DFX SERIES OWNER’S MANUAL DFX•6 AND DFX•12 6- AND 12-CHANNEL MIXERS WITH DIGITAL EFFECTS DFX12 MIXER 12 CHANNEL COMPACT INTEGRATED LIVE SOUND MIXER OPTIONAL USES FOR INSERTS CAUTION WARNING: MANUFACTURING DATE SERIAL NUMBER TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS EQUIPMENT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE. DO NOT REMOVE COVER. NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL.
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.
About this manual: This manual covers both the DFX•6 and DFX•12 mixers. They share the same design and operate in the same way, except that the DFX•12 has 2 more mono channels than the DFX•6, and it has 2 stereo line-only channels. Absolutely most important pages: Before connecting and using your mixer, please read the Safety Instructions on page 2. Before you start mixing, please read the Quick Start section starting on page 4.
QUICK START We know you can’t wait to get the show on the road. Who has time to read a booooring manual? That’s fine — the DFX Mixer is designed to set up quickly and operate intuitively — but please, read the Safety Instructions on page 2, and then read these two pages! First you will zero the console, then make the connections, set the levels and tweak the mix. 1. ZERO THE CONSOLE: 5. Set the channel strip LOW CUT switches up. 6. Center the STEREO GRAPHIC EQ sliders. 7.
2. MAKE THE CONNECTIONS: 4. TWEAK THE MIX: 1. Connect your amplifier’s outputs to your speaker inputs (unless, of course, you have powered monitors). 2. Plug all the sound system components into suitable AC outlets, properly grounded and capable of delivering adequate current. 3. Using XLR or 1/4" TRS cables, make connections from your mixer’s MAIN OUT to your amplification system’s line inputs. 4.
INTRODUCTION Thank you for choosing a Mackie Designs DFX™ Mixer! These compact live-sound mixers are designed to meet the sound reinforcement needs of almost any small to medium-sized club, meeting room, sanctuary, or outdoor gathering.
APPLICATION DIAGRAMS Microphones 1-4 Active Monitor Mono in/Stereo out Reverb (optional) 1 2 3 4 5/6 7/8 MIC MIC MIC MIC MIC MIC 11/12 9/10 STEREO AUX RETURN L MAIN OUT AUX SEND R LEFT 1 RIGHT 1 MON (MONO) 2 2 EFX BAL/UNBAL BAL/UNBAL BAL/UNBAL LINE IN LINE IN INSERT BAL/UNBAL BAL/UNBAL L LINE IN LINE IN INSERT BAL/UNBAL INSERT BAL/UNBAL BAL/UNBAL L L (MONO) (MONO) (MONO) LINE IN LINE IN LINE IN LINE IN R R R R INSERT TAPE OUT CD/TAPE IN L (MONO)
PATCHBAY (the intro and the outro) This is where everything gets plugged in: microphones, line-level instruments, effects devices, and the ultimate destination(s): PA system, monitors, headphones, and tape recorder, etc.
4. INSERT (FOR MONO CHANNELS) EFFECTS: SERIAL OR PARALLEL? Use the insert jacks to send the channel signal through a compressor, graphic equalizer, or similar device. With nothing plugged into this jack, the channel’s signal goes straight through the mic/ line preamp and channel strip. With an external effects device plugged into this jack, the channel’s signal leaves the mixer, goes through the effects device and back into the channel strip (see insert plug diagram below).
1 2 3 4 5/6 7/8 MIC MIC MIC MIC MIC MIC 11/12 9/10 STEREO AUX RETURN L MAIN OUT AUX SEND R LEFT 1 RIGHT 1 MON (MONO) 2 2 EFX BAL/UNBAL BAL/UNBAL BAL/UNBAL LINE IN LINE IN BAL/UNBAL BAL/UNBAL LINE IN BAL/UNBAL L LINE IN (MONO) INSERT INSERT INSERT INSERT BAL/UNBAL BAL/UNBAL L (MONO) L (MONO) LINE IN LINE IN LINE IN LINE IN R R R R CD/TAPE IN TAPE OUT L L R R EFX FOOT SWITCH BAL/UNBAL PHONES 5. MAIN OUTPUTS 7.
9. AUX 1 RETURN INPUTS Patch the outputs of external parallel effects devices to these inputs. Signals coming in are adjusted using the AUX 1 RETURN (43) fader and MUTE. When connecting a mono device (just one cord), always use the left (mono) input and plug nothing into the right input. The signal will appear on both sides. 10. AUX 2 RETURN INPUTS Patch the outputs of external parallel effects devices to these inputs. Signals coming in are adjusted using the AUX 2 RETURN (40) fader and MUTE.
LEVEL SET 1 MIC U MIN -20dB +30dB +50 GAIN LOW CUT 75 Hz EQ U HI 12k -15 +15 U LOW 80Hz -15 +15 AUX U MON +6 OO U 2 EFX +6 OO L 1 PAN 1 R MUTE dB 10 OL 5 U CHANNEL STRIP FEATURES OVERVIEW 18. LOW CUT The channel strips are independent of each other, and allow you to adjust, tweak and otherwise beautify the sound coming from your different microphones, guitars and other instruments. The Faders and Pans let you adjust how much of each channel is sent to the main mix.
AUXILIARIES AUX 1/MON allows you to create a separate mono mix which can be used to feed stage monitors. AUX 2/EFX allows you to create another mono mix to feed the EMAC internal effects, and any external effects processor you have. The channel AUX knobs adjust how much of each channel is added to each aux mix. The adjustment ranges from off, through unity, and on up to 6 dB of extra gain. The stereo channel AUX knobs control a mono sum of the channel’s stereo signals.
MASTER SECTION FEATURES POWER DFX·12 12 CHANNEL INTEGRATED LIVE SOUND MIXER +12 +12 27. STEREO GRAPHIC EQ PHANTOM POWER +48V 0 0 LEFT RIGHT 16 CLIP 12 – 12 – 12 250 60 3.5K 1K 8 12K 4 MAIN AUX 1 EQ BYPASS 0 NORM 4 DIGITAL STEREO EFFECTS PROCESSOR U OO (EFFECTS TO STAGE MONITOR) BYPASS 8 LEVEL SET 12 REVERSE DELAY 1 GATE DELAY 2 16 CATHEDRAL DELAY 3 20 LG. HALL DELAY 4 MD. HALL CHORUS LG. PLATE FLANGE +6 MD. PLATE 24 30 0 = +4dBu PHASER SM.
28. MAIN/AUX 1 EQ SWITCH This switch allows you to add EQ either to your main mix, or to your monitors. In the UP (MAIN) position, the EQ (27) only affects the main mix, phone or tape outs. In the DOWN (AUX 1) position, the EQ only affects the AUX SEND 1/MON (7) output; with no effect on the main mix, phone or tape outs. 29. BYPASS EQ SWITCH Use this switch to quickly compare the effect of your EQ settings.
36. BREAK SWITCH DFX·12 12 CHANNEL INTEGRATED LIVE SOUND MIXER +12 +12 0 0 – 12 – 12 250 60 1K MAIN AUX 1 3.5K EQ BYPASS DIGITAL STEREO EFFECTS PROCESSOR U OO BYPASS LEVEL SET REVERSE DELAY 1 GATE DELAY 2 CATHEDRAL DELAY 3 LG. HALL DELAY 4 MD. HALL CHORUS LG. PLATE FLANGE MD. PLATE PHASER +6 (EFFECTS TO STAGE MONITOR) 12K SM.
40. AUX 2/EFX RETURN FADER, MUTE EMAC EFFECTS PROCESSOR The EMAC output is added to any signals going into the AUX 2 RETURN (10) jacks from an external effects processor. The final effects signal is then sent to this MUTE switch and stereo fader. It acts like a channel fader, except it is adding the final effects signal to the main mix, rather than adding a channel signal. Turned fully up, it provides 10 dB of gain, “U” is unity gain, and fully down is off.
DIGITAL STEREO EFFECTS PROCESSOR U OO LEVEL SET REVERSE DELAY 1 GATE DELAY 2 CATHEDRAL DELAY 3 LG. HALL DELAY 4 MD. HALL CHORUS LG. PLATE FLANGE MD. PLATE PHASER +6 (EFFECTS TO STAGE MONITOR) BYPASS SM. ROOM SPRING VOCAL ELIMINATOR U U OO +6 OO AUX 1/MON SEND AUX 1 RETURN MUTE +6 AUX 2/EFX SEND AUX 2/EFX RETURN MUTE BREAK SWITCH (MUTES ALL MIC CHANNELS) CD/TAPE MUTE RETURN 45.
MODULATION EFFECTS BAD EFFECTS These include Chorus, Flange, and Phaser, and are generally used for enhancement of instrumental music. However, Chorus adds a dramatic effect to vocals as well. CHORUS: Provides a soft, ethereal sweeping effect. Perfect for enhancement of electric and acoustic guitar and bass. It also adds a dramatic effect to vocals, particularly group harmonies and choirs. The channel’s AUX 2/EFX should be set halfway or higher.
APPENDIX A: Service Info Warranty Service Repair Details concerning Warranty Service are spelled out in the Warranty Card included with your mixer. If it’s missing, please let us or your dealer know. If you think your DFX Mixer has a problem, please do everything you can to confirm it before calling for service. Doing so might save you from the deprivation of your mixer and the associated suffering. These may sound obvious to you, but there’s some things you can check. Read on.
APPENDIX B: Technical Info Specifications DFX•6, DFX•12 Mixer Section Frequency Response Mic Input to any Main output (GAIN at 0 dB): +0, –1 dB, 16 Hz to 30 kHz Distortion THD and SMPTE IMD; 20Hz to 20kHz Mic Input to Main Output: < 0.
Dimensions 4.1" (105 mm) DFX•12 WEIGHT 10.0 lbs. (4.5 kg) 14.4" (365 mm) 16.1" (410 mm) DFX•6 WEIGHT 8 lbs. (3.6 kg) 14.4" (365 mm) 11.8" (300 mm) AC Power Considerations The majority of AC outlets encountered in homes and clubs (in the U.S.) are served by a 240 VAC center-tapped service entrance transformer. This provides two phases of AC power on either side of the center tap, at 120 V each.
LEVEL SET GAIN PHANTOM +48 VDC GAIN GAIN MUTE 80 12K 12K 12K 80 VE IN/OUT HI L0 SHELVING EQ 12K 80 LPF OL STEREO FADER OL PAN MID MID HPF HPF OL MONO FADER VOCAL ELIMINATOR STEREO FADER HI L0 SHELVING EQ 80 80 12K SHELVING EQ LO HI SHELVING EQ LO HI MUTE SHELVING EQ LO HI LEVEL SET MUTE LOW CUT LEVEL SET 75Hz HPF LOW CUT INSERT CD/TAPE RETURN FADER MUTE DFX•12 / DFX•6 BLOCK DIAGRAM SSE 191201 CD/TAPE IN LINE IN LINE IN 9/10, 11/12(DFX•12 ONLY) STEREO CHANNELS
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