PickleBand Audio Recording Systems Music Recording Studio Equipment

Mackie Mixer

Mixers – How to choose the right

A mixer is designed so that you have many plug-in signal them to change these signals, and mix them together in one or more signals that can lead to a PA or recorder will be sent. A common way into the mixers are described by the number of buses. A bus is a pathway and you can group a number of channels and control them with one fader. You can take 3 of your inputs, mix them together, then the Route 3 signals in a bus. You can the rest of your inputs and to another bus. That is why you see Buss described as a mixer 4, 8, Buss, etc.

Here is an example, say you You have the sound check, and you have the drums sound great. Now the band is out of line, the place is packed, and you have to turn the drums. But you have 8 microphones drum, all on different channels. Is it possible to turn all 8 faders through the exact same height and keep your great mix? Probably not, you can but this route every 8 channels in a bus. Well, if you turn the volume for the bus, you are all turn of the drums!

Most consoles all have separate channels on the left side, and the master section on the right. Whether it is a 4-Channel Mixer or a 32-channel mixer, the controls for each channel the same. You have the receipt, then a preamp, then some aux sends, then your EQ, then the balance, and finally the Volume Control. The signal travels After that line, and then sent the master section. This is repeated for each channel. The master output then goes to your amplifier.

Your signal goes through all these Switches and buttons. Each adds a small amount of noise to the signal. Why a Mackie mixer is better than a Behringer? Less noise. If the manufacturer of high quality components used to get so much less noise than if cheap components are used. These make a big difference and you get what you for.The quality of the mic are paid equally important. Did the manufacturer use a $ 100 pre-amplifier or a made-in-China $ 1 preamp? There are reasons why better-cost mixers Money.

Some mixers have built-in effects. This makes it easy to use, but the effects are usually not as good as a stand-alone effects processor. You would not use these effects for the recording, but they are likely to consider good enough for Live Sound.The last thing, now is the number of aux sends. You need a pre-fader send for each monitor mix you have. You will also need a post-fader effects send for each external unit that you want to use.

So the best mixer? Consider the preamp quality, the number of buses (which sends you lots of routing options), the number of channels, the number of Assistants (Pre-and post), and effects.

About the Author

Neal is a freelance audio engineer based out of Chicago. He works for several local production companies as well as with his own clients. He also has a website at www.livesoundweb.info

Be sure to check back often as new Sound System help articles are added every week.

My Mackie 20 Years Running Contest Story

Mackie 1402-VLZ Pro Mixer $519.99 This 14×2x1 mixer includes Mackie’s new XDR (eXtended Dynamic Range) mic preamps with sound quality matching or exceeding the performance of $500 to $2000-per-channel esoteric preamps….

Mackie RM1402-VLZ Rackmount Brackets for 1402-VLZ Pro & VLZ3 $44.88 Rackmount kit for the Mackie 1402VLZ Pro…

Mackie Rackmount Bracket Set for Onyx 1220i Mixer $56.99 This Mackie Rack Mount Bracket allows you to install the Onyx 1220i FireWire production mixer in a standard 19in equipment rack….

Mackie Compact Mixers – Edition 2.1 $19.17 Fully authorized by Mackie Designs Inc., this book is for you! If you spend any time working with sound equipment for recording or live performance, you’ll be involved with mixing and mixers. This book walks you through the concepts and features common to all compact mixers so you can get the most from these very flexible audio tools. Covers the basics, easy-to-read diagrams, hooking things up, re…

Mackie introduces new series of compact mixers. (Product News).: An article from: Music Trades $5.95 This digital document is an article from Music Trades, published by Music Trades Corp. on September 1, 2002. The length of the article is 359 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.Citation DetailsTitle: Mackie …

MACKIE/BEHRINGER LEGAL UPDATE: An article from: Music Trades $5.95 This digital document is an article from Music Trades, published by Music Trades Corp. on March 1, 1998. The length of the article is 467 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.Citation DetailsTitle: MACKIE/BEHR…

Mackie 1604VLZ3 16-Channel Mixer $899.99 How do you improve on perfection? The Mackie 1604-VLZ Pro has been the long-running favorite of audio professionals the world over for its sound quality, ease of use, and rugged dependability. Thousands of recordings have been tracked and mixed solely on a 1604. Designing a mixer to take its place was a tremendous challenge, indeed. But Mackie’s engineering team thrives on this kind of stuff, so they tackled this one head on, creating one of the best compact mixers we’ve ever offered: the Mackie 1604-VLZ3.

Mackie 1202VLZ3 12-Channel Mixer $299.99 Sure it’s cute, but the Mackie 1202VLZ3 is a serious professional compact mixer, with features that belie its small footprint. The ideal compact mixer for home and project studios, the 1202VLZ3 is equally at home on the road, on the stage, or in the recording studio. At Mackie, they can never leave “well enough” alone. After all, the VLZ Pros are the best-selling mixers of all time, so we knew it would be tough to improve on what many devoted owners already consider perfection… and yet they were driven to do it anyway.

Mackie 1642VLZ3 16-Channel Mixer $649.99 With its sleek new look, upgraded preamps and EQ circuitry, the new Mackie 1642-VLZ3 redefines perfection. With the same features and functionality of its predecessor, the re-engineered Mackie 1642-VLZ3 has even greater headroom than the original. Mackie could have stopped right then and there, but since we’re obsessed with perfection, Mackie redesigned the Mix Bus and made significant enhancements to the EQs, giving the 1642-VLZ3 a more intuitive and musical feel.

Mackie Onyx820i 8 Channel Premium Analog Mixer With Firewire $499 Mackie 8-channel Premium Firewire Recording Mixer

Mackie 1402VLZ3 14-Channel Mixer $429.99 Just slightly larger than Mackie’s 1202-VLZ3, the Mackie 1402-VLZ3 offers everything its little brother has-plus two additional mic/line channels, faders instead of knobs, and a few extra Master Section features. Ideal for home and project studios, the 1402-VLZ3 is equally at home on the road, on the stage, or in the recording studio. With its new look, ergonomic carry handle, and upgraded electronics, the new 1402-VLZ3 just might redefine the term “perfection.”

Mackie Onyx 24 Mixer $1499.99 The new Onyx 24.4 and 32.4 consoles upgrade the performance and functionality of the legendary Mackie SR24-4 and 32-4, while retaining their convenient 24- and 32-channel footprint. The greatly enhanced Onyx feature set includes 100mm Panasonic faders, all-new mic preamps, completely redesigned analog circuitry, new Perkins EQ, and a built-in assignable stereo compressor/limiter section–all at a price that won’t break the bank.

Mackie Onyx 32 Mixer $2199.99 The new Onyx 24.4 and 32.4 consoles upgrade the performance and functionality of the legendary Mackie SR24-4 and 32-4, while retaining their convenient 24- and 32-channel footprint. The greatly enhanced Onyx feature set includes 100mm Panasonic faders, all-new mic preamps, completely redesigned analog circuitry, new Perkins EQ, and a built-in assignable stereo compressor/limiter section-all at a price that won’t break the bank.

Mackie CFX12mkII Mixer with DFX $549.99 The new CFX.mkII Series mixers have been updated with more comfortable Onyx series knobs, new graphics for better visibility in less-than-ideal lighting conditions, and improved durability thanks to impact-resistant rubber side panels that have been added to the entire range. Best of all, the CFX.mkII mixers come at a price significantly lower than the original CFX series.

Mackie CFX16mkII Mixer with DFX $649.99 The new CFX.mkII Series mixers have been updated with more comfortable Onyx series knobs, new graphics for better visibility in less-than-ideal lighting conditions, and improved durability thanks to impact-resistant rubber side panels that have been added to the entire range. Best of all, the CFX.mkII mixers come at a price significantly lower than the original CFX series.

Mackie CFX20mkII Mixer with DFX $749.99 The new CFX.mkII Series mixers have been updated with more comfortable Onyx series knobs, new graphics for better visibility in less-than-ideal lighting conditions, and improved durability thanks to impact-resistant rubber side panels that have been added to the entire range. Best of all, the CFX.mkII mixers come at a price significantly lower than the original CFX series.

Mackie 2404VLZ3 24-Channel USB Mixer $1149.99 The 24-channel Mackie 2404-VLZ3 combines VLZ3 low-noise, high-headroom technology with increased channel count and superior processing that’s perfect for real-world live gigs. 20 XDR2(TM) mic channels, each with 3-band, sweepable mid EQ, offer more clean and useable gain than the competition. Create great-sounding, professional mixes using dedicated channel and subgroup compression, dual RMFX+(TM) effects processors and true 4-bus architecture. You can even connect to your laptop to record the show, stream house music or use your favorite plug-in live using the built-in 4×2 USB interface. Define your sound, create your mix and record the whole show with the 2404-VLZ3.

Mackie 3204VLZ3 32-Channel USB Mixer $1349.99 The 32-channel Mackie 3204-VLZ3 combines VLZ3 low-noise, high-headroom technology with increased channel count and superior processing that’s perfect for real-world live gigs. 28 XDR2(TM) mic channels, each with 3-band, sweepable mid EQ, offer more clean and useable gain than the competition. Create great-sounding, professional mixes using dedicated channel and subgroup compression, dual RMFX+(TM) effects processors and true 4-bus architecture. You can even connect to your laptop to record the show, stream house music or use your favorite plug-in live using the built-in 4×2 USB interface. Define your sound, create your mix and record the whole show with the 3204-VLZ3.

Mackie Onyx 1220i 12-Channel Premium Analog Mixer with FireWire Interface $599.99 The Mackie Onyx 1220i FireWire Recording Mixer combines four boutique-quality Onyx mic preamps, Perkins EQ and is qualified by Mackie for use with all major DAWs, including Pro Tools M-Powered 8 (upgrade required*).

Mackie Onyx 1640i 16-Channel Premium Analog Mixer with FireWire Interface $1499.99 The 16-channel Mackie Onyx 1640i FireWire Recording Mixer combines the benefits of a powerful 16X16 FireWire interface with the hands-on control of premium analog features like 16 Onyx mic preamps and Perkins EQ. Plus, it’s qualified by Mackie for use with all major DAWs, including Pro Tools M-Powered 8 (upgrade required*).

Mackie 802-VLZ3 Ultra Compact 8-Channel Mixer $199.99 The ultra-compact 802 VLZ3 Premium 8-Channel Mic/Line Mixer builds on the legacy of Mackie’s top-selling VLZ mixers. Housed in a sleek, rugged steel chassis, its three XDR2 mic preamps, 3-band Active EQ, and low-noise, high-headroom circuitry deliver the same phenomenal sound and performance that makes the 1604VLZ3 prized in studios and on stages around the globe.

Mackie 402-VLZ3 4-Channel Ultra Compact Mixer $99.99 The ultra-compact 402-VLZ3 Premium 4-Channel Mic/Line Mixer builds on the legacy of Mackie’s top-selling VLZ mixers. Housed in a sleek, rugged steel chassis, its two XDR2 mic preamps, Active EQ, and low-noise, high-headroom circuitry mean you can now get exceptional sound quality and performance in an amazingly small footprint–at an astonishingly low price.

Mackie Onyx 1620i 16-Channel Premium Analog Mixer with FireWire Interface $899.99 The 16-channel Mackie Onyx 1620i FireWire Recording Mixer combines the benefits of a powerful computer interface with the hands-on control of premium analog features like eight Onyx mic preamps and Perkins EQ. Qualified by Mackie for use will all major DAWs, including Pro Tools M-Powered 8 (upgrade required*), the 1620i is the perfect front-end to any home studio.

Mackie Onyx 820i 8-Channel Premium Analog Mixer with FireWire Interface $399.99 The ultra-compact Mackie Onyx 820i FireWire Recording Mixer combines the benefits of a powerful interface with the hands-on control of premium analog features like three Onyx mic preamps and Perkins EQ. Qualified by Mackie for use will all major DAWs, including Pro Tools M-Powered 8 (upgrade required*), the 820i is the perfect front-end to any home studio.

Mackie 16-Channel Premium Analog Mixer – ONYX1620I $899 16-channel premium analog mixer with integrated 24-bit/96kHz FireWire I/O : Qualified by Mackie for use with all major DAWs, including – Pro Tools M-Powered 8 (Requires $49.99 USD driver upgrade), Logic, SONAR, Cubase, Ableton Live, Final Cut Pro : 8 Onyx boutique-quality mic preamps : 4-band Perkins EQ with sweepable mids on mic/line channels : 3-band Perkins EQ on stereo line channels : 16×2 FireWire routing, including aux sends and pre/post EQ assignment for all channels : 4 aux sends with pre/post assignment : Smooth 60mm channel and master faders : Built-in DI on first two channels for direct connection of guitars, bass, etc. : Individual 48V phantom power switches on all mic inputs : Talkback section with built in mic and flexible routing : Planet Earth switching power supply for worldwide use : Optional rack kit available : Software Requirements : For PC – Microsoft Windows 7 32 / 64, Vista 32 / 64 RTM or XP SP 2; Pentium 4, Celeron or Athlon XP processor; 512 MB RAM : For MAC – Mac OS X 10.4.11 – 10.6.2, G4 processor, 512 MB RAM

MacKie Compact Mixers $21.63 Now in its expanded and updated second edition, Mackie Compact Mixers takes the mystery out of using your mixer. Written in a clear, musician-friendly style, this book will help you get the most from your small mixer, whatever its brand or model. Provides specific information and hook-up examples on Mackie’s most popular models, including the classic 1202 and 1604 as well as the new 1202-, 1402-, 1604-VLZs, VLZ Pro and other models. Written by the author of Live Sound for Musicians and authorized by Mackie, this book explains the fundamental concepts of how mixing boards work, emphasizing how audio gets into and out of a mixer. Armed with this understanding of signal flow, you will be equipped to begin answering your own questions about how to set up and operate your mixer to best meet your needs.

Mackie 16-Channel Premium Analog Mixer – ONYX1640I $1699 16-channel premium analog mixer with integrated 24-bit/96kHz FireWire I/O : Qualified by Mackie for use with all major DAWs, including – Pro Tools M-Powered 8 (Requires $49.99 USD driver upgrade), Logic, SONAR, Cubase, Ableton Live, Final Cut Pro : 16 Onyx boutique-quality mic preamps : 4-band Perkins EQ with sweepable mids on mic/line channels : Full 16×16 FireWire channel streaming for ultimate DAW integration : Flexible FireWire routing, including aux sends, groups and pre/post EQ assignment for all channels : 6 aux sends with pre/post assignment and solo : Smooth 60mm channel and master faders : Built-in DI on first two channels for direct connection of guitars, bass, etc. : Individual 48V phantom power switches on all mic inputs : 4-segment metering on every channel : 4-bus architecture for flexible sub-grouping of channels : Talkback section for use with internal or external mic : Rotating I/O pod for desktop or rackmount operation – rack ears included : Planet Earth switching power supply for worldwide use : Software Requirements : For PC – Microsoft Windows 7 32 / 64, Vista 32 / 64 RTM or XP SP 2; Pentium 4, Celeron or Athlon XP processor; 512 MB RAM : For MAC – Mac OS X 10.4.11 – 10.6.2, G4 processor, 512 MB RAM

Marathon Case For Mackie Cfx12 – MA-CFX12 $119 Heavy duty mixer case for Mackie CFX12 Pro Mixer or any similar mixers.Made from high quality materials with outstanding reliability and all-around protection for your equipment.Features – *Fits Mackie CFX12 Pro Mixer and other mixers of same size *ATA 300 Style *9mm laminated plywood *Spring action handles *Easy locking fit and tongue *Heavy and powerful ball corners *Industrial strength latches and rubber feet *Dual anchor rivetsSpecifications – *Exterior Dimensions (closed lid ) – 21 W x 19.5 D x 8 H *Interior Dimensions – 19 W x 13 D x 2 HWeight – *Net Weight – 14 lbs. *Shipping Weight – TBA

Mackie 1402-VLZ3 Premium 14-Channel Compact Mixer $44.88 New ultra-low noise VLZ3 design with highest possible headroom : 6 studio-grade XDR2? Extended Dynamic Range mic preamps with – Ultra-wide 60dB gain range, 130dB dynamic range, +22dBu line input handling, Extended low frequency response, Distortion under 0.0007% (20Hz – 20kHz), Phantom power for studio condenser mics : 12 high-headroom line inputs : Advanced DC pulse transformer RF rejection : 2 Aux sends, level, pan and PFL solo on each channel : 2 stereo Aux returns + EFX to Monitor : 3-Band Active EQ (80Hz, 2.5kHz, 12kHz) : 18dB/oct. 75Hz Lo-Cut filter on Mic input channels : ALT 3/4 stereo bus for added versatility : Control Room/Phones source matrix : Rack-mountable design using optional rack ears : Sealed rotary controls to resist dust and grime : New Multi-Voltage power supply for worldwide use : Rugged steel chassis

Mackie 1202-VLZ3 12-Ch. Compact Recording/SR Mixer $299 New ultra-low noise VLZ3 design with highest possible headroom : 4 studio-grade XDR2 Extended Dynamic Range mic preamps with – Ultra-wide 60dB gain range, 130dB dynamic range, +22dBu line input handling, Extended low frequency response, Distortion under 0.0007% (20Hz – 20kHz), Phantom power for studio condenser mics : 12 high-headroom line inputs : Advanced DC pulse transformer RF rejection : 2 Aux sends, level, pan and PFL solo on each channel : 2 stereo Aux returns + EFX to Monitor : 3-Band Active EQ (80Hz, 2.5kHz, 12kHz) : 18dB/oct. 75Hz Lo-Cut filter on Mic input channels : ALT 3/4 stereo bus for added versatility : Control Room/Phones source matrix : Rack-mountable design using optional rack ears : Sealed rotary controls to resist dust and grime : New Multi-Voltage power supply for worldwide use : Rugged steel chassis

Mackie By Bob Mackie $16.37 Mackie By Bob Mackie Edt Spray 1.7 oz For Women