Mackie DL806 and DL1608 Reference Guide
11
Architecture Overview
At the very core, the DL Series system consists of three separate parts: the DL Series mixer, an iPad
and the Master Fader app. Each of these three components are equally important, none more so than
the other. You can play with each component separately, but you won’t be able to accomplish much.
Together, though, you become Mr. Mix-A-Lot, the envy of engineers at every venue the world over.
It’s important to note that the DL806 and/or DL1608 is the digital mixer, while one or more iOS devices
controls it. All DSP processing and routing take place in the mixer itself, meaning it’s not just a “dock”.
Let’s take a quick look at each, what they are and how they relate to each other.
DL Series Mixer
— Every mixer in the universe has input and output jacks. The DL Series are no different.
In addition to input and output jacks, this mixer contains gain knobs and accompanying SIG/OL LEDs.
On the rear panel are the power connector and network connector. Power and 48V phantom power
switches and LEDs round out the mixer. Unlike most other mixers, though, the DL Series mixers don’t have
traditional controls and won’t work without an iPad and the Master Fader app. Feel free to make all
the connections you want, but you need more to control it. Mixer details begin on the next page.
iPad
— The Apple iPad. Such a cool, innovative product, huh? Send and receive email, surf the web,
download and install apps for gaming, business, education, entertainment, social networking, sports,
travel, music and more. All this from nearly anywhere in the world! Hold on a second...what was that
last one? Music? Yep, music. This is where the Master Fader app comes into play. The iPad is a tool that
allows us to create the best user experience for you, a blank canvas for the Master Fader app.
Master Fader App
— This is the third piece of the puzzle. Forgo the burden of carrying around a big, bulky
desk with hundreds of knobs. A DL Series mixer with iPad and Master Fader app are the way to go! And with
wireless capability, feel free to walk the venue creating mixes on the fly utilizing the large, full-color screen
touch UI. Mixing wirelessly on the fly on an app on an iPad? That sounds out-of-this-world! It must be slow
and difficult to comprehend, though, right? Wrong. The Master Fader app is fast, fluid and intuitive. Don’t
believe us? Download and install the Master Fader app for free and see for yourself...you don’t even need a
mixer to test drive the app!
An additional hardware component to add to the mix is a wireless router. One of the main
reasons for utilizing a DL Series mixer is for its wireless capabilities. It certainly is possible
without one, but then you would be missing out on one of the coolest features of
the mixer. More on the router later.
As noted above, at least one iPad is necessary to utilize a DL Series mixer. However, up
to 10 iOS devices may be connected to it wirelessly. This includes any generation iPad,
an iPad mini, any generation iPhone and/or an iPod touch. You can even mix and match!
Wireless
Original iPad
Wireless
iPad 2
Wireless
iPad
(3rd generation)
Future
Wireless
iOS Device
Wireless
iPad
(4th generation)
Wireless
iPhone 4S
Wireless
iPad mini
Wireless
iPhone 5
Wireless
iPod touch
Wireless
iPhone 4
Master Fader App
Match
Made in
Heaven
One
Piece
Missing
One
Piece
Missing
Impossible
Mission
DL Series
Mixer
Wired
iPad
