® LM-3204 OWNER’S MANUAL OO OO STEREO 1 2 AUX MONO –15 –12 U +15 +15 +12 +15 U U U U +15 R EQ –15 L 1 3 4 HI SHIFT 12k 2.5k MID 80 LO OO OO STEREO 1 2 AUX MONO –15 –12 U +15 +15 +12 +15 U U U U +15 R EQ –15 L 2 3 4 HI SHIFT 12k 2.5k MID 80 LO OO OO STEREO 1 2 AUX MONO –15 –12 U +15 +15 +12 +15 U U U U +15 R EQ –15 L 3 3 4 HI SHIFT 12k 2.
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.
PLEASE! SAVE THE SHIPPING BOX! Top Ten Reasons for saving your shipping box: 10. 9. 8. 7. 6. 5. 4. It’s here. It’s yours. It’s paid for. It’s strong and sturdy. It fits your mixer perfectly. You will need it if you ever ship your mixer. We may have to sell you another one if you need to ship your mixer and you don’t have it. 3. It will impress your friends who have no lives when they see it in your basement. 2. It’s the ecologically sound thing to do. 1. It’s the Mackie sound thing to do.
SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION The Mackie LM-3204 is a 32-input, 2+2 Bus line level sound mixer. Each of the 16 stereo input modules is fitted with gain, balance, EQ and auxiliary send controls. The LM-3204 is designed for applications requiring control of a number of stereo/mono line level sources, while providing exceptional audio performance in a small (and very affordable) rack-mounted unit — it makes the ideal centerpiece of a MIDI project suite.
IMPORTANT SENSITIVITY ADJUSTMENT PROCEDURE! So important we put it first, before anything else. To fully achieve the LM-3204 Mixer’s impressive headroom and specs, you should always “tune” the input sensitivity for each channel. FOLLOW THIS PROCEDURE FOR EACH CHANNEL IN USE 1. Set the Control Room, Phones, Left and Right Master Fader and Solo controls all the way off. (As you are working through the steps, you can bring these controls up a bit to hear what you are doing, but be careful.
SECTION 2: PANEL LAYOUT & FUNCTION U 3 1 +15 OO STEREO U 4 2 +15 OO SHIFT MONO AUX HI U –15 12k ON THE RIGHT SIDE MID 2.5k +12 LO U 80 GAIN –15 R BALANCE MUTE ALT 3-4 SOLO OL CHANNEL -20 16 U OO The rightmost one-fifth of the LM-3204 is the Master Output section, featuring auxiliary returns, master level controls, meters, lights and a few other tricks.
To make matters even easier, the crack Mackie Detent Crew have put a little mechanical “pothole” or detent at the Unity Gain point on every rotary control. Adding detents is a precise, tedious and largely thankless job, so think of those guys every now and then as you’re going about your glamorous and exciting lives mixing and recording and performing, while they work late into the night in rainy Woodinville with their little bags of punches and elf-sized ball-peen hammers. show you somebody’s home.
16 U 3 1 +15 OO STEREO U 4 2 +15 OO SHIFT MONO AUX HI U –15 12k +15 U –12 MID 2.5k +12 LO U 80 GAIN –15 +15 EQ the red OL light will flash. This is to be avoided. Overloading a mixer circuit forces the audio signal to clip and seriously distort the sound. When the OL light flashes, it means something is too loud.
16 U 3 AUX SENDS EQ In keeping with the stereo theme of this entire mixer, the engineers at Mackie have decided to provide stereo equalization as well. Just like the stereo Gain control, the EQ knobs have both left and right EQ sections ganged on a single shaft. The LM-3204 EQ has three sections, each with a fixed knee or center frequency and bandwidth. Frequency curves are shown below. +15 +10 +5 0 –5 –10 –15 20Hz 100Hz 1kHz 10kHz 20kHz LM-3204 Lo shelving EQ ±15dB boost/cut.
0dBu (.775 volts rms) at the rear output jacks. The LM-3204’s main outputs are 0dBu=0dB Meter whether you are using balanced or unbalanced cables. The meters are switched by the same circuits that switch the Control Room and Phones monitors. So whatever you are hearing in the monitors is what’s on the meters. Normally, that would be the main Left and Right bus outputs. If the Tape Monitor switch is pushed down, the meters (and the monitors) are connected to the Tape In jacks.
Quick recap: In the up position, the Tape Monitor switch selects the main Left and Right bus outputs for the monitor circuits and the meters. In the down position, the Tape Monitor switch selects the Tape Inputs for the monitor circuits and the meters. MICROPHONE PREAMPLIFIERS Another Mackie bonus feature! How did this come about? Was there just too much blank space on the back panel? Did somebody say, “Well, what if you have a microphone?” We’ll never know.
REAR-PANEL CONNECTIONS WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO CAUTION With the exception of the handy Phones output jack, all of the connections to the LM-3204 are made on the rear panel of the unit, back in your equipment rack where all the cabling is lurking. EXPOSE THIS EQUIPMENT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE. DO NOT REMOVE COV NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE.
SERIAL NUMBER NOT ER. ERSONNEL. MANUFACTURING DATE MONO PLUG ME TYPE.
STEREO BALANCED OR UN 16 14 15 13 12 10 11 9 (MONO) L R CONTROL ROOM OUTPUTS L MAIN/TAPE OUTPUTS R L TAPE INPUTS R L L L R R R AUX Sends 1 and 3 each have a left-right pair of line level, unbalanced 1⁄4" TS phone jacks for connection to the outside world. If you want to use AUX Send 1 and/or AUX Send 3 as a good old mono AUX send (like 2 and 4), just plug your cord into the Left (MONO) AUX Send output. Then both the Left and Right signals will be summed into that output.
CONTROL ROOM OUTPUTS EXPANDER IN This is where you plug in your monitor power amplifier. The Left and Right Control Room Outputs are line level unbalanced 1⁄4" TS jacks, controlled by the Control Room fader on the front panel. The Expander In jack is where you plug in your optional LM-3204E expander. See Appendix B.
SECTION 3: GENERAL INFORMATION Maybe you don’t need to read this at all. Battle-scarred pros: skip to Section 4. Beginners: face the blackboard, please. Many of you reading this manual have a lot of experience in using mixers and mixing consoles. For you battle-scarred pros, Section 2 and the Block Diagram will probably be all that you need to look at. For those of you who are either new to using mixers or just like to read even larger quantities of our glib prose, we’ve provided this short section.
But if your music is sounding good, don’t worry if you’re in the yellow a lot or if some parts of the track hardly read at all. You’ll quickly get a feel for what works for you, when you can get away with really smacking the tape or the electronics. BUSES More often than not, the goal in a mixing console is to mix two or more inputs into one output. Like a coach who has two or more players to get to the same ballgame, console designers use a bus.
more punch and more sizzle without making Midrange peak the mix muddy or harsh. The MID EQ section is a peaking/dipping equalizer with a bellshaped response curve. The frequency is centered at 2.5kHz and the bandwidth is fixed. The MID EQ can cut or boost 12dB. CONNECTORS If you’ve used a Mackie MicroSeries 1202, a CR-1604 or a Mackie 8-Bus Series, you’re familiar with the various kinds of connectors used with or mixers. If you’re new to the whole thing, review the drawings below.
SECTION 4: USING THE LM-3204 If you’re a seasoned patch-cord weaver and general propellor-head, just refer the to the way-cool hook-up drawings that start on page 22 of this section. If, you’re a glutton for verbal effluvia, read on. IMPORTANT SENSITIVITY ADJUSTMENT PROCEDURE! 5. To fully achieve the LM-3204 Mixer’s impressive headroom and specs, you must “tune” the input sensitivity for each channel.
sound engineer feels when you come at her with your 12 output cables. We figure that if you bought an LM-3204 for stage use, you already have an equipment rack just about full of fine electronic musical technology. So, we designed the LM-3204 to be 19" wide and a mere 5 rack units high. To fit in your rack. The LM-3204 will let you submix all your instruments in stereo, add your effects and provide stage amp, sound reinforcement, monitor or recording feeds.
DJ MIXER Connect a couple of CD players, a DAT player or two and a microphone. Add subwoofers and an attitude and stir well. The LM-3204 makes a great Disc Jockey mixer. With stereo gain, mutes and EQ, it’s easy to keep all your music sources balanced. Each pair of inputs simply plugs into the back, with the main Left and Right outputs feeding your amplifiers. Any processing or effects can be handled either by using the Insert jacks or the AUX sends and returns.
Sound Module Sound Module Cassette Deck Stereo Digital Delay Out In CD Player Digital Delay In Out STEREO AUX RETURNS 1 L in Stereo Reverb 2 4 15 16 (MONO) (MONO) L L R R 14 13 12 11 R in CONTROL ROOM OUTPUTS AUX SENDS 1 L out 3 2 3 4 L MAIN/TAPE OUTPUTS R L R R out L L R R MONO L L STEREO STEREO R R L ALT 3/4 OUTPUTS R L R MAIN INSERTS EXPANDER IN USE ONLY WITH LM-3204E EXPANDERS.
Sound Module Keyboard, or other line level input Sound Module Keyboard, or other line level input Percussion Module 2 Sound Module Percussion Module 1 Sound Module Drum Machine 1 STEREO BALANCED OR UNBALANCED LINE INPUTS 10 9 8 6 7 5 4 3 1 2 (MONO) L Drum Machine 2 R TAPE INPUTS L MIC PREAMP GAIN CHANNEL INSERTS 1 R 2 GAIN PHANTOM POWER 4 3 2 1 GAIN L +48V 10dB 50dB 10dB 50dB L in R 1 R out L out Stereo Compressor 2 MIC PREAMP OUTPUT R in MIC IN L in R in
CD Player Digital Delay In Out STEREO AUX RETURNS 1 L in Stereo Reverb 2 4 16 (MONO) (MONO) L L R R 14 15 13 12 11 R in CONTROL ROOM OUTPUTS AUX SENDS 1 L out 3 2 3 4 L MAIN/TAPE OUTPUTS R L R R out L L R R MONO L STEREO L STEREO R R L ALT 3/4 OUTPUTS R L R MAIN INSERTS EXPANDER IN USE ONLY WITH LM-3204E EXPANDERS. Out In Stereo Compressor Cassette Deck (For checking playback on the ’ol headphones.
Guitar Pre-amp Sound Module Keyboard, or other line level input Sound Module Sound Module Keyboard, or other line level input Drum Machine Bass Guitar Pre-amp STEREO BALANCED OR UNBALANCED LINE INPUTS 10 9 7 8 6 5 4 3 2 1 (MONO) L R TAPE INPUTS L MIC PREAMP GAIN CHANNEL INSERTS 1 2 GAIN GAIN R PHANTOM POWER 4 3 2 1 L +48V 10dB 50dB 10dB 50dB Compressor R 1 2 MIC PREAMP OUTPUT MIC IN NIGHTCLUB ACT w/2trk RECORDING 25
Cassette Deck Stereo Digital Delay Out CD Player In Digital Delay In Out STEREO AUX RETURNS 1 L in Stereo Reverb 2 4 15 16 (MONO) L L R R 14 13 12 11 R in CONTROL ROOM OUTPUTS AUX SENDS 1 L out 3 (MONO) 2 3 4 L MAIN/TAPE OUTPUTS R L R R out L L R R MONO L STEREO L STEREO R R L ALT 3/4 OUTPUTS R L R MAIN INSERTS EXPANDER IN USE ONLY WITH LM-3204E EXPANDERS.
Sound Module Keyboard, or other line level input Sound Module Keyboard, or other line level input Percussion Module 2 Sound Module Percussion Module 1 Sound Module Drum Machine 1 STEREO BALANCED OR UNBALANCED LINE INPUTS 10 9 8 6 7 5 4 3 1 2 (MONO) L Drum Machine 2 R TAPE INPUTS L MIC PREAMP GAIN CHANNEL INSERTS 1 R 2 GAIN PHANTOM POWER 4 3 2 1 GAIN L +48V 10dB 50dB 10dB 50dB L in R 1 R out L out Stereo Compressor 2 MIC PREAMP OUTPUT R in MIC IN L in R in
Digital 8-track In Out Reverb 2 Out In Stereo Digital Delay Out In STEREO AUX RETURNS 1 L in Stereo Reverb 2 4 16 (MONO) L L R R 14 15 12 13 11 R in CONTROL ROOM OUTPUTS AUX SENDS 1 L out 3 (MONO) 2 3 4 L MAIN/TAPE OUTPUTS R L R R out L L R R MONO L STEREO L STEREO R R L ALT 3/4 OUTPUTS R L R MAIN INSERTS EXPANDER IN USE ONLY WITH LM-3204E EXPANDERS.
NOTE: Tascam DA-88 owners: go buy a bunch of “y” cords! Sound Module Keyboard, or other line level input Sound Module Keyboard, or other line level input Sound Module Drum Machine 1 STEREO BALANCED OR UNBALANCED LINE INPUTS 10 9 7 8 6 5 3 4 2 1 (MONO) L R TAPE INPUTS L MIC PREAMP GAIN CHANNEL INSERTS 1 R 2 GAIN PHANTOM POWER 4 3 2 1 GAIN L +48V 10dB 50dB 10dB 50dB Out R 1 Compressor In 2 MIC PREAMP OUTPUT MIC IN L in R in L out R out Stereo Compressor MULTITRACK
APPENDIX A: Connections “XLR” CONNECTORS Mackie mixers use 3-pin female “XLR” connectors on all microphone inputs, with pin 1 wired to the grounded (earthed) shield, pin 2 wired to the “high” (”hot” or positive polarity) side of the audio signal and pin 3 wired to the “low” (“cold” or negative polarity) side of the signal (Figure A).
1⁄4" TS PHONE PLUGS AND JACKS RCA PLUGS AND JACKS “TS” stands for Tip-Sleeve, the two connections available on a “mono” 1⁄4" phone jack or plug (Figure C). TS jacks and plugs are used in many SLEEVE SLEEVE TIP TIP TIP Figure C: TS plug SLEEVE different applications, always unbalanced. The tip is connected to the audio signal and the sleeve to ground (earth).
TRS Send/Receive Insert Jacks The insert jacks on both the LM-3204 input channels 1-4 and on the left and right main buses are the three-conductor, TRS type 1⁄4" phone. They are unbalanced, but have both the mixer output (send) and the mixer input (return) signals in one connector (See Figure B). The sleeve is the common ground (earth) for both signals. The send from the mixer to the external unit is carried on the tip, and the return from the unit to the mixer is on the ring.
APPENDIX B: OPTIONS, ADD-ONS AND EXTRA STUFF LM-3204E Stereo Line Expander Nobody ever has enough inputs. And when 16 stereo line inputs are finally too few, you, a proud Mackie LM-3204 owner, don’t even need to think about a new mixer. For less than the price of another LM-3204, you can get an LE-3204E Stereo Line Expander and add another 16 stereo line inputs to your system. It looks just like an LM-3204 but without the Master Section.
APPENDIX C: SPECIFICATIONS: TECH STUFF LM-3204 Owner’s Manual Specs Noise (20Hz to 20kHz bandwidth, Line inputs to Main L/R outputs, all channels assigned): Master fader down, Ch. gains down Master fader @ unity, Ch. gains down Master fader @ unity, Ch. gains @ unity Maximum Levels Mic preamp input All other inputs All outputs –104.2dBu –86.6dBu –84.
LM-3204 LINE MIXER LM-3204 WEIGHT 21 lbs. Dimensions also apply to LM-3204E Expander. 7/94 ©1994 MACKIE DESIGNS INC. 17.50" 9.66" .75 APPENDIX 8.73" 19.00" 5 rack spaces (5U) 8.65" 9.
LEFT (MONO) LINE IN • • + - INSERT (CH’s 1-4) MUTE/ ALT 3-4 EQ • LO MID HI LO MID HI • • • • L ALT 3-4 R L MAIN 1-2 R • • • BALANCE BAL/UNBAL INPUTS LEVEL • • + - RIGHT LINE IN • • • • STEREO CHANNEL 1 of 16 INSERT (CH’s 1-4) • • EQ • CLIP LED SHIFT • • SOLO AUX 1/3 • -20 LED • CONTROL LEFT (MONO) • • • • • ∑ • • AUX 2/4 • LEVEL AUX RETURN 1 LEFT (MONO) ∑ • RIGHT • • LEVEL MACKIE MIC PREAMPS AUX RETURN 2 • RIGHT • • • TRIM + - • • • 48 V LEVEL
LM-3204 BLOCK DIAGRAM ©1994 Mackie Designs CONTROL L SOLO R AUX 4 AUX 2 L AUX 3 R L AUX 1 R Rev. 3.
APPENDIX D: SERVICE PLEASE! SAVE THE SHIPPING BOX! Yes, we know that it’s slightly larger than the suitcase you’re living out of, but you will need the entire carton and internal foam if your mixer ever needs service at some time in the future. If your kids make the box into a gerbil palace and cut holes in it — or if you stuff it in the dumpster of the fast-food place next door to your studio, we may have to sell and ship you another packing box later on.
4. Write the RA number plainly on the outside of the shipping carton in BIG print (those huge stinky sign markers work well for this). 5. Ship the product in its original shipping carton, freight prepaid to: Mackie Designs 20205 144th Avenue N.E. Woodinville, WA 98072 U.S.A. A FREE T-SHIRT OFFER We love to hear what folks have created using our mixers.
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