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21

Owner’s Manual

Owner’

s Manual

Engaging a SOLO switch will cause this dramatic turn 

of events: Any existing SOURCE matrix selections will 
be replaced by the SOLO signals, appearing in the con-
trol room, headphones and meter display. The audible 
solo levels are controlled by the SOLO [46] level knob. 
The SOLO levels appearing on the meter display  are 
not controlled by anything — you wouldn’t want that. 
You want to see the actual channel level on the display, 
 regardless of how loud you’re listening.

44.  MODE (NORMAL (AFL)/LEVEL SET (PFL))

The 1604-VLZ3’s solo system comes in two fl avors: 

NORMAL (AFL) (sometimes called SIP, or solo-in-
place) and LEVEL SET (PFL) (sometimes called PFL, 
or pre-fader-listen). 

In NORMAL (AFL), the soloed channel’s signal is sent 

directly to the control room, headphones and meter dis-
play just as it would sound to the channel’s assignment 
switches: post-EQ [32], post-FADER [25] and post-PAN 
[31]. The only difference is that SOLO works regardless 
of the channel’s assignment positions, and that makes it 
really handy — you can check out a channel before you 
assign it. 

NORMAL (AFL) is the preferred mode during mix-

down: If the channel has some midrange boost at 
4.236kHz, is panned a smidgen to the left, and its fader 
is at –5.385dB, that’s exactly what you’ll hear if you 
SOLO during NORMAL (AFL) mode. It’s just as if you 
took the time to mute all the other channels.

LEVEL SET (PFL) solo is the key player in the all-im-

portant Level-Setting Procedure . It’ll send the chan-
nel’s actual internal levels to the meters so you’ll know 
just what’s going on, level-wise. This procedure should 
be performed every time a new sound source is patched 
into a channel’s MIC [1] or LINE [2] input jacks. 

LEVEL SET (PFL) is also the preferred mode for SR 

(sound reinforcement, or live sound), to preview chan-
nels before they are let into the mix. It won’t give you 
stereo placement, but will give you signal even if the 
fader is turned down. 

Remember, LEVEL SET (PFL) taps the 
channel signal before the fader. If you have 
a channel’s fader set way below “U” (unity 

gain), SOLO won’t know that and will send a unity gain 
signal to the control room, headphones, and meter dis-
play. That may result in a startling level boost at these 
outputs, depending on the  position of the SOLO [46] 
level knob. 

45.  LEVEL SET LED

To quote step 6 of the Level-Setting  Procedure , “Push 

in the MODE [44] switch in the output section (LEVEL 
SET (PFL) mode) — the LEVEL SET LED will light.”

When the MODE switch is engaged, it’s in LEVEL 

SET (PFL) mode, the mode you must be in to set levels. 
Now, when you engage any solo switch, this LED will 
be a “green light” to set levels. If you tried to set levels 
during  NORMAL (AFL) mode, the meter display would 
be at the mercy of the channel fader, and that would be 
a big problem. 

46. SOLO (LEVEL)

This knob controls the level of the signals coming 

from the SOLO system. After the SOLO level is deter-
mined, the SOLO signals will proceed to take over the 
control room, headphones, and meter display . 

Once again, LEVEL SET (PFL) SOLO taps the 
channel signal before the fader. If you have 
a channel’s fader set way below “U” (unity 

gain), LEVEL SET (PFL) SOLO won’t know that and 
will send a unity gain signal to the control room, head-
phones, and meter display. This may result in a startling 
level boost at these outputs, depending on the  position 
of the SOLO level knob. 

47.  RUDE SOLO LIGHT

This fl ashing LED (light emitting diode) serves two 

purposes — to remind you that you’re in SOLO, and to 
let you know that you’re mixing on a Mackie. No other 
company is so concerned about your level of SOLO 
awareness. We even force the soloed chan nel’s –20 LED 
to play along, so you can fi nd that rogue switch fast.

If you work on a mixer that has a SOLO function with 

no indicator lights, and you happen to forget you’re in 
SOLO, you can easily be tricked into thinking that some-
thing is wrong with your mixer. Hence the RUDE SOLO 
LIGHT. It’s especially handy at about 3:00 in the morn-
ing, when no sound is coming out of your monitors, even 
though your multitrack is playing back like mad.

Summary of Contents for 1604-VLZ3

Page 1: ...1604 VLZ3 OWNER S MANUAL 16 Channel Mic Line Mixer...

Page 2: ...adio 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...

Page 3: ...NOW and the rest can wait until you re good and ready But do read it you ll be glad you did WARNING Before you plug the AC power cord into the mixer make sure the VOLTAGE SELECTOR switch is set to the...

Page 4: ...ere you adjust each channel Output Section The output section on the right Throughout these chapters you ll find illustrations with each feature numbered If you re curious about a feature simply locat...

Page 5: ...N MIX TO SUBS STEREO RET 3 24 54 1 2 3 4 STEREO RETURN 3 24 55 C R PHNS ONLY STEREO RETURN 4 25 56 RETURNS SOLO AND LED 25 APPENDIX A SERVICE INFORMATION 26 APPENDIX B CONNECTIONS 27 APPENDIX C TECHNI...

Page 6: ...O PHONES OUT AUX SENDS BAL UNBAL SUB OUTS BAL UNBAL CHANNEL INPUTS TAPE OUT TAPE IN Headphones Bass Mic 1 2 Guitar Stereo Compressor Multi track Digital Recorder Delay Reverb Mono in Stereo out Proces...

Page 7: ...CHANNEL INPUTS TAPE OUT TAPE IN Headphones Mics 1 4 Guitar Stereo Compressors Active Stage Monitors Multi track Digital Recorders for Optional Live Recording Delay Reverb Processor Drum Machine Stere...

Page 8: ...ace screws remove screws flush mount rotate pod replace screws use the longer screws that come in a little bag sunken position use the longer screws that come in a little bag 7 Carefully install the p...

Page 9: ...y kind of mic that has a standard XLR type male mic con nector Professional ribbon dynamic and condenser mics will all sound excellent through these inputs The 1604 VLZ3 s mic inputs will handle any k...

Page 10: ...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 as 50 dBu to operating levels of 10 dBV...

Page 11: ...9 16 and they re listening to the multitrack that is listening to the source channels Make sure to assign the monitor channels 9 16 to the L R mix and not the source channels 1 8 The main advantage is...

Page 12: ...s is where you connect the outputs of your parallel effects devices or extra audio sources They ll accept just about any pro or semipro effects device on the mar ket To learn how signals are routed fr...

Page 13: ...plugs like this Tip signal Sleeve ground 15 MONO OUTPUT It happens to everybody sooner or later The forces that govern your world will demand a monaural output from your painstakingly created stereo p...

Page 14: ...l flat screwdriver and replace the fuse with a 1A SLO BLO 5x20mm available at electronics stores or your dealer or a 500 mA SLO BLO 5x20 mm if your 1604 VLZ3 is set to 220V 240V If two fuses blow in a...

Page 15: ...pity s sake never put the mixer in your kitchen We also recommend exercising the faders give them a few full travel excursions once a week or so and that will help scare the crud away Do not use spra...

Page 16: ...thout flickering It will also be brighter than it would be as a 20 indica tor In conjunction with the RUDE SOLO LIGHT 47 you can find a rogue SOLO switch quickly 29 OL MUTE LED Another LED that does t...

Page 17: ...erently trying a different kind of mic changing the strings or gargling 31 PAN This adjusts the amount of channel signal sent to the left versus the right outputs PAN determines the fate of the L R as...

Page 18: ...g into a stereo reverb in mono and returning in stereo We have found that on most stereo reverbs the second input just ties up an extra aux send and adds nothing to the sound There are exceptions so f...

Page 19: ...f signals sent to the SUB OUTS 8 All channels that are assigned to subgroups with the ASSIGN 26 switches not muted and not turned fully down will appear at the SUB OUTS Unlike the MAIN OUT 14 the subg...

Page 20: ...what if the engineer needs to hear something other than the main mix With the 1604 VLZ3 the engineer has several choices of what to listen to This is one of those tricky parts have a double espresso...

Page 21: ...d down Remember LEVEL SET PFL taps the channel signal before the fader If you have a channel s fader set way below U unity gain SOLO won t know that and will send a unity gain signal to the control ro...

Page 22: ...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...

Page 23: ...is thumb in the air It would follow suit that if the singer stuck his thumb down you d turn the knob down but that never happens 50 AUX SENDS SOLO Once again in live sound situations AUX SEND 1 and 2...

Page 24: ...subgroup faders 1 and 2 this switch up or subgroup faders 3 and 4 this switch down Let s say you ve made a stereo drum submix on sub group faders 1 and 2 so you can ride those two faders instead of t...

Page 25: ...nd LED This switch operates just like the channel SOLO 27 switches engaging it sends signals to the control room headphones and meter display and interrupts whatever happened to be there before you so...

Page 26: ...mixer If it s 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 stays on the left it s not the mixer...

Page 27: ...nnector a 1 4 TRS jack or plug is con nected tip to signal high hot ring to signal low cold and sleeve to ground earth Unbalanced Send Return circuits When wired as send return Y connector a 1 4 TRS j...

Page 28: ...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 29: ...turn circuit 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 control Y cord splitter cable TIP SEND RING IN TIP OUT RING RETURN TO MIXER CH...

Page 30: ...l other outputs 22 dBu Impedances Mic in 2 5 kilohms Channel Insert return 2 5 kilohms All other inputs 10 kilohms or greater Tape out 1 1 kilohms All other outputs 120 ohms EQ High Shelving 15 dB 12...

Page 31: ...ed with Rack Ears fitted in upper position with Rack Ears fitted in upper position WEIGHT 20 0 lb 9 1 kg 5 1 in 129 mm 8 7 in 222 mm 6 3 in 160 mm with Rack Ears fitted in upper position shown with op...

Page 32: ...O O 15 U O O 15 U O O 15 U O O 15 U O O 15 U O O 15 U O O 15 U O O 15 U O O 15 U O O 15 U O O 15 U O O 15 U O O 15 1 MUTE U O O 15 U 15 15 U U 15 15 12k HI MID 80Hz LOW CUT 75 Hz 18dB OCT LOW U O O 15...

Page 33: ...15 12k HI MID 80Hz LOW CUT 75 Hz 18dB OCT LOW U O O 15 12 MUTE U O O 15 U 15 15 U U 15 15 12k HI MID MID MID MID 80Hz LOW CUT 75 Hz 18dB OCT LOW U O O 15 13 MUTE U O O 15 U 15 15 U U 15 15 12k HI 80H...

Page 34: ...S 1 2 3 4 TO AUX 1 TO AUX 2 SOLO TO SOLO LED SIP L SIP R PFL SOLO MACKIE 1604 VLZ3 SIGNAL FLOW 9th Feb 2007 CR PHN L CR PHN R SOLO RELAY ASSIGN TO MIX MAIN MIX INSERT FADER R MAIN MIX MONO OUT MAIN MI...

Page 35: ...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 36: ...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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