Lowell MIX1 User manual

Optional Accessories (sold separately):
Lowell Manufacturing offers a full line of 19" equipment cabinets, wall mount shelves, rack mount AC power panels,
AC power strips, and cooling fans that can be used to install the Lowell Amplifier products.
See www.lowellmfg.com for product details.
1
REMOVABLE
PHOENIX
CONNECTOR
Instruction Sheet
IS-MIX1
Issued:6-1-14
Lowell Manufacturing Company 100 Integram Drive Pacific, Missouri 63069 U.S.A.
Call: 800-325-9660 Fax: [phone] Click: www.lowellmfg.com
MIX1
INSTALLATION SHEET
AND OPERATORS MANUAL
MIX1 General Description:
The MIX1 is a mixer/preamplifier that includes 6 channels that each include a microphone input at screw terminals
and an aux input at an RCA jack. A seventh aux-only channel has a front panel switch to select one of two rear
panel aux input jacks. A mute-select switch allows either for channel 1 (Mic input or Aux input) to mute all other
channels, or for channels 1 through 6 to all mute the channel 7 aux-only input. The post-master-volume-control
outputs include a balanced line level output at screw terminals, a balanced mic level output at screw terminals, and
an unbalanced main output at an RCA jack. A pre-master-volume-control tape output is provided at an RCA jack.
An RCA jack is also provided to link the mix bus of one MIX1 to another MIX1 so that all inputs appear at all outputs.
A low cut filter switch is included which can reduce the bass response for use in reverberant spaces (like
gymnasiums) and act as a horn protection filter (trumpet protect) when paging horns are being used.
1
Technical Specifications
Dimensions (inc. rubber feet): 19" wide x 1.80" high x 9.875"deep (483mm wide x 45.7mm high x 250.8mm deep)
Total Harmonic Distortion: < .05%
Weight: 7.0LBS. (3.18KGS) Shipping Weight: 12.35LBS. (5.60KGS) (Weights include rack ears) Color: Black
AC Supply Voltage: 120VAC, 50/60Hz, Power Consumption: 5W
Outputs: Main Output - unbalanced RCA jack 775mV, 280W, Tape Output - unbalanced RCA jack 75mV, 280W
Signal to Noise Ratio: Mic 60dB, Aux 65dB (from 0dB output level)
Input Channels 1-6: Microphone inputs - balanced screw terminals: 1mV(to reach 0dB 775mV output), 600W
Aux inputs - unbalanced RCA connectors: 140mV(to reach 0dB 775mV output), 24kW
Note: Mic and Aux input on same channel are internally mixed. Use one or the other –not both.
The Mic inputs do not provide phantom power for condenser microphones. External phantom
power supplies (sold by others) may be used to provide phantom power for the MIX1 mic inputs.
Input Channel 7: Aux inputs –Switchable on front panel - RCA jack “A” or RCA jack “B”.
100mV(to reach 0dB 775mV output), 28kW
Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz +1dB
Mix Bus Link: RCA jack. 5mV, 1kWUse only to link the mix buses of up to a maximum of four (4) MIX1 mixers.
Line Output - Balanced screw terminals 775mV, 600W, Mic Output - Balanced screw terminals 7mV, 50W

2
REMOVABLE
PHOENIX
CONNECTOR
Instruction Sheet
IS-MIX1
Issued:6-1-14
Lowell Manufacturing Company 100 Integram Drive Pacific, Missouri 63069 U.S.A.
Call: 800-325-9660 Fax: [phone] Click: www.lowellmfg.com
25Balanced 600WLine Output (screw terminals)
26Balanced 600WMic Output (screw terminals)
2
7CH7-B Aux Input RCA Jack
28CH7-A Aux Input RCA Jack
29CH6 Aux Input RCA Jack
30CH5 Aux Input RCA Jack
31CH4 Aux Input RCA Jack
32CH3 Aux Input RCA Jack
33CH2 Aux Input RCA Jack
34CH1 Aux Input RCA Jack
15Tape Output RCA Jack
16Mix Bus Link RCA Jack
17Low-Cut Filter On/Off Switch
18Mute Select Switch (2-8/A-B)
Power Cord 120VAC
13
Main Output RCA Jack
14
19CH6 Mic Input (screw terminals)
20CH5 Mic Input (screw terminals)
2
1CH4 Mic Input (screw terminals)
22CH3 Mic Input (screw terminals)
23CH2 Mic Input (screw terminals)
24CH1 Mic Input (screw terminals)
Master Volume Control
9
Master Power Switch
10
Power On LED (Green)
12
Peak LED (Red)
1
1
CH7 Volume Control
7
1CH1 Volume Control
2CH2 Volume Control
3CH3 Volume Control
4CH4 Volume Control
5CH5 Volume Control
6CH6 Volume Control
CH7 A/B Select Switch
8
MIX1 Rear Panel
MIX1 Front Panel
12 3 4 5 6 8 9
1
112
107
GND
MIC +
-
AUX
CH6
CH5
MIX
PAD
+
-MIX
PADAUX
MIC
GND
MIC +
-
AUX
CH4
CH3
MIX
PAD
+
-MIX
PADAUX
MIC
GND
MIC +
-
AUX
CH2
CH1
MIX
PAD
+
-MIX
PADAUX
MIC
AUX
AUX
CH7A
B
A
B
Slide
Switch
CH1
Volume
Control
CH2
Volume
Control
CH3
Volume
Control
CH4
Volume
Control
CH5
Volume
Control
CH6
Volume
Control
CH7
Volume
Control
Mute
Control
Circuit
Mixing
Circuit
Tape Out
Mix Bus
MASTER
Volume
Control
Peak Led
+
-
Balanced
Microphone
Level Output
+
-
Balanced Line
Level Output
Aux Level
Main Output
Line
Mic
Main
Out
Low
Cut
Filter
ON
OFF
Slide
Switch
MIX1 Block Diagram
2-8 Slide
Switch
A-B
MUTE
3433323130292827
26
25
24
23 22 2
1
20
19
18
17
16
15
1314
+
-

Instruction Sheet
IS-MIX1
Issued: 6-1-14
Lowell Manufacturing Company 100 Integram Drive Pacific, Missouri 63069 U.S.A.
Call: 800-325-9660 Fax: [phone] Click: www.lowellmfg.com
3
Getting Started:
Please study carefully the “IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS” that are given on page 8 before applying power
to your MIX1 mixer/preamplifier.
This unit was carefully checked and packed before leaving the factory. However, it is always a good idea to inspect
the shipping container and unit for indications of improper handling. If the unit has been damaged, make an
immediate claim to the dealer or distributor from whom it was purchased. If the unit was shipped to you, notify the
transportation company without delay, saving all packing materials, in order to process the claim.
INSPECTION
Before installing the MIX1, continue the inspection by running a quick performance check. Feed input signals to the
mic or aux input channels and connect the main output to a test amplifier and speaker. MAKE SURE THE UNIT IS
GROUNDED BEFORE TESTING. In this way you can check the basic operation of the MIX1 before actually
installing the unit and making all of the final terminations required for the permanent installation. If shipping damage
has resulted in the MIX1 being inoperable out of the box, call Lowell Customer Service to arrange for a replacement.
INITIAL PERFORMANCE CHECK
The MIX1 is equipped with a North American style NEMA 5-15P attached AC cord with a 3-prong grounded plug for
a 120 VAC 50/60 power source. WARNING: THE MIX1 MUST BE EARTH GROUNDED.
POWER WIRING
MOUNTING THE MIX1
The rubber feet on the MIX1 chassis allow it to be
placed on a counter top or on a wooden or metal
wall-mount shelf. Rack mounting ears have been
included so the MIX1 can be mounted to any
standard 19" equipment cabinet using standard
10-32 Phillips-head machine screws (like the Lowell
model RS or RSP rack screws) with integral plastic
washers to protect the finish of the front panel of the
MIX1. Mount the rack mounting ears to the MIX1
using the two (2) chassis screws on each side of the
unit as shown.
The MIX1 Aux inputs are standard high-impedance unbalanced RCA phono jacks. Aux input
cables should be wired with the pin “hot” or “+” and with the sleeve “common” or “-”.
AUX INPUT CONNECTIONS
Sleeve
_+
Pin
GENERAL WIRING AND INSTALLATION GUIDELINES
DO NOT run microphone cables near AC power wires, data cables, telephone cables, or speaker wiring to avoid
picking up extraneous signals in the sound system.
DO NOT run speaker output cables near data cables, telephone cables, or other low voltage wiring that could pick
up the signal from the higher level speaker cables.
DO NOT run high impedance unbalanced wiring more than 20' to avoid picking up noise and affecting the frequency
response of the sound system.
DO use shielded cable for all microphone and line level cables (except the balanced 600 ohm input line from a
telephone system may be twisted pair cable).
DO make sure that all speakers are wired in phase with each other.
DO make sure there are no short circuits on the loudspeaker lines before connecting them to the amplifier output.
Chassis Screws

4
REMOVABLE
PHOENIX
CONNECTOR
Lowell Manufacturing Company 100 Integram Drive Pacific, Missouri 63069 U.S.A.
Call: 800-325-9660 Fax: [phone] Click: www.lowellmfg.com
Instruction Sheet
IS-MIX1
Issued: 6-1-14
The MIX1 “MAIN” output connection is an RCA phono jack. The connecting output cable should
be wired with the pin “hot” or “+” and with the sleeve “common” or “-”. The main output jack is
fed after the master volume control and low cut filter.
MAIN OUTPUT JACK CONNECTION
Sleeve
_+
Pin
PHANTOM POWER
The microphone inputs on the MIX1 do not provide phantom power for condenser microphones. An external
phantom power supply (sold by others) may be used to provide phantom power to a condenser microphone before
feeding the signal to the MIX1 microphone input.
Microphones may be connected to the three (3) screw terminals for the “MIC” input of channel 1 through channel 6.
Note: the input channel chosen will depend on the muting scheme chosen. For example: If the microphone will
have the highest priority and will mute all other channels, connect to the channel 1 “MIC” input and set the “MUTE”
switch to “2-8”. If the microphone will be a lower level priority and will be muted by an input fed to channel 1,
choose the microphone input on channel 2-6.
MICROPHONE INPUT WIRING
GND MIC +
+
__
MIC
CH2CH1+
_
Shield Shield
From
Microphone
If the 600Wbalanced page port output is a line level output and is not adjustable, it is best to use the Lowell
TLM-600 matching transformer (or any other 600Wbalanced to high impedance unbalanced telephone
transformer adaptor) and feed the telephone page input to the channel 1 Aux input RCA jack (as shown below).
Note: The MIX1 muting priority for channel 1 is still functional when using the Aux input RCA jack to feed the
paging input to channel 1.
From a
600W
Balanced
Telephone
System
Page-Port
Output
600WStranded Twisted-Pair Wiring
Shielded wiringfrom atelephone page port output would not typically be shielded,
butif shielded wiring is used, wire thefeed as shown below:
BUTT SHIELD
(No connection) DRAIN
SHIELD GND MIC +
+
__
CH1
CH2
MIC
600W25kW
Lowell
TLM-600
From a
600W
Balanced
Telephone
System
Page-Port
Output
600WStranded Twisted-Pair Wiring
Shielded wiringfrom atelephone page port output would
not typically be shielded, butif shielded wiring is used,
wire thefeed as shown below:
BUTT SHIELD
(No connection)
DRAIN
SHIELD
GND MIC +
+
_ _
MIC
CH1
RCA Cord To Plug
Into Aux CH1 Is Not
Included With TLM-600
Sleeve
_+
Pin
Shield(-)
Center
Conductor (+)
TELEPHONE INPUT WIRING
The page port output from a telephone system will be a 600Wbalanced line level output. If the telephone page
port output can be reduced to a microphone level, it is possible to connect the telephone page feed to the
channel 1 “MIC” input of the MIX1 (as shown below) .

5
REMOVABLE
PHOENIX
CONNECTOR
Lowell Manufacturing Company 100 Integram Drive Pacific, Missouri 63069 U.S.A.
Call: 800-325-9660 Fax: [phone] Click: www.lowellmfg.com
Instruction Sheet
IS-MIX1
Issued: 6-1-14
When the MIX1 “LOW FILTER” switch is in the “ON” position, the low frequency content is rolled off in the “MAIN
OUT” output, “MIC” balanced output, and “LINE” balanced output. This is particularly useful in a case where
microphones are exhibiting bass frequency “boominess”, or for an application in a reverberent space (such as a
gymnasium) when low frequencies reduce speech articulation. We recommend that the low cut filter always be
engaged to act as horn protection (trumpet protection) when the sound system is feeding paging horns.
LOW CUT FILTER SWITCH
The red “PEAK” LED located on the front panel flashes when the peaks are approaching full output. Ocasional
flashing of the “PEAK’ led is acceptable. A steady bright red glow could indicate that the MIX1 mixer/preamplifier is
being over-driven, or there is sub-sonic or ultra-sonic oscillation in the system and these conditions should be
corrected.
PEAK LED (RED)
The MIX1 balanced “MIC” level and “LINE” level outputs are available at screw
terminals. These outputs are fed after the master volume control and low cut filter.
BALANCED MIC AND LINE OUTPUTS GND MIC ++
_ _
LINE
The MIX1 “TAPE OUT” connection is an RCA phono jack. The connecting output cable should
be wired with the pin “hot” or “+” and with the sleeve “common” or “-”. The tape output jack is
available to feed a recording device and is not affected by the master volume control or the low
cut filter.
TAPE OUTPUT
Sleeve
_+
Pin
The MIX1 mix bus connection is an RCA phono jack. The connecting output cable should be
wired with the pin “hot” or “+” and with the sleeve “common” or “-”. The mix bus jack is available
to link up to a maximum of four (4) MIX1 mixer/preamplifiers and is not affected by the master
volume control or the low cut filter. When MIX1 units are linked by connecting the mix buses, all
inputs appear at the outputs of all units. Note: The muting functions are only local to one mixer.
MIX BUS LINK JACK
Sleeve
_+
Pin
MUTING-PRIORITY SCHEME
The MIX1 mixer/preamplifier includes a unique voice-activated (VOX) ducking/muting circuitry. When a page is
made, other inputs (such as a music input) that are set up at a lower muting level, softly lower in volume during the
page. If the volume of the page is not strong, the music will only duck in volume (not be completely muted). If the
incoming page is strong in level, the music volume will be completely muted. When the page has been completed,
the volume of the music will return to its normal level. The MIX1 has two muting schemes that may be selected at
the “MUTE” switch on the rear of the unit. With the “MUTE” switch is in the “2-8” position, an input to either the
channel 1 mic screw terminals or the channel 1 aux input, will mute all other channels mic and aux inputs. With the
“MUTE” switch in the “A-B” position, an input to any of the channel 1-6 mic screw terminals or aux inputs, will mute
the channel 7 aux input (from either the channel 7 “A” or “B” RCA input jack).
5) Finally turn up the rest of the input controls on the MIX1 to the desired level to balance with the input that was set
in Step 3 (making sure that the peak light rarely flashes).
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
Setting the controls on the MIX1 is dependent on the particular application and system design, but there are some
basic guidelines that should be followed to maximize the performance of the mixer/preamplifier:
1) Set your power amplifier’s level control all the way down (fully counter-clockwise).
3) Choose the most important input (for example the paging microphone) and turn up that input control while talking
into the microphone until the peak light starts to flash. Then turn down that control to where in normal use the
peak light no longer flashes.
4) Turn up your power amplifier’s level control to the desired system volume.
2) Set the “MASTER” volume control on the MIX1 to about 70% (about 2 o’clock).

6
REMOVABLE
PHOENIX
CONNECTOR
Lowell Manufacturing Company 100 Integram Drive Pacific, Missouri 63069 U.S.A.
Call: 800-325-9660 Fax: [phone] Click: www.lowellmfg.com
Instruction Sheet
IS-MIX1
Issued: 6-1-14
TYPICAL SYSTEM CONFIGURATIONS
Mic In
Aux In CH1
Mic In
Aux In CH2
Mic In
Aux In CH3
Mic In
Aux In CH4
Mic In
Aux In CH5
Mic In
Aux In CH6
Aux B
Aux A CH7
Balanced
Line Out
Main Out
Tape Out
Balanced
Mic Out
Mix Bus
MIX1
Optional
EQ1
Equalizer
PA250
Power
Amplifier
Loudspeaker
System
Music
Source
Paging Microphone
Basic Paging System with One or More Paging Microphones
Set “MUTE” switch
to “A-B”
Mic In
Aux In CH1
Mic In
Aux In CH2
Mic In
Aux In CH3
Mic In
Aux In CH4
Mic In
Aux In CH5
Mic In
Aux In CH6
Aux B
Aux A CH7
Balanced
Line Out
Main Out
Tape Out
Balanced
Mic Out
Mix Bus
MIX1
Optional
EQ1
Equalizer
PA250
Power
Amplifier Loudspeaker
System
Music
Source
Basic Paging System with Telephone Paging
Set “MUTE” switch to “A-B”
Telephone
System
Page-Port
600WOutput
Lowell
TLM-600
Matching
Transformer
600W-25kW
Paging Microphone
Paging Microphone
Mic In
Aux In CH1
Mic In
Aux In CH2
Mic In
Aux In CH3
Mic In
Aux In CH4
Mic In
Aux In CH5
Mic In
Aux In CH6
Aux B
Aux A CH7
Balanced
Line Out
Main Out
Tape Out
Balanced
Mic Out
Mix Bus
MIX1
Optional
EQ1
Equalizer
PA250
Power
Amplifier
Loudspeaker
System
Music
Source
Basic Sound System with 5 Mic Jacks and Music Source
Set “MUTE” switch to “A-B”. Note that in a case where the microphones are used to “sing along” with the music,
it’s important to avoid feeding the music to CH7 so the music is not muted by the microphones.
Lowell WP1-NC3FD
Wall Plates Typical
Microphone
Do Not
Use CH7

7
REMOVABLE
PHOENIX
CONNECTOR
Lowell Manufacturing Company 100 Integram Drive Pacific, Missouri 63069 U.S.A.
Call: 800-325-9660 Fax: [phone] Click: www.lowellmfg.com
Instruction Sheet
IS-MIX1
Issued: 6-1-14
Basic Sound System with 10 Mic Jacks and 2 Music Source
Mic In
Aux In CH1
Mic In
Aux In CH2
Mic In
Aux In CH3
Mic In
Aux In CH4
Mic In
Aux In CH5
Mic In
Aux In CH6
Aux B
Aux A CH7
Balanced
Line Out
Main Out
Tape Out
Balanced
Mic Out
Mix Bus
MIX1
Optional
EQ1
Equalizer
PA250
Power
Amplifier Loudspeaker
System
Music
Source #1
Set “MUTE” switch
to “A-B”
Lowell WP1-NC3FD
Wall Plates Typical
Microphone
Mic In
Aux In CH1
Mic In
Aux In CH2
Mic In
Aux In CH3
Mic In
Aux In CH4
Mic In
Aux In CH5
Mic In
Aux In CH6
Aux B
Aux A CH7
Balanced
Line Out
Main Out
Tape Out
Balanced
Mic Out
Mix Bus
MIX1
Music
Source #2
Microphone
Set “MUTE” switch
to “A-B”
Basic Room-Combining System
Mic In
Aux In CH1
Mic In
Aux In CH2
Mic In
Aux In CH3
Mic In
Aux In CH4
Mic In
Aux In CH5
Mic In
Aux In CH6
Aux B
Aux A CH7
Balanced
Line Out
Main Out
Tape Out
Balanced
Mic Out
Mix Bus
MIX1
Set “MUTE” switch
to “A-B”
Lowell WP1-NC3FD
Wall Plates Typical
Microphone
Mic In
Aux In CH1
Mic In
Aux In CH2
Mic In
Aux In CH3
Mic In
Aux In CH4
Mic In
Aux In CH5
Mic In
Aux In CH6
Aux B
Aux A CH7
Balanced
Line Out
Main Out
Tape Out
Balanced
Mic Out
Mix Bus
MIX1
Microphone
Set “MUTE” switch
to “A-B”
1 Combined Room Sound System
2 Separate Room SoundSystems
Optional
EQ1
Equalizer
PA250
Power
Amplifier
Loudspeaker
System
Room#1
Optional
EQ1
Equalizer
PA250
Power
Amplifier
Loudspeaker
System
Room#2
RoomCombining Switch
Music
Source
Room#2
Music
Source
Room #1
Lowell WP1-NC3FD
Wall Plates Typical
Operation: Each room’s
sound system operates
independently until the
“Room Combining Switch”
connects themix buses,
at which time all inputs
in both room systems
are heard through the
speakers in both rooms.
Note that in acase where the microphones are usedto
“sing along” with the music, it’s important to avoid
feeding the music to CH7 so the musicisnot muted by
the microphones.
Note that in acase where the microphones are usedto
“sing along” with the music, it’s important to avoid
feeding the music to CH7 so the music isnot muted by
the microphones.

8
REMOVABLE
PHOENIX
CONNECTOR
Lowell Manufacturing Company 100 Integram Drive Pacific, Missouri 63069 U.S.A.
Call: 800-325-9660 Fax: [phone] Click: www.lowellmfg.com
Read these instructions. Keep these instructions. Heed all warnings.
Follow all instructions. Do not use this apparatus near water.
Clean only with a dry cloth.
Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.
Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers)
that produce heat.
Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type plug. A polarized plug has two blades with
one wider than the other. A grounding-type plug has two blades and a third grounding prong. The wide blade or
third prong is provided for your safety. If the provided plug does not fit into your outlet, consult an electrician for
replacement of the obsolete outlet.
Protect the power cord and plug from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles,
and the point where it exits from the apparatus.
Only use attachments and accessories specified by the manufacturer.
Use only with the cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table specified by the manufacturer, or sold with the apparatus.
When a cart is used, use caution when moving the cart/apparatus combination to avoid injury from tip-over.
Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time.
Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus has been damaged in
any way, such as power supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the
apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped.
The plug on the power cord is the AC mains disconnect device and must remain readily operable. To completely
disconnect this apparatus from the AC mains, disconnect the power supply cord plug from the AC receptacle.
This apparatus shall be connected to a mains socket outlet with a protective earthing connection.
When permanently connected, an all-pole mains switch with a contact separation of at least 3 mm in each pole
shall be incorporated in the electrical installation of the building.
If rack mounting, provide adequate ventilation. Equipment may be located above or below this apparatus, but
some equipment (like large power amplifiers) may cause an unacceptable amount of hum or may generate too
much heat and degrade the performance of this apparatus.
This apparatus may be installed in an industry standard equipment rack. Use screws through all mounting holes
to provide the best support.
WARNING: To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this apparatus to rain or moisture. Apparatus
shall not be exposed to dripping or splashing and no objects filled with liquids, such as vases, shall be placed on the
apparatus. This product may contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, or birth defects or
other reproductive harm.
NOTE: This equipment may generate, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance
with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference
will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which
can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more
of the following measures: Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
CAUTION: Changes or modifications not expressly approved by Lowell Manufacturing will void the manufacturers warranty.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
Instruction Sheet
IS-MIX1
Issued: 6-1-14