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Friday I had a second mic input channel go out. Yes, I checked the usual suspects: gain, mute, fader, cables, etc. I just found out to check to make sure my connections are clean, and will check that..

But I'm wondering would a sudden loud scream cause some kind of breaker to switch, or could it have damaged that channel?

Yea, I know, a compressor is starting to make sense to me now, I was told I wouldn't need one, but I have changed my mind about that....

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Suspect the xlr input plug first (on mic cord).  The mic inputs max are +18dBu so it is highly unlikely a over modulated mic would cause the the pre to fry. To test run a music level into the insert jack (might have to first click) if it works and nothing with same into the line input then the pre is bad...

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I would say that an idiot screaming in to the mike could indeed damage your mixer, speakers and other stuff.    [highlight=crimson]Nobody's[/highlight] system can handle the distruction of distortion.    Why did the other channel go out?     Same thing?

If you see red lights flashing on anything, something is wrong.    The signal is clipping.   Clipping is distrotion.   Distortion kills.    You must, at all costs prevent distortion.(Clipping)   On every piece of equipment.  All the way down the line.    They all have clip lights.    You do not ever want them to be lit.

yeah, I keep an eye on the clip lights, but it doesn't help when some idiot decides to suddenly yell. You try to cut the gain when you see it coming, but sometimes you just don't see it coming....

The other channel I believe went for the same reason. The yelling is usually done at the end of a song, and I thought the first time it was the mic, so I just disconnected it, and didn't find out until the next show that the channel was gone. (didn't want to shut down the show to hunt the problem  :D )

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Ive run a couple dfx12's  for 3 or 4 years in all kinds of conditions and mics Never blew a channel  The preamp gain should never run over 1 or 2 o'clock....Did you try inputting to the insert jack?   It takes a line level at that point....

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karyoker, I'm not certain I know what you're talking about. If I wasn't so tired, it may make more sense. Are you saying run a testing devise through my mic input and checking it that way?

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I'll put a pic on tonight and explain it better and you can look at it tomorrow..

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Great! Thank you. I appreciate it.

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Lonman this doesnt make sense to me have you ever seen abuse of a mic taking out the channel in a mackie mixer? Max input is + 18 dbu A power mic couldnt even do that.....The channel is deigned for line input....The xlr does have a lower input and is more sensitive but it still shouldnt fry the pre or anything in  the stfrip....

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I think Mackie has a problem with there stuff.     I had one that didn't have the pre-amps on the channels and one channel was blown.    I got it used and it was already cooked.     I knew about it going in.   It was a 16 channel mixer, so 1 out wasn't a big deal.   It came from another KJ so my money is on the fact that he had a mike in that channel and some egg head screamed in to it.    Someone screaming in to a mike can produce a whole lot of distortion.    They break champagne glasses don't they.

No a screamer into a mic should not blow a channel unless the gain was set to high to begin with is the only thing I can think of off hand.  But that's another reason compressor/limiters should be used on vocal channels, it would have been a little more controlled.

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Which model mixer didn't have pre-amps in their channel strips?  That would be interesting to know.  All of their models to date have pre-amps in their channels strips.

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I was going to ask the same thing.  I think also it is a mic/cable problem OR, could be associated with the ribbion.

Kelly

The mic or line input goes to the preamp... The insert is used to route the output of the pre to a compressor etc.  So take one of the 1/4" plugs from the music input and and insert it into the insert until you get sound (all the way in will intterupt the path) If you get sound the strip from the pre down is good Then insert into the line input if you dont get sound then the pre is bad...

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thanks karyoker, I'll give it a try. As far as a cable problem, I was able to finish the night with the same mic and cable on a different channel with no further problems...

Lonmn, I usually keep my gains at about half, quiet singers I may go as high as 3/4, but I refuse to max anything, and of course, it shouldn't be needed. I'll go an physically move the mic closer to their mouth before I'd do that .

If the problem does seem to come from the preamp, does that mean I could theoretically buy a preamp, and be able to use that channel again?

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Yea you could you would need a stereo plug and short the tip to the ring (physically soldered wire) Then plug into the insert jack...

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When you hook things up, you should make sure the power is off, though I don't always practice what I preach. A couple of times when I failed to do this, I heard a big pop, and the mic didn't work....both times, I thought for sure I shorted the input. Turns out in one case it was the cable, and in the other case, I had the wrong wireless mic, teamed up with the wrong receiver........In reviews for that mixer, I have read a few people complaining about losing channels after a few uses.....though it is a great mixer according to most

I sold it with the other system.   I don't know what model it is.  But it did not have pre amps on the channels.   It went to be fixed because the left side quit working.  When it comes back, I'll get the model number.     I can tell you this, it has a swivel head.     It could be 8-10 years old or more.    I'm not a MACKIE fan.  


Her channel blew, because there was no compression and the channel was way over driven with someone screaming in to it.    It's an electric impulse, so it fried something.     TOAST, done, over & out.

Well the only models that had the RotoPod option (additional cost) or 'swivel' as you call it was the CR-1604 - Mackies first commercially sold board under their name, it became popular because of the 16 channels & size & 'pre-amps' that were far superior over anything in that price range.  
The next model was the CR-1604 VLZ, the upgraded version which added several feature & improved on the pre-amps.  Again 16 channels.
The next model was 1604 VLZ Pro which had even better pre-amps than upgraded CR1604 VLZ.  Again 16 channels.
The newest model is the ONYX 1640, but this one also has pre-amps.

These were the only 4 models Mackie put out with the RotoPod option & EVERY board they have made has had pre-amps in their channels - that's partly what their allure was, their preamps in all their boards were just as good as their high $$ recording consoles & touring consoles.  
So yes I am very curious as to the model you 'sold' with the system that didn't have pre-amps.



That is a possibility, but as stated unless the channel was being overdriven to begin with, it shouldn't have happened.  But again, any live vocals should have compression at minimum on their channels.

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