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Owner’s Manual
Owner’s Manual
To use this as an ALT 3-4 switch, all you have to do is
connect the ALT 3-4 outputs (41) to whatever destina-
tion you desire. Two popular examples:
When doing multitrack recording, you can use the
ALT 3-4 outputs as a stereo or dual-mono feed to your
multitrack.
When doing live sound or mixdown, it’s often handy
to control the level of several channels with one knob.
That’s called subgrouping. Simply assign these channels
to the ALT 3-4 mix, engage ALT 3-4 in the CONTROL
ROOM/PHONES SOURCE matrix (20), and the signals
will appear at the CONTROL ROOM (40) and PHONES
(24) outputs. If you want the ALT 3-4 signals to go back
into the MAIN MIX, engage the ASSIGN TO MAIN MIX
switch (21) and the CONTROL ROOM knob (22) con-
trols the levels of all the channels assigned to ALT 3-4.
Another way to do the same thing is to assign the
channels to the ALT 3-4 mix, then patch out of the ALT
3-4 OUT (LEFT/3 and RIGHT/4) back into an unused
stereo channel (9-10, 11-12, 13-14, or 15-16). If that’s
your choice, don’t ever engage the MUTE/ALT 3-4 switch
on that stereo channel, or you’ll have every dog in the
neighborhood howling at your feedback loop.
Another benefi t of the ALT 3-4 feature is that it can act
as an “AFL” (After Fader Listen). Just engage a channel’s
MUTE/ALT 3-4 switch and the ALT 3-4 switch in the
SOURCE matrix (20) and you’ll get that channel, all by
itself, in the CONTROL ROOM (40) and PHONES (24).
MUTE/ALT 3-4 is one of those features that can
bewilder newcomers, so take your time and play around
with it. Once you’ve got it down, you’ll probably think of
a hundred uses for it!
17. Channel Fader
The fader controls the channel’s level…from off to
unity gain at the “U” marking, on up to 10 dB of addi-
tional gain.
“U” Like Unity Gain
Mackie mixers have a “U” symbol on
almost every level control. This “U”
stands for “unity gain,” meaning no
change in signal level. Once you have
adjusted the input signal to line-level, you can set every
control at “U” and your signals will travel through the
mixer at optimal levels. What’s more, all the labels on
our level controls are measured in decibels (dB), so
you’ll know what you’re doing level-wise if you choose to
change a control’s settings.
18. Signal Level LEDs
These LEDs indicate the channel’s
signal level after the GAIN and EQ
controls, but just prior to the channel’s
fader. So even if the fader is turned
down, you can see if a signal is present.
If you’ve followed the “Set the Levels”
procedure, the –20 and 0 LEDs should
light frequently, the +10 LED should
light occasionally, and the OL (Over-
load) LED should not light at all. If
the OL LED is blinking frequently, the
signal is probably distorted from over-
driving the input. Either turn down the
GAIN control or turn down the signal
at its source.
19. SOLO Switch
This handy switch allows you to hear
signals through your headphones or
control room outputs without having
to route them to the MAIN or ALT 3-4
mixes. Folks use solo in live work to
preview channels before they are let
into the mix, or just to check out what
a particular channel is up to anytime
during a session. You can solo as many
channels at a time as you like.
Your Onyx 1620 has “Dual-Mode
Solo.” A switch in the master section,
SOLO MODE (25) determines which
mode you’ll be hearing. With the
switch up, you’ll get “PFL” (Pre-Fader
Listen), which is after the GAIN and
EQ controls, but before the channel
fader. With the switch down, you’re
in “AFL” (After-Fader Listen), which
is post-fader and post-PAN, making it
ideal for mixdown soloing.
Soloed channels are sent to the
SOURCE mix, which ultimately feeds
your CONTROL ROOM, PHONES, and
Meters. Whenever SOLO is engaged,
all SOURCE (20) selections (MAIN
MIX, ALT 3-4, TAPE, and FIREWIRE)
are defeated, to allow the soloed signal
to do just that—solo!
Stereo Channel
ALT 3/4
L
(MONO)
R
BAL
OR
UNBAL
LINE IN 9
-
10
GAIN
MID
2.5kHz
LOW
80Hz
EQ
OUT
IN
HIGH
12kHz
U
+15
-
15
U
+15
-
15
U
+15
-
15
AUX
4
3
2
1
PAN
OO
MAX
OO
MAX
OO
MAX
OO
MAX
LR
+20dB-20dB
U
dB
30
20
10
40
50
5
5
U
60
10
OL
+
10
0
-
20
OO
9
10
MUTE
SOLO