Muting pre-fade monitors on Mackie VLZ

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Mick Berg

Sophomore
Oct 14, 2012
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Hi.
I don't use analog boards much any more so I was shocked to find that you can't mute the pre-fade aux send on a Mackie 1604 VLZ. So when the guitarist unplugs there's no easy way to stop the pop. Is this the case for all analog mixers?
Thanks,
Mick Berg
 
No it's not, my Allen Heath GL2400's will mute the pre-fade auxes. The auxes on the 1604 can be modified for different routing configurations, it requires opening up the mixer and changing some jumpers, they are solder in jumpers. The GL2400 has similar internal mods, some are solder jumpers others are pin jumpers.

Re-configuring a mixer with a few clicks or touches to a screen has spoiled all of us!!!!

 
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The larger question - with how low a price point you can get decent mixers anymore, is there a reason to put up with sub-par equipment? We're not talking about a $15k mixer here. If I was still mixing and heard there was an old Yamaha MG or Mackie or Behringer analog - I'd probably buy or rent something better.
 
That was always a gripe I had with the Mackie board. The mute switch is placed after the EQ section. You can internally modify your pre fade aux busses to be pre or post EQ, but never post mute. If they are post fade auxes, then they are after the mute switch as well. You can't do a simple mod to make the pre-fade auxes post mute.

Ridiculous design decision, IMO.

Pretty much every other board I've worked with has the mute earlier up in the chain so it mutes everything.

But, I'll agree with Caleb. If your only option is to mix a show on the Mackie 1604, bring something else. For less than a grand, you can have a full digital replacement that pretty much can be dropped into place.
 
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