Mackie 1202VLZ4 12-Channel Compact Mixer

Introduction

The Mackie 1202VLZ4 is a 12-channel compact mixer featuring Mackie's renowned Onyx preamplifiers, offering high headroom and low-noise performance suitable for various applications. It boasts a robust construction, intuitive layout, and professional features designed to meet the demands of both studio and live sound environments.

Safety Precautions

[IMPORTANT] Please read the following safety guidelines before installing or operating this product to prevent harm to yourself or others, and to avoid damage to the product or property. Keep this manual in an accessible location.

[Symbols Used]

• Mandatory Action: Indicates actions that must be performed.
• Prohibited Action: Indicates actions that must not be performed.
• Danger Symbol: Indicates content that, if mishandled, could result in death, severe injury, or fire.

General Safety Guidelines:

• Do not drop the unit or subject it to strong impacts.
• Never touch the power cord with wet hands to avoid electric shock.
• Avoid using the product at excessively high volumes, as this can lead to hearing damage and potential damage to connected equipment.
• Do not expose the unit to water or moisture, or place liquid-filled containers on it, to prevent electric shock, fire, or malfunction.
• If you notice any abnormal smell or sound, immediately unplug the power cord and contact qualified service personnel.
• Ensure power and connection cables are routed safely to prevent damage, fire hazards, or tripping.
• Always disconnect all cables before moving the unit.
• Discontinue use and seek repair if the power cord or plug shows signs of wear or damage.
• Avoid listening to headphones at high volumes for extended periods to prevent temporary or permanent hearing loss.
• Unplug the unit during prolonged periods of non-use or when there is a risk of lightning strikes to prevent fire, electric shock, or malfunction.
• Do not insert liquids or foreign objects into the unit, as this may cause fire or malfunction.
• Do not use flammable gas sprays near the unit, as residual gas could ignite and cause a fire.
• Never disassemble or modify the unit, as this can lead to fire, electric shock, injury, or malfunction.
• Do not block ventilation openings, as this can cause overheating, malfunction, or fire.
• Ensure the unit is placed on a stable surface to prevent it from falling.
• Do not place the unit in areas exposed to direct sunlight, near heat sources, or near open flames.
• Do not place heavy objects on the unit, as this may cause malfunction.
• When replacing a fuse, ensure it is of the correct type and rating. If a fuse blows repeatedly, it indicates a potential internal fault, and the unit should be serviced.
• Do not apply excessive force to buttons, switches, or input/output jacks, as this may cause malfunction or injury.

How to Use This Manual

This manual is designed to help you get the most out of your Mackie 1202VLZ4. It covers everything from basic setup and connections to advanced features and technical specifications. Refer to the Table of Contents for specific topics.

[IMPORTANT] icons highlight particularly important or unique information. [Hint] icons provide practical tips and useful information.

Quick Start

Before diving into the manual, please review the 'Safety Precautions' section. Then, follow these steps for initial setup:

1. Initialize controls: Set all EQ knobs and PAN knobs to their center positions. Ensure all switches are in their outward (unpressed) state.
2. Connections: Before connecting any other equipment, turn off the AC power switch. Ensure the voltage selector matches your local power supply (e.g., 100VAC for Japan). Connect your audio sources using appropriate cables (XLR for microphones, 1/4" for line-level instruments). Connect the main outputs to your amplifier or powered speakers.
3. Power On: Turn on the AC power switch. The POWER LED will illuminate.

For detailed level setting and operation, refer to the respective sections.

Connections

All audio sources and outputs are connected via the patchbay on the rear panel.

Patchbay Overview

The rear panel features various input and output connectors, including:

• MIC Inputs (Channels 1-6): XLR connectors for microphones and line-level sources. These utilize Mackie's high-quality Onyx mic preamps.
• LINE Inputs (Channels 1-4): 1/4" TRS/TS jacks for line-level signals. These share circuitry with the mic preamps and can accept balanced or unbalanced sources.
• Stereo Line Inputs (Channels 5-12): 1/4" jacks for stereo or mono line-level sources, accepting balanced or unbalanced signals from -10dBV to +4dBu.
• AUX SEND 1-2: 1/4" jacks for sending signals to external effects processors or monitor mixes.
• STEREO RETURNS: 1/4" jacks for returning stereo effects or external stereo sources to the main mix.
• TAPE IN/OUT: RCA jacks for connecting tape decks or other audio sources for playback and recording.
• MAIN OUTS (XLR & 1/4"): Balanced outputs for connecting to amplifiers or powered speakers.
• ALT 3-4 OUTPUTS: 1/4" jacks providing an additional stereo bus for routing flexibility.
• CONTROL ROOM OUTPUT: 1/4" jacks for monitoring your mix, separate from the main outputs.
• HEADPHONES OUTPUT: 1/4" jack for connecting headphones.
• CHANNEL INSERT (Channels 1-4): 1/4" TRS jacks for inserting serial effects processors like compressors or EQs.
• Power Connector: IEC connector for the power cord.
• Fuse Holder: Houses the main fuse for the unit.
• Voltage Selector: Allows switching between 100-120V and 220-240V operation.
• Power Switch: Rocker switch to turn the unit on/off.
• Phantom Power Switch: Global switch to enable/disable +48V phantom power for condenser microphones.

Phantom Power

The 1202VLZ4 provides +48V phantom power for condenser microphones via the Phantom switch [22]. This power is supplied through the XLR input connectors. [IMPORTANT] Never connect single-ended (unbalanced) microphones or ribbon microphones to the Mic In jacks when phantom power is active, as this may cause damage. Similarly, do not connect instruments to the Mic In jacks while phantom power is enabled.

Diagram: Input/Output Connections

A diagram shows the rear panel layout with numbered connectors: MIC 1-4, LINE IN 1-4, STEREO RETURNS, AUX SEND, TAPE IN/OUT, MAIN OUT L/R, ALT OUT L/R, CONTROL ROOM OUT, HEADPHONES OUT, CHANNEL INSERT, Power Connector, Fuse Holder, Voltage Selector, Power Switch, Phantom Switch.

Level Setting

Proper level setting is crucial for optimal performance and to prevent distortion. Follow these steps:

1. Connect headphones to the Phones jack and turn up the Phones knob slightly.
2. Turn on the mixer's power switch.
3. Press the Solo switch for any channel you wish to set up. The Rude Solo LED will illuminate.
4. Play a signal through that channel at a realistic level.
5. Adjust the Gain knob for that channel so that the main meter indicates around 0dB (labeled 'Level SET').
6. Press the Solo switch again to disengage solo mode for that channel.
7. Repeat steps 2-5 for all other channels.
8. Bring up the channel faders to the 'U' (Unity Gain) position.
9. Slowly raise the Main Mix fader until the signal is audible in the headphones.
10. Adjust channel EQs as needed.
11. Fine-tune channel levels for the best mix. Ensure unused channels have their Gain and Level knobs turned down.
12. If the OL (Overload) LED on any channel lights up, turn down the Gain knob until it turns off.

[Other Notes]

• Listening to music at high volumes for extended periods can cause hearing damage.
• Always lower the Phones level before making connections, engaging Solo switches, or adjusting headphone volume.
• When making connections, always lower the Main Mix and monitor levels. It is best practice to turn off the mixer before making connections.
• When powering down, turn off power amplifiers or powered speakers first. Turn them on last when powering up to minimize noise.
• Keep the original packaging for future use.

Channel Section

The 1202VLZ4 features 12 channel strips, each with similar controls for individual channel processing.

Channel Strip Components:

• Gain: Adjusts the input sensitivity for microphones and line-level sources.
• LOW CUT Switch (75 Hz): A high-pass filter that reduces low-frequency rumble and noise below 75Hz.
• EQ (Low, Mid, Hi): Three-band equalization controls (Low shelving at 80Hz, Mid peak at 2.5kHz, High shelving at 12kHz) to shape the tonal characteristics of the signal.
• PAN (Panoramics): Controls the stereo placement of the signal within the mix. The 'Constant Loudness' design ensures the perceived volume remains consistent as the pan position is adjusted.
• MUTE/ALT 3-4 Switch: Functions as a mute switch to silence the channel, or as an assign switch to route the channel to the Alt 3-4 stereo bus.
• PRE-FADER SOLO (PFL) Switch: Allows you to monitor a channel's signal through headphones or control room outputs without affecting the main mix. The 'Rude Solo LED' indicates when a channel is in solo mode.
• LEVEL Fader: Controls the overall output level of the channel in the mix.
• INSERT Jack (Channels 1-4): 1/4" TRS jack for connecting serial effects processors. The tip is the send, and the ring is the return.

Unity Gain (U) Mark: The 'U' mark on level controls indicates Unity Gain, where the signal level remains unchanged. This is a reference point for optimal signal levels.

Aux Sends (1 & 2): Aux Send knobs on each channel allow you to route a portion of the signal to external effects or monitor mixes. Aux 1 can be switched between Pre-Fader and Post-Fader operation using the Pre/Post switch [38].

Stereo Returns: Jacks for returning stereo effects or external stereo sources. The Stereo Returns knobs [40] control their level in the mix.

Returns to Aux 1: A switch that allows Stereo Return 2 to be routed to Aux Send 1, useful for sending effects to a monitor mix.

Jack Normalizing: A feature where inserting a plug into one jack can automatically route the signal to another jack (e.g., stereo signals to both L and R inputs).

Output Section

The output section allows you to route and control the final mix and monitoring signals.

• Main Mix: Controls the overall output level of the stereo mix via XLR and 1/4" jacks.
• Control Room Source Matrix [33]: A selector that allows you to choose which signal (Main Mix, Alt 3-4, or Tape) is sent to the Control Room and Headphones outputs.
• Control Room/Submix Level [34]: Adjusts the monitoring level for the Control Room and Headphones outputs.
• Assign To Main Mix [36]: A switch that routes the selected source (e.g., Alt 3-4) to the Main Mix.
• Meters: 12-segment LED meters provide visual feedback on signal levels.

Diagram: Output Section Controls

A diagram illustrates the controls for the Output Section, including Main Mix level, Control Room Source Matrix, Control Room/Submix level, Assign To Main Mix switch, and meters.

Appendices

Service Information

If you encounter issues, consult the troubleshooting guide. For further assistance, visit the Mackie website or contact technical support.

Troubleshooting: Covers common issues like channel problems (mute/solo status, fader levels, insert connections) and output problems (level controls, stereo pair issues, noise, no power).

Contact Information:

• Website: www.mackie.com/jp
• Email: support_mackie@otk.co.jp
• Technical Support (Japan): +81-03-5950-0931 (Mon-Fri, 9am-6pm)
• Technical Support (English): +1-800-898-3211 (Mon-Fri, PST business hours)

Connector Details

Detailed descriptions and pinouts are provided for various connector types:

• Balanced XLR Input/Output Connectors: Standard XLR connections for microphones and line-level signals.
• Unbalanced 1/4" TS Connectors: For mono unbalanced signals.
• Balanced 1/4" TRS Connectors: For stereo or balanced mono signals.
• Unbalanced RCA Connectors: Commonly used for consumer audio equipment.
• Insert Jacks (1/4" TRS): Used for inserting serial effects, with tip as send and ring as return. The internal switch can be used for various routing purposes.
• Y-Type Connectors: Used for splitting signals or combining signals.

Diagrams: Connector Types

Diagrams illustrate the wiring for XLR, 1/4" TS, 1/4" TRS, and RCA connectors, showing tip, ring, sleeve, and ground connections.

Technical Specifications

Provides detailed technical data for the mixer:

• Main Mix Noise: Specifies noise levels under various conditions.
• Total Harmonic Distortion (THD): Measures distortion levels.
• Attenuation (Crosstalk): Measures signal isolation between channels.
• Frequency Response: Defines the mixer's frequency range.
• Input Noise (EIN): Measures the noise floor of the microphone preamps.
• CMRR: Common Mode Rejection Ratio, indicating noise rejection.
• Maximum Output Level: Specifies the maximum signal levels for various outputs.
• Impedance: Lists input and output impedances.
• 3-Band EQ: Details the frequency points and range of the EQ controls.
• Power Consumption: Specifies the unit's power usage.
• Fuse Rating: Lists the required fuse types and ratings.
• Dimensions: Provides the physical dimensions of the mixer.
• Weight: Specifies the unit's weight.

Diagram: Physical Dimensions

A diagram shows the physical dimensions of the mixer, including optional rackmount kit dimensions.

Block Diagram

A block diagram illustrates the internal signal flow of the Mackie 1202VLZ4, showing how signals are processed through preamplifiers, EQ, aux sends, and output routing.

Track Sheet

A blank track sheet is provided for session notes, date, and cup count.