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Many “authorities” tell you that shields
should only be connected at one end. Some-
times this can be true, but for most (99%)
audio systems, it is unnecessary. If you do every-
thing else correctly, you should be able to
connect every component of your audio system
using standard, off-the-shelf connecting cables
that are available at any music store.
Here are some guidelines:
1. All return lines to the stage should be
balanced. At a minimum, they should be
impedance balanced. Remember that you can
balance a line by inserting a piece of equip-
ment inline that has a balanced output.
2. Run your own AC power wiring from the
stage for the mixer and related equipment.
Don’t use the “conveniently located” recep-
tacle thoughtfully provided by the
management for your use. You have no idea
how it’s wired or grounded.
3. Carry an outlet tester, available at any well-
stocked hardware store. Use it to tell you if
the outlet you’re about to plug into is wired
correctly. Consider it cheap insurance.
4. If you carry enough equipment that you
need to wire directly into the electrical
service, then use a voltmeter to ensure that
the line voltage is correct, then use the
outlet tester mentioned in #3, above. Do
this before you connect any of your audio
equipment. Chances are that your 120V
gear won’t be too happy if it sees 220V for
any length of time.
5. Cables that are too long are less likely to
pick up hum if you uncoil them in their
entirety, and then find a place to stow the
excess. Leaving the excess coiled only
helps the cable pick up hum more effi-
ciently.
6. Don’t run unbalanced lines to or from the
stage. It’s not the impedance, it’s the fact
that they’re unbalanced. It’s a good idea to
use a direct box to make the unbalanced
source look like a microphone.
7. For really extreme cases, you may need to
insert 1:1 or isolation transformers into
each return line from the front-of-house
location to your amp racks.
8. Don’t cut the third pin off of the power
cord. Carry some ground-lifter adapters
and use them only when you have to plug
into an ancient two-wire outlet.
9. If you bundle your cables together, don’t
bundle AC wiring and audio wiring to-
gether. Bundle them separately.
10. If your sound system insists on humming,
you may need to teach it the words.
(Roll credits please) Manual written by Jeff
Gilbert, based on a vignette by Ron Koliha,
with tidbits borrowed from almost everywhere.
Manual then defaced with proofreading pens in
the hands of Mackie’s legendary Tech Support
staff. Manual composed on a rinky-dink PC using
a low-budget word processor, then converted
to this amazing piece of work using a 13-story
1000 gigawhopper Macintosh operated by
Mackie’s notorious Advertising staff. Please,
feel free to let us know if you find an error or
stumble over a confusing paragraph. Thank
you for reading the entire manual (we know
you have, or you wouldn’t be here).
Mackie Designs is always striving to improve
our mixers by incorporating new and improved
materials, components and manufacturing
methods. Because we’re always trying to make
things better, we reserve the right to change
these specifications at any time, without notice.
FREE T-SHIRT OFFER
We love to hear what folks have created using
our mixers. If you use your CR1604-VLZ to track
and/or mix a CD that is commercially released,
we’ll trade you a disc for a genuine Mackie T-
Shirt! By “commercially released,” we mean
“offered for sale,” even if it’s just being sold out
the back door of a local Karaoke joint. No
hand-lettered covers, please and thank you.
Furthermore, if you send us an interesting
story or photograph about your production we
might use it! To get your genuine 100% cotton
Mackie Celebrity T-shirt, send your CD (and
optional story or photo) to:
Mackie Designs
FREE T-SHIRT OFFER
attn: Communications Department
16220 Wood-Red Rd. NE
Woodinville, WA 98072
Mackie, the "Running Man" figure, and VLZ are trademarks or registered trademarks of Mackie Designs Inc. All other brand names
mentioned are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders, and are hereby acknowledged.
©1997 Mackie Designs Inc.
All rights reserved.
Printed in the U.S.A.