Mackie VLZ3 4BUS manual

24/32-Channel Pr emium FX Mixer with USB VLZ3 4•Bus GAIN 1 GAIN 2 GAIN 3 GAIN 4 GAIN 5 GAIN 6 GAIN 7 GAIN 8 GAIN 9 GAIN GAIN GAIN GAIN GAIN GAIN 10 11 12 13 14 1 5 GAIN GAIN GAIN GAIN GAIN GAIN 20 21/22 23/24 17 18 19 GAIN 16 LOW CUT 100 Hz 18 dB/OCT LOW CUT 100 Hz 18 dB/OCT LOW CUT 100 Hz 18 dB/OCT LOW CUT 100 Hz 18 dB/OCT LOW CUT 100 Hz 18 dB/O[...]

2 VLZ3 4•Bus 1. Read these instructions. 2. Keep these instructions. 3. Heed all warnings. 4. Follow all instructions. 5. Do not use this apparatus near water . 6. Clean only with a dry cloth. 7. Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer’ s instructions. 8. Do not install near any heat sources such as ra[...]

Owner ' s Manual 3 Part No. SW0844 Rev . A 06/10 ©2010 LOUD T echnologies Inc. All Rights Reserved. Loosely based on a dream involving strong personalities and even stronger drinks...wait, that wasn't a dream? Set the lev els It’s not even necessary to hear what you’r e doing to set optimal levels. But if you’d like to: Plug headph[...]

4 VLZ3 4•Bus Introduction A wesomely unhe ar d of fea tures USB Recor ding and Playback TheVLZ34•BusSeriesMixersfeaturea4x2USB recording and playback function. This means up to four signals may be recorded simultaneously and a ster eo mix returned to the mixer for playback. There ar e two switches in the master sectio[...]

Owner ' s Manual 5 F eatur es • ProvenVLZ3low-noise,high-headroomdesign  •StudiogradeXDR2 ™ mic preamps  •130dBdynamicrange  •Distortionunder0.0007%  (20 Hz - 20 kHz)  •Phantompowerforstudio  condenser mics • 4subgrou[...]

6 VLZ3 4•Bus Contents IMPOR T ANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS ........................ 2 QUICK ST ART .......................................................... 3 INTRODUCTION ...................................................... 4 T ABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................... 6 HOOKUP DIAGRAMS.......................................[...]

Owner ' s Manual 7 Hookup Diagrams Typical Liv e Sound System The drummer is the mic and channel hog of the band; Dustin has the kick, snare and three toms mic'd up, in addition to two overhead mics. These run to mic inputs 1-7. desTROY er is rockin' the electric guitar through a Blackheart full stack rig. Each Blackhear t cab is mic[...]

8 VLZ3 4•Bus Typical Recording System Once the band has played a few shows and feel that the songs are up to par , then it's time to record them for posterity and all three adoring fans. The good thing is that the Mackie VLZ3 4•Bus mixer functions great in both environments... live and recording! Here is how to record the band in three eas[...]

Owner ' s Manual 9 Rear Panel - Connections 1. MIC INPUTS This is a female XLR connector that accepts a balanced mic or line level input from almost any type of source. The mic preamps featur e our XDR2 design, with higher fidelity and headroom rivaling any standalone mic preamp on the market today . The XLR inputs are wir ed as follows: Pin [...]

10 VLZ3 4•Bus 2404 USB L R TAPE OUT IN MONO MAIN OUT INSERT LINE TIP=SEND RING=RETURN (BAL/UNBAL) RIGHT MAIN OUT INSERT LINE LEFT MAIN OUT INSERT LINE TIP=SEND RING=RETURN TIP=SEND RING=RETURN (BAL/UNBAL) (BAL/UNBA L) TALKBACK MIC POWER ON PHANTOM ON 2 1 2 1 6 5 4 2 1 6 5 4 AUX INSERTS (TIP=SEND, RING=RET URN) AUX SENDS (BAL/UNBAL) L R (MONO) STE[...]

Owner ' s Manual 11 7. LEFT/RIGHT MAIN OUTPUTS: XLR & 1/4" The male XLR connectors provide a balanced line-level signal that repr esents the end of the mixer chain, where your fully mixed ster eo signal enters the real world. Connect these to the left or right inputs of your main power amplifiers, powered speakers, or serial effects [...]

12 VLZ3 4•Bus 2404 USB L R TAPE OUT IN MONO MAIN OUT INSERT LINE TIP=SEND RING=RETURN (BAL/UNBAL) RIGHT MAIN OUT INSERT LINE LEFT MAIN OUT INSERT LINE TIP=SEND RING=RETURN TIP=SEND RING=RETURN (BAL/UNBAL) (BAL/UNBA L) TALKBACK MIC POWER ON PHANTOM ON 2 1 2 1 6 5 4 2 1 6 5 4 AUX INSERTS (TIP=SEND, RING=RET URN) AUX SENDS (BAL/UNBAL) L R (MONO) STE[...]

Owner ' s Manual 13 The USB routing capabilities are as follows: USB input TO the mixer - playback: (1) Stereo channel 23/24 (on the 2404-VLZ3) and 31/32 (on the 3204-VLZ3) features a USB button, so one may route computer output (such as iT unes ® ) down the last stereo channel of the board. This ster eo signal may then be EQ'd, sent to [...]

14 VLZ3 4•Bus 2404 USB L R TAPE OUT IN MONO MAIN OUT INSERT LINE TIP=SEND RING=RETURN (BAL/UNBAL) RIGHT MAIN OUT INSERT LINE LEFT MAIN OUT INSERT LINE TIP=SEND RING=RETURN TIP=SEND RING=RETURN (BAL/UNBAL) (BAL/UNBA L) TALKBACK MIC POWER ON PHANTOM ON 2 1 2 1 6 5 4 2 1 6 5 4 AUX INSERTS (TIP=SEND, RING=RET URN) AUX SENDS (BAL/UNBAL) L R (MONO) STE[...]

Owner ' s Manual 15 GAIN 1 GAIN 2 GAIN 3 GAIN 4 GAIN 5 GAIN 6 GAIN 7 GAIN 8 GAIN 9 GAIN GAIN GAIN GAIN GAIN GAIN 1 0 1 1 12 1 3 14 1 5 GAIN GAIN GAIN GAIN GAIN GAIN 20 21/22 23/24 17 1 8 19 GAIN 16 LOW C UT 100 Hz 18 dB/OCT LOW C UT 100 Hz 18 dB/OCT LOW C UT 100 Hz 18 dB/OCT LOW C UT 100 Hz 18 dB/OCT LOW C UT 100 Hz 18 dB/OCT LOW C UT 100 Hz 1[...]

16 VLZ3 4•Bus GAIN GAIN GAIN GAIN GAIN GAIN 2 0 21/22 23/24 1 7 18 1 9 GAIN 1 6 LOW CUT 100 Hz 18 dB/OCT LOW CUT 100 Hz 18 dB/OCT LOW CUT 100 Hz 18 dB/OCT LOW CUT 100 Hz 18 dB/OCT PAD -20dB LOW CUT 100 Hz 18 dB/OCT FX 1 USB FX 2 U +2 0 -2 0 U +2 0 -2 0 OF F MA X OF F MA X OF F MA X OF F MA X COMP COMP COMP COMP 0 60 -4 5d B + 1 5 d B U M I C G A [...]

Owner ' s Manual 17 At the maximum compression, the thr eshold is set at 0 dBu, and the input to output relationship is repr esented by the lower curve. If the input is -5 dBu (that is, below the threshold), the output is -5 dBu. As the input reaches 0 dBu, the output is a bit less than 0 dBu. If the input is +5 dBu, the output is about +2 dBu[...]

18 VLZ3 4•Bus AUX EQ INT FX A UX 5 /6 PR E HI 1 2 k LO W 80 Hz MI D FREQ 1 2 3 4 PRE PRE 5 6 F X1 FX 2 U +1 5 O O U +1 5 O O U +1 5 O O U +1 5 O O U +1 5 O O U +1 5 O O 2k 80 0 200 8k 10 0 U -1 5 U +1 5 -1 5 +15 -1 5 +15 U U U 27. AUX SENDS 1-6 These controls allow you to set up to six independent mixes, typically for running stage monitors or ex[...]

Owner ' s Manual 19 31. HIGH EQ The high EQ provides up to 15 dB of boost or cut above 12 kHz, and it is also flat (no boost or cut) at the detent. Use it to add sizzle to cymbals, an overall sense of transparency , or an edge to keyboards, vocals, guitar and bacon frying. T urn it down a little to reduce sibilance or to mask tape hiss. 32. M[...]

20 VLZ3 4•Bus The OL (overload) LED will come on when the channel’s input signal is too high. This should be avoided, as distortion will occur . If the OL LED comes on regularly , check that the gain control [23] is set correctly for your input device, and that the channel EQ is not set with too much boost. The OL LED will also illuminate when [...]

Owner ' s Manual 21 So, the original unprocessed “dry” signals go from the channels to the main mix, and the processed “wet” signals go from the stereo r eturns to the main mix, and once mixed together , the dry and wet signals combine to createaglorioussound! Pre-fader aux sends ar e typically used to provide another mix for [...]

22 VLZ3 4•Bus 51. USB OUT These two switches allow for monstrous flexibility on the four recordable signals. The default switch configuration (disengaged) routes subgroups 1-4 over the USB connection to your favorite DA W software for a "mix it later" 4-track recording. Engaging the switch on the left allows the main L-R mix to be rec[...]

Owner ' s Manual 23 58. LEFT/RIGHT Level Meters These peak meters are made up of two columns of twelve LEDs, with three colors to indicate differ ent ranges of signal level, traffic light style. They range from –30 at the bottom, to 0 in the middle, to +20 (CLIP) at the top. When a channel is soloed in PFL, the right meter shows no reading,[...]

24 VLZ3 4•Bus Stereo Effects Processors, Headphones, T alkback, Main and Groups Mix* There ar e two identical Mackie Running-Man 32-bit internal effects processors. They are mono-in, ster eo-out effects processors, with 24 presets each. Signals to these effects processors come from adjusting the FX1 and/or FX2 aux send [29] on each channel and th[...]

Owner ' s Manual 25 SO LO L E F T TAP DELAY INT FX MUTE PUSH TO TALK TALKBACK GROUPS MAIN RI GH T AUX 1 -4 ST ERE O RI GH T SO LO L E F T TO AUX 1 TO AUX 2 SOLO PHONES MONITOR TAP DELAY INT FX MUTE TO AUX 1 TO AUX 2 RI GH T SO LO ST ERE O L E F T RI GH T SO LO L E F T SEND MASTER SEND MASTER TO MAIN TO MAIN FX 2 FX 1 1 2 3 4 M AIN M I X U MA X[...]

26 VLZ3 4•Bus 68. MONITOR LEVEL This knob is used to adjust the volume at the monitor output [15, 16], from off to maximum gain (max). 69. PHONES LEVEL This knob is used to adjust the volume at the phones output [17], from off to maximum gain (max). If solo is not active, the monitor , phones and meter are fed the post-fader main mix signal. W AR[...]

Owner ' s Manual 27 Afl is a stereo solo bus, so in afl mode, soloing Group 1 by itself places the signal on the left, Group 2 shows up on the right, and soloing both yields a stereo image, with Group 1 on the left and Group 2 on the right, and each reduced by 3 dB, not unlike using one of the channels' pan pots to center the signal. Gr[...]

28 VLZ3 4•Bus Appendix A: Ser vice Information If you think your mixer has a problem, please check out the following troubleshooting tips and do your best to confirm the problem. Visit the Support section of our website (www .mackie.com) where you will find lots of useful information such as F AQs, documentation and any updated PC drivers etc. [...]

Owner ' s Manual 29 “XLR” Connectors Mackie mixers use 3-pin female “XLR” connectors on all microphone inputs, with pin 1 wired to the grounded (earthed) shield, pin 2 wired to the “high” (”hot” or positive polarity) side of the audio signal and pin 3 wired to the “low” (“cold” or negative polarity) side of the signal. [...]

30 VLZ3 4•Bus TRS Send/Receive Insert Jacks Mackie’s single-jack inserts ar e the three- conductor , TRS 1⁄4" phone type. They are unbalanced, but have both the mixer output (send) and the mixer input (return) signals in one connector . See Figure F . The sleeve is the common ground (earth) for both signals. The send from the mixer to th[...]

Owner ' s Manual 31 Specifications Noise Char acteristics: (Mic in to Insert Send out, max gain.) 150 ohm termination: –129.0 dBu (20 Hz–20 kHz bandwidth, 1/4" Main out, channel gains @ unity gain, channel EQs flat, all channels assigned to Main Mix, odd channels panned left, even channels panned right.) Main Mix fader unity , chann[...]

32 VLZ3 4•Bus Dimensions 50% 25% 75% 0% 100% SUCK GAIN 1 GAIN 2 GAIN 3 GAIN 4 GAIN 5 GAIN 6 GAIN 7 GAIN 8 GAIN 9 GAIN GAIN GAIN GAIN GAIN GAIN 10 11 12 13 14 15 GAIN GAIN GAIN GAIN GAIN GAIN 20 21/22 23/24 17 18 19 GAIN 16 LOW CUT 100 Hz 18 dB/OCT LOW CUT 100 Hz 18 dB/OCT LOW CUT 100 Hz 18 dB/OCT LOW CUT 100 Hz 18 dB/OCT LOW CUT 100 Hz 18 dB/OCT [...]

Owner ' s Manual 33 Block Diagram L R PFL Sol o M ain PFL sol o AFL solo L Mo ni to r Le ve l Insert Lev el Pa n L R Sub 1 Ou t (Sub 2-4 identical) Phon es Monitor Ou t L R L s um R su m Sub 1 su m 1 2 Sub Aux 1 (pre) Aux 1 As sign Ta lkback Assi gn Hudson River Central Park 3-Band EQ w/ Swept Mi d Aux 2 Aux 2 (pre) FX 1 FX 2 FX1 FX 2 3 4 Inte[...]

34 VLZ3 4•Bus T rack Sheet - Mono Channels GAIN X GAIN X GAIN X GAIN X GAIN X GAIN X GAIN X GAIN X GAIN X GAIN GAIN GAIN GAIN GAIN GAIN X X X X X X GAIN GAIN GAIN GAIN GAIN GAIN XX XX/XX XX/XX XX X X XX GAIN X LOW C UT 100 Hz 18 dB/OCT LOW C UT 100 Hz 18 dB/OCT LOW C UT 100 Hz 18 dB/OCT LOW C UT 100 Hz 18 dB/OCT LOW C UT 100 Hz 18 dB/OCT LOW C UT[...]

Owner ' s Manual 35 T rack Sheet - Comp & Stereo Channels and Master Section GAIN X GAIN X GAIN X GAIN X GAIN X GAIN X GAIN X GAIN X GAIN X GAIN GAIN GAIN GAIN GAIN GAIN X X X X X X GAIN GAIN GAIN GAIN GAIN GAIN XX XX/XX XX/XX XX X X XX GAIN X LOW C UT 100 Hz 18 dB/OCT LOW C UT 100 Hz 18 dB/OCT LOW C UT 100 Hz 18 dB/OCT LOW C UT 100 Hz 18 [...]

36 VLZ3 4•Bus Appendix D: USB and you... sb The built-in USB interface allows for some power- ful and flexible routing. It is a 4x2 interface allowing you to record up to four str eams from the mixer , or to input stereo playback from a computer and route it to nearly any output or pair of outputs on the mixer . T o use this feature with a PC, ?[...]

Owner ' s Manual 37 Appendix E: T able of Effects Presets No. Title Description Example of its use 01 Plate Reverb This preset emulates vintage mechanical reverberation that was generated with a metal plate. Its sound is char- acterized by lots of early reflections and no pre-delay. Perfect for thickening percussive instruments, such as a sna[...]

38 VLZ3 4•Bus VLZ3 4•Bus Limited W arranty Please keep your sales receipt in a safe place. This Limited Product W arranty (“Product W arranty”) is provided by LOUD T echnologies Inc. (“LOUD”) and is applicable to products purchased in the United States or Canada through a LOUD-authorized reseller or dealer . The Product W arranty will n[...]

16220 W ood-Red Road NE • Woodinville, W A 98072 • USA United States and Canada: 800.898.3211 Europe, Asia, Central and S outh America: 425.487 .4333 Middle East and Africa: 31.20.654.4000 F ax: 425.487 .4337 • www .mackie.com E -mail: sales@mackie.com[...]