general goings-on within the mixer.

Need help with your new mixer?

•  Visit www.mackie.com and click Support to find:   

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions), manuals, and addendums. 

•  Email us at: [email protected].

•  Telephone 1-800-898-311 to speak with one of our splendid 

technical support representatives, (Monday through Friday, 
during normal business hours, PST).

Summary of Contents for 1202-VLZ3

Page 1: ...E XDR MIC PRE XDR MIC PRE GAIN 15dB 45dB M IC GAIN 0 U 60 10dBV GAIN 15dB 45dB M IC GAIN 0 U 60 10dBV GAIN 15dB 45dB M IC GAIN 0 U 60 10dBV O O 15 O O 15 AUX 15 15 15 15 15 15 HI 12kHz MID 2 5kHz LOW...

Page 2: ...dio interference regulations of the Canadian Department of Communications ATTENTION Le pr sent appareil num rique n met pas de bruits radio lectriques d passant las limites applicables aux appareils n...

Page 3: ...SELECTOR switch is set to the same voltage as your local AC mains supply see page 12 Level Setting Procedure Message to seasoned pros do not set levels using the old Turn the GAIN up until the clip l...

Page 4: ...each channel Output Section The output section on the right Throughout these sections you ll find illustrations with each feature numbered If you re curious about a feature simply locate it on the ap...

Page 5: ...HOOKUP DIAGRAMS 6 PATCHBAY DESCRIPTION 8 1 MIC INPUTS CHANNELS 1 4 8 2 LINE INPUTS CHANNELS 1 4 8 3 LOW CUT CHANNELS 1 4 9 4 GAIN CHANNELS 1 4 9 5 STEREO LINE INPUTS 9 6 IMAGINARY CONTROL 9 EFFECTS S...

Page 6: ...Vocal Mics Multi Effect Processor Digital Delay Powered Studio Monitors for Studio Headphone Distribution Amp Headphones for Studio 3 4 2 12 11 10 9 8 7 4 4 3 2 3 1 2 1 1 1 2 L R L R L R CHANNEL INSE...

Page 7: ...can be easily reconfigured to become a Mono PA setup A Stereo sources should feed the left mono side of channel input only B Pan each channel hard left C Connect Mono PA system to Left main output SR...

Page 8: ...m power with the mic preamps and can be driven by balanced or unbalanced sources at almost any level You can use these inputs for virtually any signal you ll come across from instrument levels as low...

Page 9: ...tion on vocals Many times bass shelving EQ can really benefit voices Trouble is adding low EQ also boosts stage rumble mic handling clunks and breath pops Applying low cut removes all those problems s...

Page 10: ...er s inputs See also MAIN MIX 32 on page 16 Mono Out If you want to feed a mono signal to your tape deck or other device simply use an RCA Y cord to combine these outputs Do not attempt this with any...

Page 11: ...These 1 4 outputs are provided so you can listen to something other than the main mix The source is selected using the SOURCE MATRIX 33 switches see page 16 You can choose to listen to the main mix t...

Page 12: ...is perfectly normal Just like me Oh and my imagi nary friend Lazlo who helps me write all the manuals Say hello to the nice folks Lazlo POWER ON PHANTOM ON L MAIN MAIN OUTPUT LEVEL 4 3 R 4 L 3 CHANNE...

Page 13: ...up U LIKE UNITY GAIN Mackie mixers have a U symbol on almost every level control This U stands for unity gain meaning no change in signal level Once you have adjusted the input signal to line level y...

Page 14: ...u never heard Peaking means that certain frequencies form a hill around the center frequency 2 5 kHz in the case of the MID EQ 27 LOW EQ This control gives you up to 15 dB boost or cut below 80 Hz The...

Page 15: ...inde pendently of the channel s LEVEL control AUX 1 in post mode and AUX 2 are post LOW CUT post EQ and post LEVEL That is the sends obey the settings of these controls AUX 1 in PRE mode follows the E...

Page 16: ...es From there these signals all pass through the same level control 34 CONTROL ROOM SUBMIX This knob controls the levels of both the stereo CON TROL ROOM 15 and PHONES 12 outputs The con trol range is...

Page 17: ...monitors but your multitrack is playing back like mad 36 ASSIGN TO MAIN MIX Let s say you re doing a live show Intermission is near ing and you ll want to play a soothing CD for the crowd to prevent t...

Page 18: ...RN 7 to the main mix and once mixed together the dry and wet signals combine to create a glorious sound So armed with this knowledge let s visit the Auxiliary World 38 PRE or POST AUX 1 Besides being...

Page 19: ...at normalled connection is broken How does all this relate to the RETURN TO AUX 1 41 switch STEREO RETURN 1 s inputs are normalled to STEREO RETURN 2 If you have one effects device plug it into STEREO...

Page 20: ...a stereo pair try switching them around For example if a left output is presumed dead switch the left and right cords at the mixer end If the problem switches sides it s not the mixer Noise Turn the c...

Page 21: ...ed tip to signal high hot ring to signal low cold and sleeve to ground earth Unbalanced Send Return circuits When wired as a send return Y connector a 1 4 TRS jack or plug is connected tip to signal s...

Page 22: ...s and jacks are often used in home stereo and video equip ment and in many other applications Figure D They are unbalanced and electrically identical to a 1 4 TS phone plug or jack See Figure C Connec...

Page 23: ...rn cir cuit and will show up in the center of the stereo pair of buses it s assigned to or it can be panned with the PAN 26 control Y cord splitter cable TIP SEND RING IN TIP OUT RING RETURN TO MIXER...

Page 24: ...z Common Mode Rejection Ratio CMRR Mic in to Insert Send out max gain 1 kHz better than 70 dB Maximum Levels Mic in 22 dBu Tape in 16 dBu All other inputs 22 dBu Main Mix XLR out 28 dBu All other outp...

Page 25: ...ANNEL 1 OF 4 LINE IN L LINE IN R 3 BAND EQ LEVEL PAN MAIN ALT STEREO RETURN 1 L IN R IN STEREO RETURN 2 L IN MONO R IN GAIN GAIN RETURN TO AUX 1 MAIN MIX MAIN LEVEL 30dB PAD TAPE OUT L LINE OUT L BAL...

Page 26: ...MID 2 5kHz LOW 80Hz HI 12kHz MID 2 5kHz LOW 80Hz HI 12kHz MID 2 5kHz LOW 80Hz HI 12kHz MID 2 5kHz LOW 80Hz EQ L R 1 MUTE PAN AUX EQ PAN AUX EQ PAN AUX EQ PAN AUX EQ PAN AUX EQ PAN AUX EQ PAN AUX EQ P...

Page 27: ...ice representative will at its option either repair or replace any such nonconforming product provided that Customer gives notice of the noncompliance within the Warranty Period to the Company at www...

Page 28: ...Road NE Woodinville WA 98072 USA United States and Canada 800 898 3211 Europe Asia Central and South America 425 487 4333 Middle East and Africa 31 20 654 4000 Fax 425 487 4337 www mackie com E mail s...

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