Mackie 1604 Vlz3 16 Channel Mixer - Answered Questions & Fixed issues

I need it as well ... [email protected] ... NOT the VLZ the original

If you havent ground looped the chanels. Most of the time the chanels need to be cleaned.

If all other functions work for those channels, the most likely problem is the fader itself. These can fail and operate more like switches rather than faders. Without witnessing the behavior, I can not state that for sure. While these mixers are not the hardest to work on, they are time consuming. The faders can be purchased from Mackie directly. If you need to have this repaired, any shop that repairs audio gear should be able to erpair this for you. Where are you located?

Dan

Totally depends on the sub and if it has a crossover and if so what sort and if it has a pass through either for mid/tops or parallel. If it has a low pass then take mixer main out to sub, if mid top output then mid top to that, if only pass through then either full range to mid top from there or probably need crossover in signal path to split the frequencies.

Simplest is to use the LR button at the bottom of the channel strips you want to send to the main mix. Make sure you set the gain for each channel in use so that the clip light just occasionally blinked then back off a fraction. If you want to use sub channels assign the strip to the appropriate one 1/2 or 3/4 and the assign the sub to the main mix and bring the subs up.

If you are getting signal from you mixer at leaves tha are clipping your amp, then the mixer is working and at least the front end of your amp is working to register the clipping. In that case, your problem is- 1. The amp outputs are blown, check by hooking up to a different amp. 2, The speaker wires are connected incorrectly. 3. The speakers are not working. Try a different set.

Take the mono output from the desk to the powered subwoofer, it should have it's own crossover/low pass filter built in.

sounds like it could be dust or moisture ...Try cleaning the board and knobs and faders. this may help it may make it worse. Also while at it...check all connections...especially from board to amps. or to outboard gear. Could be a bad chord

Without hearing it it is difficult to be sure what is going on. What happens if you plug the main PA into the monitor channels, do you get the same? Are you trying to get too much into the monitors? static and popping are not the same to my ears, popping sounds more like you are hearing something that's there through the monitors that you're not hearing through the main mix as it may be masked. What frequency is the popping? Does it only happen when levels are high or when the singers are doing 'p' and 'b's etc? do you get it if you put the monitors on the main mix? Are you running the monitors into clipping (although I wouldn't expect this to create a popping? It sounds like a mix issue rather than a fault with hardware.

There is no easy answer to this. It will depend on the mic, the speakers and the singer and genre amongst many other things. It will also probably be room dependent too although the overall eq should be able to take this out of the equation to a large extent. Your best bet is to get someone to sweep the frequency on the mid range with a bit of positive and then a bit of negative eq to find where most affects your vocals then fine tune to your liking. Are you using a bit of reverb/chorus/echo as his can often, when used sparingly, enhance even a good singer. The biggest difference you'll probably find is from using different mics. The ubiquitous SM58 does not suit everyone but is robust, warm and forgiving but if you're after a more pure sound there are many more accurate mics you can try.

http://www.mackie.com/pdf/archive/cr1604_om.pdf

Try cleaning al of the sliders using an electronics cleaning spray. Choose one that contains a lubricant as well. Dirty sliders can cause this especially at low volume levels. If that does not cure the problem, there may be a defective IC inside the unit. Many mixers use opamp ICs as buffers and final stage amplifiers. These are inexpensive and can fail in that manner. Without knowing the specific make and model ogf your unit, I can't give you any details. Please post the make and model and I'll try to provide additional possibilities.

Dan

Plug either a powered monitor or amp and then speaker into one of the aux sends. Now adjust the monitor mix using the appropriate aux send pot on each of the channel strips you want to send to the monitor. Think of the aux send pots as faders for the monitor mix the same as the main fader for the ain mix.

Genuine and consistent random flashing is normally a cable fault if is the main VU graph but there are other symptoms as well. If is the O/l (Clip) or Solo Leds on a channel strip have you checked for earth loops etc? Does it do it all the time or only when there's a signal? Which Leds are flashing and is there anything else that is not behaving correctly? It would seem if you can get a repair shop to have a look this would be your best bet.

no sticky drinks near mixers ;) well PFL doesn't affect the sound but it is annoying if it remains on. try to !gently! hammer on the button. I don't know how to explain but the button should be hit fast that it can snap off. maybe like a snap with your fingers. You can also remove the button's cap and try to pull it out.

Turn gain CCW. plug microphone in, mute the channel. turn gain CW until peak LED flashes (while singing loud!) and turn gain back a little bit. Take the channel fader down, unmute the channel. Put masters at 0dB (near maximum) and adjust the loudness with the channel fader to what you like. EQ: it always depends on your location. Keep it flat. You might like to reduce at about 200-300 Hz. Cut the low end (Hi Pass Filter = on) or if no HiPass reduce "bass" for about 6...10dB. ok?

have you checked the voltages after that?

You've made a statement, please give full information if you would like help. Is the buzz heard from the speakers or the mixer? Do you get normal sound too? Is it there with no input? Does it change with the output setting? Help yourself to get help and let us know properly what's going on.

The output of mixer connects to channel A or B of the separate amplifier and the output of the am connects to the speakers. Amp channels are listed as A and B or 1 and 2 instead of Left and Right because the manufacturer does not assume how you may wire your system. Please remember that compression, limiters and EQ device connect between the mixer and the amplifier with their prespective IN and OUT levels adjusted accordingly.