Mackie DFXA€12, DFXA€6 User Manual

DFX SERIES
OWNER’S MANUAL

DFX•6 AND DFX•12
6- AND 12-CHANNEL MIXERS
WITH DIGITAL EFFECTS

DFX12 MIXER

12 CHANNEL COMPACT INTEGRATED LIVE SOUND MIXER

CAUTION

RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK

DO NOT OPEN

REPLACE WITH THE SAME TYPE FUSE AND RATING.

BAL/UNBAL

LEVEL

SET

MIN

-

20dB+30dB

OO

OO

L

dB

10

5

U

5

10

20

30

40
50
60

OO

4

MIC

MIC

U

GAIN

U

+15-15

U

+15-15

+6

+6

LINE IN

INSERT

+50

EQ

HI

12k

LOW

80Hz

AUX

1

U

MON

U

MUTE

DISCONNECT SUPPLY CORD BEFORE CHANGING FUSE

5/6

MIC

BAL/UNBAL

L

LINE IN

RR

LEVEL

MIC

SET

U

MIN

+40

-

20dB+20dB

GAIN

U

EQ

HI

12k

+15-15

U

LOW

80Hz

+15-15

AUX

1

U

MON

OO

+6

2

U

EFX

OO

+6

R

L

PAN

5

MUTE

/

6

dB

10

OL

5

U

5

10

20

30

40
50
60

OO

POWER

ON

100 240 VAC, 50/60 Hz,

30 WATTS

2

1

MIC

BAL/UNBAL

LINE IN

INSERT

12345/67/8

LEVEL

MIC

SET

U

+50

MIN

-

20dB+30dB

GAIN

LOW CUT LOW CUT

75 Hz 75 Hz 75 Hz 75 Hz

U

EQ

HI

12k

+15-15

U

LOW

80Hz

+15-15

AUX

1

U

MON

OO

+6

2

U

EFX

OO

+6

R

L

PAN

MUTE

1234

dB

10

OL OL OL OL

5

U

5

10

20

30

40
50
60

OO

BAL/UNBAL

LEVEL

SET

MIN

-

20dB+30dB

OO

OO

L

dB

10

5

U

5

10

20

30

40
50
60

OO

MIC

MIC

U

U

+15-15

+6

+6

PAN

3

MIC

BAL/UNBAL

LINE IN

INSERT

LEVEL

MIC

SET

U

MIN

+50

-

20dB+30dB

GAINGAIN

LOW CUT LOW CUT

U

EQ

HI

12k

+15-15U+15-15
U

LOW

80Hz

+15-15

AUX

1

U

MON

OO

+6

2

U

EFX

OO

+6

R

PAN PAN

MUTE MUTE

dB

10

5

U

5

10

20

30

40
50
60

OO

LINE IN

INSERT

+50

EQ

HI

12k

LOW

80Hz

AUX

1

U

MON

2

U

EFX2EFX

RLR

MANUFACTURING DATE

WARNING:

TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT
EXPOSE THIS EQUIPMENT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE. DO NOT REMOVE COVER.
NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL.

AVIS:

RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE — NE PAS OUVRIR

UTILISE UN FUSIBLE DE RECHANGE DE MÊME TYPE.

DEBRANCHER AVANT DE REMPLACER LE FUSIBLE

CONCEIVED AND DESIGNED BY MACKIE DESIGNS INC • WOODINVILLE • WA • USA • MADE IN CHINA •FABRIQUE AU CHINE • COPYRIGHT ©2001 • THE FOLLOWING

ARE TRADEMARKS OR REGISTERED TRADEMARKS OF MACKIE DESIGNS INC.: "MACKIE", "EMAC", AND THE "RUNNING MAN" FIGURE • PATENT PENDING

7/8

9/10

MIC

BAL/UNBAL

BAL/UNBAL

L

LINE IN

LEVEL

LEVEL

MIC

SET

SET

U

U

MIN

+40

-

20dB+20dB

-

20dB+20dB

GAIN

GAIN

U

EQ

HI

12k

+15-15U+15-15

U

U

LOW

80Hz

+15-15

+15-15

AUX

1

U

U

MON

OO

OO

+6

+6

2

U

U

EFX

OO

OO

+6

+6

R

L

PAN

PAN PAN

7

9

MUTE

MUTE

/

/

8

10

dB

dB

10

10

OL OL OL

5

5

U

U

5

5

10

10

20

20

30

30

40

40

50

50

60

60

OO

OO

SERIAL NUMBER

11/12

L

BAL/UNBAL

L

L

(MONO) (MONO)(MONO) (MONO)

LINE IN

LINE IN

RR

11/129/10

LEVEL

SET

U

+12

-

20dB+20dB

GAIN

U

EQ

EQ

HI

HI

12k

12k

+15-15

U

–

LOW

LOW

80Hz

80Hz

+15-15

AUX

AUX

1

1

U

MON

MON

OO

+6

2

U

EFX2EFX

OO

+6

RLR

L

AUX 1/MON SEND

AUX 1

11

MUTE

/

12

RETURN

dB

10

5

U

5

10

20

30

40
50
60

OO

AUX SEND

STEREO AUX

RETURN

R

1

(MONO)

2

TAPE

CD/TAPE

LL

EFX

OUT

IN

FOOT

SWITCH

RR

DFX·12

12 CHANNEL INTEGRATED LIVE SOUND MIXER

0

12

250 1K

60

MAIN

EQ

AUX 1

DIGITAL STEREO
EFFECTS PROCESSOR

U

REVERSE

GATE

OO

+6

CATHEDRAL

(EFFECTS TO

STAGE MONITOR)

LG. HALL

MD. HALL

LG. PLATE

MD. PLATE
SM. ROOM

U

OO

OO

+6

+6

AUX 2

/EFX

SEND

AUX 2/

EFX

MUTE

MUTE

RETURN

dB

dB

dB

dB

10

10

10

10

5

5

5

5

U

U

U

U

5

5

5

5

10

10

10

10

20

20

20

20

30

30

30

30

40

40

40

40

50

50

50

50

60

60

60

60

OO

OO

OO

OO

1

MON

2

EFX

BYPASS

U

INSERT ALL THE WAY IN TO

DIRECT OUT WITH SIGNAL
INTERRUPTION TO MASTER

(MUTES ALL MIC CHANNELS)

CD/TAPE
RETURN

OPTIONAL USES FOR INSERTS

MONO PLUG

THE "SECOND CLICK"

FOR USE AS AN EFFECTS LOOP

MAIN OUT

LEFT

BAL/UNBAL

PHONES

+12

0

–

12

12K3.5K

BYPASS

LEVEL SET

DELAY 1

DELAY 2

DELAY 3

DELAY 4

CHORUS

FLANGE

PHASER
SPRING

VOCAL
ELIMINATOR

BREAK
SWITCH

MUTE

dB

dB

10

10

5

5

U

U

5

5

10

10

20

20

30

30

40

40
50

50
60

60

OO

OO

STEREO
PLUG

TIP OUT TO EFFECTS DEVICE
RING RETURN FROM EFFECTS

(TIP = SEND, RING = RETURN)

RIGHT

POWER

PHANTOM POWER

+48V

LEFT RIGHT

CLIP

16

12

8

4

0

NORM

4

8

12

16

20

24

30

0 = +4dBu

OO

MAX

PHONES

MAIN MIX

LEFT RIGHT

dB

10

5

U

5

10

20

30

40
50
60

OO

CAUTION AVIS

RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK

RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE

CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK

NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE

REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL

ATTENTION: POUR EVITER LES RISQUES DE CHOC

ELECTRIQUE, NE PAS ENLEVER LE COUVERCLE. AUCUN

ENTRETIEN DE PIECES INTERIEURES PAR L'USAGER. CONFIER

L'ENTRETIEN AU PERSONNEL QUALIFIE.

AVIS: POUR EVITER LES RISQUES D'INCENDIE OU

D'ELECTROCUTION, N'EXPOSEZ PAS CET ARTICLE

The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol within an equilateral
triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated
"dangerous voltage" within the product's enclosure that may be
of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons.

Le symbole éclair avec point de flèche à l'intérieur d'un triangle
équilatéral est utilisé pour alerter l'utilisateur de la présence à
l'intérieur du coffret de "voltage dangereux" non isolé d'ampleur
suffisante pour constituer un risque d'éléctrocution.

The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to
alert the user of the presence of important operating and maintenance
(servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the appliance.

Le point d'exclamation à l'intérieur d'un triangle équilatéral est
employé pour alerter les utilisateurs de la présence d'instructions
importantes pour le fonctionnement et l'entretien (service) dans le
livret d'instruction accompagnant l'appareil.

DO NOT OPEN

NE PAS OUVRIR

DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK)

A LA PLUIE OU A L'HUMIDITE

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

1. Read Instructions — All the safety and operation instructions should be
read before this Mackie product is operated.

2. Retain Instructions — The safety and operating instructions should be kept
for future reference.

3. Heed Warnings — All warnings on this Mackie product and in these operating
instructions should be followed.

4. Follow Instructions — All operating and other instructions should be
followed.

5. Water and Moisture — This Mackie product should not be used near water
– for example, near a bathtub, washbowl, kitchen sink, laundry tub, in a wet

basement, near a swimming pool, swamp or salivating St. Bernard dog, etc.

6. Cleaning — Clean only with a dry cloth.

7. Ventilation — This Mackie product should be situated so that its

location or position does not interfere with its proper ventilation. For
example, the Component should not be situated on a bed, sofa, rug, or
similar surface that may block any ventilation openings, or placed in a
built-in installation such as a bookcase or cabinet that may impede the
flow of air through ventilation openings.

8. Heat — This Mackie product should be situated away from heat sources
such as radiators, or other devices which produce heat.

9. Power Sources — This Mackie product should be connected to a power
supply only of the type described in these operation instructions or as marked
on this Mackie product.

10. Power Cord Protection — Power supply cords should be routed so that
they are not likely to be walked upon or pinched by items placed upon or
against them, paying particular attention to cords at plugs, convenience
receptacles, and the point where they exit this Mackie product.

11. Object and Liquid Entry — Care should be taken so that objects do not
fall on, and liquids are not spilled into, this Mackie product.

12 . Damage Requiring Service — This Mackie product should be serviced
only by qualified service personnel when:

A. The power-supply cord or the plug has been damaged; or

B. Objects have fallen, or liquid has spilled into this Mackie product; or

C. This Mackie product has been exposed to rain; or

D. This Mackie product does not appear to operate normally or exhibits

a marked change in performance; or

E. This Mackie product has been dropped, or its chassis damaged.

13 . Servicing — The user should not attempt to service this Mackie product

beyond those means described in this operating manual. All other servicing
should be referred to the Mackie Service Department.

14 . To prevent electric shock, do not use this polarized plug with an
extension cord, receptacle or other outlet unless the blades can be fully
inserted to prevent blade exposure.

Pour prévenir les chocs électriques ne pas utiliser cette fiche polariseé avec un
prolongateur, un prise de courant ou une autre sortie de courant, sauf si les
lames peuvent être insérées à fond sans laisser aucune pariie à découvert.

15 . Grounding or Polarization — Precautions should be taken so that the
grounding or polarization means of this Mackie product is not defeated.

16 . Power Precaution — Unplug this Mackie product during lightning storms
or when unused for long periods of time.

17 . This apparatus does not exceed the Class A/Class B (whichever is
applicable) limits for radio noise emissions from digital apparatus as set out in the
radio interference regulations of the Canadian Department of Communications.

ATTENTION —Le présent appareil numérique n’émet pas de bruits
radioélectriques dépassant las limites applicables aux appareils numériques de
class A/de class B (selon le cas) prescrites dans le règlement sur le brouillage
radioélectrique édicté par les ministere des communications du Canada.

18 .

Exposure to extremely high noise levels may cause permanent hearing
loss. Individuals vary considerably in susceptibility to noise-induced hearing loss,
but nearly everyone will lose some hearing if exposed to sufficiently intense
noise for a period of time. The U.S. Government’s Occupational Safety and
Health Administration (OSHA) has specified the permissible noise level exposures
shown in the following chart.

According to OSHA, any exposure in excess of these permissible limits
could result in some hearing loss. To ensure against potentially dangerous expo­sure to high sound pressure levels, it is recommended that all persons exposed
to equipment capable of producing high sound pressure levels use hearing pro­tectors while the equipment is in operation. Ear plugs or protectors in the ear
canals or over the ears must be worn when operating the equipment in order
to prevent a permanent hearing loss if exposure is in excess of the limits set

forth here.

Duration Per Day Sound Level dBA, Typical

In Hours Slow Response Example

8 90 Duo in small club
692
4 95 Subway Train
397
2 100 Very loud classical music

1.5 102
1 105 Patrice screaming at Ron about deadlines

0.5 110

0.25 or less 115 Loudest parts at a rock concert

WARNING — To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock,
do not expose this appliance to rain or moisture.

2

About this manual:

This manual covers both the DFX•6 and DFX•12 mixers. They share the same design and
operate in the same way, except that the DFX•12 has 2 more mono channels than the DFX•6,
and it has 2 stereo line-only channels.

Absolutely most important pages:

Before connecting and using your mixer, please read the Safety Instructions
on page 2. Before you start mixing, please read the Quick Start section starting
on page 4. It’s a list of steps that will familiarize you with the mixer and help you

set up a basic performance.

CONTENTS

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS ....................... page 2

QUICK START ............................................. 4

INTRODUCTION .......................................... 6

APPLICATION DIAGRAMS ............................ 7

PATCHBAY FEATURES

MIC .................................................... 8

LINE IN (MONO) .................................. 8

LINE IN (STEREO) ................................. 8

INSERT................................................ 9

EFFECTS: SERIAL OR PARALLEL? ............. 9

MAIN OUTPUTS ................................. 10

PHONES ............................................ 10

AUX SEND 1/MON ............................ 10

AUX SEND 2/EFX ............................... 10

AUX 1 RETURN .................................. 11

AUX 2 RETURN .................................. 11

CD/TAPE INPUT ................................. 11

TAPE OUTPUT .................................... 11

EFX FOOTSWITCH............................... 11

AC POWER INPUT .............................. 11

POWER SWITCH ................................ 11

CHANNEL STRIP FEATURES

GAIN ................................................ 12

LEVEL SET LED .................................... 12

LOW CUT .......................................... 12

2-BAND EQ........................................ 12

HI EQ ............................................. 12

LOW EQ ......................................... 12

AUXILIARIES ...................................... 13

AUX 1/MON .................................. 13

AUX 2/EFX ..................................... 13

PAN .................................................. 13

MUTE ................................................ 13

FADER............................................... 13

OL OVERLOAD LED ............................. 13

MASTER SECTION FEATURES

STEREO GRAPHIC EQ .................. page 14

MAIN/AUX 1 EQ SWITCH ................... 15

BYPASS EQ SWITCH............................ 15

POWER LED ....................................... 15

PHANTOM POWER SWITCH AND LED ... 15

METERS ............................................ 15

PHONES LEVEL ................................... 15

MAIN MIX FADERS ............................. 15

CD/TAPE RETURN FADER AND MUTE .... 15

BREAK SWITCH .................................. 16

VOCAL ELIMINATOR SWITCH ............... 16

AUX 2/EFX SEND ............................... 16

LEVEL SET LED .................................... 16

AUX 2/EFX RETURN FADER AND MUTE 17

AUX 1/MON SEND ............................ 17

EFFECTS TO MONITOR ........................ 17

AUX 1 RETURN FADER AND MUTE ....... 17

EMAC EFFECTS PROCESSOR ................. 17

QUICK START .................................. 17

BYPASS LED .................................... 17

PRESET SELECTION ........................... 18

APPENDIX A: SERVICE INFO

WARRANTY SERVICE .......................... 20

TROUBLESHOOTING ........................... 20

REPAIR ............................................. 20

APPENDIX B: TECHNICAL INFO

SPECIFICATIONS ................................. 21

DIMENSIONS ..................................... 22

AC POWER CONSIDERATIONS .............. 22

BLOCK DIAGRAM ............................... 23

Please visit our website at www.mackie.com

for more information about this and other Mackie products.

3

QUICK START

We know you can’t wait to get the show on the road. Who has time to read a
booooring manual? That’s fine — the DFX Mixer is designed to set up quickly
and operate intuitively — but please, read the Safety Instructions on page 2,
and then read these two pages!

First you will zero the console, then make the connections, set the levels and
tweak the mix.

1. ZERO THE CONSOLE:

1. Turn everything off, including the mixer’s
POWER switch and PHANTOM POWER
switch.

2. Turn down the channel strip GAIN, AUX 1
and AUX 2 knobs, and faders.

3. Center the channel strip EQ and PAN
controls.

4. Push the channel strip MUTE switches down.

5. Set the channel strip LOW CUT switches up.

6. Center the STEREO GRAPHIC EQ sliders.

7. Turn down the MASTER AUX SEND knobs,
and the AUX RETURN faders.

8. Turn down the MAIN MIX faders.

9. Now you are ready to make the
connections, see the next page.

1

MIC

BAL/UNBAL

LEVEL

MIC

SET

U

MIN

-

20dB+30dB

GAIN

LOW CUT LOW CUT

75 Hz 75 Hz 75 Hz 75 Hz

U

+15-15

U

+15-15

OO

+6

OO

+6

L

PAN

1234

dB

10

5

U

5

10

20

30

40
50
60

OO

2

MIC

BAL/UNBAL

LINE IN

INSERT

1 2 3 4 5/6 7/8

LEVEL

MIC

SET

+50

MIN

-

20dB+30dB

U

EQ

HI

12k

+15-15

U

LOW

80Hz

+15-15

AUX

1

U

MON

OO

+6

2

U

EFX

OO

+6

R

L

PAN

MUTE

dB

10

OL OL OL OL

5

U

5

10

20

30

40
50
60

OO

3

MIC

BAL/UNBAL

LINE IN

INSERT

LEVEL

MIC

SET

+50

EQ

HI

12k

LOW

80Hz

AUX

1

U

MON

2

U

EFX

R

U

MIN

-

20dB+30dB

GAINGAIN

LOW CUT LOW CUT

U

+15-15

U

+15-15

OO

+6

OO

+6

L

PAN PAN

U

MUTE MUTE

dB

10

5

U

5

10

20

30

40
50
60

OO

U

U

LINE IN

INSERT

AUX

MON

4

MIC

MIC

-

20dB+30dB

GAIN

U

+15-15

U

+15-15

OO

+6

OO

+6

L

BAL/UNBAL

LINE IN

INSERT

LEVEL

SET

U

+50

MIN

EQ

HI

12k

LOW

80Hz

AUX

1

U

MON

2

U

EFX

R

BAL/UNBAL

LEVEL

SET

MIN

+50

EQ

HI

12k

LOW

80Hz

1

2

EFX

R

MUTE

dB

10

5

U

5

10

20

30

40
50
60

OO

5/6

MIC

BAL/UNBAL

L

LINE IN

RR

LEVEL

MIC

SET

U

+40

MIN

-

20dB+20dB

OO

OO

L

5

/

dB

10

5

U

5

10

20

30

40
50
60

OO

GAIN

U

+15-15

U

+15-15

+6

+6

PAN

6

AUX

U

MON

U

MUTE

-

20dB+20dB

EQ

HI

12k

LOW

80Hz

1

OO

2

EFX

OO

R

L

7

/

dB

10

OL

5

U

5

10

20

30

40
50
60

OO

7/8

MIC

GAIN

U

U

8

9/10

BAL/UNBAL

L

(MONO) (MONO)(MONO) (MONO)

LINE IN

LEVEL

SET

U

+40

-

20dB+20dB

GAIN

U

EQ

HI

12k

+15-15

U

LOW

AUX

MON

R

80Hz

EFX

LOW

+15-15

AUX

1

U

MON

OO

+6

2

U

OO

+6

R

L

PAN PAN

9

MUTE

/

10

dB

10

OL OL OL

5

U

5

10

20

30

40
50
60

OO

+15-15

+15-15

PAN

LINE IN

MIC

U

U

+6

U

+6

MUTE

11/12

BAL/UNBAL

L

RR

LEVEL

SET

-

20dB+20dB

GAIN

U

EQ

HI

12k

+15-15

U

80Hz

+15-15

1

OO

2

EFX

OO

L

11

/

12

dB

10

5

U

5

10

20

30

40
50
60

OO

STEREO AUX

RETURN

L

(MONO)

CD/TAPE

IN

L

LL

LINE IN

RR

11/129/10

U

+12

0

EQ

HI

12k

–

12

60

LOW

80Hz

AUX

1

U

MON

U

R

MUTE

2

EFX

OO

(EFFECTS TO

STAGE MONITOR)

OO

AUX 1/MON SEND

AUX 1

RETURN

dB

dB

10

10

5

5

U

U

5

5

10

10

20

20

30

30

40

40
50

50
60

60

OO

OO

+6

+6

AUX SEND

R

1

2

TAPE

OUT

12 CHANNEL INTEGRATED LIVE SOUND MIXER

250 1K

MAIN
AUX 1

DIGITAL STEREO
EFFECTS PROCESSOR

U

REVERSE

+6

CATHEDRAL

LG. HALL

MD. HALL

LG. PLATE

MD. PLATE
SM. ROOM

U

+6

MUTE

EFX

FOOT

SWITCH

DFX·12

EQ

GATE

U

OO

+6

AUX 2/EFX SEND

AUX 2/

EFX

MUTE

RETURN

dB

dB

10

10

5

5

U

U

5

5

10

10

20

20

30

30

40

40
50

50
60

60

OO

OO

1

MON

2

EFX

BYPASS

(MUTES ALL MIC CHANNELS)

CD/TAPE
RETURN

dB

dB

10

10

U

U

10

10

20

20

30

30

40

40
50

50
60

60

12K3.5K

BYPASS

LEVEL SET

VOCAL
ELIMINATOR

BREAK
SWITCH

5

5

5

5

OO

OO

MAIN OUT

LEFT

PHONES

+12

0

–

DELAY 1

DELAY 2

DELAY 3

DELAY 4

CHORUS

FLANGE

PHASER
SPRING

MUTE

BAL/UNBAL

12

NORM

dB

10

5

U

5

10

20

30

40
50
60

RIGHT

POWER

PHANTOM POWER

+48V

LEFT RIGHT

CLIP

16

12

8

4

0

4

8

12

16

20

24

30

0 = +4dBu

OO

MAX

PHONES

MAIN MIX

LEFT RIGHT

OO

Zeroing the console

4

Key to the control settings

2. MAKE THE CONNECTIONS:

4. TWEAK THE MIX:

1. Connect your amplifier’s outputs to your
speaker inputs (unless, of course, you have
powered monitors).

2. Plug all the sound system components into
suitable AC outlets, properly grounded and
capable of delivering adequate current.

3. Using XLR or 1/4" TRS cables, make
connections from your mixer’s MAIN OUT
to your amplification system’s line inputs.

4. Make connections from your microphones
and instruments to the mixer: Connect
balanced microphones to the mono channel
MIC jacks. (For condenser microphones,
engage the PHANTOM POWER switch,
located just above the meters). Connect
line-level instruments (synthesizers, guitar
effects, direct boxes) to the mono or stereo
channel LINE IN 1/4" TRS jacks.

5. ZERO THE CONSOLE as shown on the
previous page.

6. Turn all the power switches on, leaving the
amplifier’s switch for last.

7. Turn up the MAIN MIX faders to the
“–30” label, for now. We’ll crank it later on.

8. Now you are ready to set the levels:

3. SET THE LEVELS:

1. Choose one of the microphones or instru­ments you connected. Make some noise. If
it’s a microphone, sing at your normal
singing volume. If it’s a synthesizer, play it
at its normal output level.

2. While making noise, turn up that channel’s
GAIN control until the adjacent LEVEL
SET LED starts a-blinking.

3. Disengage (up) that channel’s MUTE.

4. Raise that channel’s fader to unity gain
(“U” label). You should be hearing your
noise now.

5. If necessary, apply channel EQ changes.
(You may need to compensate for level
changes with the channel fader.)

6. Check that the channel’s OL LED does not
come on. If it does, reset the GAIN and
adjust the EQ if required.

7. Repeat steps 1 through 6 for the remaining
active channels.

8. Stop making noise. Everyone: start making
music.

9. Now you are ready to tweak the mix:

1. Engage MUTE on all channels except your
rhythm section (drums & bass).

2. Adjust the rhythm section’s channel faders
to get a good balance of levels.

3. Un-mute the other active channels and
adjust their faders.

4. Now that you have a rough mix going, turn
up the MAIN MIX faders to a comfortable
listening level.

5. If the overall mix has an equalization
problem, make adjustments to the STEREO
GRAPHIC EQ. If an individual channel is
the problem, use its channel EQ instead.

6. Use the channel AUX 2/EFX knobs to send
signals to the EMAC internal effects
processor (and to any external effects
processor you might have). Then adjust the
AUX 2/EFX RETURN fader and experiment
with adding some effects to your main mix.

7. If you are playing into the CD/TAPE input,
try using the VOCAL ELIMINATOR to hear
its effect on centered vocals and start up a
bit of audience mass-Karaoke.

8. Depending on how much time you’ve got,
keep tweaking. Walk the room to see how it
sounds away from your mixer.
Keep tweaking.

KNOW THESE THINGS:

• Never listen to loud
music for prolonged
periods. Please see “Safety
Instructions” on page 2 for
information on hearing
protection.

• Never plug amplifier outputs into anything
except speakers.

• Never use guitar cables to connect amplifi­ers to speakers.

• Before making connections to an external
amp or reconfiguring an amp’s routing, turn
the amp’s level (gain) controls down, turn
the power off, make the changes, turn the
power back on, and then turn the level
controls back up.

• When you shut down your equipment, turn
off any external amplifiers first. When
powering up, turn on the amplifiers last.

• Change your engine oil every 3,000 miles
and rotate your tires for even wear. Dad
would be proud of you.

• Save the shipping box and packing material!
You may need them someday, and you probably
don’t want to have to pay for that again.

5

INTRODUCTION

Thank you for choosing a Mackie Designs
DFX™ Mixer! These compact live-sound mixers
are designed to meet the sound reinforcement
needs of almost any small to medium-sized club,
meeting room, sanctuary, or outdoor gathering.

Here’s a quick glance at all the features
you’ve acquired:

2 or 4 mono channels, with:

• Variable input gain

(0 to +50 dB mic, –20 to +30 dB line)

• Phantom power (globally switched)

• Level Set gain-setting indicator LED

• XLR microphone input jack

• 1/4" TRS line input jack

• 1/4" TRS insert jack

• Switchable 75 Hz low-cut filter

• Pre-fader aux (monitor) send

• Post-fader aux (effects) send

• 2-band EQ

• Pan control

• Mute switch

• Overload warning LED

• 60mm mono fader

Comprehensive master section, with:

• Two 60mm main mix faders (L, R)

• Balanced XLR stereo main outputs

• Balanced TRS stereo main outputs

• 12-segment stereo LED metering

• 5-band stereo graphic EQ with main mix/
monitor switch and bypass switch

• EMAC™ 32-bit digital stereo effects with
footswitch bypass, and Level Set LED

• Aux 1/monitor send with level control

• Aux 2/effects send with level control

• Effects-to-monitor control

• Two 60mm stereo aux return faders with
mute switches

• Break switch for intermissions

• RCA Tape output

• RCA CD/Tape input

• Vocal Eliminator circuit for CD/Tape

• Master +48 V phantom power switch
with LED indicator

• Headphone output with level control

• Power LED indicator

2 mono-mic / stereo-line channels, with:

• Variable input gain
(0 to +40 dB mic, –20 to +20 dB line)

• Level Set gain-setting indicator LED

• XLR microphone input jack

• Left and Right 1/4" TRS line input jacks

• Pre-fader aux (monitor) send

• Post-fader aux (effects) send

• 2-band EQ

• Pan control

• Mute switch

• Overload warning LED

• 60mm stereo fader

The DFX•12 also includes:

2 stereo-line channels, with:

• Variable input gain
(–20 to +20 dB line)

• Level Set gain-setting indicator LED

• Left and Right TRS line input jacks

• Pre-fader aux (monitor) send

• Post-fader aux (effects) send

• 2-band EQ

• Pan control

• Mute switch

• Overload warning LED

• 60mm stereo fader

Please write your serial number here for
future reference (i.e., insurance claims, tech
support, return authorization, etc.):

Purchased at:

Date of purchase:

Part No. 0000318 Rev. D 09/02

©2002 Mackie Designs Inc. All Rights Reserved.

6

APPLICATION DIAGRAMS

1

MIC

BAL/UNBAL

LINE IN

INSERT

Insert

(optional)

Compressor

Microphones 1-4

2

MIC

MIC

BAL/UNBAL

BAL/UNBAL

LINE IN

INSERT

Reverb

3

LINE IN

INSERT

Mono Effects

Guitar

BAL/UNBAL

Active Monitor

Mono in/Stereo out Reverb

(optional)

IN

RETURN

AUX SEND

R

1

2

TAPE

EFX

OUT

FOOT

SWITCH

MAIN OUT

LEFT

BAL/UNBAL

PHONES

RIGHT

Active Speakers (SRM450s)

1

MON

2

EFX

STEREO AUX

4

MIC

BAL/UNBAL

LINE IN

INSERT

MIC

MIC

BAL/UNBAL

L

LINE IN

LINE IN

RR

BAL/UNBAL

L

7/8

5/6

11/12

9/10

BAL/UNBAL

L

(MONO) (MONO)(MONO) (MONO)

LINE IN

RR

L

(MONO)

CD/TAPE

L

LL

LINE IN

RR

Headphones

Tape Player

Drum Machine

Bass

DAT Recorder

Foot Switch

DFX•12 — Small Club Gig

Microphones

Mono in/Stereo out Reverb

(optional)

BAL/UNBAL

1

MIC

Insert

LINE IN

INSERT

2

MIC

BAL/UNBAL

LINE IN

INSERT

Insert

Compressors

(optional)

BAL/UNBAL

5/6

3/4

MIC

MIC

BAL/UNBAL

L

(MONO) (MONO)

LINE IN

LINE IN

RR

Laser Disc /DVD Player

STEREO AUX

RETURN

L

1

(MONO)

2

TAPE

CD/TAPE

OUT

IN

L

LL

RR

AUX SEND

R

FOOT

SWITCH

Amplifier (M1400)

LEFT

1

MON

2

EFX

EFX

CD/DVD Player
Routed through
Vocal Eliminator

MAIN OUT

BAL/UNBAL

PHONES

Passive Monitor (C300)

RIGHT

SR1530

Active Speakers

Headphones

DFX•6 — Karaoke set up

7

PATCHBAY (the intro and the outro)

This is where everything gets plugged in: microphones, line-level instruments, effects devices,

and the ultimate destination(s): PA system, monitors, headphones, and tape recorder, etc.

BAL/UNBAL

MIC

LINE IN

INSERT

BAL/UNBAL

MIC

2

LINE IN

INSERT

BAL/UNBAL

MIC

3

1

LINE IN

INSERT

BAL/UNBAL

MIC

4

LINE IN

INSERT

5/6

BAL/UNBAL

1. MIC

The DFX Mixer is equipped with rugged, low
noise, phantom-powered microphone pream­plifiers, providing up to 50 dB of pounding
crystal-clear amplification. Their balanced cir­cuitry rejects all manner of extraneous
interference. Professional condenser, dynamic,
and ribbon mics all sound excellent through
these XLR inputs.

You can plug in almost any kind of balanced
mic that has a standard XLR-type male mic
connector.

SHIELD

COLD

SHIELD

7/8

MIC

3

1

BAL/UNBAL

L

LINE IN

2

1

MIC

L

LINE IN

RR

HOT

TAPE
OUT

R

AUX SEND

EFX

FOOT

SWITCH

MON

1

2

EFX

9/10

BAL/UNBAL

BAL/UNBAL

L

(MONO) (MONO)(MONO) (MONO)

LINE IN

RR

11/12

STEREO AUX

RETURN

L

1

(MONO)

2

CD/TAPE

IN

L

LL

LINE IN

RR

2. LINE IN (FOR MONO CHANNELS)

These inputs can accept 1/4" TRS balanced
and 1/4" TS unbalanced plugs from any line­level instrument, effects device, or tape player.
The line inputs share circuitry (but not phan­tom power) with the mic preamps, and can be
driven by virtually any line-level signal.

SLEEVE

TIP

1/4" TS (Tip-Sleeve) unbalanced wiring:
Tip = hot (+)
Sleeve = shield

MAIN OUT

LEFT

PHONES

TIP

SLEEVE

RIGHT

BAL/UNBAL

TIPSLEEVE

TIPSLEEVE

RING

RING

TIP

SLEEVE

XLR balanced wiring:

Pin 1 = shield
Pin 2 = hot (+)
Pin 3 = cold (–)

COLD

3

HOT

SLEEVERING

3

2

1

2

SHIELD

COLD

HOT

TIP

1/4" TRS (Tip-Ring-Sleeve) balanced
wiring:
Tip = hot (+)
Ring = cold (–)
Sleeve = shield

The DFX Mixers provide +48 VDC phantom
powering on pins 2 and 3 of all the mono chan­nels’ XLR MIC inputs (not the stereo channels).
This can be turned on or off using the PHANTOM
POWER (31) switch on the right side of the mixer.

DO NOT connect a line­level device to a MIC input
with the phantom power
switched on. This could
damage the device. Use the
LINE IN (2, 3) jacks instead.

3. LINE IN (FOR STEREO CHANNELS)

These inputs can accept 1/4" TRS balanced
and 1/4" TS unbalanced plugs from any line­level instrument, effects device, or tape player.

When connecting a stereo device (two
cords), use both the left (mono) input and the
right input.

When connecting a mono device (just one
cord), always use the left (mono) input and
plug nothing into the right input. A trick called
“jack normalling” causes the signal to appear
on both sides.

8