Mackie CR1604 manual

1 AUX U 1 2 3 4 5 6 U U U +15 00 +15 00 +15 00 +15 00 5/6 SHIFT +15 –15 0 HI +15 –15 0 MID +12 –12 0 LO EQ 0 R L PA N SOLO MUTE ALT 3/4 OL +20 U 00 1 MON AUX U 1 2 3 4 5 6 U U U +15 00 +15 00 +15 00 +15 00 5/6 SHIFT +15 –15 0 HI 0 MID 0 LO EQ 0 R L PA N SOLO MUTE ALT 3/4 OL + 20 U 00 2 MON AUX U 1 2 3 4 5 6 U U U +15 00 +15 00 +15 00 +15 00[...]

2 9. Object and Liquid Entry — Care should be taken so that objects do not fall into and liquids are not spilled into the inside of the CR-1 604. 10. Damage Requiring Service — The CR-1 604 should be serviced only by qualified service personnel when: A. Objects have fallen onto, or liquid has spilled into the CR-1 604; or B. The CR-1 604 has be[...]

3 IF YOU IGNORE MANUALS OR ARE J UST HOT TO GET ST AR TED… Please at least read the sections marked with these two icons: They cover information that is absolutely critical or is unique to the CR-1604. But it’ s still a good idea to read the whole manual through at some point. W e worked and slaved to make this manual readable, understand- able[...]

4 All the knobs and buttons on the CR-1604’s front panel can be broken down into sixteen identical input modules (channel strips) plus one Master Output section that’s divided into Aux Return and General Output sections (see nifty diagram at right). Each input channel strip can be divided into four specific sections: • The AUX SENDs, with kno[...]

5 WUTZA DEEE-TENT? Occasionally in this manual you will see a reference to detents. A detent is a simple but effective control feature that will aid in easy re- setting of your mixers controls. It’s simply a notch in the movement of the control compo- nent, which determines a neutral setting, such as Unity on faders or center on the PAN control. [...]

6 AUX U 1 2 3 4 5 6 U U U +15 00 +15 00 +15 00 +15 00 5/6 SHIFT +15 –15 0 HI +15 –15 0 MID +12 –12 0 LO EQ 0 R L PA N SO LO MUTE ALT 3/4 OL +20 U 00 1 MON formation is contained in this range, a little midrange EQ goes a long way . It can increase presence of a mix, enhance intelligibility of a vocal or back off a strident instrument. EQ LO 1[...]

7 SOLO This control does just what it’s name im- plies. By pushing the SOLO button, you can listen in on only that channel while muting the rest of the mixer’ s output. In order to make this function really useful, we have designed the CR-1604’s SOLO section to allow for multiple inputs to be soloed together while retaining the original ster [...]

8 Part 2 — THE MAIN OUTPUT SECTION Now that you have become more familiar with the CR-1604’s channel strips, let’ s move our guided tour on to the Master control center . W e will start at the top of the section with the Stereo Aux Returns. STEREO AUX RETURNS LEVEL Located at the upper left of the Master Section, these four controls set the o[...]

9 00 LEVEL SOLO/PHONES MAIN OUTPUT MUTE SOLO TO MAIN ALT PREVIEW • The effect of this button follows the setting of the SOLO TO MAIN button (i.e. if SOLO TO MAIN is pressed IN, the phones and the main output are r eplaced with the Aux Return signals. If it’s left in the OUT position, only the headphones will get the soloed Aux Return signals). [...]

10 Always turn the SOLO/PHONES LEVEL con- trol down befor e you put the phone on. Then advance it for best levels with a typical sound source. Engineers who fry their ears find themselves with short car eers. Y ou can also use the PHONES output to in- dependently drive a separate tape recorder , P A system or studio monitor amp. Instead of using a [...]

11 INPUT SENSITIVITY CONTROLS The first set of items on our tour are the sensitivity controls for the 16 input channels. These knobs adjust the input sensitivity of the mic and line inputs so signals from the out- side world are brought into the mixer at optimum internal operating levels. INPUT SENSITIVITY controls for channels 1–6 have up to 40d[...]

12 UNBALANCED INPUTS (Channels 7–16) These inputs are designed for mono unbal- anced signals from instrument level to –10dBV or +4dBu. They can be used with just about any pro or semipro instrument, effect or tape recorder . MAINS If you leave this switch in the OFF position, you won’t hear anything. Y ou can leave the CR-1604’ s MAINS powe[...]

13 fate befalls the cord, you can use any standard IEC cord like those found on most professional recorders, musical instruments and computers (for example Radio Shack #278-1257 {6-ft} or #278-1261 {12-ft.}). NOTE: Disconnecting the plug’s ground pin can be dangerous. Don’ t do it . FUSE The CR-1604 is fused for your (and its own) pro- tection.[...]

14 BAL/UNBAL MAIN OUT – STEREO These outputs are electronically balanced (since they have both polarities available and ar e capable of driving +4dBu lines with 28dB of head- room) . They’re also low impedance. • For most music recording and P A applica- tions, unbalanced outputs are perfectly acceptable. Use standard cables. For cables runs [...]

15 through a Channel Access or Stereo Bus in- sert or before/after the mixer . Processors include compressors, limiters, filters or exter - nal equalizers. ODD DUCKS Some newer , digital “Swiss Army Audio Knives” can be switched for compression, limiting and whatever else struck the whim of the product de- signer . Check their manuals for detai[...]

16 • Direct out with no signal interruption to mains. Push a MONO plug into a CHANNEL ACCESS jack until you feel it click once. In this configuration the channel access is acting as an independent direct out with no signal interruption to the master . • Direct out with signal interruption to master . Push the plug all the way into the CHANNEL A[...]

17 SUBMIX HOOKUP EXAMPLE 2 SUBMIX HOOKUP EXAMPLE 1 HOOK UP +15 00 R L U 1 2 3 4 U U U +15 00 +15 00 +15 00 C 1 2 3 4 C C C R L 1 2 3 4 STEREO AUX RETURNS R L R L MONO AUX SOLO 0 R L PA N SOLO MUTE ALT 3/4 OL + 20 U 00 0 R L PA N SOLO MUTE ALT 3/4 OL +20 U 00 0 R L PA N SOLO MUTE ALT 3/4 OL +20 U 00 0 R L PA N SOLO MUTE ALT 3/4 OL +20 U 00 0 R L PA [...]

18 CAN YOU TRUST YOUR EARS? Even if you have perfect hearing, your ears will not al- ways give you a true idea of what is being heard. Expecially if you like to really crank your monitors while mixing. As the session progresses, your ears will have a tendency to be- come accustomed and eventually numb to volume and EQ levels. We call this phenomeno[...]

19 SENSITIVITY/LEVEL ADJUSTMENT — The long version As we noted at the be- ginning of this manual achieving the CR-1604’s im- pressive noise and headroom specs, r equir es adjusting channel sensitiv- ity to your particular setup. Can you run the mixer without this adjustment? Sure. Chances ar e that you’ll get pr etty good sound. But take a mo[...]

20 CHANGING THE POD T O RACK MOUNT POSITION It only takes about five minutes and a Phillips-head screwdriver to change the CR- 1604’ s input/output pod from tabletop to jacks-to-back position. 1. Remove all cords and cables from the mixer , including a lamp if you’ve plugged one in. 2. Place the mixer gently face down on a clean, soft surface s[...]

21 W ARRANTY SER VICE The complete fine print of our W arranty is attached to the warranty card that came with your mixer . If you can’t find it, call us and we’ll send you another one. Also make sure to save your sales r eceipt. It’s useful in establishing when you bought the mixer and for insurance purposes if some- one happens to borrow yo[...]

22 6. Include a note stating: a. Y our return address and phone number b. A brief description of the CR-1604’s problem 7. W rite the RA number in BIG PRINT on the outside of the shipping carton. 8. Send us the mixer . W e recommend U.P .S. Remember to insure the mixer . U.P .S. will help you with this. Ship your CR-1604 to: Mackie Designs, attn: [...]

23 C R-1 604 DIMENSIONS (including XLR 1 0 & MixerMixer add-ons, RotoPod bracket) TECH STUFF 3.05" 5.5" 3.05" 2.3" 2.3" 4.8" 15.8" 15.8" 18.2" 0.7" 15.7" 16.7" 1.65" 16.2" 4.0" 3.0" 7.5" 1.4" 2.3" 2.6" 1.5" 2.1" 17.34" including sc[...]

24 CR - 1 604 BLOCK DIAGRAM level up +20 level up +15 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 max out +22 +14 max in -8 trim dn MIC INPUT AUX RETURN CH. LEVEL MIX OUTPUT OUTPUT MIX -48 trim up +22 max in trim dn -40 trim up +22 max in trim dn -25 trim up LINE INPUT CH 1–6 LINE INPUT CH 7–16 to point (B) gain up +15 fader up +20 (A) (B) pan center -6 gain[...]

25 TECH STUFF L R MAIN LEFT MAIN RIGHT ALT 3-4 LEFT ALT 3-4 RIGHT SOLO LEFT SOLO RIGHT 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 AUX 1 AUX 1 MONITOR AUX 2 OUTPUT AUX 3 OUTPUT AUX 4 OUTPUT AUX 5 OUTPUT AUX 6 OUTPUT +22 CLIP +8 +4 +2 0 -4 -8 -12 -16 -20 OUTPUT METER METER READS INPUT CHANNEL LEVEL WHEN CHANNEL IS SOLOED. ELECTRONIC SOLO SWITCHING R L R L ALT 3-4 ALT 3-4 ALT PRE[...]

26 1. How do I get the effects into my monitors? 2. How do I get effects out the AL T 3/4 Bus? 3. How do I set up a monitor or auxiliary send master? 4. What modifications can be done to the mixer? 5. How do I perform the modifications to my mixer? 6. Can I use the Bal./Unbal. Main Outputs and Mono Output at the same time? 7 . Can I split the Main [...]

27 The channel should be set up as if it were receiving any line input signal. This means set- ting the proper input trim level with the fader at unity and setting the pan control (stereo or mono). Next you would MUTE the channel which would send the auxiliary returns out the AL T 3/4 Bus. (3) Q: How do I set up a monit or or auxiliar y send master[...]

28 (8) Q: Can I use the XLR Mic Inputs for balanced line inputs? A: No and Y es. IMPORT ANT!!!!!! The way the board is configur ed from the factory it is not meant to accept a line level signal at the Mic Inputs. Although the mic and line inputs pass through the same preamp stage, the line input has an internal 10dB pad. This 10dB pad can be accomp[...]

29 POD MAIN CHASSIS MAIN CHASSIS a bb POD POD MODIFICA TIONS-O-RAMA The CR-1604 can be modified to move the position of AUX Sends and Channel Inserts in the signal flow . Unless you have the right tools and have tweaked with circuitry before, leave these mods to a pro. Our Official W ord on modifications is: “Any internal modification of the CR-1[...]

30 Modification 1&2 Modification 3&4 POD MAIN CHASSIS MAIN CHASSIS a bb POD POD Modification 1 — AUX SEND PRE-EQ • PRE-FADER • PRE-AL T /MUTE This modification converts AUX Sends into pre-EQ/pr e-fader/pre-AL T/mute Monitor Sends. Y ou can modify AUX 2, AUX 3 and/or AUX 4 on any or all of the CR-1604’s 16 chan- nels. Converting AUX [...]

31 Modification 2 — AUX SEND POST -EQ • PRE-F ADER • PRE-AL T/MUTE This modification converts AUX Sends into post-EQ / pre-fader / pr e-AL T/mute Monitor Sends. Y ou can modify AUX 2, AUX 3 and/or AUX 4 on any or all of the CR-1604’s 16 chan- nels. Converting AUX 3 also converts AUX 5; converting AUX 4 also converts AUX 6. 1. Remove all cor[...]

32 Modification 3 — AUX SEND POST -EQ • POST -F ADER • PRE-AL T /MUTE This modification converts AUX Sends into post-EQ/post-fader/pre-AL T mute Monitor Sends. Y ou can modify any or all of the CR-1604’s 16 channels. NOTE: The conver - sion affects ALL AUX Sends per channel. 1. Remove all cords from the CR-1604 and place it facedown. 2. Rem[...]

33 POD MAIN CHASSIS MAIN CHASSIS a bb POD POD Modification 4 — Channel Insert PRE-EQ • PRE-F ADER • PRE-AL T/MUTE This modification moves the CR-1604’s Channel Access points to pre-EQ/pr e-fader . Y ou can modify any or all of the CR-1604’s first 8 channels. W ARNING: This is an Advanced Deadly , Expert Level Modification. Don’t try thi[...]

34 Modification 5 — Channel Insert POST -EQ • PRE-F ADER • PRE-AL T/MUTE This modification moves the CR-1604’s Channel Access points to post-EQ/pre-fader . Y ou can modify any or all of the CR-1604’s first 8 channels. W ARNING: This is an Advanced Deadly , Expert Level Modification. Don’t try this one at home! 1. Follow steps 1 through [...]

35 Modification 6 — Solo Tie FOR MIXERMIXER APPLICA TION This modification connects the solo function of multiple CR-1604’s. 1. Follow steps 1 through 5 at the bottom of page 31. 2. Solder an insulated wire (d) from one mixer to another at point A 3. Follow steps 9 to 11 at the bottom of page 31. POD MAIN CHASSIS MAIN CHASSIS a bb POD POD Modif[...]

36 Additionally , the mixer shall accommodate the RotoPod Bracket Set which shall allow the Input/Output Pod to be rotated in such a way the input/outputs are on the same plane with the Main Mixing Board controls. The mixer’s dimensions shall be 16.1" tall by 17.34" wide (including screw heads) by 4.1" deep with the Input/Output Po[...]

37 AUX U 1 2 3 4 5 6 U U U +15 00 +15 00 +15 00 +15 00 5/6 SHIFT +15 –15 0 HI +15 –15 0 MID +12 –12 0 LO EQ 0 R L PA N SO LO MUTE ALT 3/4 OL +20 U 00 MON AUX U 1 2 3 4 5 6 U U U +15 00 +15 00 +15 00 +15 00 5/6 SHIFT +15 –15 0 HI 0 MID 0 LO EQ 0 R L PA N SO LO MUTE ALT 3/4 OL + 20 U 00 MON AUX U 1 2 3 4 5 6 U U U +15 00 +15 00 +15 00 +15 00 [...]

38 This is the back of a master track sheet, which came in the Mackie CR-1604 Manual If you find this sheet in a copy machine, please return it to the engineer/owner of the console,[...]

39 U 1 2 3 4 U U U +15 00 +15 00 +15 00 +15 00 C 1 2 3 4 C C C R L 1 2 3 4 STEREO AUX RETURNS R L R L R L LEVEL BALANCE MONO AUX SOLO +10 00 00 1/LEFT 2/RIGHT LEVEL SOLO/PHONES MAIN OUTPUT MUTE SOLO TO MAIN ALT PREVIEW POWER SOLO LEVEL -20 -16 -12 -8 -4 0 +2 +4 +8 CLIP INPUT TRIM U=UNITY GAIN +4 25dB 16 U –10 S E N S I T I V I T Y +4 25dB 15 U ?[...]

40 This is the back of a master track sheet, which came in the Mackie CR-1604 Manual If you find this sheet in a copy machine, please return it to the engineer/owner of the console,[...]

41 SEMIOFFICIAL LAST P AGE[...]

42 Whaddya say on the last page of a manual? W ell, we’d like to roll the credits. Film output by Art- works of W oodinville. Set in ITC Century Condensed and Adobe Futura Condensed via PageMaker ® 5.0 for the Macintosh ® . The bulk of this manual was written by Ron Koliha. T echnical revisions by Keith Medley , Paul Larson, Scott Garside, Jaso[...]

43 16220 W ood-Red Rd. NE • W oodinville • W A • 98072 • USA Phone 800/258-6883 • F AX 206/487-4337 • Outside the U.S. call 206/487-4333 For literature requests only , 800/898-3211[...]