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4

U.420 4-Channel Line Mixer

U.

4

20 4-Channel Line Mix

er

Introduction

Thank you for choosing a Mackie U.420 mixer. It 

contains all your favorite features in a ultra-compact 
4-channel line mixer, along with a built-in FireWire 
interface, and a phono input for turntablists.

The U.420 is equally at home in recording studio ap-

plications or in live performances:

In the studio, the mixer offers Mackie-quality sound 

to sub-mix outboard gear and bring it into the computer.  
It has 4 stereo inputs that can accept any stereo device 
from synths, samplers, or a turntable. Channel 1 accepts 
an instrument connection without the need for a DI box.

In live performances, the mixer will enable you to 

sub-mix synths, computers, samplers, pedal boards, 
turntables, cd-players, and effects on stage. Bands 
and solo artists from DJs, electronic artists and singer 
songwriters can use the mixer to sub-mix their creative 
tools and deliver them to the sound board. The mixer’s 
aux bus allows you to set up a separate mix to feed stage 
monitors or external processors.  

You will find that the U.420 mixer is a very useful 

piece of equipment, and we hope you will love it, just as 
much as we did making it for you.

FEATURES

•  4 stereo line-level input channels.
•  Built-in FireWire 2x2 interface provides easy 

input from computer to the main mix, and easy 
outputs to the computer from the main mix. It 
has 24-bit resolution, and 44.1, 48, 88.2, and 96 
kHz sample rates.

•  Separate FireWire modes for live performance 

or overdubbing.

•  Ultra-compact design, with functional and 

ergonomic controls.

•  3-Band EQ on each channel, with kill position.
•  Phono preamplifier on channel 4 accepts 

phono-level stereo signals from a turntable.

•  Instrument-level input option on channel 1.
•  Stereo aux bus allows a separate mix to be sent 

to stage monitors or external processors.

•  TRS stereo main outputs.
•  TRS stereo headphone output.
•  TRS stereo aux bus outputs.
•  Level-set LEDs and gain controls allow easy 

optimization of each channel.

•  Stereo main meters with overload lights.
•  Large, easy to use, main level control.
•  External power supply.
•  Includes Tracktion, our professional, easy-to-

use, totally-amazing music production software.

HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL

Please read the safety instructions on page 2 first. 

The getting started guide on page 5 will help you get the 
mixer set up fast so you can start using it right away. 
Right after that are the ever popular hook-up diagrams 
that show you some typical setups.

The features section describes every knob, button, 

and connection point on the mixer, roughly following 
the signal flow through the mixer from top to bottom. 
For more information about a feature, locate its number 
in the appropriate illustration, and find it in the nearby 
paragraphs.

This icon marks information that is critically 
important or unique to the mixer. For your 
own good, read them and remember them. 

This icon leads you to in-depth explanations 
of features and practical tips. They usually 
have some valuable nuggets of information.

Appendix A shows service and repair information.
Appendix B is a section on connectors.
Appendix C shows the specs and a block diagram.
Appendix D shows details of the FireWire interface.

Please write your serial number here for future 

reference (i.e., insurance claims, tech support, 

return authorization, etc.) 

 

 

 

Purchased at: 

 

 

 

Date of purchase:

Summary of Contents for U.420

Page 1: ...AX 1 2 3 4 U O O MAX LEVEL U O O MAX U 14 14 U 14 14 MID LOW HIGH EQ GAIN 10 KILL U 10 KILL U U U 10 KILL U 10 KILL U 10 KILL U 10 KILL 10 KILL 10 KILL 10 KILL 10 KILL 10 KILL 10 KILL LEVEL SET LEVEL...

Page 2: ...18 This apparatus does not exceed the Class A Class B whichever is applicable limits for radio noise emissions from digital apparatus as set out in the radio interference regulations of the Canadian...

Page 3: ...AMS 6 REAR PANEL FEATURES 10 1 INSTRUMENT LINE INPUT 10 2 LINE INPUTS 10 3 PHONO INPUTS 10 4 GND TERMINAL 10 5 AUX OUTPUTS 10 6 MAIN OUTS 11 7 HEADPHONES OUTPUT 11 8 DC INPUT 11 9 FIREWIRE CONNECTION...

Page 4: ...d EQ on each channel with kill position Phono preamplifier on channel 4 accepts phono level stereo signals from a turntable Instrument level input option on channel 1 Stereo aux bus allows a separate...

Page 5: ...xer If you want to listen while you work plug headphones into the phones jack on the front panel then set the phones knob up a little 1 Play something into the selected input Be sure that the volume o...

Page 6: ...r for record ing with most DAW applications like Tracktion Cubase or Sonar This is independent of the Big Knob as well Additionally there is a stereo return from the laptop that has its own mix level...

Page 7: ...ing with most DAW applications like Tracktion Cubase or Sonar Perfect for recording your set Any play back software applications like Ableton Live or Tracktor can easily be part of your performance by...

Page 8: ...output is being sent to a pair of SRM150s on mic stands for stereo stage monitoring A laptop is connected via FireWire This laptop is loaded with awesome virtual instruments like those in applications...

Page 9: ...to channel 1 DVR decks connected to channels 2 and 3 and an iPod docking station connected to channel 4 The main outputs are fed to a pair of Mackie HR studio monitors for local monitoring and the mi...

Page 10: ...e will appear equally on the left and right of the main mix This does not apply to channel 4 3 PHONOInputs Channel 4 s RCA jacks accept stereo phono level signals from turntables Check that your turnt...

Page 11: ...meters 7 HEADPHONESOutput This 1 4 TRS stereo jack is where you plug in your stereo headphones The headphone volume is controlled by the phones level control 22 It is not affected by the main level c...

Page 12: ...players keyboards drum machines and tape players You will need a DI box if connecting instrument level signals to the inputs when this switch is out 12 GAIN These knobs allow you to adjust the gain o...

Page 13: ...In the center position U low EQ has no effect The frequency range below 300 Hz represents the realm of bass drums bass guitar fat synth patches and lower down to some really serious male singers 16 AU...

Page 14: ...blink occasionally or not at all 20 FWIN This control lets you adjust the signal level of the two FireWire channels coming in from your computer rela tive to the mix of channels 1 to 4 Adjust it care...

Page 15: ...the way down before connecting headphones or making any connec tions Keep it down until you ve put on the headphones and turn it down first whenever you play a new source or instrument 23 MAINLEVEL T...

Page 16: ...y you ll know which input source is causing the problem It helps to plug all the audio equipment into the same AC circuit so they share a common ground If the annoying humming continues ask the drum m...

Page 17: ...visit www mackie com click Support and select Locate a Service Center Service for Mackie products living outside the United States can be obtained through local dealers or distributors If you do not h...

Page 18: ...Unbalanced Wiring Sleeve Shield Tip Left Ring Right 1 4 TS Phone Plugs and Jacks TS stands for Tip Sleeve the two connection points available on a mono 1 4 phone jack or plug They are used for unbalan...

Page 19: ...ed 0 0 5 dB Distortion THD N Main and aux output 20 Hz to 20 kHz 1 kHz input signal Line input at unity gain 4 dBu input signal Better than 0 008 Phono input at unity gain 30 dBu input signal Better t...

Page 20: ...O HI MID Main Out R Aux Out R Phones Channel 4 Aux R Aux Level L R 3 Band EQ Gain LO HI MID LO HI MID Aux L Phono R Level Channel 1 L R 3 Band EQ LO HI Z HI MID LO HI MID Aux HI Z Normal FireWire In f...

Page 21: ...om the mixer is converted to digi tal signals by the FireWire interface s A D converters The following table shows the outputs to your com puter from the FireWire interface Here are two examples of us...

Page 22: ...separate virtual mixer for monitoring The U 420 ALWAYS provides zero latency monitoring by design without any extra configuration Hurrah Due to the nature of its signal path the U 420 requires the use...

Page 23: ...r guitar string to the moment you hear it in your headphones You are used to this la tency being very close to zero when you play your guitar through a guitar amp you hear the signal immediately So wh...

Page 24: ...e U 420 CD ROM into your PC s CD ROM drive 3 Click Start in the task bar then click Run and click Browse Browse to your CD drive and double click _SETUP EXE Then click OK to start the installation 4 T...

Page 25: ...you are ready to use the FireWire capabili ties of your U 420 Console PConly You should adjust the sample rate and latency from within your audio software application for example in Tracktion s setti...

Page 26: ...settings for the U 420 You can also choose the U 420 as your default input or output as well as designate it to be used for the system sound output 5 You re ready to go with any Mac OS X Core Audio h...

Page 27: ...t to an authorized service center The return ground shipment is covered for those units deemed by us to be under warranty Note You must have a sales receipt from an authorized Mackie dealer for your u...

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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