Mackie 1604-VLZ3 User manual

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1604-VLZ3 PROFESSIONAL
COMPACT MIXER
FEATURES:
■Ultra-compact 16-channel mixer featuring Mackie
VLZ3’s signature low noise, high-headroom design
■16 studio-grade XDR2™ Extended Dynamic Range mic
preamps with:
 •Ultra-wide60dBgainrange
 •130dBdynamicrange
 •+22dBulineinputhandling
 •Extendedlow-frequencyresponse
 •Distortionunder0.0007%(20Hz–20kHz)
 •Phantompowerforstudiocondensermics
■16 high-headroom line inputs, 16 channel inserts
■Advanced DC pulse transformer RF rejection
■ 60mmlong-wearinglogarithmictaperfaders
■ Sixauxsends,level,pan,–20dB/SoloLEDand 
 Overload/MuteLEDoneachchannel
■ Four stereo aux returns, eight Direct Outs,
 fourGroup/Busoutputs
■3-band active EQ with sweepable midrange
■ 18dB/octave,75Hzlow-cutlteroneachchannel
■ Controlroom/phonesmulti-inputsourcematrix
■ Balanced1/4”inputsandoutputs(exceptinserts)
■Rack-mountable design with three physical
 congurationsviarotatingI/Opod
■Sealed rotary controls to resist dust and grime
■Multi-voltage power supply for worldwide use
■Rugged steel chassis
1604-VLZ3
The 1604-VLZ3 is the flagship mixer of the series, the
culmination of 20 years experience in mixer design and the
standard for production and broadcast facilities worldwide.
With improved XDR2™ mic preamps, a re-designed mix bus,
and optimized active EQ on every channel, the 1604-VLZ3 is
packed with premium features and maximum flexibility.
The 1604-VLZ3 is equipped with 16 mono mic/line
channels, four subgroup outputs, a stereo main out and a
mono main out.
Each channel has phantom power, an input Gain control
with 60 dB of gain, a sharp 18 dB/octave, 75 Hz Low Cut
filter, a 3-band EQ with sweepable mid, six Aux sends, Pan,
Mute, Solo, assign switches, a 60mm fader and a Channel
Insert jack for connecting an external processor. In addition,
channels 1-8 have their own Direct Out jacks for sending
signal to a recorder.
The Control Room/Phones section has its own level control,
outputs and input matrix for selecting any combination of
Main Mix, Tape In and Subs to create custom headphone
mixes, to monitor tape levels and more.
Aux Send 1 and 2 each have a master level control and a
switch on each channel for selecting pre- or post-fader send,
whereas Aux Send 3-6 are a fixed post-fader send, perfect
for effects loops. There are four stereo returns with various
routing options for each return.
Other features include a stereo tape input and output, a 1/4-
inch stereo headphone jack, stereo 12-segment LED meters,
BNC lamp socket and TRS stereo output jacks.
No matter what the application, the 1604-VLZ3 may be
configured for optimal use. As a tabletop mixer, input/output
jacks may be positioned at the rear of the unit or, with the
optional RotoPod kit (RotoPod-VLZ), positioned on the same
plane as the controls. Placed in a rack, the 1604-VLZ3 may be
set so that the jacks are facing front (using the RotoPod kit) or
facing the rear to keep wandering hands from playing with cords.
The 1604-VLZ3 is designed for continuous hassle-free
use in any application or installation, and it’s packed with
useful features and practical routing capabilities. A legend
perfected, the 1604-VLZ3 is an unbelievable workhorse that
is perfect for nearly any application.
APPLICATIONS
Live sound mixing, houses of worship, clubs, gymnasiums,
banquet halls, conference rooms, boardrooms, multitrack
studio and field recording, video post-production,
multimedia applications, broadcast, and many, many more.

1604-VLZ3 PROFESSIONAL
COMPACT MIXER
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1604-VLZ3 SPECIFICATIONS
Noise Characteristics
(Mic in to Insert Send out, max gain)
150 termination, 20 Hz to 20 kHz bandwidth –129.5 dBu
(20 Hz to 20 kHz bandwidth, 1/4” Main Out, channel gains @ unity
gain, channel EQs flat, all channels assigned to Main Mix, odd
channels panned left, even channels panned right)
Main Mix fader @ unity, channel faders down –88.5 dBu
Main Mix fader @ unity, channel faders @ unity –82.5 dBu
Signal-to-Noise Ratio, ref. +4 dBu 92 dBu
Frequency Response
(Mic input to any output)
20 Hz to 60 kHz +0 dB / –1 dB
20 Hz to 100 kHz +0 dB / –3 dB
Distortion (THD+N)
(1 kHz @ 35 dB gain, 20 Hz to 20 kHz bandwidth)
Mic In to Insert Send <0.0007%
Mic In to Main Out <0.005%
Attenuation and Crosstalk
(1 kHz relative to 0 dBu, 20 Hz to 20 kHz bandwidth, Line In,
1/4” Main Out, Gain @ unity)
Channel Mute switch engaged –84 dBu
Channel Gain knob down –84 dBu
Common Mode Rejection Ratio (CMRR)
(Mic In to Insert Send out)
1 kHz better than –70 dB
Maximum Levels
Mic In +22 dBu
All other inputs +22 dBu
Main Mix TRS Out +28 dBu
All other outputs +22 dBu
EQ
High Shelving ±15 dB @ 12 kHz
Mid Peaking ±15 dB sweep 100 Hz-8 kHz
Low Shelving ±15 dB @ 80 Hz
Low Cut Filter 18 dB/octave, –3 dB @ 75 Hz
Input and Output Impedance
Mic In 2.5 k
Channel Insert Return 2.5 k
All other inputs 10 k or greater
Tape Out 1.1 k
All other outputs 120
AC Power Requirements
Power Consumption 50 watts
US, JP 100 – 120 VAC, 50 – 60 Hz
Fuse rating 1A slo blo, 5 x 20 mm
EU 200 – 240 VAC, 50 – 60 Hz
Fuse rating 0.5A slo blo, 5 x 20 mm
Operating Temperature 0˚ – 40˚C
32˚ – 104˚F
Physical Properties (packaged product)
Height 22.0 in / 559 mm
Width 21.0 in / 533 mm
Depth 9.4 in / 240 mm
Shipping Weight 31.2 lb / 14.2 kg
Physical Properties (product)
Height 17.5 in / 445 mm
Width 17.3 in / 440 mm
Depth 5.1 in / 129 mm
Net Weight 20.0 lb / 9.1 kg
Options
RotoPod Kit / Bracket Set 090-050-90
Mixer Bag 093-004-02
Dust Cover 093-009-00
Ordering Information
1604-VLZ3 16-Ch./4-Bus Compact Recording/SR Mixer, US
P/N 0018454-00
1604-VLZ3 16-Ch./4-Bus Compact Recording/SR Mixer, EU
P/N 0018454-01
1604-VLZ3 16-Ch./4-Bus Compact Recording/SR Mixer, JP
P/N 0018454-02

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1604-VLZ3 PROFESSIONAL
COMPACT MIXER
1. WEIGHT APPROX. 20.0 lb [9.1 kg].
2. SHIPPING WEIGHT APPROX. 31.2 lb [14.2 kg].
1604-VLZ3 DIMENSIONS

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1604-VLZ3 PROFESSIONAL
COMPACT MIXER
MAIN L
SUB 3
MAIN R
SUB 2
SUB 1
SUB 4
AUX 1
AUX 2
AUX 3
AUX 4
AUX 5
AUX 6
SIP L
SIP R
PFL
LOGIC
75Hz
HPF
MID HI
80 100–8K 12K
LO L
R 1 2 3 4
SIP L SIP R PFL
PHANTOM POWER (GLOBAL SWITCH GAIN
MIC IN
LINE IN
DIRECT OUT (CH'S 1–8 ONLY)
INSERT
LOW CUT
–20 (FLICKER)
SOLO (GLOW)
OL (FLICKER)
MUTE (GLOW)
EQ
GAIN FREQ
FADER
MUTE
PAN ASSIGN
PRE
AUX 1 AUX 2
AUX 3 AUX 4
SHIFT 5/6
INPUT CHANNEL (1 OF 16)
STEREO RETURN 1 STEREO RETURN 2 STEREO RETURN 4 STEREO RETURN 3
L R L R L R L R
LEVEL TO L/R LEVEL TO L/R
LEVEL LEVEL
ASSIGN TO C-R/PHNS ONLY MAIN/SUBS
1–2/3–4
TO AUX 1 TO AUX 2
SOLO
TO SOLO LED
SIP L SIP R
PFL
SOLO
MACKIE 1604-VLZ3 SIGNAL FLOW 9th Feb 2007
CR/PHN L
CR/PHN R
SOLO RELAY
ASSIGN TO MIX
MAIN MIX
INSERT
FADER R
MAIN MIX MONO OUT MAIN MIX LEFT OUT TAPE OUT LEFT
TAPE OUT RIGHT
MAIN MIX RIGHT OUT
METERS
(0VU = 0dBu)
TAPE IN
L
R
TAPE LEVEL
C-R/ PHONES SOURCE
MAIN TAPE
1–2
RUDE SOLO LED
C-R/PHONES MIX
C-R/ PHONES LEVEL CONTROL ROOM OUT
L
R
PHONES OUT
SIP/PFL
SOLO LEVEL
SOLO MIX SUB 1 MIX
FADER FADER
ASSIGN TO MAIN MIX
L R
SUB 1 OUT
SUBMIX 1 (SUBMIX 3 IDENTICAL)
SUB 2 MIX
ASSIGN TO MAIN MIX
L R
SUB 2 OUT
SUBMIX 2 (SUBMIX 4 IDENTICAL)
AUX MIX
LEVEL
AUX SEND 1 (#2 IDENTICAL)
AUX 1 OUT
AUX SEND 3 (#4–6 IDENTICAL)
AUX 3 OUT
SOLO
3–4
(FROM SUB 3 OUT) (FROM SUB 4 OUT)
20 10 7 4 2 0 2 4 7 10 20 30
LEVEL SET (PFL) LED
MONO LEVEL
1604-VLZ3 BLOCK DIAGRAM

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1604-VLZ3 PROFESSIONAL
COMPACT MIXER
1604-VLZ3 FRONT AND REAR PANELS

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1604-VLZ3 PROFESSIONAL
COMPACT MIXER
Part No. SW0773 Rev. B 12/10
Since we are always striving to make our products better by
incorporating new and improved materials, components, and
manufacturing methods, we reserve the right to change these
specications at any time without notice. “Mackie” and the “Running
Man” gure are registered trademarks of LOUD Technologies Inc.
All other brand names mentioned are trademarks or registered
trademarks of their respective holders, and are hereby acknowledged.
©2010 LOUD Technologies Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Electronic les for this product are available at:
www.mackie.com
Specification Sheet 1604VLZ3_SS.PDF
Owner’s Manual 1604VLZ3_OM.PDF
www.mackie.com
16220 Wood-Red Road NE
Woodinville, WA 98072 USA
800-898-3211, Fax [phone], [email protected]