Connecting a Mackie 1202VLZ Pro to a MB Pro

Question

Connecting a Mackie 1202VLZ Pro to a MB Pro

I want to record voice only and the built in mic is a bit tinny sounding. Is it possible to hook up the Mackie 1202 VLZ using a phono/ 1/4" to mini coming out of the line out on the board and connection to the MB Pro through the line in locate next to the headphone jack. I don't want to blow the sound card so I thought I'd ask before doing something stupid. If I can do this I have a very good Earth Works mic that will give me studio quality recording capability. Once again I would connect the board using a phono jack l*ine out* to mini *line in* on the laptop. Will there be any problem doing this?

15 MB pro, Mac OS X (10.5.2)

Posted on Apr 19, 2008 11:55 AM

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Answer 1

bdkjones

Level 4

1,335 points

Apr 19, 2008 6:10 PM in response to David Crabtree

I can't say for sure it will work, but you will definitely not "blow the soundcard." It should work just fine, give it a try.

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Answer 2

Apr 22, 2008 6:49 PM in response to David Crabtree

Thanks for the advice. The hesitation to venture forward is because the Mackie Board is an older analog mixer and the condenser mic I'm using requires phantom power. The board would be sending 48 volts dc down to the mic . If that much power got back into the laptop I'm sure the result wouldn't be optimal. I see 90+ have taken a look at this query and you are the only one to post a reply. Thanks for taking the time. Maybe I'll just hook up an SM 58 and take it for a test. No phantom power needed on that one.
Not having a definite answer to the original question I went ahead this weekend and used the built in Mic for the authors we needed to get recorded for the project. I used the computer because the Zoom Recorder they were using stopped working. In order to preserve production schedule I didn't want to take a chance of killing the laptop by mismatching components, thereby, ending any chance of completing the project on schedule. Tomorrow will be the first day I can be without the MBP if It does damage the machine.

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Answer 3

Courcoul

Level 6

18,684 points

Apr 22, 2008 7:02 PM in response to David Crabtree

What I read in your post is that since you fear a voltaje spike coming back and blowing the Mac's sound input or worse, you need some form of isolation between the two. How about putting a [Griffin iMic|http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/imic] in between? Better blow a $40 peripheral than a $3000 computer, right?

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Answer 4

Qzxptl

Level 1

5 points

Apr 23, 2008 5:23 AM in response to David Crabtree

The reason you've probably haven't gotten many replies is that it's quite self-evident that you'll be fine. There's no way the phantom power can get to the 1202 outputs because it's bypassed at the mic inputs (ie: none of the DC voltage even gets into the Mackie's mic preamp). All you have to do is get the proper adapter cable (2*1/4" mono males to 1/8" stereo male) and connect the Main Outputs of the 1202 to your MBP's inputs.

Just make sure you don't blast the MPB input by making sure your output volume is off when you start checking levels. Once you've gotten a good level for your mic in the 1202, then start raising the outputs while checking the metering on whatever you're using to record on the MBP till you reach the desired level.

Message was edited by: Qzxptl

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