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Live Sound > Live Sound Mixers > Analog Mixers > Mackie 1604-VLZ3

Mackie 1604-VLZ3

Item ID: 1604VLZ3

16-channel Analog Mixer with 16 XDR2 Mic Preamps, 4 Aux Sends, and Split-monitoring

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From Our Research Team:

Superb, Professional Mackie Mixer

The Mackie 1604-VLZ maintains all the features and functionality of its wildly popular predecessor, the 1604-VLZ Pro, yet adds even greater headroom, a redesigned mix bus, and an improved EQ section for an amazingly intuitive, musical feel. Whether you need a powerful board for your home and studio recording, or a live mixer for club work, the 1604-VLZ delivers incredible sound with its 16 acclaimed XDR2 mic preamps. Built Mackie-tough, and ready to tackle practically any sound application, the Mackie 1604-VLZ is a first-rate mixer!

Mackie 1604-VLZ at a Glance:
  • Tremendous XDR2 Preamps
  • Premium musical EQ section
  • Versatile and professional
  • Split-monitoring
  • Sleek, rugged design

Tremendous XDR2 Preamps
If you want excellent, professional sound, you need great mic pres - that's why Mackie put a lot of heart into the design of the 1604-VLZ3's XDR2 (Extended Dynamic Range) mic preamps. Delivering pure, clean, studio-grade sound, these pres have an impressively wide frequency range, especially in the low end, and even at extremely high gain settings. Switchable phantom power means you can use any of your favorite microphones with your 1604-VLZ3 and expect incredible, high-quality sound. While it's true that the VLZ3 mixers have gained an excellent reputation for more than just their mic pres, we can't help but attribute some of that fame to the XDR2's superb design.

Premium musical EQ section
Mackie didn't cut any corners when they designed the 1604-VLZ3's masterful EQ section. Every channel features the the same world-renowned 3-band active EQ with optimized center points - the lows at 80Hz and the highs at 12kHz. Midrange compensation is handled by a peaking control with a two-octave variable frequency center, meaning mids can be swept from 100Hz all the way up to 8kHz, with a boost or cut of 15dB. This entire EQ section was designed to be practical and useful, but also tone-shaping to actually improve the musical nature of the original signal.

Versatile and professional
The Mackie 1604-VLZ3 mixer is loaded with premium features on each channel. Enjoy 75Hz Low-Cut filters, four aux sends, inserts, phantom power, constant-loudness pan controls, overload and signal present LEDs, sub and main mix assign switches, and an assignable AFL/PFL solo switch for ultimate control. An array of output options make the 1604-VLZ3 ready for any application with its control room/phones source matrix, master aux section with EFX to monitor, tape outputs, a high-volume headphone amplifier, channels 1-8 direct outs, and balanced XLR and balanced/unbalanced TRS outputs!

Split-monitoring
WIth split monitoring, you can use the first eight channels of your 1604-VLZ3 for your sound sources, such as vocal mics or drum mics. From there, the channels manipulate the sound, but are not assigned to the output section. Instead, they're patched from the channel's direct out jacks to the corresponding multitrack input. In this way, the signals will be r ecorded or passed directly through the multitrack, depending on the track's record-ready status. The outputs of the multitrack are then patched to the next eight line inputs on the 1604-VLZ3 - multitrack out 1 to line 9, 2 to 10, 3 to 11, and so on. Thus, channels 9-16 will be assigned to the mixer's output section, delivering the signals to their ultimate destination - maybe your mixdown 2-track, your control room system, or your headphones. Split-monitoring makes the 1604-VLZ3 an amazingly powerful 8-track recording console.

Sleek, rugged design
Professionals around the world choose Mackie mixers for their road-proven, time-tested design. These 1604-VLZ3 Mixers are the same Mackie workhorses we've come to expect, designed to take some serious abuse, yet keep on sounding their best. With Mackie's legendary solid-steel chassis that protects it from any tough knocks, your 1604-VLZ3's control knobs even ride just above the surface of the chassis, transferring potential impact to the chassis - and not to the vital circuit board. Thick, horizontally mounted fiberglass PC boards add to the 1604-VLZ3's brick-like construction, giving it a shock-absorbing support structure that's truly built to last.

Mackie 1604-VLZ3 Features:
  • 16-channel ultra-low noise compact mixer with highest possible headroom
  • 16 studio-grade XDR2 Extended Dynamic Range mic preamps
  • 16 high-headroom line inputs, 16 channel inserts
  • Advanced DC pulse transformer RF rejection
  • 60mm long-wearing logarithmic-taper faders
  • Ultra-wide 60dB gain range
  • 130dB dynamic range
  • +22dBu line input handling
  • Extended low frequency response
  • Distortion under 0.0007% (20Hz - 20kHz)
  • Phantom power for studio condenser mics
  • 16 high-headroom line inputs
  • Advanced DC pulse transformer RF rejection
  • 4 Aux sends, level, pan, -20dB/Solo and Overload/Mute_LEDs on each channe
  • 4 stereo Aux returns, 8 Direct outs, 4 Group/Bus outputs
  • 3-band Active EQ with sweepable midrange
  • 18dB/oct. 75Hz Lo-Cut filter
  • Balanced 1/4" inputs and outputs (except inserts)
  • Control Room/Phones multi-input source matrix
  • Rack-mountable design with three physical configurations via rotating I/O pod
  • Sealed rotary controls to resist dust and grime
  • New Multi-Voltage power supply for worldwide use
  • Rugged steel chassis

The 1604-VLZ3 is a first-rate Mackie mixer!
Specification Detail
Type Analog
Channels 16
Inputs - Mic Preamps 16 x XLR
Inputs - Line 16 x 1/4", 2 x RCA (Tape)
Inputs - Other No Other Inputs
Outputs - Main 2 x 1/4", 1 x 1/4" (Mono)
Outputs - Direct 8 x 1/4"
Outputs - Other 2 x RCA (Tape), 4 x 1/4" (Sub)
Headphones 1 x 1/4"
Send/Return I/O 6 x TRS (Aux Send)/4 x 1/4" (Stereo Return)
Phantom Power 16
EQ Bands 3-band Sweepable Mid
Aux Sends 1-2 Pre/Post, 3-6 Post
Busses/Groups 4 Bus
Faders 21 x 60mm
Channel Inserts Yes (CH 1-16)
Effects No Effects
Talkback No Talkback
Computer Connectivity No Computer Connectivity
Rackmountable Yes (Optional)
Height 5.1"
Depth 17.5"
Width 17.3"
Weight 20 lbs.
Manufacturer Part Number 0018454-00

1604-VLZ3 Image Gallery

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I was very pleased with the shipping speed and the way the stand was packed. I was especially surprised to see candy thrown in the box as well, thank you. It was very relevant to your name "sweet" water. Your "Thank You" inserts provided an insight into your service to your customers - and it really shows how you really appreciate your customers. Your customer service is excellent and I would not hesitate to buy from you again ... in fact, you will be the first company that will come to mind for my next purchase because I know what I will expect. Excellent Customer Service!


Cheryll, Lott, TX

Reviews

based on 5 reviews

Very versatile mixer!

by Jon from Rhode Island
April 1, 2008
Music Background: Hobbyist
This is my first real mixer as a hobbyist and so far I'm loving it. It has everything I need for now and is built like a tank. If you don't need a ton of Aux sends or Direct Outs for all 16 channels t... read more [+]hen you don't need to look any further than this mixer. Extremely rugged and great action on all the pots and faders! close [-]

Love it !

by Tommy Low from Liberty, Texas
October 9, 2012
Music Background: 40 years pro
Fast delivery and good equipment

Workhorse

by William Manhattan from
November 26, 2011
Music Background: FoH Engineer, Project Studio Engineer, and Musician/Composer
This mixer is a true workhorse. It is incredibly versatile, has 16 channels, 4 subgroups, and 6 auxiliary sends. I have used this for bands, coffeehouse like events, church services, plays, and record... read more [+]ing. It has above average sonic quality, and a standard high-pass, parametric-mid, and low-pass equalizer on each channel, allowing it to deal with rather stubborn microphones that just don't seem to want to comply with your wishes. The six auxiliaries handle everything, from effects to monitors, with some ease, and the subgroups are great for controlling drums as a whole, or for recording. Oh, and don't forget, rack mounting makes the mixer easy to haul around with all of your other gear. However, as it is not a thoroughbred, the preamps do have some sonic quality issues, and the lack of stereo inputs is depressing, along with the small scale faders.

BOTTOM LINE:
This mixer is a wonderful unit for use in a rental position, installs at middle and some lower budget high schools, or for early band touring. close [-]

Pretty Nice

by Dustin A. from Marquette, MI
October 25, 2008
Music Background: Student, Recording Engineer, Musician
The 1604 is rugged and sounds great. My biggest issue with it is that it only has 8 direct outs when there are 16 channels. I would have also liked to have seen more options for output such as XLR. ... read more [+] If you're using this for a live setting I think it would be fantastic. However since were using it in a radio production studio, it's lacking some features that could have been useful to us. close [-]

Some trouble at the beginning...

by Chase from Tallahassee
April 9, 2013
Music Background: Church Sound Engineer, Mobile DJ, Percussionist
When I first received this mixer, I was in awe. It is built tough and looks beautiful. However, there was an internal wiring problem and the main mix wouldn't work. I had to send the mixer back to Mac... read more [+]kie and get a replacement. The second mixer they sent me kept tripping circuit breakers wherever I took it. Yet again, sent it back for a replacement. The third time must be the charm, because now it works great, doesn't trip circuits, and sounds wonderful. Had it not been for the 2 replacements, this would've had a higher rating. close [-]

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See Also: Mackie , Mackie Analog Mixers , Mackie Analog Mixers

Mackie 1604-VLZ3

Today's Payment: $309.99
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