MACKIE
HOOK-UP
GUIDE
VLZ-PRO
SERIES
OUR [IN]FAMOUS PRODUCT
HOOKUPS IN BYTE-SIZED MORSELS
Copyright © 2002 Mackie Designs Inc. All Rights Reserved.
PRINTING NOTE: These pages were built 21cm wide (8.26in) by 27.94cm (11in) tall to
accommodate the printers of both our North American users and our users around the
globe. This PDF will print at 100% on both “Letter” sized and “A4” sized paper (with room in
the left margin for hole punching).
Hello and welcome to one of many downloadable web editions of Mackie’s Product Hook-Up
Guide. Since 1992, we’ve been including these
helpful “connection maps” in our In Your Face
product guides, and we’ve been urged to continue
doing so because they’re so gosh-darned helpful. Now, we’ve split our hook-ups into product
famlies, and made them available to you over this
new-fangled “Internet” thingy that everyone is
talking about these days.
There will be documents that cover hooking
up our compact VLZ® PRO Series, Analog 8•Bus
Series consoles, CFX Series effects mixers, DFX
Series compact effects mixers, the D8B digital
console, the HDR24/96 hard disk recorder, PPM
Series powered mixers, the FR Series amplifiers,
SR Series front-of-house mixers, and our Active
loudspeakers.
Inside you’ll find lots of useful information
— most likely your questions will be answered
here. We realize that there’s no possible way to
cover every single question or application in so few
pages because new ways to use Mackie products
are invented every day. You may come up with
some ideas on how to do what you want by looking at the various diagrams we’ve included here.
Keep in mind that a good half of the battle in
hooking up our products is having the proper
connections. Check the cables ’n’ plugs that you
already have with the diagrams on the next
page. We know it may look boring, but one of
these drawings could save your life. Well, maybe
not your life, but probably a lot of weeping and
sorrow. And don’t forget to check out the tech
tips/FAQs document also available for download
on the web at www.mackie.com/techsupport
If you don’t find the answers you’re after, then
why not give our mighty Tech Support gang a
call? These folks have tons of experience in the
real world, and they’ve got lots of equipment and
mixers at their beck and call. They’re aching to
share their knowledge with you. (And calling them
would be a very humanitarian thing to do — they’re
located in the dank sub-basement of our building
and they rarely get visitors. Your call just may be
the one that keeps their spirits alive.)
Call Mackie Tech Support toll-free (in the U.S.)
at 800-258-6883 (Monday through Friday, 7 AM
to 5 PM Pacific Time) with any Mackie productquestion you can conjure. Put them through the
wringer! We encourage it.
Incidentally, the Mackie Product Hook-Up Guide
(Web Editions) were put together from within the
confines of the Mackie Digital Mosh Pit — located
on the second floor near the Area Of Refuge — by
the well-meaning, super-preening Mackie Macintosh Department. We used Adobe InDesign®,
Illustrator®, Photoshop®, and Acrobat® on a
number of suped-up big daddy Macs.
Oh yeah: Copyright © 2002 Mackie Designs Inc.
All Rights Reserved.
The following are trademarks or registered trademarks of Mackie Designs Inc.: “MACKIE.”, the
“Running Man” figure, VLZ, XDR, D8B, HUI, CFX
Series, FR Series, and HR Series.
COMMON
PRO AUDIO PLUGS AND CONNECTORS
TS Plug (mono)
KNOW YOUR
PLUGS
SET IT UP, AND GO!
A VISUAL
GUIDE
Balanced XLR
Standard mono/unbalanced phone
plug used for most mixer connections.
TRS Plug (stereo)
Standard XLR microphone connector to be used
with mic-level.
RCA/Phono Plug
Standard stereo/balanced phone plug used for
balanced connections on Mackie mixers.
Tape deck connections
on most Mackie mixers.
Insert “Y” Cable
The “Y” Cable is used for connecting serial effects
devices, such as graphic equalizers or compressors, to a
Mackie mixer’s Channel or Bus insert jacks. On one end is
a standard Tip-Ring-Sleeve “stereo” plug. Its tip and ring
are wired to separate mono Tip-Sleeve plugs. Note that
the RING of the TRS plug (A) is actually wired to the TIP of
one of the mono TS plugs (B). If you insert a TS (mono)
1/4" plug only partially (to the first click) into an insert
jack, the plug will not activate the jack switch and will not
break the insert connection in the circuit (thereby allowing
the channel signal to continue on its merry way through
the mixer). See (C) in “Insert Points” below.
Partial insertion allows you to tap out of the channel or
bus circuit at that point in the circuit without interrupting
normal operation.
If you push the 1/4" TS plug in to the second click, you
will open the jack switch and create a direct out, which does
interrupt the signal in that channel or bus circuit. See (D) in
“Insert Points” above. Note: Do not overload or short-circuit
the signal you are tapping from the mixer. That will affect
the internal signal of the mixer.
Insert Points
Attention !
TS Plug (mono)
A
Direct out with no signal interruption to master.
Insert only to first “click.”
You may notice these effects unit hookups (Figure A)
throughout this applications guide. These hookups utilize
the Insert "Y" Cable (explained on the facing page).
TS Plug (mono)
B
Direct out with signal interruption to master.
Insert all the way in to the second “click.”
MIXER INSERT
COMPRESSOR
OUT
IN
TRS Plug (stereo)
For use as an effects loop.
(TIP = SEND to effects
RING = RETURN from effects)
Figure B is a closeup of Figure A. The two colors
represent the input and output traveling the length of the
"Y" cable. The dotted line represents the two signals
travelling alongside one another.
Mic
4 Track Recorder
CHANNEL INSERTS
Guitar
SET IT UP, AND GO!
VLZ PRO
1202/1402 4-TRACK
TRACKING
Keyboard
MAIN
OUT
ALT 3/4
OUT
MAIN
OUT
PHONES CNTRL ROOM
OUT
OUTPUTS
HR824 or other
Powered Studio Monitors
IN-TAPE-OUT
Headphones
AUX RETURNS
AUX
SEND
CHANNEL INPUTS
Channel Inputs as Tape Returns
Monitoring AFTER
your recorder, not
at your inputs
Stereo Tape Deck
Direct Output to Recorder
Insert to first click!
Reverb/Delay
Reverb/Delay
SET IT UP, AND GO!
VLZ PRO
1202/1402
VIDEO SET UP
Keyboard
CHANNEL INPUTS
Video Decks
AUX RETURNS
CHANNEL INSERTS
Mic 1 and 2
Compressor
NOTE: AUX Return 2 (L and R)
can be used as an extra
stereo input
HR824 or other
Powered Studio Monitors
Master Video Deck
MAIN
OUT
Headphones
PHONES CNTRL ROOM
OUT
OUTPUTS
Multi-Deck Video Switcher
with time code interface
IN-TAPE-OUT
Cassette Recorder
MAIN
OUT
ALT 3/4
OUT
AUX
OUT
Reverb/Delay
Keyboard
AUX
SEND
CHANNEL INPUTS
Sound Module
Sound Card
HR824 or other
Powered Studio Monitors
MAIN
OUT
MAIN
OUT
Headphones
PHONES CNTRL ROOM
OUT
OUTPUTS
MIC
IN
IN-TAPE-OUT
LINE
IN
ALT 3/4
OUT
LINE
OUT
Compressor
AUX RETURNS
CHANNEL INSERTS
Mic 1 and 2
Reverb/Delay
SET IT UP, AND GO!
VLZ PRO
1202/1402
COMPUTER SET UP
CHANNEL INSERTS
Mic 1 and 2
RIAA Preamp
CHANNEL INPUTS
Triggered Lights
AUX
OUT
CD Players
AUX RETURNS
Turntables
Compressor
MAIN
OUT
PHONES CNTRL ROOM
OUT
OUTPUTS
Headphones
IN-TAPE-OUT
Stereo Tape Deck
MAIN
OUT
ALT 3/4
OUT
Delay/Reverb
Active
PA Speaker/
Subwoofer
combination
(Pole-mounted
SRM450s and
SRS1500 active
Subwoofers
pictured)
SET IT UP, AND GO!
VLZ PRO
1202/1402
DJ SET UP
Guest panel
Mics
MAIN
OUT
MAIN
OUT
To Video Camera line level
inputs to tape conference
PHONES CNTRL ROOM
OUT
OUTPUTS
Headphones
IN-TAPE-OUT
Stereo Tape Deck
recording conference audio
ALT 3/4
OUT
Stereo Tape Deck
VCR Audio out
CD Player (intermission music)
2nd Stereo Tape Deck
recording conference audio
AUX
OUT
CHANNEL INPUTS
Audience Mic
AUX RETURNS
CHANNEL INSERTS
Podium Mic
SRM450s or other
Active PA Speakers
Graphic EQs
SET IT UP, AND GO!
VLZ PRO
1202/1402 CONFERENCE
PA SET UP
SET IT UP, AND GO!
VLZ PRO
1604 VIDEO
SET UP
Mic 1-2
Compressors
CHANNEL INPUTS
Video Decks
CHANNEL INSERTS
Keyboard
CD Player
Sampler
BAL/UNBAL
BAL/UNBAL
BAL/UNBAL
STEREO MONO
MAIN OUT
DIRECT OUT
AUX SENDS
Delay
TAPE
OUT
TAPE
IN
Multi-Deck Video Switcher
with time code interface
MAIN
INSERT
Output Video Deck
Digital Video Workstation
OUT
PHONES
BAL/UNBAL
SUB OUTS
HR824 or
other Powered
Studio Monitors
Headphones
AUX RETURNS
C/R OUT
BAL/UNBAL
Reverb
Mic 1-2
Guitar
Bass
Compressors
Drum Machine
CHANNEL INPUTS
Keyboard
CHANNEL INSERTS
Processors
BAL/UNBAL
DIRECT OUT
BAL/UNBAL
AUX SENDS
BAL/UNBAL
C/R OUT
BAL/UNBAL
TAPE
OUT
Stereo Tape Deck
TAPE
IN
MAIN
INSERT
Stereo Compressor
and Stereo EQ
STEREO MONO
MAIN OUT
Multi-track
Digital Recorder
OUT
PHONES
Headphones
Reverb
AUX RETURNS
BAL/UNBAL
SUB OUTS
HR824s or
other Powered
Studio Monitors
Cue Mix
(Headphones
and
headphone
amps)
Delay
SET IT UP, AND GO!
VLZ PRO
1604 8-TRACK
TRACKING
Mic 1-4
BAL/UNBAL
BAL/UNBAL
AUX SENDS
Delay
Reverb
Headphones
AUX RETURNS
BAL/UNBAL
OUT
PHONES
4-Track Recorder
SUB OUTS
C/R OUT
BAL/UNBAL
Stereo Compressor Cassette Recorder
or DAT
and Stereo EQ
Mono EQs, M•1400i Amps,
and Passive Stage Monitors (C300s)
TAPE
OUT
TAPE
IN
MAIN
INSERT
BAL/UNBAL
STEREO MONO
MAIN OUT
SRM450s or
other Active
PA Speakers
DIRECT OUT
Drum Machine
Keyboards
CHANNEL INPUTS
Guitar
Stereo Processor
CHANNEL INSERTS
Compressors
SET IT UP, AND GO!
VLZ PRO
1604 STEREO
PA SET UP
Stereo Processor
BAL/UNBAL
DIRECT OUT
CHANNEL INPUTS
CHANNEL INSERTS
From Mics,
Keys,
Drum Machines,
Guitars, etc.
BAL/UNBAL
BAL/UNBAL
AUX SENDS
AUX RETURNS
Reverb/Delay
BAL/UNBAL
OUT
PHONES
HR824 or other
Powered Studio Monitors
SUB OUTS
C/R OUT
Stereo Tape Deck
BAL/UNBAL
TAPE
OUT
TAPE
IN
MAIN
INSERT
Stereo Processor
Reverb/Delay
MONO
DAT Recorder
(mastering)
L R
L
MAIN OUT
R
8 Track Recorder
Headphones 1
Headphones 2
From Sub Outs Bal/Unbal
SET IT UP, AND GO!
VLZ PRO
1642 TRACKING AND
MIXING SET UP
Mic 1-2
Compressors
CHANNEL INPUTS
CHANNEL INSERTS
Keyboard
BAL/UNBAL
DIRECT OUT
Video Decks
BAL/UNBAL
BAL/UNBAL
AUX SENDS
Delay
MONO
Output Video Deck
L R
L
MAIN OUT
R
CD Player
Digital Video Workstation
OUT
PHONES
BAL/UNBAL
SUB OUTS
HR824 or
other Powered
Studio Monitors
Headphones
AUX RETURNS
MAIN
INSERT
C/R OUT
BAL/UNBAL
TAPE
OUT
TAPE
IN
Multi-Deck Video Switcher
with time code interface
Reverb
SET IT UP, AND GO!
VLZ PRO
1642 VIDEO
SET UP
SET IT UP, AND GO!
VLZ PRO
1642 CHURCH
SET UP
CHANNEL INSERTS
Mic 1-5
CHANNEL INPUTS
Guitar
Direct Box
Drum Machine
BAL/UNBAL
DIRECT OUT
CD Player
VCR
Mono EQs,
M•1400i Amps,
and (C300) Passive
Stage Monitors
BAL/UNBAL
AUX SENDS
BAL/UNBAL
OUT
Multitrack Recorder
Assistive Listening
Transmitter
SUB OUTS
C/R OUT
BAL/UNBAL
Cassette Recorder
PHONES
HR824s
or other
powered
monitors
70 Volt Line Amp
TAPE
OUT
TAPE
IN
MAIN
INSERT
SRM450s
or other
active monitors
AUX RETURNS
Stereo Processor
Reverb/Delay
MONO
BAL/UNBAL
L R
L
MAIN OUT
R
Keyboards
Headphones
70V xformer tapped
loudspeakers on distributed
system throughout building
Mic 1-4
Bass
CHANNEL INSERTS
Compressors
Guitar
BAL/UNBAL
Drum
Machine
Additional
stereo source
Keyboard
DIRECT OUT
Guitar
CHANNEL INPUTS
Mono Effects
Stereo Effects
Turntable
Mono EQs, M•1400i Amps,
and (C300)
Passive Stage Monitors
BAL/UNBAL
AUX SENDS
MONO
BAL/UNBAL
L R
L
MAIN OUT
R
RIAA Preamp
AUX RETURNS
C/R OUT
BAL/UNBAL
CD Player
Reverb/Delay
TAPE
OUT
Stereo Processor
TAPE
IN
MAIN
INSERT
Reverb/Delay
OUT
PHONES
BAL/UNBAL
SUB OUTS
Active PA Speaker/Subwoofer
combination (Pole-mounted
SRM450s and SRS1501 active
Subwoofers pictured)
Headphones
Digital Multitrack
Recorder
SET IT UP, AND GO!
VLZ PRO
1642 STEREO
PA SET UP
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