Yamaha MC1204 User manual

@YAMAHA
Series Mixers
OPERAl'lNG MANUAL
MC1204
C1604
MC2404

The Yamaha MC-series mixers have been designed to meet a broad variety
of applications with uncompromising overall electronic performance and
superior control capability. Their broad versatility and plentiful complement
of control features make them ideal for sound reinforcement, recording,
theater and production applications. Further, state-of-the-art design and
technology has made it possible to offer such exceptional flexibility and per-
formance at significantly reduced cost.
Your MC-series mixer should provide you with years of trouble-free perfor-
mance . To make the most ofall the features and performance it provides,
however, we recommend that you read this operating manual thoroughly
before use.
CONTENTS
Front Panel Operation
Input Channels ..... ... ".. . . .... 2
Echo Return and Group Out Sections ...... .. ...... . .. . .... .4
FB Oul, Echo Send and Stereo Out Sections ...... ...... .. ....... . .. " .......... 6
Phones and Talkback Section ".............. . ....." . . ....... ...... .... ....... 7
Rear Panel Connections ............... .. ... " ...... .. ." ................. ...... .. .. .. ..... " .. ......... " ... 8
VU Meters .......... . .. .... .. ........................ . ...... .. ............. ... .. ..... ..... . .. . .. ....................... ..9
Installation "." ....... .. .... .... . .. .... . ....... .. ......... .. .... .. . .. ........ ..... .. ... ................ .. .. "".,, 10
Operating Tips .... . ."."" .. " ..... .. ,, .......... .... ...... .. .. ... .... .. ". .. ...... ..." .. " .. 11
Application Examples .... .. ... "....... ................... .." ." .. " .. ....... ". ... . .... " .. .. 12
Specifications ... ". " ..... " .... ...... ............ ... .... " ........ .... ." .. ... ...... . ..... .. . .. ... ... . .. .. .. ... 15
Block Diagram ...................... . ..... .... .......... ..... ................ . ... . .... ." ..... .. 17
Level Diagram ...... ............. ............ .... ... .. ... .... .... ...... .... ... .... ........... ". ..... ............. 18

FRONT PANEL OPERATION
Input Channels
- ,~ • 15
M'D
o
11111111111111 1 111111111111 111 11
PAD ....
. ~ - eo
GA'N
... -t---iKt
. t::. • ,~
HIGH
o PAD switch, GAIN control and PEAK LED
These adjust the input sensitivity of the MC mixers over a wide range. The PAD switch
inserts a
20 dB pad ahead of the head amplifier, and the GAIN control continuously
adjusts the sensitivity of the head amplifier between -
20 and -60 dB.
The PEAK LED lights whenever the channel's post-EO, pre-fader signal comes within
3 dB
of clipping, warning the operator of impending channel overload.
8 HIGH, MID FREO/MID and LOW EO controls
These continuously variable controls allow ± 15 dB of equalization in the following
frequency ranges:
HIGH
.. .. .................... .. ....................... ... ... ... .. . .. . ... ..............10 kHz shelving.
MID/FREOUENCY........
.. . ''''''' ''' .......... .. ........, .. .. .. .. ,........ ... 350 Hz-5 kHz
peaking.
LOW ..............................................
.. ..................................100 Hz shelving.
Response
is flat at the center position.
( dB
)
tl!\
+10
t!\
w
VI
Z
~ 0
VI
w
Q:
-5
-10
-15
~
-~
.(
~
~
/
V
I... ~
-. ....
.
'\..
\.
'U' ,
~
/
~ ....
IK'"
FRE
"""
I 1\
hi
I
J
'\.. / I~
)'/
....
'}#'
.....
-
.".-
~
~
, "
~
V
\'~
1\
:\
,
~If
1
1
1'-"
1\
'\..
""
....."
~
~
/
I"
I ,
"""'--
I
~.,..
1
(Hz I
lAo d I 100 Ik 10k
W FB 1 an FB 2 send contro s FREOUENCY
These controls feed a pre-EO, pre-fader signal to the Foldback 1 and Foldback 2
busses which
feed the FB 1 and FB 2 outputs, respectively.
These busses would normally
be used for stage foldback or monitor speaker systems.
Internal P.e. board jumpers are provided for changing the foldbacks to post
EO and
fader for use
as additional echo/effect sends. This modification can be made at any
Yamaha Service Center.
Post Insert 1/0
Pre EO Post EO Pre Fader
Po st Fader
F8 1.2
..... .... ... ......
FACTORY
SET
..... ........... 0 0 ........ .
ECHO 1.2 0 0 FACTORY
SET
o ECHO 1 and ECHO 2 controls
Adjusts the amount of post- EO , post-fader signal fed from that channel to the ECHO 1
and
ECHO 2 busses, which feed the ECHO 1 and ECHO 2 outputs, respectively.
The ecM busses may be used to feed outboard effect devices or as additional
foldback/monitor sends.
2

o PAN control and Group 1·2/3·4 Assignment Switches
The P'AN control assigns the channel fader output to group busses 1 -2 and/or 3-4
according to the setting of the buss assignment switches. When group assignment
switch 1
-2 is engaged, the signal is panned between busses 1 and 2. If 3-4 is engaged
the signal
is panned between busses 3 and 4. Both switches can be engaged, in which
case
the signal is panned between group busses 1 -3 and 2-4. Panning left delivers
more signal to busses 1 and
3, while panning right delivers more signal to busses
2 and 4.
o CUE button
Pressing the CUE button on any channel permits monitoring of only the selected chan-
nel signal via the headphone output. All other outputs are not affected. If more than
one channel
is "cued", their signals are summed and fed to the headphone output.
o CH ON buHon
The CH ON button turns the respective channel ON or OFF. This is handy for rapid
punch-ins
or punch-outs, or for temporarily killing a channel without disturbing the mix
fader level.
«3 Channel Fader
These set the mix level of each channel. These smooth linear faders also provide
a good visual indication of the overall mix levels. Rated output (nominal) level is
achieved with the fader set
at "6" ( ~ .... ) on the scale.
.
CH24,.,.rr----4-H-.~--_f:l
-20- -60dB
I MID fREO)
GROUP ECHO fB _
I 2 :5 4 I 2 I 2 OJE CUE
r--- LO Z
CH INPUT
MC 1204 CHI-(;HI2
MC 1604 CHI - CHI6
I ' :5
MC 2404 CH I -
l- ----®-I-®
L-- HI Z
~r- - -+@-I~
I
:C CH ON )
~--H-++'"
I
I I - ---+--H-+-H
~
'--------+-<~---r-L:-~
~-C-U-E-4~~+4~
3

r------,
, .,
o
, ..
ST !REO
O' "'
ECHO RETURN I
CuE
o "'
G'1QUP our,
L •
GRO UP ' PAN
111111 111 11111111 1 1111 1 1111111111 11 11 11111 1
GROUP I
Echo Return and Group Out Sections
o Echo PAN control and 1·213·4ISTEREO assign switches
The PAN control assigns the echo return signal received at the appropriate ECHO
RTN jack to group busses 1-2 and/or 3-4 according to the setting of the buss assign-
ment switches.
The same signal can also be set to and panned across the LlR stereo
buss
by engaging the STEREO switch. When group assignment switch 1-2 is engaged,
the signal
is panned between busses 1 and 2. If 3-4 is engaged the signal is panned
between busses 3
and 4. Both switches can be engaged, in which case the signal is
panned between group busses 1-3 and 2·4. Panning left delivers more signal to
busses 1
and 3, while panning right delivers more signal to busses 2 and 4.
8 ECHO RETURN control
This control is used to match the sensitivity of the corresponding ECHO RTN input to
the output level of the external echo device used . Setting th is control to "8" on the
scale delivers rated output for a +4 dB input level.
8 CUE button
Pressing the CUE button permits monitoring of only the selected echo signal via the
headphone output.
All other outputs are not aHected.
GROOP ECHO FB STERE O
1 2 3 4 1 2 1 2
ruE CUE L R
ECHORTNI~
r----&>
(+4dBl
a
ECHO RETURN I)
f----b
ECHO RTN 2 ~'~
(+4dBl (ECHO RETURN 2)
"3L
(-
<
'.
\
,
(PAN) ,) \ \
-(-
2·4 ·R
' ·3 ·L
f
( \ \
,
(
PAN ) > \ \\
"-¥
2·4 ·R
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
o GROUP OUT control
This control adjusts the overall level at the corresponding G RO UP OUT XLR type con-
ne cto r. The GROUP master fade r does not aHect the level at the GROUP OUT XLR
-
type connector. Rated output (nominal) level is achieved at a setting of "8" on the
GROUP OUT control sca le .
1
J o ~ (~
Group ON Sw Group f ader
~ t----&>-
Group Ou, Vo '
Pre Post
Group ON Sw Group ON Sw
Group Fader
(Mix to
SD
0
FA C TOR Y SET
" GROUP PAN control
The GROUP PAN control a ss ign s the corresponding group signal to the Land R
STEREO busses.
4

IN /ou T:5
,----- -- --+t- . •• ' , ' 3
10 'I v .III f l.' @A OV P OuT \ 1.. ..
ST'[R£D
,.
~ - o !. ~ 1
INPUT
1 ~ 2
~ ~ ~ ~ !
ECHO RTN GROUP OUT
I' t4d8 1
GROuP INSERT ~ - ~
I
GROUP SUB IN I _~---.
(
GROUP SUB IN 4--l_--+-t+i
J
.- ---- .. - vu - ~ - " . - , ----H-
~ -------- ~ -
tOYU W". '
W" ~ ) ~ !~ t l~ ~
• CUE button
Pressing the CUE button permits monitoring of only the selected group signal via the
headphone output only. Signals inserted
at the GROUP INSERT jacks are included
f) GROUP ON button
The GROUP ON button turns the respective GROUP output ON or OFF. This is handy
for rapid group punch-ins or punch-outs, or for temporarily killing a group without
disturbing the mix level.
The GROUP ON button affects both the group XLR type out-
puts
and the group feed to the Land R stereo buss.
o GROUP Master Fader
The GROUP master fader controls the overall level of the corresponding group signal
sent to the LlR STEREO program buss. Rated output (nominal) level is achieved with
the fader set to "6" (
~ ~ ) on the scale.
5

o '"
ECHO '
0
ECH02 '"
c..
c ct:
STE RE O L ON
111111111111 1 11111111111111111111
o '"
FlI'
o '"
fB 2
• STEREO
Foldback Out, Echo Send and Stereo Out Sections
o FB master controls
The FB 1 and FB 2 master controls control the overall level of the mix on the respec-
tive
FB busses to be delivered to the FB OUT connectors. Rated output (nominal) level
is achieved with the FB master controls set at "8" on the scale.
These outputs could be used to feed the on-stage foldback/monitor power amplifiers
and speakers.
8 CUE button
Pressi
ng the CUE button permits monitoring of only the selected FB signal via the
headphone output only.
o ECHO master controls
The ECHO 1 and ECHO 2 master controls control the overall level of the mix on the
respective
ECHO busses to be delivered to the ECHO SEND connectors. Rated output
(nominal)
level is achieved with the ECHO master controls set at "8" on the scale.
., CUE button
Pressing the
CUE but10n permits monitoring of only the selected echo signal via the
headphone output only.
GIIOO" ECH O ,.
12'4 12' 1 2' 0A: 5if'
INPUT
~
Jw
l7
I CJ
"----'n ' -----,
-iii;
r ECHO SEND
~
~ li4dB I
INPUT
I:;;..:: J E<i
=n
2
I ~
!
L ~
ECHO SUB IN I
I"--..
1- r;; '" i" ~ '---r
V I ,
qj? ~ 1
. '" ... ' FB OUT
ECHO SUB IN 2
--.. -.
11.4dB l
h .... 2
-----'
I-
V I
(ill)
~
..
FB SUB IN I
F8 SUB IN 2
o CUE (STEREO L CUE) button
Pressing the CUE but10n permits monitoring of only the stereo Signal via the L head-
phone output
only.
o STEREO L ON button
The STEREO ON but10n turns the respective STEREO L output channel ON or OFF.
These are useful
for turning off the console outputs after the sound check and all
levels have been
set
f) STEREO L master fader
Controls the overall level of the corresponding
STEREO L output channel-including
all GROUP, and ECHO RETURN Signals assigned to the respective stereo channel.
Rated output (nominal) level
is achieved with the fader set at "0" (max.) on the scale.
ST EREO
, .
GROUP-----.J
IfT[1tEO . QR
10 vu .,.. , .,
(ITE.E O~ .t~
~ / - U l ' L
<U£AEQ • ' AP E!\) , A I
STEREO OUT
ECHO RTN - ----II~
10 VU M• •• r ~ [ t 4dB I
J /~
~ .. R
( ~ ! J "( O ~ Rl _ O ~ LA
( ST ERE O A CU E )
L-.,~
~ to PHONES
( STEREO L CuE )
The abo ve appl ies in the same way to the R channel. 6

10
PHONES LEVEL
----
r:------:1
CJ '
, I
D :--t---t~1
• I
. ,
g :
_______ .J
SOdB
TALI( BA CK
Phones and Talkback Section
o PHONES jack
This jacks accepts a standard pair of stereo headphones When a CUE button is
pressed headphone output consists of the corresponding cue signal.
PHONES 8 CUE/PHONES LEVEL control
Controls the volume of the headphone output. Rated output is achieved with the con-
trol set at "8" on the scale.
1
CUE
INPUT, GROUP,
ECHO RETURN,
--
-- ..... ----
...... ----'
ECHO, FB, CUE
·0
I,
t~
:0
': ~ Ir~ PHONES
STEREO •
,
'J
t~.;"
:9 <CUE/PHONES
LEVEL )
L
@) Talkback Assign Switches
These switches determine to which mixing buss the talkback signal is sent. Talkback
can
be sent to the group 1, 2, 3 or 4 busses, the FB busses or the main stereo buss
by engaging the corresponding switch.
o Talkback INPUT connector
INPUT -A low-impedance talkback microphone can be connected here. Input level/impedance
at this connector is -50 dB/50-250 ohms.
o INPUT LEVEL control
Controls the level of the talkback signal. Rated (nominal) level is achieved with the
control set
at "8" on the scale.
o TALKBACK switch
Engaging this switch activates the talkback send to the selected mixing buss.
The talkback system is a very useful feature for audience announcements and com-
munication between the engineer and performers.
QIIOUp ECHO r8 _ STEREO
I 2 3 4 I 2 I 2 OJ[ CUE
l R
~::uS:CK ~~Y-=&>+\\\rl \, 1i+ - - - ---.-.+l
,. ,Od81 F V ~UT LEYEL ) II

RI EAR PANEL CONNECTIONS
• VOLTAGE SELECTOR (GENERAL MODEL
ONLY)
Before turning t he u ni t on. make sure that the
rear·panel voltage selector
is pro pe rl y se t accor·
di
ng to the line votlage in your area
Me 12 04
o CHANNEL INPUTS
Each input channel has
an electronically balanced
low-impedance
(LO Z) XLR-type input connector and
a high-impedance (HI Z) balanced 1/4" TRS (Tip-
Ring -Sleeve) phone jack. The inputs are designed for
50-250 ohm microphone or 600 ohm line sources
with
an input level from -60 to 0 dB. An internal
phantom power supply
(+ 48 V) is provided for
phantom-powered mics.
., CHANNEL INSERT IN/OUT connectors
These tip-ring-sleeve connectors provide
an unbalanc-
ed insert patch point between the channel gain control
and equalizer stages. The
IN line accepts a 600 ohm ,
-
10 dB signal, and the OUT line delivers a -10 dB
signal capable of driving a 10 k-ohm load impedance.
The CHANNEL INSERT input may be used to insert an
eHect device on a specific channel.
TRS Wiring Block Diagram
':': ~r
• '" T INSERT I /O II
~ • V-C-'
0000 6$ ~ ,
~
G tot D IN oUT
., PHANTOM switch
The internal phantom power supply can be switched .
ON and OFF in 4-input-channel sections. When the
PHANTOM switch is ON, 48 volts DC is applied across
pins 2 and 3 of the corresponding
XLR type connectors.
The phantom supply is disconnected if a plug is in-
serted into the HI Z TRS phone jack. Always be sure to
turn the PHANTOM supply OFF when not
in use.
NOTE:The PHANTOM power supply will not have any
eHect
on balanced dynamic microphones or
line sources when
ON . If unbalanced sources
or transformers with earthed center taps are
used, however, hum or even damage
to the
connected equipment could occur.
o GROUP INSERT IN/OUT connectors
These tip-ring-sleeve connectors provide an unbalanc-
ed insert patch point between the corresponding group
mixing buss and the group cue, ON/OFF and master
fader. The
IN line accepts a 600 ohm, -10 dB signal,
and the
OUT line delivers a - 10 dB signal capable of
driving a
10 k-ohm load impedance.
The GROUP
INSERT input is a convenient way of pat-
ching
in a device such as a compressor/limiter for use
on an enti re group of instruments.
o SUB IN (GROUP, FB. ECHO) connectors
These inputs are intended mainly for connection to
a second
MC - se ries mixer in order to increase the
number of available input channels. These are all
un -
balanced inputs with a matching level/impedance
of
+4 dB/600 ohms.
The outputs of the second console or submix
er would
be connected to the appropriate SUB IN connectors,
thus increasing the number
of input channels and
allowing
the master controls of the main console to
control both units (with the submixer master controls
at
nominal settings).
8

CD ECHO RETURN connectors
These connectors accept the output signal from exter-
nal echo. delay or reverb devices fed by the
ECHO
SEND connectors. These are unbalanced inputs with
an input level/impedance of +4 dB/600 ohms.
• ECHO SEND
connectors
The signal from these connectors is sent to external
echo. delay. or reverb devices. These are unbalanced
outputs with
an output level/impedance of +4 dB/600
ohms.
• GROUP OUT connectors
These connectors deliver the main group output signals
to the power amplifiers which will drive the main house
speakers
in a sound reinforcement system. or a tape
deck for recording applications. These are electronically
balanced outputs with a rated level/impedance of +4
dB/600 ohms.
o FB OUT connectors
The output from these connectors will mainly be used
to drive
the power amplifiers which will feed the stage
monitor speakers
in a sound reinforcement system. In a
VU METERS
recording system. both FB OUTs could be used to drive
the "control room" monitor system. or only one FB
OUT could
be used for the control room monitors. and
one used to drive a studio monitor or cue system. For
theater sound applications. the
FB OUTs could be used
to drive a
"fill" speaker system. These are electronical-
ly balanced outputs with a rated level/impedance of
+4 dB/600 ohms.
til STEREO OUT connectors
The stereo outputs can be used to feed the power
amplifiers which will drive the main house speakers
in
a sound reinforcement system. or a stereo tape deck
for recording. These are balanced outputs with a rated
output level/impedance of +4 dB/600 ohms.
., POWER switch
Turn this switch ON to apply AC power to the mixer.
The
VU meters light to indicate power ON.
4& AC POWER CORD
This 3-wire cord is for connection to any 120 V
AC. 60 Hz grounded outlet. (General model: 110-120 V.
220-240 V. 50/60 Hz) .
'>/:) 7 5 3 0 PE:"
~\\' \ \ \ 1111/11 ,,#.]
- Of>,o 60 SO,Oo,: +
VU IlIWtA
GROUP 1'2
FB 1'2
GROUP 3' 4 • ECH01'2
o VU Meters
These are VU-ballistic level meters with built-in peak
in-
dicator LEDs . The VU meters can be used to monitor
the GROUP 1-4. FB 1 and 2. ECHO 1 and 2. and
STEREO Land R output levels. A VU meter reading of
o dB corresponds to rated output. The PEAK LEDs light
at 8 dB above 0 VU .
VU METER
-20 VU -10 VU -5 VU o VU +3 VU
READING
+4 dB
-16 dB -6 dB -1 dB
+4 dB + 7 dB
Outputs (123
mV) (388 mV)
(691 mV) (1.23 V) (1.74 V)
-10 dB
-30 dB -20dB -15 dB
-10 dB -7 dB
Outputs (24.5
mV)
(77.5 mV) (138 mV) (245 mV) (346 mV)
8 Meter Function Switches (MC1204, MC1604 only)
These switches determine the function of
the
GROUP/FB and GROUP/ECHO VU meters. The
GROUP/FB meters can be switched to read either
GROUP 1
and 2 or FB 1 and 2 levels. while the
GROUP/ECHO meters can be switched to read either
GROUP 3 and 4 or ECHO 1 and 2 levels.
9