Mackie 1402VLZ Small Analogue Mixer - Overview

Old Friend No. 4

The Mackie 1402VLZ Mixer was the step up on the 1202VLZ, offering miniature linear faders on all inputs and main/control room outputs.

It's a simple analogue mixer: no effects, no PC interface, no internal recording capability - just analogue preamps and summation. I have used it for recording with a variety of external stereo recorders.

Its six XLR mic inputs have 48V phantom power and a further four stereo inputs provide versatility.

I used this mixer in conjunction with a home-made Y-lead to do decoded M-S recordings from a cardioid and figure-8 mic pair, capitalising on the true balanced inputs of the stereo channels. Note that the stereo channel inputs are only truly balanced at one sensitivity setting (can't remember which one - +4 or -10, but it sure caught me out the first time I tried it). This allowed four spot mics to be added into a composite stereo mix for recording direct to a 2-channel recorder.

The unit is still complete with its retail packaging and user manual.

A very useful piece of equipment!

EDIT: May 2018 - Retitled to clarify its funcion as solely a mixer, with no internal recording function.