owner’s
manual
by
CAUTION AVIS
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE
NE PAS OUVRIR
CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK)
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
A LA PLUIE OU A L'HUMIDITE
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.
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
1.Read Instructions — All the safety and operation instructions should be read before this product is operated.
2.Retain Instructions — The safety and operating instructions should be kept for future reference.
3.Heed Warnings — All warnings on this 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 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, etc.
6.Cleaning — Clean only with a dry cloth.
7.Ventilation — This 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 product should be situated away from heat sources such as radiators, or other devices which produce heat.
9.Power Sources — This product should be connected to a power supply only of the type described in these operation instructions or as marked on this 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 product.
11.Object and Liquid Entry — Care should be taken so that objects do not fall on, and liquids are not spilled into, this product.
12.Damage Requiring Service — This product should be serviced only by qualifi ed 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 product; or
C.This product has been exposed to rain; or
D.This product does not appear to operate normally or exhibits a marked change in performance; or
E.This product has been dropped, or its chassis damaged.
13.Servicing — The user should not attempt to service this product beyond those means described in this operating manual. All other servicing should be referred to the Tapco 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 préevenir les chocs électriques ne pas utiliser cette fi che 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 product is not defeated.
16.Power Precaution — Unplug this 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 suffi ciently intense noise for a period of time. The U.S. Government’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has specifi ed 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 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 |
Packed garage concert |
6 |
92 |
|
4 |
95 |
VW Bus Peace Train |
3 |
97 |
|
2 |
100 |
Cranked psychedelic tunes |
1.5102
1 |
105 |
High speed chase on C.H.I.P.s |
0.5110
0.25 or less |
115 |
Loudest parts at a Heavy Metal concert |
WARNING — To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this appliance to rain or moisture.
2
Contents
Safety Instructions......................................... |
2 |
Getting Started............................................. |
4 |
Introduction .................................................. |
6 |
Hookup Diagrams ........................................ |
7 |
Blend 6 Features ........................................... |
8 |
Channel Inputs......................................... |
8 |
Channel Controls..................................... |
9 |
Equalization............................................ |
9 |
Auxiliaries ................................................ |
9 |
Master Section ....................................... |
11 |
Output Connections ............................. |
12 |
Rear Panel Features .............................. |
12 |
Appendix A: Service Information ............. |
13 |
Appendix B: Connections ......................... |
14 |
Appendix C: Blend 6 Specifications......... |
15 |
Gain Structure Diagram........................ |
16 |
Block Diagram ....................................... |
17 |
Track Sheets............................................ |
18 |
TAPCO Limited Warranty ........................... |
19 |
Don’t forget to visit our website at www.tapcogear.com for more information about this and other TAPCO products.
What me, read a manual?
Before you begin, please make sure you read the Safety Instructions on page 2 and Getting Started on page 4.
Your new TAPCO® Blend 6 mixer is designed to set up quickly and operate easily. We know it’s often seen as a sign of weakness to read a manual, along with asking for directions when lost, but maybe you can read the rest when nobody is looking.
It is important to keep your receipt in a safe place, and not a bad idea to write your product information here for future reference (i.e., insurance claims, tech support, return authorization, etc.).
Product Serial #:
Purchased at:
Date of purchase:
Part No. 0008813-90 Rev. A 1/04
©2004 LOUD Technologies Inc. All Rights Reserved.
3
Getting Started
The following steps will help you set up your mixer, and get the levels and adjustments just right.
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, AUX 2, and LEVEL controls.
3.Center the channel strip EQ and PAN controls.
4.Turn down the AUX RETURNS, CONTROL ROOM, and PHONES controls.
5.Turn down the MAIN MIX control.
CONNECTIONS:
1.Connect your speakers to your amplifier’s outputs (unless, of course, you have powered speakers).
2.Plug all the sound system components into suitable AC outlets, properly grounded and capable of delivering adequate current.
3.Using TRS cables, make connections from your mixer’s MAIN OUT to your amplification system’s line inputs.
4.Connect your microphones and instruments to the mixer: Connect microphones to the mono channel MIC jacks. (For condenser microphones, engage the PHANTOM POWER switch.) Connect highimpedance line-level instruments (electric guitar, bass guitar) to the mono channel INST IN, or other line-level signal source to the stereo channel LINE IN jacks.
Note: Normally, you would plug in only one microphone or one instrument into each mono channel.
5.Zero the console, as shown above.
6.Turn all the power switches on, leaving the amplifier’s switch for last.
7.Turn up the MAIN MIX control to the 9 o’clock position, for now. We’ll crank it up later on.
8.Now you are ready to set the levels.
4.If necessary, apply channel EQ changes. (You may need to compensate for level changes afterward with the channel LEVEL control.)
5.Repeat steps 1 through 4 for the other Mic/Line channel.
6.Stop making noise. Everyone: start making music.
7.Now turn up the MAIN MIX control to a comfortable listening level.
SET THE LEVELS (Channels 3/4 and 5/6):
1.Make some noise with the mono or stereo instrument connected to the LINE IN jacks on Channels 3/4. Play it at its normal output level.
2.Raise that channel’s LEVEL control until it is approximately equal in volume to the microphones or instruments connected to channels 1 and 2.
3.If necessary, apply channel EQ changes. (You may need to compensate for level changes afterward with the channel LEVEL control.)
4.Repeat steps 1 through 3 for Channels 5/6.
TWEAK THE MIX:
1.If you are using an external processor connected between the AUX SEND 2 and the AUX RETURN jacks, use each channel’s AUX 2 FX control to send signal to the processor, and add the processor’s signal to the mix using the AUX RETURN TO MAIN MIX control.
2.Now that you have a rough mix going, you may need to readjust the MAIN MIX control to a comfortable listening level. The LED VU meters
should indicate by lighting most of the green LEDs when music is playing, and occasionally light the yellow LEDs.
3.Depending on how much time you have, keep tweaking. Walk the room to see how it sounds away from your mixer. Keep tweaking.
SET THE LEVELS (Channels 1 and 2):
1.Choose one of the microphones or instruments you connected to the mono MIC or INST input. Make some noise. If it’s a microphone, sing at your normal singing volume. If it’s an instrument, play it at its normal output level.
2.While making noise, turn up that channel’s GAIN until the adjacent LEVEL SET LED starts blinking.
3.Raise that channel’s LEVEL to unity gain (U label). You should be hearing your noise now.
4
MIC |
1 |
MIC |
2 |
INPUT |
|
INPUT |
|
INST |
INST |
||
INPUT |
INPUT |
||
|
LEVEL |
|
LEVEL |
|
SET |
|
SET |
|
MIC |
|
MIC |
|
U |
|
U |
+3 |
+50 |
+3 |
+50 |
-22dB +25dB |
-22dB +25dB |
||
GAIN |
GAIN |
||
|
EQ |
|
EQ |
|
HIGH |
|
HIGH |
|
12kHz |
|
12kHz |
-15 |
+15 |
-15 |
+15 |
|
LOW |
|
LOW |
|
80Hz |
|
80Hz |
-15 |
+15 |
-15 |
+15 |
U |
AUX |
U |
AUX |
SEND |
SEND |
||
|
1 |
|
1 |
|
MON |
|
MON |
U |
MAX |
U |
MAX |
|
|
||
|
2 |
|
2 |
|
FX |
|
FX |
|
MAX |
|
MAX |
|
PAN |
|
PAN |
L |
R |
L |
R |
1 2
AUX RETURN AUX SENDS
L |
1 |
(MONO) |
MON |
IN |
OUT |
R |
2 |
|
FX |
LINE IN 3/4 |
LINE IN 5/6 |
L |
L |
(MONO) |
(MONO) |
R |
R |
BAL/UNBAL |
BAL/UNBAL |
|
EQ |
|
EQ |
|
HIGH |
|
HIGH |
|
12kHz |
|
12kHz |
-15 |
+15 |
-15 |
+15 |
|
LOW |
|
LOW |
|
80Hz |
|
80Hz |
-15 |
+15 |
-15 |
+15 |
U |
AUX |
U |
AUX |
SEND |
SEND |
||
|
1 |
|
1 |
|
MON |
|
MON |
U |
MAX |
U |
MAX |
|
|
||
|
2 |
|
2 |
|
FX |
|
FX |
|
MAX |
|
MAX |
|
PAN |
|
PAN |
L |
R |
L |
R |
3 4
U |
U |
U |
U |
MAX |
MAX |
MAX |
MAX |
LEVEL |
LEVEL |
LEVEL |
LEVEL |
CTRL ROOM MAIN MIX
L |
L |
OUT |
OUT |
R |
R |
CD/ TAPE |
|
|
PHONES |
L
R
IN OUT
|
LEFT RIGHT |
||
POWER |
OL |
16 |
|
|
|
12 |
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
NRM |
0 |
|
PHANTOM 48V |
|
4 |
|
|
|
||
AUX |
|
12 |
|
U RETURN |
|
||
|
|
||
TO |
|
24 |
|
|
|
||
MAIN |
0 = +4dBu |
||
MIX |
|
|
|
MAX |
PHONES |
||
U |
|
|
|
TO |
|
|
|
AUX1 |
|
|
|
MON |
|
|
|
MAX |
|
MAX |
|
MAIN |
|
MAX |
|
CD/TAPE |
|
||
CTRL ROOM |
|||
|
|||
MAIN MIX |
|
||
OFF |
|
U |
|
|
|
||
MAIN |
|
|
|
CD/TAPE |
|
|
|
TO MAIN MIX |
|
MAX |
|
MAIN MIX
A FEW PRECAUTIONS:
•Never listen to loud music for prolonged periods. Please see the Safety Instructions on page 2 for information on hearing protection.
•Never plug amplifier speaker-level outputs into anything except speakers.
•Never use guitar cables to connect amplifiers to speakers.
•Before making connections to an external amplifier, 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.
•Save the shipping box and packing material! The box can also be turned into a unique hat, lunch box, or handbag to accessorize your mixer.
5
Introduction
Thank you for choosing a TAPCO Blend 6 mixer by Mackie. The TAPCO family of mixers hails back to the days of TAPCO Corporation, Greg Mackie’s first company. TAPCO revolutionized the audio industry back in 1969 with the very first 6-channel mixer specifically designed for keyboards and rock ‘N’ roll PA.
The first TAPCO mixer, although primitive by today’s standards, was truly innovative for its time. It had the headroom to handle screaming singers, was priced for the pocketbook of starving psychedelic musical
neophytes, and durable enough to withstand mammoth levels of TAPCO version of Greg wear and tear on the road, and at now-legendary concerts.
In essence, TAPCO re-defined the price performance ratio and made high-quality professional audio mixers accessible to virtually anyone. Today, TAPCO is reborn with the same ideals and is backed by the world-class engineering and manufacturing horsepower of Mackie.
This compact mixer is perfect for small to medium-sized live sound reinforcement applications, keyboards and synths, video, and small-project studio applications.
Here’s a quick glance at all the features packed into this mixer:
2 mono mic/line channels, with:
•Variable input trim (+3 to +50 dB for microphones, and –22 to +25 dB for line-level inputs)
•Phantom power (globally switched)
•Level Set indicator LED
•XLR microphone input jack
•1/4" TRS instrument line input jack
•Pre-fader aux (monitor) send
•Post-fader aux (effects) send
•2-band EQ
•Pan control
•Rotary level control
2 stereo line channels, with:
•Left and right 1/4" TRS line input jacks
•Pre-fader aux (monitor) send
•Post-fader aux (effects) send
•2-band EQ
•Pan control
•Rotary level control
Master section, with:
•Rotary stereo Main Mix control
•Balanced 1/4" TRS stereo main outputs
•8-segment stereo LED VU metering
•1/4" TRS Aux 1/Monitor send
•1/4" TRS Aux 2/Effects send
•Two rotary stereo aux return controls (To Mains and To Monitors)
•RCA tape out
•RCA tape in
•Master +48V phantom power switch with LED indicator
•Left and Right 1/4" TRS Control Room outputs with Level control
•Stereo 1/4" TRS Headphone output with Level control
•Power LED indicator
•Inter-Planetary Space Drive control
•OK, we made that last one up, but we can pencil it in for next time
TAPCO van (a.k.a. micro bus)
6
Loading...