Mackie Mixer: Fader is not affecting IEM volume

[alexis]

Hi -

I am having a bit of trouble understanding why moving a fader isn't making the difference in what I am hearing as much as I thought it would be - actually it is not affecting the volume at all. I'm guessing the mixer is working normally, https://mackie.com/img/file_resources/P ... IES_OM.pdf , and that I don't understand the routing, but really I am quite flummoxed.

I have my keys going straight into LINE IN 5/6, routed out via SUB OUT 1/2, to an ART DTI 2, which splits the stereo signal - one to the FOH mixer, and one back to the Mackie Mixer LINE IN 9/10 (not that it makes a difference to the question, but the reason I do that is so that during practice I can at times mute the keys to FOH while hearing them in my IEMs; I mute FOH keys by disengaging "1-2" on the LINE IN 5/6 channel). The IEM feed comes from the stereo phones output.

The thing I don't understand occurs when I mute the output to FOH by disengaging "1-2" on the LINE IN 5/6 fader (of course "L-R" on that channel needs to be engaged).

When I do that - moving the Channel 9/10 fader makes no difference at all in how loud the keys sound in my IEMs. I'd think it would, and that is where I'm stumped.

This is a nightmare to read through and try to figure out, but if anyone were to offer some guidance on why the Channel 9/10 doesn't affect what I'm hearing in my IEMs under these circumstances, I'd be most grateful!

Thanks so much

[Wonks]

The thing I don't understand occurs when I mute the output to FOH by disengaging "1-2" on the LINE IN 5/6 fader (of course "L-R" on that channel needs to be engaged).

When you press L/R instead of sub out 1/2, then the keyboard feed goes to the main stereo bus and comes out your headphone feed.

It isn't then going out via sub 1/2 at all and back into channel 9/10. So you aren't hearing the keys via channel 9/10 at all (as it isn't getting a signal) but direct from 5/6. In this mode of operation, the channel 5/6 faders control the keyboard volume to the headphones and the standard stereo mix.

It may help if you draw two signal routing diagrams, one with 1-2 selected and one with L-R selected for channel 5 & 6.

[alexis]

The thing I don't understand occurs when I mute the output to FOH by disengaging "1-2" on the LINE IN 5/6 fader (of course "L-R" on that channel needs to be engaged).

When you press L/R instead of sub out 1/2, then the keyboard feed goes to the main stereo bus and comes out your headphone feed.

It isn't then going out via sub 1/2 at all and back into channel 9/10. So you aren't hearing the keys via channel 9/10 at all (as it isn't getting a signal) but direct from 5/6. In this mode of operation, the channel 5/6 faders control the keyboard volume to the headphones and the standard stereo mix.

It may help if you draw two signal routing diagrams, one with 1-2 selected and one with L-R selected for channel 5 & 6.

OMG, Wonks, as soon as I started reading your reply it seemed so obvious ... how could I have missed that?

And, more importantly ... thank you so much

Back to the drawing board ... oh, that's exactly what you recommended

I do have another idea (#runawayrunaway!)

****************
Addendum (for my reference only most likely, but if it helps anyone later, yay):

Goals:

• Occasionally mute keys to FOH while keeping keys in IEM

• Occasionally adjust keys to IEM volume up/down, without changing FOH keys volume

.

This works:

Cabling:

• Keys to ART DTI in

• Split keys signal at ART DTI out: one to Mackie LINE IN 5/6, and one to Mackie LINE IN 9/10

• Feed FOH with Mackie SUB OUT 1/2

• IEM's fed by Mackie PHONES output

Channel Buttons:

• LINE IN 5/6

• • "1-2" engaged ; "L-R" engaged

• • Channel Fader at +6 (this gives more of a boost in the IEMs when "L-R" is engaged, as in Goal 2, below, than if the fader were at unity gain when "L-R" is engaged)

• LINE IN 9/10:

• • "1-2" engaged; "L-R" engaged (Watch that keys signal isn't too hot at FOH with "1-2" engaged at Channel 9/10)

• • Channel Fader at unity

.

Goal 1 (Mute keys to FOH while hearing keys in IEM):

• Mute SUB 1-2 big fader in master section of Mackie

Goal 2 (Turn IEM keys ONLY volume up/down, without affecting FOH):

• Adjust fader on Channel 9/10

• Can engage Channel 5/6 "L-R" to get another 6 dB louder keys in IEM

Note that except for occasional intentional muting, keys signal strength to FOH is constant (Channel 5/6 fader is not adjusted after initial settings), so FOH engineer is happy.

PS: Thanks again, Wonks!

[Wonks]

Is it just channel 5/6 that is fed out of the sub 1/2 output, or are there more channels that are sent to it?

[alexis]

Is it just channel 5/6 that is fed out of the sub 1/2 output, or are there more channels that are sent to it?

Hi Wonks -

In my new bullet-proof paradigm (until it fails later ), as above: yes, only LINE IN 5/6 goes to SUB OUT 1/2. I could have SUB OUT 1/2 fed by LINE IN 9/10 also, but I don't see the need for that, unless for some reason there's not enough signal from LINE IN 5/6 to make it loud enough at FOH.

If that makes sense ... we'll see, I suppose!

Practice tonight!

[Wonks]

I could have SUB OUT 1/2 fed by LINE IN 9/10 also, but I don't see the need for that, unless for some reason there's not enough signal from LINE IN 5/6 to make it loud enough at FOH.

If sub out 1/2 feeds in to 9/10 via the DI box throughs, and that then feeds into sub 1/2, you'd create a nice feedback loop. Not recommended!

[alexis]

I could have SUB OUT 1/2 fed by LINE IN 9/10 also, but I don't see the need for that, unless for some reason there's not enough signal from LINE IN 5/6 to make it loud enough at FOH.

If sub out 1/2 feeds in to 9/10 via the DI box throughs, and that then feeds into sub 1/2, you'd create a nice feedback loop. Not recommended!

Hi Wonks - SUB OUT 1/2 just feeds the FOH ... nothing comes back to the mixer, so it should be good.

I didn't get a chance to test all the hook ups at practice last night, but I did at home before leaving, I think we're OK.

Thank you again!