604VLZ4 16-Channel 4-Bus Compact Mixer OWNER’S MANUAL
1604VLZ4 Important Safety Instructions 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 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 the manufacturer’s instructions. 8. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat. 9.
Please write your serial number here for future reference (i.e., insurance claims, tech support, return authorization, make dad proud, etc.) Purchased at: Date of purchase: Part No. SW0972 Rev. A 06/13 ©2013 LOUD Technologies Inc. All Rights Reserved. 25. CHANNEL FADER...................................... 15 A CLEAN FADE......................................... 15 26. ASSIGN (1–2, 3–4, L–R)......................... 15 27. SOLO...................................................... 16 28. –20 (SOLO) LED..
1604VLZ4 Features • Introduction 16-channel mixer featuring our signature high-headroom, low-noise design • 16 boutique-quality Onyx mic preamps • Ultra-wide 60 dB gain range • 128.5 dB dynamic range • +22 dBu line input handling • Extended frequency response • Distortion under 0.
We realize that you must be really keen to try out the mixer. Please read the safety instructions on page 2, then have a look through some of the features and details in this manual. Setup Set the levels It’s not even necessary to hear what you’re doing to set optimal levels. But if you’d like to: Plug headphones into the phones output jack, then turn up the CR/phones knob just a little. 1. Turn on the mixer by pressing the top edge of the power switch. 2. For one channel, press the solo switch in.
1604VLZ4 Hookup Diagrams Vocal mics Drum microphones Vocal mics Synth Headphones Stereo Guitar Effects Headphone amp (Connected to the phones jack on the front of the mixer) Stereo Guitar Effects Stereo Compressor Stereo Compressor Stereo Compressor and Stereo EQ Multi-track Digital Recorder Stereo Tape Deck Digital Reverb Laptop Digital Delay MR8mk3 studio monitors The rhythm and lead guitars play through stereo effects processors plugged into the line inputs of channels 1 and 2.
Drum microphones Synth Vocal mics Headphones (Connected to the phones jack on the front of the mixer) Stereo Guitar Effects Stereo Compressor Owner’s Manual Vocal mics Stereo Guitar Effects DLM8 loudspeakers Stereo Compressor DLM8 Stage Monitors Digital Reverb Digital Delay Laptop Stereo Compresor and Stereo EQ Stereo EQ DLM12S subwoofers The rhythm and lead guitars play through stereo effects processors plugged into the line inputs of channels 1 and 2.
1604VLZ4 Converting To Rackmount Mode Not only is the 1604VLZ4 a compact, professionalquality tabletop mixer...it’s rack-mountable! The unique rotating input pod makes this possible. 7. Carefully install the pod-mounting screws in their new locations [d]. 8. Install the rack ears that came with the mixer, using the supplied packet of screws. These screws are a bit longer than the ones you have to take out.
Owner’s Manual Patchbay Description 1 At the risk of stating the obvious, this is where you plug everything in: microphones, line-level instruments and effects, headphones, and the ultimate destination for your sound: PA system, DAW, etc. A few of the features described in this section are on top of the mixer, but most are out back on this “pod.” See Appendix B (page 27) for further details and some rather lovely drawings of the connectors you can use with the 1604VLZ4.
1604VLZ4 6 4 2 2. Line Ins 4. Insert These 1/4" jacks share circuitry (but not phantom power) with the mic preamps, and can be driven by balanced or unbalanced sources at almost any level. You can use these inputs for virtually any signal you’ll come across, from instrument levels as low as –50 dBu, to operating levels of –10 dBV to +4 dBu, since there is –15 to +45 dB of gain (60 dB range) available for line inputs via the gain [3] knob.
multitrack machine sound sources 1–8 9–16 Another method of interfacing a multitrack is called inline monitoring, and requires a dedicated mixing console. Each of its channels is actually two channels: one carrying the mic/line sound source and the other carrying the multitrack output. Owner’s Manual The point is that you never listen directly to the source channels (1–8). You listen to the monitor channels (9–16) and they’re listening to the multitrack that is listening to the source channels.
1604VLZ4 18 19 14 15 13 12 11 9 8 16 7. Stereo Returns 9. C-R Outs (Control Room Outputs) This is where to connect the outputs of parallel effects devices (or extra audio sources). They’ll accept just about any pro or semipro effects device on the market. To learn how signals are routed from these inputs, see stereo return level [51] on page 23. These 1/4" jacks are usually patched to the inputs of a control room amplifier or a headphone distribution amplifier.
WARNING: Pushing tape to main mix [41] in the output section can create a feedback path between tape input and tape output. Make sure your tape deck is not in record, record-pause or input monitor mode when you engage this switch, or make sure the tape in level knob is fully counterclockwise (off). 13. Main Insert These 1/4" jacks are for connecting serial effects such as compressors, equalizers, de-essers, or filters. The insert point is after the mix amps, but before the main mix [37] fader.
1604VLZ4 20 22 19 19. Fuse 24 The 1604VLZ4 is fused for your (and its own) protection. If you suspect a blown fuse, disconnect the power cord, pop out the fuse drawer with a small flat screwdriver, and replace the fuse with a 1A SLO BLO, 5x20mm, available at electronics stores or your dealer (or a 500 mA SLO BLO 5x20 mm if your 1604VLZ4 is set to 220V-240V). If two fuses blow in a row, something is very wrong. Please call our toll-free number 1-800-898-3211 from within the U.S.
The 16 channel strips look alike and function identically. So if you learn one, you have learned them all. The only difference is that the eight on the left have direct out [5] jacks and the eight on the right don’t. We’ll start at the bottom and work our way up. “U” Like Unity Gain VLZ4 mixers have a “U” symbol on almost every level control. This “U” stands for “unity gain,” meaning no change in signal level.
04VLZ4 27. Solo 29. OL (Mute) LED This lovable switch allows you to check signals in the phones or control room without having to assign them to the L-R, 1-2 or 3-4 mixes. You can solo as many channels as you like. Solo does not interrupt any of the other channels, buses or outputs — that’s called nondestructive solo. Another LED that does two completely different things! First, the “OL” part: “OL” means overload, or clip. You don’t want that to happen. Ever.
This adjusts the amount of channel signal sent to the left versus the right outputs. Pan determines the fate of the L-R assignment, subgroups 1–2 and 3–4, and the solo (in AFL mode). With the pan knob hard left, the signal will feed the left main mix, subgroup 1, subgroup 3 and left normal (AFL) solo mode (assuming their assignment switches are engaged). With the knob hard right, signal feeds the right main mix, subgroup 2, subgroup 4 and right normal (AFL) solo mode.
1604VLZ4 33. Low Cut This switch, often referred to as a high pass filter (all depends on how you look at it), cuts bass frequencies below 75 Hz at a rate of 18 dB per octave. This ain’t no thrown-in dime-store filter — an 18 dB per octave curve requires an elaborate circuit. Nothing but the best. We recommend that you use this on every sound source except kick drum, bass guitar, or bassy synth patches.
You’ve just learned about the input channels and how the signals get in and out. The signals come in via mic [1] and line [2] input jacks, are manipulated by the channels, and then sent to the output (master) section. Things get a little more complicated, so put on your thinking caps, take a deep cleansing breath, take this manual, get on a bycycle, ride down to the canal, ponder your life and all its unique experiences, then read this section. 37.
1604VLZ4 mix, engage both the assign to main mix, left and right switches. The signal will be sent to both sides, and will be attenuated just enough to preserve constant loudness, just like the channel pan [31] knobs when set in the center. 40. Tape In (Level) This knob controls the level of the stereo signal coming from the tape input [12] RCA jacks.
45. Level Set LED 44. Mode (AFL/PFL) This knob controls the level of the signals coming from the solo system. After the solo level is determined, the solo signals will proceed to take over the control room, headphones, and meter display. The 1604VLZ4’s solo system comes in two flavors: AFL (sometimes called SIP, or solo-in-place) and PFL (sometimes called PFL, or pre-fader-listen).
1604VLZ4 48. Meters Meters vs. Reality The 1604VLZ4’s peak metering system is made up of two columns of twelve LEDs. Deceptively simple, considering the multitude of signals that can be monitored by it. If nothing is selected in the source [42] matrix, and no channels are in solo [27], the meter display will just sit there. To put them to work, you must make a selection in the source matrix (or engage a channel's solo switch). You may already be an expert at the world of “+4” (+4 dBu=1.
49 52 51 This is usually the knob you turn up when the lead singer glares at you, points at his stage monitor, and sticks his thumb in the air. (It would follow suit that if the singer stuck his thumb down, you’d turn the knob down, but that never happens.) 50. Aux Sends Solo 50 51 53 54 55 56 Aux Talk Sends are outputs, returns are inputs. Each channel's aux [34] knobs tap the signal off the channel and send it to the aux send [6] outputs.
1604VLZ4 53. Main Mix To Subs (Stereo Return 3) With this switch up, stereo return 3 behaves like all the others — it delivers a stereo signal, regulated by its level knob, to the main mix. When you engage this switch, the signals are removed from the main mix buses and sent to the 1-2/3-4 switch, which diverts the signal once more. We’re not finished. Please read on. 49 52 51 53 50 51 55 54 56 52.
Owner’s Manual 55. CR/PH Only (Stereo Return 4) Once again, the default for all the stereo returns is to feed them directly into the main mix. You’ve just learned about the optional exceptions involving stereo return 3. Stereo return 4 also has an optional exception: By engaging this switch, you will remove stereo return 4’s stereo signal from the main mix and send it directly to the CR/phones source [42] matrix.
1604VLZ4 Appendix A: Service Information Warranty Service Repair If you think your 1604VLZ4 has a problem, please check out the following troubleshooting tips and do your best to confirm the problem. Visit the Support section of our website (www.720trees.com) where you will find lots of useful information such as FAQs and other documentation. You may find the answer to the problem without having to send your mixer away. For warranty service, refer to the warranty information on page 35.
The male XLR connectors provide a balanced linelevel signal that represents the end of the mixer, where the fully mixed stereo signal enters the real world. Connect these to the left and right line-level inputs of powered speakers or to the left and right line-level inputs of an amplifier (with speakers already attached). Be sure the cables are wired per AES (Audio Engineering Society) standards: accept 1-plug-type stereo microphones.
1604VLZ4 Unbalanced RCA Connector TRS Send/Receive Insert Jacks RCA-type plugs (also known as phono plugs) and jacks are often used in home stereo and video equipment and in many other applications. RCA plugs are unbalanced. Connect the signal to the center post and the ground (earth) or shield to the surrounding “basket.” Be sure the cables are wired per AES (Audio Engineering Society) standards: Single-jack inserts are three-conductor, TRS-type 1⁄4" phone.
MONO PLUG Channel Insert jack Direct out with no signal interruption to master. Insert only to first click. MONO PLUG Channel Insert jack Direct out with signal interruption to master. Insert all the way in to the second click. STEREO PLUG Channel Insert jack For use as an effects loop. (Tip = Send TO effect, Ring = Return FROM effect).
1604VLZ4 Appendix C: Technical Information Specifications Main Mix Noise Impedances (20 Hz–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.) 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 Main Mix fader unity, channel faders down: –88.
Owner’s Manual Dimensions 19.0 in / 483 mm [with rack ears fitted] 9.4 in / 238 mm [with rack ears fitted in upper position] 5.7 in / 144 mm 6.3 in / 160 mm [with rack ears fitted in upper position] 17.5 in / 445 mm Pod in back position 11 Rack Spaces 8.7 in / 222 mm 12.6 in / 320 mm 8 Rack Spaces Pod in normal position 5.6 in / 141 mm [with rack ears fitted in upper position] WEIGHT 20 lb 9.1 kg 17.0 in / 433 mm 10 Rack Spaces 17.3 in / 440 mm 5.
1604VLZ4 32 Track Sheet Session: Date: Notes: 1604VLZ4
Owner’s Manual Owner’s Manual 33
LINE IN MIC IN 1604VLZ4 GAIN STEREO RETURN 4 STEREO RETURN 3 STEREO RETURN 2 STEREO RETURN 1 R L R L R L R L INPUT CHANNEL (1 OF 16) DIRECT OUT (CH'S 1–8 ONLY) PHANTOM POWER (GLOBAL SWITCH 75Hz HPF LOW CUT INSERT PRE MID EQ HI FREQ TO AUX 2 LEVEL LEVEL LEVEL TO L/R SIP L SOLO ASSIGN TO C-R/PHNS ONLY 1–2/3–4 PFL SIP R 4 PFL 3 2 1 R L SIP R SOLO ASSIGN SIP L PAN MAIN/SUBS FADER TO SOLO LED LEVEL TO L/R SHIFT 5/6 AUX 2 AUX 1 TO AUX 1 AUX 4 AUX 3 GAIN
Please keep your sales receipt in a safe place. This Limited Product Warranty (“Product Warranty”) is provided by LOUD Technologies Inc. (“LOUD”) and is applicable to products purchased in the United States or Canada through a LOUD-authorized reseller or dealer. The Product Warranty will not extend to anyone other than the original purchaser of the product (hereinafter, “Customer,” “you” or “your”). For products purchased outside the U.S. or Canada, please visit www.720trees.
16220 Wood-Red Road NE Woodinville, WA 98072 • USA Phone: 425.487.4333 Toll-free: 800.898.3211 Fax: 425.487.4337 www.720trees.
