4
FR SERIES AMPLIFIERS
FR SERIES AMPLIFIERS
Introduction
Congratulations on the purchase of your new Mackie
power amplifier. Please read these instructions to get
the maximum performance from your amplifier, and to
keep the owner’s manual writer from getting sad. He’s
been a bit down recently, after his sweetheart in ac-
counting started going out with that amplifier designer,
just because he can whisper sweet nothings in Klingon
®
.
The FR series amplifiers are designed for continu-
ous duty in speech, music, and sound reinforcement
applications in churches, schools, offices, arenas, hotel
meeting rooms, convention centers, recreation facilities
and other venues demanding high performance, flexible
features, and rugged dependability.
A rear panel low-cut switch allows you to remove low
frequencies, and a clip-eliminator allows extra protec-
tion for your speakers by preventing the amplifier from
being overloaded.
The amplifier can operate in stereo, dual-mono, or
bridged mono. The output connections are Speakons
®
and binding posts for left, right and bridged mono.
The inputs are capable of accepting balanced XLR,
1/4" TRS, or unbalanced 1/4" TS connections from
line-level sources. Two front panel level controls allow
adjustment of the input signals.
The front panel has a rocker power switch with a
power LED, and each channel has a signal-present LED
and an overload LED.
The amplifier output stage is fully protected against
permanent damage caused by overloading, shorts, silky
boxers, and extreme temperatures.
The front panel incorporates holes for rack mount-
ing, where it will take up two rather lovely rack spaces.
There are two handles fitted on the front panel for easy
transporting.
FEATURES
• FR•800: 800 watts continuous @ 4 ohms
bridged
• FR•1400: 1400 watts continuous @ 4 ohms
bridged
• FR•2500: 2500 watts continuous @ 4 ohms
bridged
• Ultra-low noise/low-distortion design
• Switchable low-cut filter @ 30 Hz on both chan-
nels
• Switchable limiter on both channels
• 1/4" TRS and XLR line input jacks
• Speakon
®
outputs and binding posts for left,
right and bridged mono
• Detented rotary gain controls
• Signal present and OL (overload) LEDs
• Variable speed fans and large finned heatsink
for superior cooling
• Robust chassis, proven design
• Discreet component power amplifiers
• Double-sided, quality circuit boards
• Amaze your friends with your very own reliable
amplifier buddy who will never let you down
• Kick sand in the faces of all those amplifiers
that have wronged you
HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL
The first section after this Introduction is a Getting
Started guide to help you get things set up fast. Right
after that are the hook-up diagrams showing some typi-
cal setups.
The Front and Rear Panel Features section describes
every detail and control of the amplifier. Throughout
this section you’ll find illustrations with each feature
numbered and talked about in words.
This icon marks information that is criti-
cally important or unique to the amplifier. For
your own good, read 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 is a section on troubleshooting and repair
information.
Appendix B is a section on connectors: XLR connec-
tors, TRS balanced connectors, TS unbalanced connec-
tors. Speaker impedance is also discussed.
Appendix C shows the amplifier technical specifica-
tions, and a fetching block diagram.
Please write your serial number here for future
reference (i.e., insurance claims, tech support,
return authorization, etc.)
Purchased at:
Date of purchase: