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164-VLZ3
1642-VLZ3
Channel Strip Description
26. ASSIGN (1–2, 3–4, L/R)
Alongside each channel fader are four buttons,
labeled SOLO, 1–2, 3–4 and L/R. The bottom three are
collectively referred to as channel assignment switches.
1, 3 and L are the left sides of these stereo pairs, and
2, 4 and R are the right sides. Used in conjunction with
the channel’s PAN [31] knob, these switches determine
the destination of a channel’s signal: With the PAN knob
set at the center detent, the left and right sides receive
equal signal levels. To feed only one side or the other,
just turn the PAN knob accordingly.
If you’re doing a mixdown to a 2-track, simply engage
the L/R switch on each channel that you want to hear,
and they’ll be sent to the main mix. If you want to create
a subgroup of certain channels, engage either the 1–2
or 3–4 switches instead of the L/R, and they’ll be sent
to the appropriate subgroup faders. From there, the
subgroups can be sent back to the main mix, allowing
you to use the subgroup faders as a master control for
those channels.
If you’re printing new tracks or bouncing existing
ones, you’ll also use the 1–2 and 3–4 switches, but not
the L/R switch. Here, you don’t want the subgroups sent
back into the main mix, but sent out, via the SUB OUT
[8] jacks, to your multitrack inputs. However, if you’re
printing tracks via the DIRECT OUT [5] jacks, all the
channel assign switches should be disengaged (up).
The 1642-VLZ3 is what we call a “true 4-bus mixer.”
Each channel can be assigned or unassigned to any of
the subgroups without affecting the other subgroups or
settings within the channel, and each subgroup has its
own master fader and dedicated output. In fact, since
there are 4 subgroups and the main L/R mix, it’s actually
a true 6-bus mixer.
27. SOLO
This lovable switch allows you to check signals in your
headphones and control room without having to assign
them to the L/R, 1-2 or 3-4 mixes.
You can solo as many channels as you like. SOLO does
not interrupt any of the other channels, buses or out-
puts — that’s called nondestructive solo. When SOLO is
pressed, that channel's -20 (SOLO) LED [28] will light
constantly, so you can easily catch any channels which
have been soloed by those naughty SOLO pixies.
Using the MODE [44] switch, the 1642-VLZ3’s solo
system comes in two flavors: NORMAL (AFL) (some-
times called SIP, or solo-in-place) and LEVEL SET
(PFL) (sometimes called PFL, or pre-fader-listen). The
MODE switch is described on page 20.
There are eight mono, and four stereo channel strips.
Many of the functions are identical for the mono and
stereo channels. We’ll start at the bottom and work our
way up, pointing out the differences as we go along.
“U” LIKE UNITY GAIN
Mackie mixers have a “U” symbol on almost
every level control. This “U” stands for “unity
gain,” meaning no change in signal level. Once you have
performed the Level-Setting Procedure, you can set
every control at “U” and your signals will travel through
the mixer at optimal levels. Also, the
labels on our controls are measured
in decibels (dB), so you’ll know what
you’re doing level-wise if you choose to
change a control’s settings.
25. CHANNEL FADER
The fader is almost the last control in
a channel’s signal path. It’s placed after
the EQ [32] and MUTE [30] (post-EQ
/post-MUTE), and before PAN [31]
(pre-PAN). The “U” mark, about three-
quarters of the way up, indicates unity
gain, meaning no increase or decrease
of signal level. All the way up provides
an additional 10 dB, should you need to
boost a section of a song. If you find that
the overall level is too quiet or too loud
with a fader near unity, you’ll want to
confirm the GAIN setting by performing
the Level-Setting Procedure.
A Clean Fade
Faders are not rocket science
— they operate by dragging a
metal pin (the wiper) across
a carbon-based strip (the track). It is
possible for airborne crud to land on
the track. Should that happen, you may
hear scratchy noises or signal dropouts
as the wiper stumbles over the crud. Do
all you can to keep airborne crud out
of your profession. Use air conditioned
rooms whenever possible, avoid smok-
ing near the mixer, keep food and drink
away from the mixer, and for pity’s sake,
never put the mixer in your kitchen! We
also recommend “exercising” the faders
— give them a walk up and down once
a week or so, and that will help scare
the crud away. We do not recommend
spray cleaners.
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