Mackie DL806 and DL1608 Reference Guide
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Chapter 3: Mixer Hardware : Rear Panel
Rear Panel Introduction
Each DL Series mixer is outfitted with a power connector, a power switch
(and corresponding LED), a phantom power switch (and corresponding LED),
L/R XLR main output jacks, a Kensington lock, a network connector and a force
update button. In fact, the only functional difference between the two is that the
DL1608 has 16 input jacks and six aux sends jacks, whereas the DL806 has eight
input jacks and four aux send jacks. Even though those numbers may vary slightly,
their function is the same. Let’s take a look, shall we?
Power Connector
The DL Series mixers have a universal external power supply that accepts any
AC voltage ranging from 100 VAC to 240 VAC. No need for voltage select switches.
It will work virtually anywhere in the world. That’s why we call it a “Planet Earth”
power supply! It is less susceptible to voltage sags or spikes compared to
conventional power supplies, and provides greater electromagnetic isolation
and better protection against AC line noise.
An external 12V DC power supply [aka The Power Block] and a line cord are included
with the mixer. A locking barrel connector resides at the end of the cord attached to
The Power Block. Attach it to the power connector on the mixer and rotate the
outer ring clockwise to lock. Do not over-tighten! Screw until there is resistance, then
stop. Connect the female end of the line cord to The Power Block and plug the male
end into a live grounded AC outlet. An LED on The Power Block will illuminate green
to indicate success (whether the mixer is powered on or not).
Warning:
Disconnecting the plug’s ground pin is dangerous. Don’t do it!
In fact, it’s a bad idea to remove
anything
from (or add anything to)
The Power Block or line cord. Again, don’t do it!
DL1608 Rear Panel
Barrel Connector
The
Power
Block
Locking Outer Ring
DL806 Rear Panel
Power Switch
Press the top of this rocker switch in to turn the mixer on and
press the bottom of this switch to turn the
mixer off.
As a general guide, the mixer should be turned on first, before any external power amplifiers
or powered speakers. As such, it should also be turned off last. This will reduce the possibility
of any turn-on or turn-off thumps in the PA.
Power LED
This LED will illuminate green when the mixer is turned on
. If it does not turn on, confirm that The Power
Block and line cord are connected correctly (to each other, the mixer and the AC outlet), the local AC mains
supply is active and that the power switch is on.
Phantom Power Switch
Press the top of this rocker switch in if any microphone requires phantom power. (Always check the position
of this switch before connecting microphones.) This is a global switch that affects all mic channels’ XLR jacks
at once.
Press the bottom of this switch in to turn the phantom power off.
Most modern professional condenser mics require 48V phantom power which lets the mixer send
low-current DC voltage to the mic’s electronics through the same wires that carry audio. (Semi-pro
condenser mics often have batteries to accomplish the same thing.) “Phantom” owes its name to an
ability to be “unseen” by dynamic mics [Shure SM57 / SM58, for example], which do not need external
power and are not affected by it, anyway.
Never plug single-ended (unbalanced) or ribbon microphones into the mic input jacks
when phantom power is on. Do not plug instrument outputs into the mic XLR input jacks
with phantom power on unless you know for certain that it is safe to do. When phantom
power is engaged, be sure that the master fader is down when connecting microphones
to the mic inputs to prevent pops from getting through the PA.
It is not a good idea to enable the phantom power unless it is actually needed. Line-level
sources may be particularly unhappy when they are subjected to 48V phantom powering.
Many musical instrument amps and keyboards with “direct outputs” fit this description.
It takes approximately 15 seconds for the phantom power to shut off completely.
Do not add or remove any inputs until the phantom power LED is completely off
or mics could be ruined.
