Mackie CR1604 User's Manual

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Mackie Compact Mixers Modifications

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General Notes about Modifications

We’ve tried to make these mixers as universal as possible, but you can’t please everyone all the time. For certain applications, you may ﬁnd these signal routing changes beneﬁcial.

They’re easy to make if you have experience soldering and working on electronic equipment, but if you don’t have the experience, this is NOT a good place to learn. Take your mixer and this book to a qualiﬁed technician.

Here are the obligatory warnings and disclaimers that our lawyers made us include. We think it’s a good idea to heed them (the warnings, not the lawyers), too.

Caution! These modiﬁcation instructions are for use by qualiﬁed personnel only. To avoid electric shock, do not perform any servicing other than changing the fuse unless you are qualiﬁed to do so. Refer all servicing and modifying to qualiﬁed personnel.

About Jumpers

These modiﬁcations involve cutting traces on the circuit board and installing jumpers between pads. We recommend solid (nonstranded) wire, 26-28 gauge. The type of wire used for wire-wrapping is easy to form, lays neatly against the circuit board, and has insulation that doesn’t melt easily from the heat of a soldering iron.

When installing jumpers, do not run their ends through holes in the circuit board. Rather, solder them ﬂat against the desired pad (the ﬂat silver area, possibly with a hole in the middle). Make sure the ends of these ﬂat wires do not extend beyond the pad.

Jumper

BEFORE

Holes

AFTER

Solder

Mackie Disclaimer

Any modiﬁcation of any Mackie product must be performed by a competent electronic technician. LOUD Technologies accepts no responsibility for any damages or injuries caused by any modiﬁcation, regardless of the source of the modiﬁcation instructions or the qualiﬁcations of the technician performing them. In the case of such damages, LOUD Technologies may declare warranty privileges void. BE CAREFUL!

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1202-VLZ PRO Modifications

Pre-Fader Mod (Aux To Monitor)

This modiﬁcation changes AUX SEND 2 to be

pre-fader, pre-mute

mute

. (“fader” refers to the channel GAIN knob, and “mute” refers to the channel’s MUTE/ALT 3-4 switch.) In order to convert the entire mixer, it must be done on each channel. Is slightly more involved for the stereo channels 5–12. The work area is on the underside of the circuit board, near the channel AUX SEND knobs.

1. Remove all cords, including the power

cable, from the 1202-VLZ PRO.

2. Place the mixer upside-down on a dry,

non-marring surface.

3. Remove the screws that attach the bot-

tom cover. Keep track of what screws go where. Remove the bottom cover.

4. Using a sharp “X-acto” type knife, cut the

conductor at point ‘A’ (channels 1–4) or the conductors at points ‘AL’ and ‘AR’ (channels 5–12). Be careful to cut all the way through the conductor, and do not cut any nearby traces.

5. Add a jumper from point ‘B’ to the

square pad at point ‘A’ (channels 1–4) or from points ‘BL’ to ‘AL’ and ‘BR’ to ‘AR’ (channels 5–12).

instead of

post-fader, post-

Pre-Mute Mod

This modiﬁcation changes AUX SEND 1 (in

post

mode) and AUX SEND 2 to receive signal regardless of the channel’s MUTE/ALT 34 switch position, but still be knob). In order to convert the entire mixer, it must be done on each channel. It is slightly more involved for the stereo channels 5 through 12. The work area is on the underside of the circuit board, near the channel MUTE/ALT 3-4 switches.

1. Remove all cords, including the power

cable, from the 1202-VLZ PRO.

2. Place the mixer upside-down on a dry,

non-marring surface.

3. Remove the screws that attach the bot-

tom cover. Keep track of what screws go where. Remove the bottom cover.

4. Using a sharp “X-acto” type knife, cut the

conductor at point ‘C’ (channels 1–4) or the conductors at points ‘CL’ and ‘CR’ (channels 5–12). Be careful to cut all the way through the conductor, and do not cut any nearby traces.

5. Locate the 12 pins that comprise the

underside of each MUTE/ALT 3-4 switch.

6. Add jumpers as shown in the illustration

on the next page—they’re not marked on the circuit board itself, so be careful.

post-fader

(GAIN

6. Repeat for all channels.

7. Check your work very carefully, then put the bottom cover back the way you found it. You’re done!

JUMPERS JUMPERS JUMPERS

Pre-Fader Mod

JUMPERS

7. Repeat for all channels.

8. Check your work very carefully, then put the bottom cover back the way you found it. You’re done!

JUMPERS

CUTCUTCUTCUTCUTCUT

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Channels 1-4

JUMPERS

CUT HERE CUT HERE

JUMPERS

Channels 5-12

CUT HERE

JUMPERS

Pre-Mute Mod

CUT HERE

JUMPERS

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Main Mix Source Mod

where the engineer wants to be able to cotrol the MAIN MIX level (sent to the house system) without changing the level in his headphones. The work area is on the underside of the circuit board, near the MAIN MIX level control.

Caution:

meters to indicate pre MAIN MIX levels. They will no longer indicate the signal level at the MAIN OUTS, but rather the signal level at the PHONES and CONTROL ROOM outputs (when MAIN MIX SOURCE is selected).

This modiﬁcation also causes the

1. Remove all cords, including the power cable, from the 1202-VLZ PRO.

2. Place the mixer upside-down on a dry, non-marring surface.

3. Remove the screws that attach the bottom cover. Keep track of what screws go where. Remove the bottom cover.

4. Using a sharp “X-acto” type knife, cut the conductor at points ‘XL’ and ‘XR’. Be careful to cut all the way through the conductor, and do not cut any nearby traces.

5. Add a jumper from point ‘YL’ to the square pad at point ‘XL’ and from point ‘YR’ to the square pad at point ‘XR’.

6. Check your work very carefully, then put the bottom cover back the way you found it. You’re done!

JUMPERS HERE

CUT HERE

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1402-VLZ PRO Modifications

Pre-Fader Mod (Aux To Monitor)

This modiﬁcation changes AUX SEND 2 to be pre-fader, pre-mute instead of post-fader, post-

mute. (“Mute” refers to the channel’s MUTE/

ALT 3–4 switch.) In order to convert the entire mixer, it must be done on each channel, and is slightly more involved for the stereo channels 7–14. The work area is on the underside of the circuit board, near the channel AUX SEND knobs.

1. Remove all cords, including the power cable, from the 1402-VLZ

2. Place the mixer upside-down on a dry, non-marring surface.

PRO.

Channels 1-6

JUMPERS

HERE

JUMPERS

HERE

3. Remove the screws that attach the bottom cover. Keep track of what screws go where. Remove the bottom cover.

4. Using a sharp “X-acto” type knife, cut the conductor at point ‘A’ (channels 1–6) or the conductors at points ‘AL’ and ‘AR’ (channels 7–14). Be careful to cut all the way through the conductor, and do not cut any nearby traces.

5. Add a jumper from point ‘B’ to the square pad at point ‘A’ (channels 1–6) or from points ‘BL’ to ‘AL’ and ‘BR’ to ‘AR’ (channels 7–14).

6. Repeat for all channels.

7. Check your work very carefully, then put the bottom cover back the way you found it. You’re done!

JUMPERS

HERE

CUT

HERE

Channels 7-14

JUMPERS

HERE

CUT

HERE

CUT

HERE

JUMPERS

HERE

CUT

HERE

CUT

HERE

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Pre-Mute Mod

This modiﬁcation changes AUX SEND 1 (in

post mode) and AUX SEND 2 to receive signal

regardless of the channel’s MUTE/ALT 3–4 switch position, but still be to convert the entire mixer, it must be done on each channel, and is slightly more involved for the stereo channels 7–14. The work area is on the underside of the circuit board, near the channel MUTE/ALT 3–4 switches.

1. Remove all cords, including the power cable, from the 1402-VLZ

2. Place the mixer upside-down on a dry, non-marring surface.

3. Remove the screws that attach the bottom cover. Keep track of what screws go where. Remove the bottom cover.

post-fader . In order

PRO.

Channels 1-6

JUMPERS HERE

6 6

JUMPERS HERE

4. Using a sharp “X-acto” type knife, cut the conductor at point ‘C’ (channels 1–6) or the conductors at points ‘CL’ and ‘CR’ (channels 7–14). Be careful to cut all the way through the conductor, and do not cut any nearby traces.

5. Locate the 12 pins that comprise the underside of each MUTE/ALT 3–4 switch.

6. Add jumpers as shown on the illustration below—they’re not speciﬁcally marked on the circuit board itself, so be careful.

7. Repeat for all channels.

8. Check your work very carefully, then put the bottom cover back the way you found it. You’re done!

JUMPERS HERE

CUT HERE

JUMPERS

HERE

CUT

HERE

CUT HERE

Channels 7-14

JUMPERS

HERE

CUT

HERE

CUT HERE

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Main Mix Source Mod

This modiﬁcation changes the SOURCE matrix’s MAIN MIX selection to tap the stereo signal before the MAIN MIX level control ( pre ) instead of after ( post ). This could be especially handy for live work where the engineer wants to be able to control the MAIN MIX level (sent to the house system) without changing the level in his headphones. The work area is on the underside of the circuit board, near the MAIN MIX level control.

Caution:

meters to indicate pre MAIN MIX levels. They will not longer indicate the signal level at the MAIN OUTS, but rather the signal level at the PHONES and CONTROL ROOM outputs (when MAIN MIX SOURCE is selected).

1. Remove all cords, including the power

2. Place the mixer upside-down on a dry,

This modiﬁcation also causes the

cable, from the 1402-VLZ

non-marring surface.

PRO.

5. Add a jumper from point ‘YL’ to the square pad at point ‘XL’ and from point ‘YR’ to the square pad at point ‘XR’.

6. Check your work very carefully, then put the bottom cover back the way you found it. You’re done!

3. Remove the screws that attach the bottom cover. Keep track of what screws go where. Remove the bottom cover.

4. Using a sharp “X-acto” type knife, cut the conductor at points ‘XL’ and ‘XR’. Be careful to cut all the way through the conductor, and do not cut any nearby traces.

CUT HERE

JUMPERS HERE

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1604-VLZ PRO Modifications

1604-VLZ

This changes AUX SENDS 1 and 2 , with the pre switch engaged, to receive their signals

EQ instead of pre- EQ . The signal remains post-

low cut, pre-mute and pre-fader. With the pre switch disengaged (up), the signals are not affected by the mod. The following must be performed for each channel you wish to modify:

1. Remove all cords, including the power cable, from the 1604-VLZ

2. Place the mixer upside-down on a dry, non-marring surface.

3. If you have converted your mixer to the rack-mount position or have installed a RotoPod, undo those changes and temporarily conﬁgure the mixer in the original desktop mode. You do not have to install the pod, just get it out of the way of the

bottom cover.

PRO Post-EQ Mod

PRO.

post-

4. Remove the screws that attach the bottom cover. Keep track of what screws go where. Remove the bottom cover.

5. Cut the conductor at point C, between the square and round pads. Be careful to cut all the way through the conductor, and do no cut any nearby traces. Each channel is slightly different, but this graphic shows Channel 16, which is very different from the others, and Channel 15 (respectively), which is similiar to the remaining channels.

6. Add a jumper from the square pad at point B to the square pad at point C.

7. Repeat for each channel you wish to modify.

8. Check your work very carefully, them put the bottom cover back the way you found it. You’re done!

CUT

HERE

JUMPERS

HERE

Channel 16

Channel 15

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1604-VLZ

PRO Source Mod

This changes the CTL ROOM/PHONES level control in the SOURCE matrix to receive the main mix stereo signal pre- MAIN

MIX fader instead of post- MAIN MIX fader.

You can accomplish the same result that this modiﬁcation provides by using two standard

⁄

" tip-sleeve “jumper cables” plugged into

the MAIN INSERT ( L and R ) to the ﬁrst click and the other end plugged into STEREO

AUX RETURN 4 ONLY. STEREO AUX RETURN 4

control the volume as well as

PHONES

You can also use the RCA jacks (you will need

, assigned to

level control.

TAPE INPUT (L

C-R/PHNS

level will

CTL ROOM/

and R)

⁄

" to RCA cables

or adapters) and assign the TAPE source button in the

SOURCE

matrix.

1. Remove all cords, including the power cable, from the 1604-VLZ

PRO.

2. Undo the PHONES nut.

3. Place the mixer upside-down on a dry, non-marring surface.

4. If you have converted your mixer to the rack-mount position or have installed a RotoPod, undo those changes and temporarily conﬁgure the mixer in the original desktop mode. You do not have to install the pod, just get it out of the way of the bottom cover.

5. Remove the screws that attach the bottom cover. Keep track of what screws go where. Remove the bottom cover.

6. Move the PHONES board to one side so you can get to points YL and YR marked on the board.

7. Cut the conductor at points ZL and ZR, between the square and round pads. Be careful to cut all the way through the conductor, and do no cut any nearby traces.

8. Add a jumper from the square pad at point YL to the square pad at point ZL and another from the square pad at point YR to the square pad at point ZR.

9. Check your work very carefully, then put the Phono board and nut, and bottom cover back the way you found them. You’re done!

JUMPERS HERE

CUT HERE

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8•Bus Modifications

AUX Send Mod

This modiﬁcation changes the tap point of all “pre” AUX sends from post -EQ to pre -EQ. It must be done on each channel. For example, if you have a 24•8, the modiﬁcation must be done on all 24 input channels.

See Figure below. This modiﬁcation takes place on each channel strip in an area under the AUX 1/2 Pre/Post switch.

1. Remove power cable.

2. Cut the conductor at Point A.

3. Add a jumper at Point B.

4. Repeat for all input channels.

PFL Mod

This modiﬁcation changes the tap point of the SOLO bus from reo) to done on each channel. For example, if you have a 24•8, the modiﬁcation must be done on all 24 input channels.

See Figure below. This modiﬁcation takes place on each channel strip in an area under the channel fader.

1. Remove power cable.

2. Cut the conductor at Point C.

3. Cut the conductor at Point D.

4. Add a jumper at Point E.

5. Add another jumper at Point F.

pre

-fader/

post

-fader/

pre

-mute (mono). It must be

post

-mute (ste-

BEFORE

cut here (A)

AFTER

add jumper (B)

6. Repeat for all input channels.

BEFORE

AFTER

cut here (C&D)

add jumpers (E&F)

Aux Send Modification

PFL Modification

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BEFORE

cut here (G)

AFTER

add jumper (H)

Mix-B Mute Modification

Mix-B Source Mod

This modiﬁcation changes the tap point of the Mix-B Source switch (engaged) from pre fader/ pre -mute to post -fader/ post -mute. It must be done on each channel. For example, if you have a 24•8, the modiﬁcation must be done on all 24 input channels.

See Figure below. This modiﬁcation takes place on each channel strip in an area under the Mix-B Source switch.

1. Remove power cable.

2. Cut the conductor at Point G.

3. Add a jumper at Point H.

4. Repeat for all input channels.

Mix-B Mute Mod

This modiﬁcation converts the Mix-B Source switch to a Mix-B MUTE switch. The switch will no longer be able to source the channel signal. This modiﬁcation must be done on each channel. For example, if you have a 24•8, the modiﬁcation must be done on all 24 input channels.

See Figures below. This modiﬁcation takes place on each channel strip in an area under Mix-B Source switch.

1. Remove power cable.

2. Cut the conductor at Point G.

3. Add Jumper to point H.

4. Repeat for all input channels.

BEFORE

cut here (G)

AFTER

add jumper (H)

Mix-B Source Modification

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The infamous and dreaded but-if-we-hadn’t-included-it

-we’d-just-have-to-fax-it-to-the-foolhardy-anyway modification

BEFORE

AFTER

(AUX SEND 1&2)

PRE SWITCH

(AUX SEND 3&4/5/6)

PRE SWITCH

(L)

(K)

(L)

add jumper (B)

add jumper (D)

cut here (A)

(P) (P)

(Q)(Q)

AUX 1/2 Source Mod

This modiﬁcation should only be performed if the console is being used strictly for recording.

A. When the Aux 1/2 Pre Switch is engaged,

Aux Send 1 and 2 will tap the Pre-Fader information from the tape returns.

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B. When the Aux 1/2 Pre Switch is not

engaged, Aux Send 1 and 2 function normally, as post fader channel sends.

All that said, here’s the mod.

See Figure above. This modiﬁcation takes place on each channel strip in the area under the AUX 3/4 Mix-V Source switch and also under and near the AUX 1/2 PRE switch.

1. Remove power cord.

2. Cut two (2) traces at point (A).

Note: The wire used in the next three steps should be 24-28 gauge insulated jumper wire. Do not strip off any more insulation than is absolutely necessary.

3. Add a 1-1/2” jumper (B), connected at points K and L.

4. Add a 2-1/4” jumper (D), connected at points P and Q.

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“Mackie.” and the “Running Man” ﬁgure are registered trademarks of LOUD Technologies Inc.

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LOUD Technologies Inc.

16220 Wood-Red Road NE • Woodinville, WA 98072 • USA

US and Canada: 800.898.3211

Europe, Asia, Central and South America: 425.487.4333

Middle East and Africa: 31.20.654.4000

Fax: 425.487.4337 • www.mackie.com

E-mail: sales@mackie.com