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One amp down in a new-to-me Mackie 808m [resolved, user error]

G

girhen

Mar 20, 2012
39
18
#1
I ordered a used Mackie 808m powered mixer for $300 on Guitar Center. I'd read many threads and counts of what a great mixer it was, even when used.

I couldn't find the power cord packaged with it when I tested it (it arrived when I was stopping by my place for 2 hours during Spring Break, pulled her out to look, moved on), but I have what I believe is an identical cord for my bass amp. I gave her a test run with that, and one side of outputs isn't working. I found that by switching which cab was plugged in where, then I plugged both in on one side for the good output.

It's obvious that this thing is as loud as I need it to be, and it still has as much power from one of the two amps as I can get with another mixer at the same price. All the inputs work perfectly, everything else is great too. It isn't battered, one side just doesn't work.

What do ya'll think, should I return it and get something with equal power but works perfectly, or just run with this, which does what I need it to anyway?

*quick note*
Please note that I'm a student on a budget. Many people tend to give the 'you can't get a decent x for under $yyyy' answer, so please be aware that money's an issue or I would've gotten a newer model new in the first place. Even the crappy Behringer's run more than this did.
 
#2
Check to see if there is a blown fuse. Those powered mixers were the bees knees when they hit the scene. My old band, back in NY, used an 808s! Did quite a few bars without the need for subs. 2 mains and 2 monitors. I've been searching for an 808s for a minute now. Too bad they discontinued building them. The newer models have a lot of issues. I think yours is worth fixing if it's not a blown fuse.
 
#4
I did initially plug one in monitor then one in main, but I tried raising the monitor's volume level to try and get that one going, which is when I noticed it didn't go. Shouldn't that have made it run? Aren't the volumes seperated so it's easy to have the quick individual adjustment available rather than having the same volume for the mains as the monitors all the time?
 
#5
girhen said:
I did initially plug one in monitor then one in main, but I tried raising the monitor's volume level to try and get that one going, which is when I noticed it didn't go. Shouldn't that have made it run? Aren't the volumes seperated so it's easy to have the quick individual adjustment available rather than having the same volume for the mains as the monitors all the time?
Click to expand...

Was the monitor level on the channel that you were plugged into up? Not the channel volume but the monitor level knob at the top of the channel strip. That knob alone sends the signal to the monitors master knob and to the output.
 
#6
girhen said:
I did initially plug one in monitor then one in main, but I tried raising the monitor's volume level to try and get that one going, which is when I noticed it didn't go. Shouldn't that have made it run? Aren't the volumes seperated so it's easy to have the quick individual adjustment available rather than having the same volume for the mains as the monitors all the time?
Click to expand...
Get familiar with the board before you decide that it's broken. Most of those boards have ways to patch the amp inputs around to mains and monitors; it could be that a button is pushed that makes it behave in a way that you don't expect. Check the simple stuff first.

And make sure the volumes are down before you push any assignment buttons. :D
 
#7
D'oh! Thanks, I missed the Mon level dial on the individual channel. Can't say I remember the last time I made a mistake this simple without catching it myself...but darn if I wasn't due up for it. I read the manual, just missed it.

Well, looks like I have a powerful buddy that I need to test out again, but properly this time. I feel silly.
 
#8
girhen said:
D'oh! Thanks, I missed the Mon level dial on the individual channel. Can't say I remember the last time I made a mistake this simple without catching it myself...but darn if I wasn't due up for it. I read the manual, just missed it.

Well, looks like I have a powerful buddy that I need to test out again, but properly this time. I feel silly.
Click to expand...

Hahaha!! Sometimes its just the little thing that gets missed..:eek: Great head for small/med size club gigs. Enjoy your new toy!!:hyper:
 

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