Mackie M1200/M1400 Stereo Amplifier User Manual


 
34
other. The unbalanced ground (earth) connec-
tion should be wired to the low and the ground
connections of the balanced input. If there are
ground-loop problems, try connecting the un-
balanced ground connection only to the input
low connection, and leaving the input ground
connection disconnected.
In some cases, you will have to make up
special adapters to interconnect your equip-
ment. For example, you may need a balanced
XLR female connected to an unbalanced 1⁄4"
TS phone plug. The balanced-to-unbalanced
connection has been anticipated in the wiring
of Mackie jacks. A 1⁄4" TS plug inserted into a
1⁄4" TRS balanced input, for example, auto-
matically unbalances the input and makes all
the right connections. Conversely, a 1⁄4" TRS
plug inserted into a 1⁄4" unbalanced input
automatically ties the ring (low or cold) to
ground (earth).
BINDING POSTS
Binding posts provide a number of different
methods for connecting speaker wire to the
outputs of the amplifier. For fixed installations,
you can use bare wire (Figure D), or wire ter-
minated with spade lugs (Figure E).
SPEAKONS
Speakon
®
connectors have become popular
with many loudspeaker manufacturers be-
cause they provide a quick, yet safe and secure
method of connecting speaker cables. The
M•1400 is outfitted with Speakon connectors
(Figure G) instead of the 1/4" TS jacks pro-
vided on the M•1200. Speakon connectors
have a twist-locking mechanism that prevents
them from being pulled out accidentally. Plus,
they are capable of handling high currents, and
meet IEC 65 and IEC 348 safety requirements.
Pin 1+ is positive (+) and Pin 1– is negative (–).
G
N
D
CH
1
CH
2
SPEAKER OUTPUTS
+
+
MONO
BRIDGE
+
Figure D: Binding Posts with Bare Wire
For portable applications, the binding posts
accept single or double banana plugs (Figure
F). They provide a method of quickly connect-
ing and disconnecting speaker cables to and
from the amplifier. Double banana plugs have a
tab on one side to indicate the ground (GND)
side of the connector. This side connects to the
black (–) binding post terminals on the amplifier.
Figure F: Binding Posts with Double Banana Plug
Figure G: Speakon Connectors
Figure E: Binding Posts with
Spade Lug
1/4"