Issue with Mackie 1402 VLZ4

[Hubertus]

Hi all, I'm trying to hook up my reverb with a Mackie 1402 VLZ4 as send effect so I take 3 x 1/4 inch cable and connect as follows:
aux send (mixer) --> input (reverb)
stereo returns (mixer) --> output L/R (reverb)

I was hoping that this lets me add reverb fx via the Aux 1 Master and Aux 1/2 for the individual channel lines but it somehow doesn't

Ok, so as this doesn't work so far I've tried with the outputs L/R into Line In 7-8 and it works but it affects all Lines, so as a master effect it kind of works, though it comes with heavy distortion spikes at times.

If I route everything into for example my Octatrack and then with a split cable into the reverb and then into a channel Line of the mixer that works perfect, but I was hoping to add reverb via send.

Can anyone help on how to hook up the reverb or effect units in general with a Mackie 1402VLZ4 please?

[Panason]

You're missing something like turning up the return knob?

[Hubertus]

I've been trying all sorts of knob variations, but yea: Aux1 on, Aux1 Master on, Stereo Returns: on
Maybe it's also worth noting that when connecting the reverb to a Line Channel like Line In 7-8 the reverb tends to feedback and spike in bizarre noises.

Might the problem perhaps be that I'm listening only via headphone and that the aux send thing only works with speakers!?

[appliancide]

It might be helpful to post a picture of how you have everything connected. I have this mixer, but I'm not sure what your problems could be based on what you've said.

[Hubertus]

sure, here it is:
/let me edit the picture as on the first the Aux sends were on 0 for Aux2

this is how it looks like:

[SynthBaron]

In the picture, you only have the Aux Send 1 knobs turned up on the inputs that are being used (channels 5 and 6), but you have the send and return I/O's hooked into the jacks for Aux 2. Move the aux send/return plugs up one so they're using the bus for #1 instead of #2, and you should be fine.

[PrimateSynthesis]

https://arts.vcu.edu/music/files/2013/0 ... manual.pdf

Go read chapter 10 about parallel effects, chapter 12 about aux returns, and then chapters 45 to 48. Don't worry, they are very short.

I'm guessing if 7 - 8 work as returns, your aux return buttons are set wrong. And you are getting "feedback and spike in bizarre noises" because you have the 7 -8 aux send potted up.

Also, try using aux 2 instead of aux 1. Since you probably don't want to do reverb pre-fader/pre-mute anyway.

[SynthBaron]

Reading the manual, the "control room" mix is routed to the headphone jack. So you'll need to depress "MAIN MIX" button under the "CR SOURCE" section to monitor it.

[Hubertus]

Thanks! I will go through these chapters
Regarding the first picture yes I quickly plugged the cables in for the picture.
Hopefully with the chapters you mentioned I get it sorted. Thx!

[appliancide]

Reading the manual, the "control room" mix is routed to the headphone jack. So you'll need to depress "MAIN MIX" button under the "CR SOURCE" section to monitor it.

I'm surprised anything was coming from the headphones without that button pushed.

The feedback on channel 7/8 was most likely caused by having the aux send turned up, assuming the knob settings were the same as your picture.

[pulse_divider]

You will also want to set the mix knob on the reverb fully wet/clockwise

[Hubertus]

Yes I was playing around and pressing and impressing buttons so sometimes I could hear something and sometimes not, which is probably when I depressed MAIN MIX as you suggest.
I’ll be back home in about an hour and will try with these recommendations

[SynthBaron]

You will also want to set the mix knob on the reverb fully wet/clockwise

I still forget to do that sometimes, even after 20 years.

[Synth Con Meo]

After several years of having a few different mixers but not really learning much about all the uses it wasn't until fairly recently I used a send to an FX pedal. I've mostly used them to just plug a bunch of different devices into so I can listen to them on my head phones.

I'm a Mackie fan so all them happen to be Mackies. Even reading the manuals I always feel like I am just not getting what they are trying to say. Just getting the Aux send to the FX pedal and back into the mix made me feel better.

[Hubertus]

I just got back home, so let me see.

1) Aux Send 2 knobs turned up, Send and Return I/O's hooked into the jacks for Aux 2: check.

2) Set the mix knob on the reverb fully wet/clockwise: check.

3) Depressing "MAIN MIX" button under the "CR SOURCE" section to monitor it: nothing happening.

I'll have to go through the chapters.

I uploaded the picture on ImgBB for higher resolution. Here's the link:

https://ibb.co/nOmQoo

[letitbleep]

i think the faders need to be up on the channels you want to send to aux 2, in addition to the aux 2 knobs on each channel. aux 1 has selectable pre/post fader so you can keep the channel faders down and just send signal to aux, not the case with aux 2. i think.

edit- oh wait they are up nevermind lol

[SynthBaron]

Are you sure the reverb pedal's "bypass" switch isn't on?

[Hubertus]

Yes, the "bypass" switch is off.
In the manual in chapter 11 it says that with one parallel effect device I should use Aux Return1 and leave Aux Return2 unplugged. Ok, so I tried this and now I get sound, from the reverb, but its super low and maybe at 5-10% of what it actually should be. Turning up the volume via Aux Send only leads to noise. It must be somehow related to the headphones I would say?!

[Hubertus]

Can someone please confirm it's because it doesn't work with headphones and that it's because I don't have speakers connected?

It just doesn't seem to make much sense that there is no usable signal coming whatsoever

[SynthBaron]

The CR/Submix fader is effectively your headphone volume knob.

[Hubertus]

This literally is keeping me busy since this morning
Yea, when turning down the CR/Submix fader I don't hear the audio, then it's signal only from the reverb that goes into the Main Mix. Turning up the Stereo Return2 knob above the LEDs leads to self oscillation. The Stereo Return2 knob turned off it's only white noise then but mixed also with some very minimal reverb I would say. Leaves me clueless. I'll try getting in touch with a distributor tomorrow since Mackie only offers support in the US from what their website suggested

[Dave Peck]

Another option -

I don't connect the outputs of my effects devices to the FX RETURN inputs on my mixer, I connect the effects device outputs to spare input channel strips. That way, you have EQ controls, mute buttons, and all the other channel strip controls for the signal coming back from your effects device. Much more versatile than a simple FX RETURN input.

On your mixer, you could patch the stereo output of the reverb device to, say, the mixer's stereo input channel '13-14'.

Just make sure you do NOT turn up the green FX SEND knob that is connected to the reverb's input on that stereo input channel as this will cause feedback.

[Hubertus]

Thanks, yes this indeed would be a versatile option, though it would also effect all channels and I want to be able for example to only add reverb to the Machinedrum, without affecting my synth which is playing at the same time on another input channel.
I tried using the channel routing of the reverb and that works in this master setting. I just simply can't get it to work with send so that I could control dedicated channels

[appliancide]

At this point, you need to verify that every part of your chain is working. Make sure all five of those cables are good first. Next, take one of the signals that you currently have plugged into your mixer and plug it directly into the reverb, and plug the reverb into one of your mixer channels.

The only possible problem I can see with the mixer itself is that you might be sending the reverb too hot of a signal. There's a fair bit of gain that you can add with the mixer.

[Hubertus]

Oh wait, FX Send (Mackie) is mono so in my setup I'm using a stereo 1/4 inch cable to connect my FX with the Mackie where it should be a mono signal.
This may be the reason why it's not working right?
I just ordered a mono 1/4 inch to 1/4 inch to plug it into Input on the FX and to Aux Send on the Mackie. Fingers crossed