Mackies: to RCA or not to RCA?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Wobble
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Wobble

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I just picked up a Mackie 1202 VLZ Pro. I'm incredibly new to home recording and know next to nada. Anyway, in reading the manual, Mackie really don't support using the RCA jacks; they just include them for convenience. I wanna route two mics into a recorder that has RCA inputs. Should I use 1/4" cable with RCA converters, or just go with high-grade RCA cables? Does anyone know if it only makes a difference on paper (and to dogs' ears!)???

Thanks all!
 
It shouldn't make a difference unless the RCA's have an inferior output structure to that of the 1/4 jacks. Which is probably the case since Mackie dosen't reccomend it. I just recently purchased a pair of 1/4 to RCA monster Interlink cables- and man the difference blew me away compared to the consumer stuff I had been using. So definly get some good cable (monster or equal or-not to start any debate here- or better if there is better.)

-jhe
 
Wow James that's good to know. I had thought about doing the same thing, as I am running from the RCA outs of my 1202 into the soundcard. I had thought about doing that, but didn't want to go to Radio Sheck for cables. Anyplace online with Monster Cable you kids can recommend?
 
Originally posted by James HE:
<<I just recently purchased a pair of 1/4 to RCA monster Interlink cables- and man the difference blew me away compared to the consumer stuff I had been using. >>

Thanks! Springing for some good interlinks sounds like the best way to go.
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Be aware that the 2 XLR outputs on the back of your Mackie put out a hotter signal than all the various and sundry other jacks,RCAs etc.READ THE MANUAL! The higher output of these XLRs means you send more signal to your destination,which in turn means you won't have to crank destination's input control as much,which means you'll stay out of the cold,dirty,uninspiring and boring NOISE FLOOR and have a perky,shiny generally swell signal on your recorder.I have aMackie 1402VLZ and the XLRs on it put out +28db max! I'm pretty sure the other Mackies are similar.Cheers!
 
"various and sundry..."

Wow! hey I like that virtual.ray ;)

Good to have an actual Mackie user helping out here.

-jhe
 
Originally posted by virtual.ray:
<<Be aware that the 2 XLR outputs on the back of your Mackie put out a hotter signal than all the various and sundry other jacks,RCAs etc.>>

Feel free to give me this smilie :rolleyes: if this is a stupid question, but can you go down to an RCA plug from XLR? I picture something melting in the process.

<<READ THE MANUAL!>>
Yer preachin' to the choir! If I had a $1 for each time I've fallen asleep with my Roland or Mackie manual on my chest...

Thanks Again!
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Wobble,

I think the easiest solution for you would be to go from 1/4" to RCA. Either using an adapter, or buying a premade cable.

This way, you can go out of your 1202 the main outputs, or out using the inserts on the channels you have the mic's plugged into.

The XLR outputs are mainly for running out to a poweramp.
 
Hi Wobble,Sorry, I totally missed the RCA part of your post,which is obviously the whole point! No,XLRs won't do you much good with RCA ins.That's what I get for staying up past my bedtime...It's just that I get so revved up about signal to noise after many years battling hiss with the kind of home gear that was around when I started doing this.Hope you've found a workaround by now.Cheers!
 
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