Yep. That's my setup. I think its a great way to go. The 1202 is different from the VLZ primarily in that it has an older preamp design. There is no change functionally and you will find that as you become familiar with the mixer, you will recognize the same thing happening with other brands of mixers, whether small or big. They all work in similar fashion.
I've run sound for about ten years and the basic rig is a Mackie board running a pair of Mackie powered cabs. The ones I use are SRM450s @ 400 watts each, but there are many versions out there. Over the years I upgraded the mixer and now run a Mackie Onyx 16 channel.
The only other gear I use in the signal path is a pair of graphic EQs and a pair of compressors. One channel of the system runs the mains and the other the monitors. I set the powered cabs up in a daisy chain and run them from the left mains channel which on your mixer will sum everything to a mono signal as long as nothing is plugged into the right mains channel. The monitors are fired with an aux send. Signal path is mic -> mixer -> Graphic EQ (used to sound the room) -> compressor (set as a limiter) -> amp/speakers. The setup and general principle of the thing works extremely well and is versatile as all getout.
If you want a quick primer in running sound with your mixer, go to the Mackie website and root around the customer service area. You can download pdf copies of all their manuals, which contain excellent diagrams and fast start roadmaps for setting stuff up.
Another excellent source for good basic information is (I kid you not) the Behringer website. Download almost any of their manuals and you will find not only information specific to the product, but also a very well presented, short explanation of the theory behind how and why a product is used. They do a fantastic job with their manuals, even though we love to pick on their products.
