Mackie Musical Instrument DFX12 User Manual

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: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT  
EXPOSE THIS EQUIPMENT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE. DO NOT REMOVE COVER.  
PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL.  
SERIAL NUMBER  
MANUFACTURING DATE  
STEREO  
PLUG  
MONO PLUG  
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK  
DO NOT OPEN  
NO USER  
AVISS:ERRIVSIQCEUAEBDLEE CHOC ELECTRIQUE  
NE PAS OUVRIR  
INSERT ALL THE WAY IN TO  
THE "SECOND CLICK"  
TIP OUT TO EFFECTS DEVICE  
RING RETURN FROM EFFECTS  
REPLACE WITH THE SAME TYPE FUSE AND RATING.  
DISCONNECT SUPPLY CORD BEFORE CHANGING FUSE  
UTILISE UN FUSIBLE DE RECHANGE DE MÊME TYPE.  
DEBRANCHER AVANT DE REMPLACER LE FUSIBLE  
DIRECT OUT WITH SIGNAL  
INTERRUPTION TO MASTER  
FOR USE AS AN EFFECTS LOOP  
(TIP= SEND, RING RETURN)  
=
POWER  
CONCEIVED AND DESIGNED BY MACKIE DESIGNS INC  
WOODINVILLE  
WA  
USA  
MADE IN CHINA •FABRIQUE AU CHINE  
COPYRIGHT ©2001 THE FOLLOWING  
ARE TRADEMARKS OR REGISTERED TRADEMARKS OF MACKIE DESIGNS INC.: "MACKIE", "EMAC", AND THE "RUNNING MAN" FIGURE  
PATENT PENDING  
ON  
100 240 VAC, 50/60 Hz,  
30 WATTS  
STEREO AUX  
RETURN  
AUX SEND  
MAIN OUT  
11/12  
1
2
3
4
5/6  
MIC  
7/8  
MIC  
9/10  
L
R
LEFT  
RIGHT  
MIC  
MIC  
MIC  
MIC  
1
1
MON  
(MONO)  
2
2
EFX  
BAL/UNBAL  
BAL/UNBAL  
BAL/UNBAL  
BAL/UNBAL  
BAL/UNBAL  
BAL/UNBAL  
BAL/UNBAL  
BAL/UNBAL  
CD/TAPE TAPE  
EFX  
IN  
OUT  
LINE IN  
INSERT  
LINE IN  
LINE IN  
INSERT  
LINE IN  
INSERT  
L
L
L
L
FOOT  
(MONO)  
LINE IN  
(MONO)  
LINE IN  
(MONO)  
LINE IN  
(MONO)  
LINE IN  
SWITCH  
BAL/UNBAL  
L
L
INSERT  
PHONES  
R
R
R
R
R
R
1
2
3
4
5/6  
7/8  
9/10  
11/12  
LEVEL  
MIC  
SET  
LEVEL  
MIC  
SET  
LEVEL  
SET  
LEVEL  
MIC  
LEVEL  
MIC  
LEVEL  
MIC  
LEVEL  
MIC  
LEVEL  
POWER  
SET  
U
SET  
U
SET  
U
SET  
U
SET  
U
U
U
U
·
DFX 12  
12 CHANNEL INTEGRATED LIVE SOUND MIXER  
MIN  
+50  
MIN  
+50  
MIN  
+50  
MIN  
+50  
MIN  
+40  
MIN  
+40  
+12  
0
+12  
0
-20dB  
+
30dB  
-20dB  
+
30dB  
-20dB  
+
30dB  
-20dB  
+
30dB  
-20dB  
+
20dB  
-20dB  
+
20dB  
-20dB  
+
20dB  
-20dB  
+20dB  
GAIN  
GAIN  
GAIN  
GAIN  
GAIN  
GAIN  
GAIN  
GAIN  
PHANTOM POWER  
+48V  
LOW CUT  
75 Hz  
LOW CUT  
75 Hz  
LOW CUT  
75 Hz  
LOW CUT  
75 Hz  
U
U
U
U
U
U
U
U
EQ  
EQ  
EQ  
EQ  
EQ  
EQ  
EQ  
EQ  
LEFT RIGHT  
HI  
HI  
HI  
HI  
HI  
HI  
HI  
HI  
CLIP  
16  
12  
8
12k  
12k  
12k  
12k  
12k  
12k  
12k  
12k  
-15 +15  
U
-15 +15  
U
-15 +15  
U
-15 +15  
U
-15 +15  
U
-15 +15  
U
-15 +15  
U
-15 +15  
U
12  
12  
60  
250  
1K  
3.5K  
BYPASS  
12K  
LOW  
80Hz  
LOW  
80Hz  
LOW  
80Hz  
LOW  
80Hz  
LOW  
80Hz  
LOW  
80Hz  
LOW  
80Hz  
LOW  
80Hz  
4
MAIN  
0
EQ  
NORM  
AUX  
1
-15 +15  
-15 +15  
-15 +15  
-15 +15  
-15 +15  
-15 +15  
-15 +15  
-15 +15  
4
BYPASS  
DIGITAL STEREO  
AUX  
AUX  
AUX  
AUX  
AUX  
AUX  
AUX  
AUX  
8
EFFECTS PROCESSOR  
LEVEL SET  
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
12  
16  
20  
24  
30  
U
U
U
U
U
U
U
U
U
U
U
U
U
U
REVERSE  
GATE  
DELAY  
DELAY  
1
2
MON  
MON  
MON  
MON  
MON  
MON  
MON  
MON  
O
O
+6  
+6  
O
O
+6  
+6  
O
O
+6  
+6  
O
O
+6  
+6  
O
O
+6  
+6  
O
O
+6  
+6  
O
O
+6  
+6  
O
O
+6  
+6  
O O  
+6  
CATHEDRAL  
LG. HALL  
DELAY  
DELAY  
3
4
(EFFECTS TO  
STAGE MONITOR)  
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
U
U
U
MD. HALL  
LG. PLATE  
CHORUS  
FLANGE  
EFX  
EFX  
EFX  
EFX  
EFX  
EFX  
EFX  
EFX  
O O  
O O  
O O  
O O  
O O  
O O  
O O  
O O  
0
=
+4dBu  
MD. PLATE  
SM. ROOM  
PHASER  
SPRING  
VOCAL  
ELIMINATOR  
U
U
BREAK  
SWITCH  
O O  
+6  
O O  
+6  
O O  
MAX  
L PAN R  
L PAN R  
L PAN R  
PAN R  
L PAN R  
L PAN R  
L PAN R  
PAN R  
AUX 1/MON SEND  
PHONES  
L
L
AUX 2/EFX SEND (MUTES ALL MIC CHANNELS)  
AUX  
1
AUX 2/EFX  
RETURN  
CD/TAPE  
MUTE  
RETURN  
MAIN MIX  
RIGHT  
5
7
9
11  
MUTE  
/
12  
MUTE  
MUTE  
MUTE  
MUTE  
MUTE  
MUTE  
MUTE  
MUTE  
MUTE  
/
/
/
1
2
3
4
6
8
10  
RETURN  
LEFT  
dB  
10  
dB  
10  
dB  
10  
dB  
10  
dB  
10  
dB  
10  
dB  
10  
dB  
10  
dB  
10  
dB  
10  
dB  
10  
dB  
10  
OL  
OL  
OL  
OL  
OL  
OL  
OL  
OL  
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
U
5
5
U
5
5
U
5
5
U
5
5
U
U
U
U
U
U
U
U
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
10  
10  
10  
10  
10  
10  
10  
10  
10  
10  
10  
10  
20  
30  
20  
30  
20  
30  
20  
30  
20  
30  
20  
30  
20  
30  
20  
30  
20  
30  
20  
30  
20  
30  
20  
30  
40  
50  
60  
40  
50  
60  
40  
50  
60  
40  
50  
60  
40  
50  
60  
40  
50  
60  
40  
50  
60  
40  
50  
60  
40  
50  
60  
40  
50  
60  
40  
50  
60  
40  
50  
60  
O O  
O O  
O O  
O O  
O O  
O O  
O O  
O O  
O O  
O O  
O O  
O O  
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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. It’s a list of steps that will familiarize you with the mixer and help you  
set up a basic performance.  
CONTENTS  
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS ....................... page 2  
MASTER SECTION FEATURES  
QUICK START ............................................. 4  
INTRODUCTION .......................................... 6  
APPLICATION DIAGRAMS ............................ 7  
STEREO GRAPHIC EQ .................. page 14  
MAIN/AUX 1 EQ SWITCH ................... 15  
BYPASS EQ SWITCH............................ 15  
POWER LED ....................................... 15  
PHANTOM POWER SWITCH AND LED ... 15  
METERS ............................................ 15  
PHONES LEVEL ................................... 15  
MAIN MIX FADERS ............................. 15  
CD/TAPE RETURN FADER AND MUTE .... 15  
BREAK SWITCH .................................. 16  
VOCAL ELIMINATOR SWITCH ............... 16  
AUX 2/EFX SEND............................... 16  
LEVEL SET LED .................................... 16  
AUX 2/EFX RETURN FADER AND MUTE 17  
AUX 1/MON SEND ............................ 17  
EFFECTS TO MONITOR ........................ 17  
AUX 1 RETURN FADER AND MUTE ....... 17  
EMAC EFFECTS PROCESSOR ................. 17  
QUICK START .................................. 17  
BYPASS LED .................................... 17  
PRESET SELECTION ........................... 18  
PATCHBAY FEATURES  
MIC .................................................... 8  
LINE IN (MONO) .................................. 8  
LINE IN (STEREO) ................................. 8  
INSERT ................................................ 9  
EFFECTS: SERIAL OR PARALLEL? ............. 9  
MAIN OUTPUTS ................................. 10  
PHONES ............................................ 10  
AUX SEND 1/MON ............................ 10  
AUX SEND 2/EFX............................... 10  
AUX 1 RETURN .................................. 11  
AUX 2 RETURN .................................. 11  
CD/TAPE INPUT ................................. 11  
TAPE OUTPUT .................................... 11  
EFX FOOTSWITCH............................... 11  
AC POWER INPUT .............................. 11  
POWER SWITCH ................................ 11  
CHANNEL STRIP FEATURES  
APPENDIX A: SERVICE INFO  
GAIN ................................................ 12  
LEVEL SET LED .................................... 12  
LOW CUT .......................................... 12  
2-BAND EQ........................................ 12  
HI EQ ............................................. 12  
LOW EQ ......................................... 12  
AUXILIARIES ...................................... 13  
AUX 1/MON .................................. 13  
AUX 2/EFX..................................... 13  
PAN.................................................. 13  
MUTE................................................ 13  
FADER............................................... 13  
OL OVERLOAD LED ............................. 13  
WARRANTY SERVICE .......................... 20  
TROUBLESHOOTING ........................... 20  
REPAIR ............................................. 20  
APPENDIX B: TECHNICAL INFO  
SPECIFICATIONS ................................. 21  
DIMENSIONS ..................................... 22  
AC POWER CONSIDERATIONS .............. 22  
BLOCK DIAGRAM ............................... 23  
for more information about this and other Mackie products.  
3
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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:  
1. Turn everything off, including the mixer’s  
POWER switch and PHANTOM POWER  
switch.  
2. Turn down the channel strip GAIN, AUX 1  
and AUX 2 knobs, and faders.  
5. Set the channel strip LOW CUT switches up.  
6. Center the STEREO GRAPHIC EQ sliders.  
7. Turn down the MASTER AUX SEND knobs,  
and the AUX RETURN faders.  
8. Turn down the MAIN MIX faders.  
3. Center the channel strip EQ and PAN  
controls.  
9. Now you are ready to make the  
connections, see the next page.  
4. Push the channel strip MUTE switches down.  
STEREO AUX  
RETURN  
AUX SEND  
MAIN OUT  
LEFT  
11/12  
7/8  
9/10  
1
2
3
4
5/6  
L
R
RIGHT  
MIC  
MIC  
MIC  
MIC  
MIC  
MIC  
1
1
MON  
(MONO)  
2
2
EFX  
BAL/UNBAL  
BAL/UNBAL  
BAL/UNBAL  
BAL/UNBAL  
BAL/UNBAL  
BAL/UNBAL  
BAL/UNBAL  
BAL/UNBAL  
CD/TAPE TAPE  
EFX  
IN  
OUT  
LINE IN  
INSERT  
LINE IN  
INSERT  
LINE IN  
INSERT  
LINE IN  
INSERT  
L
L
L
L
FOOT  
(MONO)  
LINE IN  
(MONO)  
LINE IN  
(MONO)  
LINE IN  
(MONO)  
LINE IN  
SWITCH  
BAL/UNBAL  
L
L
PHONES  
R
R
R
R
R
R
1
2
3
4
5/6  
7/8  
9/10  
11/12  
LEVEL  
MIC  
SET  
LEVEL  
MIC  
SET  
LEVEL  
SET  
LEVEL  
MIC  
LEVEL  
MIC  
LEVEL  
MIC  
SET  
LEVEL  
MIC  
SET  
LEVEL  
POWER  
SET  
U
SET  
U
SET  
U
U
U
U
U
U
·
DFX 12  
12 CHANNEL INTEGRATED LIVE SOUND MIXER  
MIN  
+50  
MIN  
+50  
MIN  
+50  
MIN  
+50  
MIN  
+40  
MIN  
+40  
+12  
0
+12  
0
-20dB  
+
30dB  
-20dB  
+
30dB  
-20dB  
+
30dB  
-20dB  
+
30dB  
-20dB  
+
20dB  
-20dB  
+
20dB  
-20dB  
+
20dB  
-20dB  
+20dB  
GAIN  
GAIN  
GAIN  
GAIN  
GAIN  
GAIN  
GAIN  
GAIN  
PHANTOM POWER  
+48V  
LOW CUT  
75 Hz  
LOW CUT  
75 Hz  
LOW CUT  
75 Hz  
LOW CUT  
75 Hz  
U
U
U
U
U
U
U
U
EQ  
EQ  
EQ  
EQ  
EQ  
EQ  
EQ  
EQ  
LEFT RIGHT  
HI  
HI  
HI  
HI  
HI  
HI  
HI  
HI  
CLIP  
16  
12k  
12k  
12k  
12k  
12k  
12k  
12k  
12k  
12  
-15 +15  
U
-15 +15  
U
-15 +15  
U
-15 +15  
U
-15 +15  
U
-15 +15  
U
-15 +15  
U
-15 +15  
U
12  
12  
8
60  
250  
1K  
3.5K  
BYPASS  
12K  
LOW  
80Hz  
LOW  
80Hz  
LOW  
80Hz  
LOW  
80Hz  
LOW  
80Hz  
LOW  
80Hz  
LOW  
80Hz  
LOW  
80Hz  
4
MAIN  
AUX 1  
0
EQ  
NORM  
-15 +15  
-15 +15  
-15 +15  
-15 +15  
-15 +15  
-15 +15  
-15 +15  
-15 +15  
4
8
BYPASS  
DIGITAL STEREO  
AUX  
AUX  
AUX  
AUX  
AUX  
AUX  
AUX  
AUX  
EFFECTS PROCESSOR  
LEVEL SET  
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
12  
U
U
U
U
U
U
U
U
U
U
U
U
U
U
REVERSE  
GATE  
DELAY  
DELAY  
1
2
MON  
MON  
MON  
MON  
MON  
MON  
MON  
MON  
16  
O O +6  
O O +6  
O O +6  
O O +6  
O O +6  
O O +6  
O O +6  
O O +6  
O O +6  
O O +6  
O O +6  
O O +6  
O O +6  
O O +6  
O O +6  
CATHEDRAL  
LG. HALL  
DELAY  
DELAY  
3
4
20  
(EFFECTS TO  
STAGE MONITOR)  
24  
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
U
U
U
MD. HALL  
LG. PLATE  
CHORUS  
FLANGE  
EFX  
EFX  
EFX  
EFX  
EFX  
EFX  
EFX  
EFX  
30  
O O +6  
O O +6  
0 = +4dBu  
MD. PLATE  
SM. ROOM  
PHASER  
SPRING  
VOCAL  
ELIMINATOR  
U
U
BREAK  
SWITCH  
O O +6  
O O +6  
O O MAX  
L PAN R  
L PAN R  
L PAN R  
PAN R  
L PAN R  
L PAN R  
L PAN R  
PAN R  
PHONES  
L
L
AUX 1/MON SEND  
AUX 2/EFX SEND  
(MUTES ALL MIC CHANNELS)  
AUX 1  
AUX 2/EFX  
MUTE  
CD/TAPE  
MUTE  
MAIN MIX  
RIGHT  
5
7
9
11  
MUTE  
MUTE  
MUTE  
MUTE  
MUTE  
MUTE  
MUTE  
MUTE  
MUTE  
/
/
/
/
1
2
3
4
6
8
10  
12  
RETURN  
RETURN  
RETURN  
LEFT  
dB  
10  
dB  
10  
dB  
10  
dB  
10  
dB  
10  
dB  
10  
dB  
10  
dB  
10  
dB  
10  
dB  
10  
dB  
10  
dB  
10  
OL  
OL  
OL  
OL  
OL  
OL  
OL  
OL  
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
U
5
5
U
5
5
U
5
5
U
5
5
U
5
5
U
U
U
U
U
U
U
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
10  
10  
10  
10  
10  
10  
10  
10  
10  
10  
10  
10  
20  
30  
20  
30  
20  
30  
20  
30  
20  
30  
20  
30  
20  
30  
20  
30  
20  
30  
20  
30  
20  
30  
20  
30  
40  
50  
60  
40  
50  
60  
40  
50  
60  
40  
50  
60  
40  
50  
60  
40  
50  
60  
40  
50  
60  
40  
50  
60  
40  
50  
60  
40  
50  
60  
40  
50  
60  
40  
50  
60  
O
O
O O  
O
O
O O  
O
O
O
O
O O  
O
Zeroing the console  
4
Key to the control settings  
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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.  
1. Engage MUTE on all channels except your  
rhythm section (drums & bass).  
2. Adjust the rhythm section’s channel faders  
to get a good balance of levels.  
3. Un-mute the other active channels and  
adjust their faders.  
3. Using XLR or 1/4" TRS cables, make  
connections from your mixer’s MAIN OUT  
to your amplification system’s line inputs.  
4. Now that you have a rough mix going, turn  
up the MAIN MIX faders to a comfortable  
listening level.  
4. Make connections from your microphones  
and instruments to the mixer: Connect  
balanced microphones to the mono channel  
MIC jacks. (For condenser microphones,  
engage the PHANTOM POWER switch,  
located just above the meters). Connect  
line-level instruments (synthesizers, guitar  
effects, direct boxes) to the mono or stereo  
channel LINE IN 1/4" TRS jacks.  
5. ZERO THE CONSOLE as shown on the  
previous page.  
6. Turn all the power switches on, leaving the  
amplifier’s switch for last.  
5. If the overall mix has an equalization  
problem, make adjustments to the STEREO  
GRAPHIC EQ. If an individual channel is  
the problem, use its channel EQ instead.  
6. Use the channel AUX 2/EFX knobs to send  
signals to the EMAC internal effects  
processor (and to any external effects  
processor you might have). Then adjust the  
AUX 2/EFX RETURN fader and experiment  
with adding some effects to your main mix.  
7. If you are playing into the CD/TAPE input,  
try using the VOCAL ELIMINATOR to hear  
its effect on centered vocals and start up a  
bit of audience mass-Karaoke.  
8. Depending on how much time you’ve got,  
keep tweaking. Walk the room to see how it  
sounds away from your mixer.  
7. Turn up the MAIN MIX faders to the  
“–30” label, for now. We’ll crank it later on.  
8. Now you are ready to set the levels:  
3. SET THE LEVELS:  
Keep tweaking.  
1. Choose one of the microphones or instru-  
ments you connected. Make some noise. If  
it’s a microphone, sing at your normal  
singing volume. If it’s a synthesizer, play it  
at its normal output level.  
2. While making noise, turn up that channel’s  
GAIN control until the adjacent LEVEL  
SET LED starts a-blinking.  
KNOW THESE THINGS:  
• Never listen to loud  
music for prolonged  
periods. Please see “Safety  
Instructions” on page 2 for  
information on hearing  
protection.  
• Never plug amplifier outputs into anything  
except speakers.  
• Never use guitar cables to connect amplifi-  
ers to speakers.  
3. Disengage (up) that channel’s MUTE.  
4. Raise that channel’s fader to unity gain  
(“U” label). You should be hearing your  
noise now.  
• Before making connections to an external  
amp or reconfiguring an amp’s routing, turn  
the amp’s level (gain) controls down, turn  
the power off, make the changes, turn the  
power back on, and then turn the level  
controls back up.  
5. If necessary, apply channel EQ changes.  
(You may need to compensate for level  
changes with the channel fader.)  
6. Check that the channel’s OL LED does not  
come on. If it does, reset the GAIN and  
adjust the EQ if required.  
• When you shut down your equipment, turn  
off any external amplifiers first. When  
powering up, turn on the amplifiers last.  
• Change your engine oil every 3,000 miles  
and rotate your tires for even wear. Dad  
would be proud of you.  
7. Repeat steps 1 through 6 for the remaining  
active channels.  
8. Stop making noise. Everyone: start making  
music.  
9. Now you are ready to tweak the mix:  
• Save the shipping box and packing material!  
You may need them someday, and you probably  
don’t want to have to pay for that again.  
5
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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.  
Here’s a quick glance at all the features  
you’ve acquired:  
Comprehensive master section, with:  
Two 60mm main mix faders (L, R)  
Balanced XLR stereo main outputs  
Balanced TRS stereo main outputs  
12-segment stereo LED metering  
5-band stereo graphic EQ with main mix/  
monitor switch and bypass switch  
EMAC™ 32-bit digital stereo effects with  
footswitch bypass, and Level Set LED  
Aux 1/monitor send with level control  
Aux 2/effects send with level control  
Effects-to-monitor control  
2 or 4 mono channels, with:  
Variable input gain  
(0 to +50 dB mic, –20 to +30 dB line)  
Phantom power (globally switched)  
Level Set gain-setting indicator LED  
XLR microphone input jack  
1/4" TRS line input jack  
1/4" TRS insert jack  
Switchable 75 Hz low-cut filter  
Pre-fader aux (monitor) send  
Post-fader aux (effects) send  
2-band EQ  
Two 60mm stereo aux return faders with  
mute switches  
Break switch for intermissions  
RCA Tape output  
RCA CD/Tape input  
Vocal Eliminator circuit for CD/Tape  
Master +48 V phantom power switch  
with LED indicator  
Pan control  
Mute switch  
Overload warning LED  
60mm mono fader  
Headphone output with level control  
Power LED indicator  
2 mono-mic / stereo-line channels, with:  
Variable input gain  
(0 to +40 dB mic, –20 to +20 dB line)  
Level Set gain-setting indicator LED  
XLR microphone input jack  
Left and Right 1/4" TRS line input jacks  
Pre-fader aux (monitor) send  
Post-fader aux (effects) send  
2-band EQ  
Pan control  
Mute switch  
Overload warning LED  
60mm stereo fader  
The DFX•12 also includes:  
2 stereo-line channels, with:  
Variable input gain  
(–20 to +20 dB line)  
Level Set gain-setting indicator LED  
Left and Right TRS line input jacks  
Pre-fader aux (monitor) send  
Post-fader aux (effects) send  
2-band EQ  
Pan control  
Mute switch  
Overload warning LED  
60mm stereo fader  
Please write your serial number here for  
future reference (i.e., insurance claims, tech  
support, return authorization, etc.):  
Purchased at:  
Date of purchase:  
Part No. 0000318 Rev. D 09/02  
©2002 Mackie Designs Inc. All Rights Reserved.  
6
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APPLICATION  
DIAGRAMS  
Microphones 1-4  
Active Monitor  
Mono in/Stereo out Reverb  
(optional)  
STEREAUX  
AUSEND  
MAIN OU
11/12  
7/8  
9/10  
5/6  
RETUN  
RT  
MIC  
MIC  
1
1
MON  
(MONO)  
2
2
EFX  
BAL/UNBAL  
BAL/UNBAL  
BAL/UNBAL  
UNBAL  
BAL/UNBAL  
BAL/UNBAL  
BAL/UNBAL  
BAL/UNBAL  
CD/TAPE TAPE  
IN OUT  
EFX  
LINE IN  
INSERT  
LINE IN  
INSERT  
LINE IN  
INSERT  
LINE IN  
INSERT  
L
L
L
L
FOOT  
(MONO)  
LINE IN  
(MONO)  
LINE IN  
(MONO)  
LINE IN  
(MONO)  
LINE IN  
SWITCH  
BAL/UNBAL  
L
L
Active Speakers (SRM450s)  
PHONES  
R
R
R
R
Insert  
Headphones  
Reverb  
Mono Effects  
Guitar  
Tape Player  
Drum Machine  
(optional)  
Compressor  
DAT Recorder  
Foot Switch  
Bass  
DFX•12 — Small Club Gig  
Amplifier (M1400)  
Passive Monitor (C300)  
Microphones  
Mono in/Stereo out Reverb  
(optional)  
STEREAUX  
AUSEND  
MAIN OU
3/4  
5/6  
RETU
L
RT  
MIC  
MIC  
1
1
MON  
(MONO)  
2
2
EFX  
BAL/UNBAL  
BAL/UNBAL  
BAL/UNBAL  
BAL/UNBAL  
CD/TAPE TAPE  
IN OUT  
EFX  
LINE IN  
INSERT  
LINE IN  
INSERT  
L
L
FOOT  
(MONO)  
LINE IN  
(MONO)  
LINE IN  
SWITCH  
BAL/UNBAL  
L
L
PHONES  
R
R
R
R
Insert  
Insert  
SR1530  
Active Speakers  
Compressors  
(optional)  
CD/DVD Player  
Routed through  
Vocal Eliminator  
Headphones  
Laser Disc /DVD Player  
DFX•6 — Karaoke set up  
7
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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.  
STEREO AUX  
RETURN  
AUX SEND  
MAIN OUT  
LEFT  
11/12  
7/8  
9/10  
1
2
3
4
5/6  
L
R
RIGHT  
MIC  
MIC  
MIC  
MIC  
MIC  
MIC  
1
1
MON  
(MONO)  
2
2
EFX  
BAL/UNBAL  
BAL/UNBAL  
BAL/UNBAL  
BAL/UNBAL  
BAL/UNBAL  
BAL/UNBAL  
BAL/UNBAL  
BAL/UNBAL  
CD/TAPE TAPE  
EFX  
IN  
OUT  
LINE IN  
INSERT  
LINE IN  
INSERT  
LINE IN  
INSERT  
LINE IN  
INSERT  
L
L
L
L
FOOT  
(MONO)  
LINE IN  
(MONO)  
LINE IN  
(MONO)  
LINE IN  
(MONO)  
LINE IN  
SWITCH  
BAL/UNBAL  
L
L
PHONES  
R
R
R
R
R
R
1. MIC  
2. LINE IN (FOR MONO CHANNELS)  
The DFX Mixer is equipped with rugged, low  
noise, phantom-powered microphone pream-  
plifiers, providing up to 50 dB of pounding  
These inputs can accept 1/4" TRS balanced  
and 1/4" TS unbalanced plugs from any line-  
level instrument, effects device, or tape player.  
crystal-clear amplification. Their balanced cir- The line inputs share circuitry (but not phan-  
cuitry rejects all manner of extraneous  
interference. Professional condenser, dynamic,  
and ribbon mics all sound excellent through  
these XLR inputs.  
tom power) with the mic preamps, and can be  
driven by virtually any line-level signal.  
SLEEVE  
SLEEVE  
TIP  
TIP  
You can plug in almost any kind of balanced  
mic that has a standard XLR-type male mic  
connector.  
TIP  
SLEEVE  
2
SHIELD  
HOT  
1/4" TS (Tip-Sleeve) unbalanced wiring:  
Tip = hot (+)  
1
3
COLD  
Sleeve = shield  
SHIELD  
1
RING SLEEVE  
TIP  
SLEEVE RING TIP  
3
COLD  
2
HOT  
SHIELD  
COLD  
HOT  
1
RING  
TIP  
3
2
SLEEVE  
XLR balanced wiring:  
Pin 1 = shield  
1/4" TRS (Tip-Ring-Sleeve) balanced  
wiring:  
Pin 2 = hot (+)  
Pin 3 = cold (–)  
Tip = hot (+)  
Ring = cold (–)  
Sleeve = shield  
The DFX Mixers provide +48 VDC phantom  
powering on pins 2 and 3 of all the mono chan-  
nels’ XLR MIC inputs (not the stereo channels).  
This can be turned on or off using the PHANTOM  
POWER (31) switch on the right side of the mixer.  
DO NOT connect a line-  
3. LINE IN (FOR STEREO CHANNELS)  
These inputs can accept 1/4" TRS balanced  
and 1/4" TS unbalanced plugs from any line-  
level instrument, effects device, or tape player.  
When connecting a stereo device (two  
cords), use both the left (mono) input and the  
right input.  
When connecting a mono device (just one  
cord), always use the left (mono) input and  
plug nothing into the right input. A trick called  
“jack normalling” causes the signal to appear  
on both sides.  
level device to a MIC input  
with the phantom power  
switched on. This could  
damage the device. Use the  
LINE IN (2, 3) jacks instead.  
8
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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.  
Effects devices are used  
either in serial or in parallel:  
Serial means that the en-  
With nothing plugged into this jack, the  
channel’s signal goes straight through the mic/  
line preamp and channel strip. With an exter-  
nal effects device plugged into this jack, the  
tire signal is routed through  
the effects device. Examples  
include: preamps, compres-  
sor/limiters, graphic equalizers. Connections are  
channel’s signal leaves the mixer, goes through typically made via the channel INSERT jacks.  
the effects device and back into the channel  
strip (see insert plug diagram below).  
The insert send signal is not affected by  
the channel EQ or fader, thereby preserving  
the original signal’s characteristics. Only the  
Parallel means that a portion of the signal  
is tapped off to the effects device, processed,  
and returned, to be mixed with the original  
“dry” signals. Multiple signals (via multiple  
mixer channels) can all make use of the same  
GAIN (16) control has any effect on the insert parallel effects device. Examples include:  
send level.  
Specialty cables, developed just for these  
reverb, delay, chorus. Connections are typically  
made via AUX sends and AUX returns.  
insert jacks, are widely available. They allow a  
signal to leave and enter the mixer on the  
same TRS plug. They are wired thuswise:  
Serial Device  
Insert  
Insert  
Send  
Return  
Tip = Send (to effects device input)  
Ring = Return (from effects device output)  
Sleeve = Common ground (connect shield  
to all three sleeves)  
Signal Processor  
(e.g., Compressor)  
Processed  
Signal  
Dry Signal  
Parallel Device  
SEND to processor  
ring  
tip”  
Aux  
Aux  
Output  
Section  
(TRS plug)  
sleeve  
tip  
Send  
Return  
Signal Processor  
(e.g., Reverb)  
Wet Signal  
This plug connects to one of the  
mixers Channel Insert jacks.  
ring”  
RETURN from processor  
Mix  
Processed  
Signal  
Besides being used for inserting effects de-  
vices, these jacks can also be used as channel  
direct outputs; post-GAIN (16), pre-LOW CUT  
(18) and pre-EQ (19, 20).  
Stage  
Channel Path  
Dry Signal(s)  
Dry Signal(s)  
Here are three ways to use the jacks:  
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 effects)  
9
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STEREO AUX  
RETURN  
AUX SEND  
MAIN OUT  
LEFT  
11/12  
7/8  
9/10  
1
2
3
4
5/6  
L
R
RIGHT  
MIC  
MIC  
MIC  
MIC  
MIC  
MIC  
1
1
MON  
(MONO)  
2
2
EFX  
BAL/UNBAL  
BAL/UNBAL  
BAL/UNBAL  
BAL/UNBAL  
BAL/UNBAL  
BAL/UNBAL  
BAL/UNBAL  
BAL/UNBAL  
CD/TAPE TAPE  
EFX  
IN  
OUT  
LINE IN  
INSERT  
LINE IN  
INSERT  
LINE IN  
INSERT  
LINE IN  
INSERT  
L
L
L
L
FOOT  
(MONO)  
LINE IN  
(MONO)  
LINE IN  
(MONO)  
LINE IN  
(MONO)  
LINE IN  
SWITCH  
BAL/UNBAL  
L
L
PHONES  
R
R
R
R
R
R
5. MAIN OUTPUTS  
7. AUX SEND 1/MON OUTPUT  
Coming in two flavors, XLR and 1/4" TRS,  
the main output represents the end of the  
mixer chain, where your fully mixed and en-  
hanced stereo signal enters the real world.  
Connect these outputs to the inputs of your  
amplifier, or powered speakers.  
XLR balanced wiring:  
To create a stage monitor mix, patch this  
TRS output into your monitor amplifier’s input,  
or powered monitor’s input. This jack can also  
be used to feed the inputs of an effects device.  
Each channel strip has an AUX 1 (21) con-  
trol knob which adjusts how much of that  
channel’s signal appears at this output. The  
output from this jack is the sum of all those  
active channels which have their AUX 1 knobs  
set more than in the minimum position. Use  
the AUX 1/MON SEND (41) knob (page 17) to  
control the overall output sent to your monitor.  
The output is not affected by the main mix  
faders, or channel faders, or by channel EQ.  
The five band EQ (27) can be applied to  
this output using the MAIN/AUX 1 (28)  
switch. A sample of the stereo effects can also  
be added to your monitor by adjusting the  
EFFECTS TO MONITOR (42) knob.  
Pin 1 = shield  
Pin 2 = hot (+),  
Pin 3 = cold (–)  
1/4" TRS balanced wiring:  
Tip = hot (+)  
Ring = cold (–)  
Sleeve = shield  
6. PHONES OUTPUT  
The stereo signal at this output jack is the  
main mix, but it is not affected by the position  
of the MAIN MIX (34) faders.  
See AUX 1/MON (21) on page 13 for more  
information.  
The PHONES (33) control knob allows you  
to set the levels in your headphones as desired,  
without disturbing the main mix level.  
Note: Be very careful because the PHONES  
jack can drive any standard headphones to  
very loud levels. Please see the “Safety Instruc-  
tions” on page 2 for information on hearing  
protection.  
8. AUX SEND 2/EFX OUTPUT  
This 1/4" TRS output can be used to connect  
to the input of an external effects device.  
Each channel strip has an AUX 2 (22) con-  
trol knob which adjusts how much of that  
channel’s signal appears at this output. The  
output from this jack is the mix of all those ac-  
tive channels which have their AUX 2 knobs  
set more than minimum. Use the AUX 2/EFX  
SEND (38) knob to control the overall output  
sent to your external effects processor. The  
EMAC internal effects processor receives the  
same signal.  
RING SLEEVE  
SLEEVE RING TIP  
TIP  
RING  
TIP  
SLEEVE  
1/4" TRS stereo wiring:  
Tip = left, ring = right, sleeve = shield  
Walkperson-type phones can also be used  
with an appropriate adapter.  
This output is not affected by the main mix  
faders, the five-band EQ (27), or by the EMAC  
internal effects.  
As the output is post-channel-fader, and  
post-channel EQ, it cannot be used as tradi-  
tional stage monitor cues. It is intended to  
patch into effects device inputs; hence the  
name “EFX.” See AUX 2/EFX on page 13.  
10  
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level controls of your amplifiers a little. Adjust  
the channel faders upwards to compensate.  
This will increase the levels in the mixer and  
the tape output.  
9. AUX 1 RETURN INPUTS  
Patch the outputs of external parallel ef-  
fects 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.  
13. EFX FOOTSWITCH  
You can connect a normally-open footswitch  
here to switch the EMAC effects processor in  
and out. Closing the switch connection causes  
the internal effects to be bypassed, as you bask  
in the warm glow of the BYPASS LED (44).  
Note: This only affects the internal effects  
and does not affect any signals from devices  
plugged into AUX 1 and AUX 2 returns.  
10. AUX 2 RETURN INPUTS  
Patch the outputs of external parallel ef-  
fects devices to these inputs.  
Signals coming in are adjusted using the  
AUX 2 RETURN (40) 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.  
SLEEVE  
SLEEVE  
TIP  
TIP  
TIP  
SLEEVE  
Note: The AUX 2 RETURN signal is com-  
bined with the signal from the internal  
effects processor.  
1/4" TS (Tip-Sleeve) Footswitch wiring:  
Tip = one end of a normally-open switch  
Sleeve = shield, and other end of a  
normally-open switch.  
11. CD/TAPE INPUT  
14. AC POWER INPUT  
Patch the outputs of your intermission  
entertainment here. Any line-level mono or  
stereo device can be used: tape, DVD/CD  
player, television audio, etc.  
Signals coming into the CD/TAPE (11) in-  
puts are adjusted using the CD/TAPE RETURN  
(35) fader and MUTE.  
This IEC socket  
on the rear panel,  
is where you con-  
nect the supplied  
AC linecord to pro-  
vide AC power to  
the mixer. Plug  
the cord into a  
suitable AC outlet,  
POWER  
Also see page 16 for information regarding  
the BREAK (36) switch.  
ON  
100 240 VAC, 50/60 Hz,  
30 WATTS  
SLEEVE TIP SLEEVE TIP  
properly grounded  
and capable of de-  
livering adequate  
current.  
RCA unbalanced wiring:  
Tip = hot, sleeve = shield  
When connecting a mono device (just one  
cord), you’ll need a “Y-splitter” RCA adapter. It  
turns a mono output cord into two cords; so  
both the left and right tape input jacks can be  
used. This adapter is widely available.  
Note: There is a chance of feedback if you  
have the ins and outs connected to the same  
recorder, and it is in record mode.  
The mixer has a universal-input, switching  
power supply, so you can plug the AC linecord  
into any AC outlet with a nominal voltage  
between 100 and 240 VAC, without having to  
worry about setting any switches or using a  
step-up or step-down voltage transformer.  
15. POWER SWITCH  
Push the side of the switch labeled “ON” to  
turn the mixer on; you should see the POWER  
LED (30) glow in confirmation on the top  
right of the mixer. To turn the mixer off, push  
the switch the other way.  
As a general rule, turn the mixer on first,  
before any amplifiers or powered speakers,  
and at the end of a show, turn it off last. This  
will prevent any turn-on or turn-off thumps  
being heard in your speakers.  
12. TAPE OUTPUT  
Use these jacks to capture the entire perfor-  
mance to tape. The signal at these jacks is the  
main mix, but it is not affected by the position  
of the MAIN MIX (34) faders.  
If you find that the output to tape is quite  
low in level, but your main speaker sound lev-  
els are good, you might try turning down the  
11  
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CHANNEL STRIP FEATURES  
1
LEVEL  
SET  
MIC  
U
OVERVIEW  
18. LOW CUT  
The channel strips are independent of each  
other, and allow you to adjust, tweak and other- high-pass filter, cuts the bass frequencies  
wise beautify the sound coming from your  
different microphones, guitars and other in-  
struments. The Faders and Pans let you adjust every microphone application except kick  
how much of each channel is sent to the main  
mix. The Auxes let you adjust how much of  
each channel goes to your stage monitors or  
out to external or internal effects.  
The LOW CUT circuit, often referred to as a  
MIN  
+50  
-20dB  
+
30dB  
GAIN  
below 75 Hz at a rate of 18 dB per octave.  
We recommend that you use LOW CUT on  
LOW CUT  
75 Hz  
U
EQ  
drum, bass guitar, or bass-heavy synth patches.  
LOW CUT can also help reduce the possibility  
of feedback in live situations and it helps to  
conserve amplifier power.  
HI  
12k  
-15 +15  
U
The channel strips come in two flavors:  
Mono and Stereo. In addition, the DFX•12 has  
two line-level-only stereo channels.  
LOW  
2-BAND CHANNEL EQ  
80Hz  
-15 +15  
The DFX Mixers use “shelving” equalization.  
This boosts or cuts all frequencies past a speci-  
fied frequency. For example, turning the  
LOW EQ (20) knob clockwise will boost the  
bass frequencies at 80 Hz and below.  
AUX  
16. GAIN  
If you haven’t already, please read “SET  
THE LEVELS” on page 5.  
The GAIN control adjusts the input sensitiv-  
ity of the mic and line inputs on each channel. proper EQ, you can also mess things up. If you  
This allows signals from the outside world to be max the EQs on every channel, you’ll get mix  
1
U
MON  
O O  
O O  
+6  
+6  
Although you can bring sound to life with  
2
U
EFX  
adjusted to optimal internal operating levels.  
Through the mono channel MIC (XLR) in-  
mush, not to mention driving your mix levels  
near or beyond clipping. So equalize subtly;  
puts, there is 50 dB of gain fully up. For stereo use cut as well as boost.  
channel MIC inputs, this is +40 dB.  
Adjusting the channel EQ will affect your  
Through the mono channel LINE IN (TRS) main mix and the AUX 2/EFX (8) output, but  
inputs, there is 20 dB of attenuation fully down not the AUX 1/MON (7) output.  
and +30 dB of gain fully up, with a “U” (unity  
L PAN R  
19. HI EQ  
gain) mark halfway up. The stereo channel  
LINE INs have a maximum gain of +20 dB.  
Having 20 dB of line-level attenuation can  
be very handy when you are injecting a signal  
that is very hot, or when you want to add a lot  
of EQ boost, or both. Without this “pad,” it  
would be very difficult to control the line sig-  
nal and might lead to channel clipping.  
MUTE  
1
+15  
+10  
This control provides up to  
15 dB of boost, or 15 dB of cut  
at 12 kHz and above. There is  
no boost or cut at the center  
detent position.  
+5  
0
HI  
dB  
10  
5  
10  
OL  
15  
20Hz  
100Hz  
1kHz  
10kHz 20kHz  
5
Use this wisely to add sizzle to cymbals or  
an overall sense of transparency or edge to  
keyboards, vocals, guitar, and bacon frying.  
Turn it down a little to reduce sibilance or  
hide tape hiss.  
U
5
17. LEVEL SET LED  
10  
This LED (Light Emitting Dohickey) lets  
you know that the signals going into the mixer  
are adjusted to the correct level, not too strong  
to cause distortion and not too weak to be lost  
in noise.  
20  
30  
20. LOW EQ  
This control provides up  
to 15 dB of boost, or 15 dB of  
+15  
+10  
+5  
40  
50  
60  
0
LOW  
After you connect a microphone or line-  
level component to the mixer, do a sound test  
and adjust the GAIN (16) control until this  
handy LED flickers just occasionally. If it is  
glowing constantly, turn the GAIN down. If the  
LED is doing almost nothing, turn it up.  
cut at 80 Hz and below.  
There is no boost or cut at  
the center detent position.  
Frequencies of 80 Hz and  
below represents the punch in bass drums,  
bass guitar, fat synth patches, and  
5  
10  
O O  
15  
20Hz  
100Hz  
1kHz  
10kHz 20kHz  
Mono Channel  
high-testosterone male singers.  
While adding boost, also engaging the  
LOW CUT (18) switch can create an audible  
low frequency boost without boosting stage  
rumble, mic-handling clunks, and breath pops.  
12  
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the center position, the left and right channel  
signals pass through to the main mix unaffected.  
If PAN is turned left, the right channel is attenu-  
ated; if turned right, the left side is attenuated.  
AUXILIARIES  
AUX 1/MON allows you to create a separate  
mono mix which can be used to feed stage  
monitors.  
11/12  
LEVEL  
SET  
U
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. For  
example, on the DFX•12, channel 9 (L) and  
10 (R) mix together to feed that the channel  
9/10 AUX knobs.  
24. MUTE  
-20dB  
+20dB  
GAIN  
When you engage a channel’s MUTE switch,  
its signal disappears from the main mix, tape,  
AUX 1, AUX 2 and headphones. The only ex-  
ception is the INSERT (4) outputs.  
U
EQ  
HI  
12k  
25. FADER  
-15 +15  
This fader is the master level control for  
the channel’s signal. Subtle adjustment of the  
channels’ fader positions is the key to a finely-  
tuned mix.  
U
LOW  
80Hz  
-15 +15  
Typically (providing the GAIN (16) control  
is set correctly) the fader position will be posi-  
tioned somewhere between 0 dB (“U”) and  
–30 dB.  
If you have a fader set all the way up, that’s  
usually a sign that your GAIN is set too low.  
Conversely, if the fader is set way down, your  
GAIN may be set too high.  
The master AUX SEND (38, 41) knobs ad-  
just the overall aux output levels.  
These are more than mere effects and  
monitor sends: they can be used to generate  
separate mixes for recording or “mix-minuses”  
for broadcast.  
AUX  
1
U
U
MON  
O O  
O O  
+6  
+6  
2
EFX  
21. AUX 1/MON  
AUX 1 is designed for feeding a separate  
monitor mix to the musicians on stage, via the  
AUX 1 SEND (7) output jack.  
The signal is tapped off before the channel  
EQ section, and before the channel fader. Only  
the channel GAIN, MUTE and LOW CUT will  
affect the output to your monitors.  
“U” = UNITY GAIN  
Mackie mixers have a “U”  
mark on almost every level  
control. This stands for  
“unity gain,” meaning there  
L PAN R  
11  
MUTE  
is no change in signal level. Once you have ad-  
justed the input signal to line-level, you can  
set every control at “U” and your signals will  
travel through the mixer at optimal levels.  
What’s more, all the labels on our level con-  
trols are measured in dog biscuits (dB), so  
you’ll know what you’re doing level-wise if you  
choose to change a control’s settings.  
/
12  
22. AUX 2/EFX  
AUX 2 is designed for feeding the EMAC in-  
ternal effects processor and the inputs of  
parallel effects devices.  
It is post-fader, so any changes to the chan-  
nel controls will affect the AUX 2 signal. In  
addition to feeding the inputs of the EMAC, it  
also feeds the AUX 2 SEND (8) output.  
dB  
10  
OL  
5
U
5
26. OL (OVERLOAD) LED  
This handy feature gives you the chance to  
take care of any signal overload before it is  
made worse by turning up the fader.  
This LED only lights when the channel’s sig-  
nals are set too high and are about to distort  
(clip). The OL circuit monitors the signal just  
before it reaches the channel fader, so any  
overload must be taken care of by adjusting the  
channel’s GAIN, EQ, or the LOW CUT, and not  
the channel fader.  
If the LED comes on, make sure you reset  
the GAIN control correctly, and check that  
your channel EQ settings are not too high.  
10  
23. PAN  
20  
30  
This adjusts how much of the channel sig-  
nal is playing in the left side of the main mix,  
and how much is playing in the right.  
For mono channels, if the PAN control is in  
the center position, the mono signal appears  
equally in both the left and right of the main  
mix. If the control is set left, more of the signal  
appears in the left side of the main mix. If the  
control is set right, more of the signal appears  
in the right side of the mix.  
40  
50  
60  
O O  
Stereo Channel  
(DFX•12)  
For stereo channels, the PAN control works  
like the balance control on your home stereo,  
by attenuating one side or the other. If it is in  
13  
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MASTER SECTION FEATURES  
Before you read this chapter,  
you might want to look at the  
rather lovely channel strip fea-  
tures on the previous page.  
POWER  
·
DFX 12  
12 CHANNEL INTEGRATED LIVE SOUND MIXER  
+12  
0
+12  
0
27. STEREO GRAPHIC EQ  
PHANTOM POWER  
+48V  
This equalizer is used to shape  
the frequency spectrum of the  
main mix or monitor mix. It is  
the last thing in the signal chain  
before the MAIN MIX (34) faders  
and the MAIN OUT (5) jacks.  
Each EQ slider controls a dif-  
ferent section of the audio  
frequency range. Moving a slider  
up or down will boost or cut the  
output levels of signals around  
the slider’s center frequency. By  
setting all the EQ sliders to zero  
(center) you’ll effectively remove  
it from the signal path.  
LEFGHT  
CLIP  
16  
12  
12  
12  
8
250  
1K  
3.5K  
BYPASS  
12K  
60  
4
MAIN  
AUX 1  
0
EQ  
NORM  
4
8
BYPASS  
DIGITAL STEREO  
EFFECTS PROCESSOR  
LEVEL SET  
12  
U
REVERSE  
GATE  
DE
DELAY 2  
16  
O O  
+6  
CATHEDRAL  
LG. HALL  
DELAY 3  
DELAY 4  
20  
(EFFECTS TO  
STAGE MONITOR)  
24  
The following steps show how  
the equalizer can be used to  
reduce feedback:  
1. Set the EQ sliders to zero  
(center) while the band  
plays on.  
MD. HALL  
LG. PLATE  
CHORUS  
FLANGE  
30  
0 = +4dBu  
MD. PLATE  
SM. ROOM  
PHASER  
SPRING  
VOCAL  
ELIMINAT
BREAK  
SWITCH  
O O  
+6  
O O  
+6  
2. Set the channel GAIN (16)  
levels, using the LEVEL  
O O  
MAX  
PHONES  
AUX 1/MON SEND  
AUX 2/EFX SEND  
(MUTES ALL MIC CHANNELS)  
SET LED (17) and adjust  
the channel faders for a  
nice mix.  
AUX 1  
AUX 2/EFX  
MUTE  
CD/TAPE  
MUTE  
MAIN MIX  
MUTE  
RETURN  
RETURN  
RETURN  
LEFT  
RIGHT  
3. Slowly turn up the MAIN  
MIX (34) faders until feed-  
back just begins to occur.  
BE CAREFUL! Feedback  
can occur quickly and be-  
come very LOUD, very fast.  
4. Cut the appropriate EQ slider  
until the feedback stops.  
dB  
10  
dB  
10  
dB  
10  
dB  
10  
5
U
5
5
U
5
5
U
5
5
U
5
10  
10  
10  
10  
Here are some general sugges-  
tions on using the EQ:  
20  
30  
20  
30  
20  
30  
20  
30  
For better vocal sound, set the  
250, and 12K sliders to +5.  
Note: Make sure the singer  
is within 3 to 6 inches of the  
microphone. No amount of  
EQ can save a wandering  
minstrel.  
40  
50  
40  
50  
40  
50  
40  
50  
60  
60  
60  
60  
O O  
O O  
O O  
O O  
For more presence, set the 3.5K  
slider to +5.  
To warm up the overall sound,  
set the 1K slider to –5.  
REMEMBER, LESS IS BETTER.  
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The meters display the level of the main  
mix, after the MAIN MIX (34) faders.  
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.  
You can get a good mix with the meter’s  
peaks flashing anywhere between –20 and  
+8 dB. Most amplifiers clip at about +10 dB,  
and some recorders aren’t so forgiving either.  
For best real-world results, try to keep your  
peaks between “0” and “+8.”  
If your meters are too high, you will get dis-  
tortion. If they are too low, then your signal/  
noise will suffer. Use the meters to help you  
adjust the mixer for optimum performance  
without distortion or noise, then you can  
adjust your amplifiers for good overall volume.  
29. BYPASS EQ SWITCH  
Use this switch to quickly compare the  
effect of your EQ settings.  
In the UP position, the EQ (27) section is  
in line with the signal path, (either main mix  
or monitor, depending on the position of the  
MAIN/AUX 1 (28) switch).  
In the DOWN position, the EQ section is by-  
passed and has no effect on any outputs.  
33. PHONES  
This control allows you to adjust the head-  
phone levels without disturbing the main mix.  
Turn this down before connecting and put-  
ting on your headphones. Bring it up slowly.  
Please see the “Safety Instructions” on page  
2 for information on hearing protection.  
30. POWER LED  
This LED turns on when the mixer is  
switched on, and (as you can probably guess)  
it turns off when the mixer is switched off.  
34. MAIN MIX FADERS  
These two faders control the final level of  
the signals sent to the MAIN (5) outputs.  
The TAPE (12) and PHONE (6) outputs  
also receive the main mix, but are not affected  
by these faders.  
All active mono and stereo channels that  
are not turned fully down will appear in the  
main mix. Other signals feeding these faders  
include: AUX 1 RETURN(9), AUX 2 RETURN  
(10) including the EMAC internal effects, and  
the CD/TAPE (11) inputs.  
The faders, set fully up, provide 10 dB of  
gain. A “U” unity gain point is just below that.  
When set fully down, the main mix is effec-  
tively muted. These are the faders to pull  
down at the end of the song when you want  
The Great Fade-Out.  
31. PHANTOM POWER SWITCH and LED  
Press this switch to turn on the pretty LED.  
It also supplies phantom power to all of the  
mono channels’ XLR MIC inputs. Phantom  
power is required to operate most condenser  
microphones (some condenser microphones  
are battery-powered). With the switch pressed  
in, the DFX Mixers provide +48 VDC phantom  
powering on pins 2 and 3 of the XLR connectors.  
Note: The stereo channels do not have  
phantom power on their XLR connectors.  
If you have dynamic, ribbon, or tube mics  
that do not require phantom power, leave the  
switch out. If you are using both condenser and  
dynamic mics, don’t worry. Phantom power will  
not hurt most dynamic mics. Check the  
microphone’s user manual if you’re not sure.  
Caution: Turn all output  
35. CD/TAPE RETURN FADER and MUTE  
levels down before operat-  
If you have a CD or Tape player connected to  
the CD/TAPE (11) inputs, the signals pass through  
the MUTE switch, through this stereo fader, and  
then into your main mix. This is like a channel  
fader, except it is adding the CD/TAPE input to  
the main mix, instead of adding a channel.  
Set this fader to minimum, then play your  
selection and increase the fader as desired.  
Assuming the MAIN MIX (34) faders are set,  
you should hear the music. Press down the  
VOCAL ELIMINATOR (37) if you like to  
remove centered vocals, and BREAK (36) if  
you want to play soothing CDs or tapes  
ing this switch to avoid the  
possibility of a “pop” in your  
speakers.  
32. METERS  
The DFX Mixer’s metering system is made  
up of two columns of twelve LEDs each, with  
thresholds ranging from –30 dB up to “CLIP.”  
The 0 dB LEDs correspond to an output  
level of +4 dBu (=1.23 V). The “CLIP” LEDs  
turn on when the output reaches +20 dBu.  
There is a fair margin of safety before actual  
clipping distortion occurs, but you should turn  
things down if you see it come on.  
while the band is breaking up the bar.  
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36. BREAK SWITCH  
Engage the BREAK switch (as in take-a-  
break) and the entire main microphone mix  
is switched off.  
·
DFX 12  
12 CHANNEL INTEGRATED LIVE SOUND MIXER  
+12  
0
+12  
0
The CD/TAPE (11) input is still active, so  
you can play your intermission CDs or tapes  
through the main outputs. On the DFX•12,  
line level inputs 9 and 10, 11 and 12 are also  
still active, and are summed with the CD/  
TAPE input. During an intermission, you  
could play keyboards or a second tape deck  
into these line inputs.  
BREAK acts as a master mute switch for  
your microphones, so it is useful when moving  
microphones around on stage. It does not  
mute the AUX 1 (7) or AUX 2 (8) outputs, so  
turn down the master AUX SEND (41, 38)  
knobs if desired.  
12  
12  
250  
1K  
3.5K  
BYPASS  
12K  
60  
MAIN  
AUX 1  
EQ  
BYPASS  
DIGITAL STEREO  
EFFECTS PROCESSOR  
LEVEL SET  
U
REVERSE  
GATE  
DE
DELAY 2  
O O  
+6  
37. VOCAL ELIMINATOR SWITCH  
This switch allows you to eliminate the vo-  
cals from any CD or Tape selection playing in  
the CD/TAPE (11) inputs.  
In the UP position, the CD or Tape signals  
are not affected. In the DOWN position, any  
vocals which are centered in the normal ste-  
reo image will be attenuated.  
CATHEDRAL  
LG. HALL  
DELAY 3  
DELAY 4  
(EFFECTS TO  
STAGE MONITOR)  
MD. HALL  
LG. PLATE  
CHORUS  
FLANGE  
MD. PLATE  
SM. ROOM  
PHASER  
SPRING  
VOCAL  
ELIMINAT
BREAK  
SWITCH  
O O  
O O  
+6  
+6  
The circuit design uses phase cancellation  
of the vocal frequency range between the left  
and right channels. The effect is most notice-  
able on music material which has the vocals  
panned dead center.  
AUX 1/MON SEND  
AUX 2/EFX SEND  
(MUTES ALL MIC CHANNELS)  
AUX 1  
AUX 2/EFX  
MUTE  
CD/TAPE  
MUTE  
MUTE  
RETURN  
RETURN  
RETURN  
dB  
10  
dB  
10  
dB  
10  
38. AUX 2/EFX SEND  
Effects send signals are derived by each  
channel’s AUX 2/EFX (22) control, summed  
together, then sent through this master con-  
trol. It allows you to simultaneously adjust the  
signal levels out to the AUX 2/EFX SEND (8)  
output, and to the EMAC effects processor.  
Turned fully up, it provides 6 dB of gain,  
“U” is unity gain, and fully down is off.  
Use the individual channel AUX 2/EFX  
controls to adjust the amount of each  
channel’s signal you want to go to the AUX 2/  
EFX SEND or EMAC. Then use this master  
control to make sure the EMAC’s LEVEL SET  
LED (39) never lights more than occasionally.  
5
U
5
5
U
5
5
U
5
10  
10  
10  
20  
30  
20  
30  
20  
30  
40  
50  
40  
50  
40  
50  
60  
60  
60  
O O  
O O  
O O  
39. LEVEL SET LED  
This indicates when the EMAC is 6 dB be-  
low clipping. Just like the channel LEVEL SET  
LEDs (17), this should only light occasionally.  
If it blinks frequently, you should turn down the  
AUX 2/EFX SEND (38) control a little. If this  
LED never blinks, then turn the control up.  
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40. AUX 2/EFX RETURN FADER, MUTE EMAC EFFECTS PROCESSOR  
The EMAC output is added to any signals  
EMAC stands for Extended Multiply and Ac-  
going into the AUX 2 RETURN (10) jacks from cumulate, which is a proprietary 32-bit digital  
an external effects processor. The final effects stereo processor developed by our Digital En-  
signal is then sent to this MUTE switch and  
stereo fader. It acts like a channel fader, ex-  
cept 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.  
Press MUTE to quickly compare the differ-  
ence between adding, or not adding effects.  
The MUTE and fader affect the level of the  
effects going to the main mix only, and not of  
any effects going to the monitors.  
gineering Group. It provides you with a choice  
of 16 preset digital effects algorithms for your  
enjoyment.  
The mono signal going into the EMAC  
comes from the AUX 2/EFX (22) controls of  
each channel, summed together and passed  
through the AUX 2/EFX SEND (38) control.  
Note that the AUX 2/EFX signals are post-  
channel EQ and post-channel fader, so any  
channel adjustments will alter the effects.  
The EMAC takes the mono input, processes  
it and creates a stereo output. A footswitch al-  
lows the EMAC to be bypassed and a SET  
LEVEL LED (39) allows the input signal  
strength to be optimized for best performance.  
The processed stereo signals coming out of  
the EMAC are added to any signals coming in  
from an external processor connected to the  
AUX 2 RETURN (10) jacks. The combined sig-  
nals then pass through the MUTE (40) and  
AUX 2/EFX RETURN (40) fader and then on  
to the main mix.  
41. AUX 1/MON SEND  
This allows you to control the level of the  
signal going out to your monitors.  
Any signals from each channel’s AUX 1/MON  
(21) control (and the EFFECTS TO MONITOR  
(42) control), are summed together, then sent  
through this master control.  
Turned fully up, it provides 6 dB of gain,  
“U” is unity gain, and fully down is off.  
When the talent wants a louder monitor  
mix, this is the control to crank up — watch  
out for feedback!  
EMAC QUICK START  
Assuming you have your basic mix up and  
running, turn up the AUX 2 /EFX (22) controls  
on each channel. This feeds individual  
amounts of channel signals to the EMAC.  
Set the master AUX 2 /EFX SEND (38) con-  
trol so the EMAC’s LEVEL SET LED (39)  
blinks occasionally.  
Turn up the AUX 2/EFX (40) fader and you  
should be hearing the effects.  
Next, goof around with the various Preset  
Selects (45) to listen to their effect. When you  
find an effect you like, jot it down, then goof  
around some more.  
42. EFFECTS TO MONITOR  
Typically, this control is used to add effects to  
the stage monitors. Any effects sent to the moni-  
tors are the same as in the main mix, except  
for the level, and they are summed mono. The  
effects level sent to the monitor mix is not af-  
fected by the AUX 2/EFX RETURN (40) fader,  
so the monitors and main mix effect levels can  
be set independently.  
Turned fully up, this control provides 6 dB  
of gain, and “U” is unity gain. Turn it fully  
down for no effects sent to your monitors.  
This control is similar to each channel’s  
AUX 1/MON (21) control, except it adds the ef-  
fects (summed mono) to the monitor mix,  
rather than adding a channel signal.  
To bypass these effects, engage an optional  
foot switch connected to EFX FOOT SWITCH  
(13). To send these effects to the stage moni-  
tors, turn up the EFFECTS TO MONITOR (42)  
knob.  
43. AUX 1 RETURN FADER and MUTE  
44. BYPASS LED  
Any signals going into the AUX 1 RETURN  
(9) jacks from an external processor pass  
through the MUTE switch and then to this ste-  
reo fader. This is like a channel fader, except it  
is adding the signal from an external device 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.  
This LED will come on when the EMAC cir-  
cuit is bypassed by use of an external  
footswitch. The bypass affects only the internal  
EMAC effects, not any external effects proces-  
sor you may have connected to the AUX 2  
RETURN (10) jacks.  
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MD. HALL:  
BYPASS  
DIGITAL STEREO  
EFFECTS PROCESSOR  
Dense, smooth reverb with normal tail,  
normal pre-delay, and increased early  
reflections. Tails are warm with more  
apparent high end. Works well with  
vocals and electric and acoustic guitar.  
LG. PLATE:  
LEVEL SET  
U
REVERSE  
GATE  
DELAY 1  
DELAY 2  
O O  
+6  
CATHEDRAL  
LG. HALL  
DELAY 3  
DELAY 4  
(EFFECTS TO  
STAGE MONITOR)  
MD. HALL  
LG. PLATE  
CHORUS  
FLANGE  
Good early reflections and no pre-delay.  
Tails are normal and warm with strong  
high end for increased presence. Perfect  
for vocals and snare.  
MD. PLATE  
SM. ROOM  
PHASER  
SPRING  
VOCAL  
ELIMINATOR  
U
U
MD. PLATE:  
BREAK  
SWITCH  
O O  
O O  
+6  
+6  
Good early reflections and no pre-delay.  
Tails are short and warm with strong high  
end for increased presence. Perfect for  
tight vocals and snare.  
AUX 1/MON SEND  
AUX 2/EFX SEND  
(MUTES ALL MIC CHANNELS)  
AUX 1  
AUX 2/EFX  
MUTE  
CD/TAPE  
MUTE  
MUTE  
RETURN  
RETURN  
RETURN  
SM. ROOM:  
Reverb featuring very fast and scattered  
early reflections with a short pre-delay.  
Tails are very short and warm with  
normal high-end imitating absorbent wall  
materials and audience. Good for tight  
vocal effects.  
45. PRESET SELECT  
Rotate this detented switch to select any of  
the following preset effects:  
REVERBS  
SPRING:  
The reverbs are designed to provide a wide  
variety of reverb sounds for vocal and instru-  
ment applications. In the following description,  
“tail” refers to the reflections that follow the ini-  
tial sound event, also referred to as decay  
range. “Pre-delay” is the amount of time  
between the initial sound event and the first  
reflection.  
Mimics the vintage 60’s-style wet spring  
reverb effect. Tails are normal with strong  
high end and a slight waver imitating the  
slow flutter of the mechanical spring  
system. Very good with acoustic guitar.  
DELAYS  
REVERSE:  
There are four delays available with one, two,  
three, and four repeats:  
Standard reverse reverb, simulating a  
tail-first effect increasing to the original  
note.  
DELAY 1:  
One repeat. Works best for slapback delay  
used in country and swing guitar, and for  
rockabilly and some country vocals.  
DELAY 2:  
GATED:  
Standard gated reverb, where the reverb  
tail is cut off sharply after the preset  
decay length.  
Two repeats. Provides a fuller, more dra-  
matic effect for rock and gospel vocals,  
acoustic guitar, and wind instruments  
such as flute. Especially effective for  
some finger-picking styles.  
CATHEDRAL:  
Dense, smooth reverb with very long tail,  
long pre-delay, and late reflections. Tails  
are very warm with some additional high-  
end reflections imitating the stone walls  
of a cathedral. A very dramatic effect  
that works well with wind instruments  
such as flute, slow finger picking on  
acoustic guitar, and quiet vocal group  
harmony and choirs. Also works well with  
keyboards.  
DELAY 3:  
Three repeats. An excellent delay for  
slow, bluesy vocals and melodic flute  
music. This delay usually works best  
when the channel EFX send is set at less  
than halfway.  
DELAY 4:  
LG. HALL:  
Four repeats. This is for very dramatic  
delay effects, particularly for enhancing  
long vocal notes and dramatic instrumen-  
tal note-chopping effects. Be sure to set  
the channel EFX send at about halfway.  
Dense, smooth reverb with long tail, long  
pre-delay, and some early reflections.  
Tails are warm with more apparent high  
end. Works well with vocals and electric  
and acoustic guitar.  
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MODULATION EFFECTS  
BAD EFFECTS  
These include Chorus, Flange, and Phaser,  
and are generally used for enhancement of in-  
strumental music. However, Chorus adds a  
dramatic effect to vocals as well.  
CHORUS:  
The following effect ideas did not quite  
make the grade:  
ELEVATOR:  
Each musical selection is carefully  
stripped of its lyrics, passed through a  
true mono, house band simulator and  
emerges as a piece even its own  
songwriter would not recognize or sue  
you for. The intermingled “bing” at each  
floor, will have you facing the walls, look-  
ing up at the ceiling, and avoiding all eye  
contact in your own living room.  
DAD:  
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 half-  
way or higher.  
FLANGE:  
Creates a strong sweeping effect, particu-  
larly effective on rock electric guitar, lead  
and rhythm. The channel’s AUX 2/EFX  
should be set halfway or higher.  
PHASER:  
When musical passages increase in vol-  
ume, they reach a certain trigger point  
(dad-threshold) at which point, irate  
male vocals containing the words: “turn it  
down!” can be faintly heard coming from  
downstairs, even if you don’t have a  
downstairs, followed by the sound of a  
broom handle banging on the virtual ceil-  
ing. Additional settings include the terms:  
“if I have to come up there!” and “you  
long haired hippy!” complete this sound  
effect suite.  
This effect is perfect for enhancing  
strummed acoustic guitar or electric gui-  
tar power chords. The PHASER  
effectively duplicates the popular 70’s  
phase shift effect used for guitar.  
PUNK:  
This will turn all of your favorite lyrics into  
something shouted loudly and out of key,  
about teenage rebellion from not being all  
that good at school, not having an easy job  
that pays good money, or not ever having  
a girlfriend who was very nice to you.  
19  
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APPENDIX A: Service Info  
Warranty Service  
Repair  
Details concerning Warranty Service are  
Service for DFX mixers sold in the USA is  
spelled out in the Warranty Card included with available at our factory, located in sunny Wood-  
your mixer. If it’s missing, please let us or your inville, Washington. Service for Mackie mixers  
dealer know.  
living outside the United States can be obtained  
If you think your DFX Mixer has a problem, through local dealers or distributors.  
please do everything you can to confirm it be-  
fore calling for service. Doing so might save  
If your mixer needs service, follow these  
instructions:  
you from the deprivation of your mixer and the 1. Review the preceding troubleshooting  
associated suffering.  
suggestions. Please.  
These may sound obvious to you, but there’s  
some things you can check. Read on.  
2. Call Tech Support at 1-800-258-6883, 8am  
to 5pm PST, to explain the problem and  
request an RA (Return Authorization)  
number. Have your mixer’s serial number  
ready. You must have an RA number before  
you can obtain service at the factory.  
Troubleshooting  
Bad Channel  
Is the channel Fader turned up?  
Is the MUTE switch on?  
On mono channels, try unplugging any  
INSERT devices.  
Try the same source signal in another  
channel, set up exactly like the suspect  
channel.  
3. Keep this owner’s manual. We don’t need it  
to repair the mixer.  
4. Pack the mixer in its original package. This  
is very important. When you call for the  
RA number, please let Tech Support know  
if you need new packaging. Do not use  
packing “peanuts” or any small packing  
pieces which could get inside the mixer.  
Always wrap it in a plastic bag. Mackie is  
not responsible for any damage that  
occurs due to non-factory packaging.  
Bad Output  
Are the MAIN MIX faders turned up?  
• If it’s one of the MAIN OUTs , try unplug-  
ging all the others. For example, if it’s a  
TRS MAIN OUT, unplug the associated XLR  
outputs. If the problem goes away, it’s not  
the mixer.  
5. Include a legible note stating your name,  
shipping address (no P.O. boxes), daytime  
phone number, RA number, and a detailed  
description of the problem, including how  
we can duplicate it.  
• If it’s a stereo pair, try switching them  
around. For example, if a left output is  
presumed dead, switch the left and right  
cords, at the mixer end. If the left speaker  
is still dead, it’s not the mixer.  
6. Write the RA number in BIG PRINT on  
top of the box.  
7. Ship the mixer to us. We suggest insurance  
for all forms of cartage. Ship to this address:  
Mackie Designs  
Noise  
SERVICE DEPARTMENT  
16140 Wood-Red Rd. NE, Ste 5  
Woodinville, WA 98072  
• Turn the channel Faders , AUX RETURN  
and AUX SEND controls down, one by one.  
If the sound disappears, it’s either that  
channel or whatever is plugged into it, so  
unplug whatever that is.  
8. We’ll try to fix the mixer within three to five  
business days. Ask Tech Support for the  
latest turn-around times when you call for  
your RA number. The mixer MUST be  
Power  
packaged in its original packing box, and  
must have the RA number on the box. Once  
it’s repaired, we’ll ship it back the same way  
in which it was received. This paragraph does  
not necessarily apply to non-warranty repair.  
• Our favorite question: Is the POWER switch  
on? Are all the lights out in your building?  
• If the POWER LED is blinking, switch the  
mixer off for a few seconds, and disconnect  
all connections except the linecord. Switch  
it back on, and if the LED continues to  
blink, the mixer may need repair.  
20  
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APPENDIX B: Technical Info  
Maximum Voltage Gain  
Specifications  
DFX•6, DFX•12  
Mic Input to  
Insert Output:  
Tape Output:  
Main Output:  
Aux Send:  
Line Input to  
Insert Output:  
Tape Output:  
Main Output:  
Aux Send:  
50 dB  
60 dB  
76 dB  
85 dB  
Mixer Section  
Frequency Response  
Mic Input to any Main output (GAIN at 0 dB):  
+0, –1 dB, 16 Hz to 30 kHz  
30 dB  
40 dB  
56 dB  
66 dB  
Distortion  
THD and SMPTE IMD; 20Hz to 20kHz  
Stereo Line Input to  
Tape Output:  
Main Output:  
Aux Send:  
Tape Input to  
Main Output:  
Effects Return to  
Main Output:  
Mic Input to Main Output:  
< 0.05% @ +4 dBu output  
20 dB  
40 dB  
50 dB  
Noise  
20Hz to 20kHz BW (150source impedance)  
22 dB  
22 dB  
Equivalent Input Noise (EIN):  
–127 dBu  
Residual Output Noise:  
Main, Monitor, & Effects outputs  
Channel & Master levels off  
–95 dBu  
Input Impedance  
Mic Input:  
Line Input:  
Insert Input, Stereo Line Input, Tape Input, and  
Effects Returns:  
3 k, balanced  
40 k, balanced  
Common Mode Rejection Ratio (CMRR)  
60 dB @ 1kHz, Gain @ unity  
10 k, unbalanced  
Output Impedance  
Crosstalk  
Main Output, Insert Output, Tape Output, and  
Adjacent Inputs or Input to Output:  
–90 dB @ 1kHz  
Effects Sends:  
150 Ω  
Fader Off  
Digital Effects  
Resolution:  
Number of Presets:  
–90 dB @ 1kHz  
Mute Switch and Break Switch Mute  
–80 dB @ 1kHz  
16-bit, 2-channel  
16  
Channel Level Set LED (Sensitivity)  
0 dBu (normal operating level)  
Input Level Trim Control Range  
0 to +50 dB  
VU Meters  
Main L/R  
Phantom Power  
+48V DC on mono channels  
12 segments:  
Equalization  
Low Cut:  
Clip (+16), +12, +8, +4, 0, –4, –8, –12, –16, –20, –24,  
and –30  
75 Hz, –18 dB/octave  
Channel EQ:  
AC Power Requirements  
High  
Low  
15 dB @ 12kHz  
15 dB @ 80Hz  
100 – 240 VAC, 50/60 Hz, 30 watts  
(Capable of operation from 85% to 110% of rated line  
voltage.)  
Stereo Graphic EQ (5 bands):  
Q = 1.414, ISO octave centers  
12 dB @ 60, 250, 1k, 3.5 k, 12 kHz  
Disclaimer  
Mixer Rated Output  
Main, Aux, & EFX: +4 dBu  
Maximum Rated Output:  
Since we are always striving to make our products bet-  
ter by incorporating new and improved materials,  
components, and manufacturing methods, we reserve  
the right to change these specifications at any time  
without notice.  
“Mackie.,” the “Running Man” figure, “DFX,” and “EMAC”  
are trademarks or registered trademarks of Mackie  
Designs Inc.  
+20 dBu  
Maximum Input Levels  
Mic Input:  
–28 dBu, Gain @ +50 dB  
+18 dBu, Gain @ +6 dB  
–8 dBu, Gain @ +30 dB  
+38 dBu, Gain @ –15 dB  
Line Input:  
Insert Input, Stereo Line Input, Tape Input, and  
Effects Return: +20 dBu  
All other brand names mentioned are trademarks or  
registered trademarks of their respective holders, and  
are hereby acknowledged.  
©2002 Mackie Designs Inc.  
All Rights Reserved.  
21  
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Dimensions  
4.1" (105 mm)  
16.1" (410 mm)  
DFX12  
WEIGHT  
10.0 lbs.  
(4.5 kg)  
11.8" (300 mm)  
DFX6  
WEIGHT  
8 lbs.  
(3.6 kg)  
AC Power Considerations  
The majority of AC outlets encountered in  
homes and clubs (in the U.S.) are served by a  
will tell you if the polarity of the hot and neu-  
tral wires is reversed and if the safety ground  
240 VAC center-tapped service entrance trans- is disconnected. Don’t use an outlet if it is  
former. This provides two phases of AC power wired improperly! This is to protect yourself as  
on either side of the center tap, at 120 V each. well as your equipment.  
If lighting is used in a show, it is preferable  
If you find that you must plug into a two-  
to power the lights from one leg of the service, wire outlet, you will need to use a two-wire to  
and power the audio equipment from the  
other leg. This will help minimize noise from  
three-wire adapter (cheater plug). These  
come with a metal tab that you put under-  
the lights coupling into the audio (particularly neath the center screw that holds the AC  
if SCRs, or light-dimmer switches, are used).  
In order to minimize ground loops, the  
safety grounds for all the outlets should be  
connected to a common (“star”) grounding  
point, and the distance between the outlets  
and the common grounding point should be as  
short as possible.  
When setting up for a show, oftentimes you  
are plugging into an AC power distribution sys-  
tem you know nothing about. You may even be  
faced with 2-wire outlets that are missing the  
third safety ground pin. It’s a good idea to have  
a three-wire AC outlet tester in your toolbox so  
you can check the outlets yourself to make  
sure they are wired correctly. These testers  
outlet faceplate in place. This center screw  
must be grounded. You can check it by con-  
necting the adapter to the outlet and then  
plugging in your handy-dandy AC outlet tester.  
NEVER bypass the AC plug’s  
ground pin. This is  
dangerous!  
22  
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Block Diagram  
R O I T N O  
X U 1 A /  
X U 2 A / E F X  
S U B R L -  
23  
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Some of the  
people at our  
®
factory who helped  
design, build, sell,  
and support your  
product.  
®
®
Mackie Designs Inc.  
16220 Wood-Red Rd. NE • Woodinville, WA 98072 • USA  
US & Canada: 800/898-3211  
Europe, Asia, Central & South America: 425/487-4333  
Middle East & Africa: 31-20-654-4000  
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