Mackie CFX 12 mkII 12 Ch. Compact SR Mixer w/Effects Logo

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Anonymous Posted on Aug 10, 2014

Why does my mackie cfx12 mkii have low output across all 8 xlr inputs at unity gain with distortion above that?

Tested by various individuals using a variety of very good mics including shure beta 58, ev nd767, ev nd737, audix om2, and heil pr20. all results are the same, low output as if the mic preamps are not getting enough current to function properly and distorting prematurely.

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Megasong

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  • Expert 125 Answers
  • Posted on Nov 26, 2014
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Where are you getting the low output? It would be very strange if all channels failed in the same way so it is probably something common to them all. Can you get the clip light to illuminate at all by turning the gain up on a mic channel and shouting into the mic? You are referring to the gain at the top of the strip not the slider aren't you? What happens if you assign a channel to the other sub channel, does the level come up through that? What happens if you take the output from the aux send and you send signal there, is it the same issue?
I may be completely wrong but I suspect if it is only mics that are causing a problem you may have the routing set up wrong or not set a level somewhere else right.

  • Mojje Mrtensson
    Mojje Mrtensson Aug 08, 2018

    I'm having the same issue with both XLR and Line In mics. Super low volume. I can gain up in the strip or using the strip fader or Main mix fader but i get a lot of distortion and background noise. Got My strip subgrouped to sub 1-2 and their faders are Up. I get a small readout on the led-indicators on the right. I dont understand what i should try out with the Aux Send, but i tried the rest without avail.

  • Megasong
    Megasong Aug 08, 2018

    First question: Are you using cables as well as mics that are known good on another mixer?
    Second question: What happens with other sources, line level devices such as a PC or MP3 player for example?
    Third question: Have you got anything else plugged into the mixer apart from the mic you are testing and the connections to the amp, if so unplug it?
    Fourth question: You haven't got the break switch engaged have you?
    Fifth question: You say you have the strips assigned to subs 1 & 2 but have you assigned subs 1&2 to the main left right outputs?

    The aux sends will send the channel to the aux send outputs which you could check by using a jack lead to connect to your amp to see if you get a sensible level there, you could also use the same leads to test the sub outs. This would at least help identifying where the issue is.

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4 Related Answers

Fred Yearian

  • 5603 Answers
  • Posted on Jul 23, 2010

SOURCE: Connection of two sound boards

Refer to your EV user manual, page 23, part 2.

You run the outputs of the Mackie into the stereo "returns" on the EV.

Use TRS interconnect cables as these are balanced lines.

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Fred Yearian

  • 5603 Answers
  • Posted on Jul 24, 2010

SOURCE: No sound

Your power amp should be connected to MAIN OUT left and right. NOT the MAIN "in".

The CD is connected correctely as you described. Make sure the CD has a line level output to match the input expected by the mixer.
Note:Walkman style CD players require a special cable to go between 1/8 inch stereo to dual RCA plugs.

You have to advance the MAIN fader.

You should be using TRS interconnect cables from the mixer to your amps OR using XLR cables.

Fred Yearian

  • 5603 Answers
  • Posted on Mar 19, 2011

SOURCE: I have a new 1642

I would be surprised with all 16 mics active that you can't reach near a clipping level... Of course if you only have 8 mics active we would not expect to reach unity levels. Make sure this board is powered from the same receptacle as your amps. Powering it from building power at opposite ends of a room from where the amps are powered is asking for damage from ground bounce. The pros run a power back to the mixer alongside the snake.
Your trims will be fairly wide open for dynamic mics and your faders should be around unity during use. It is nice if the main fader can be around 50% or more. Use BALANCED lines everywhere including those running to the amps.

Fred Yearian

  • 5603 Answers
  • Posted on Jul 23, 2011

SOURCE: I have a mackie cfx12 mixer. I just added an eq

Sorry, I have looked at the schematics and the TAPE IN jacks are mixed into the MAIN outs AFTER the insert jacks, so your subs will NOT receive signal via the insert from the TAPE IN jacks.
You could make a small passive mixer merging the TAPE/CD before going to the crossover. This would require some non-standard cabling.... The other option is to run the CD into a regular stereo channel rather than the TAPE IN jacks... then the CD will go through the insert/crossover and to the subs as you desire. The last option is to use the crossover at the MAIN outputs instead of as an insert... which would be the CONVENTIONAL way... use BALANCED cables wherever possible.

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No sound

Your power amp should be connected to MAIN OUT left and right. NOT the MAIN "in".

The CD is connected correctely as you described. Make sure the CD has a line level output to match the input expected by the mixer.
Note:Walkman style CD players require a special cable to go between 1/8 inch stereo to dual RCA plugs.

You have to advance the MAIN fader.

You should be using TRS interconnect cables from the mixer to your amps OR using XLR cables.

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