FAQs

Yes you can, but you need to have a splitter that goes from 1/8” to either dual RCA or Dual 1⁄4” TS. If you were to plug a single 1/8” to 1⁄4” TRS cable into a channel, it would not sound good!

ProFXv3 series mixers require the Mackie USB Driver to interface with a PC.

Download the USB driver and instructions from the product page at

https://mackie.com/products/profxv3-professional-effects-mixers-usb

You do not need any drivers to use the mixer with a macOS or iOS device.

The ProFX Series mixers require no drivers to work properly with a Mac or Windows PC. All you need to do is set it as your input and output device on your computer. On a Mac, you need to do this in the Audio MIDI Setup app. In Windows, you do this in Control Panel>Sound.

For the USB 1-2 return, the blend knob adjusts balance between your mixer’s inputs and your USB return. To send this mix to the Control Room and Phones, engage the button below the knob. For the USB 3-4 return and main mix playback, set your computer’s audio output to USB 3-4, engage the USB button on your last line-in channel, then adjust with the channel’s fader.

You can potentially daisy-chain an infinite number of monitors for use with your mixer, but the number of monitor sends determines how many separate monitor mixes you have available. Monitor sends are pre-fader, meaning the engineer’s fader adjustments won’t affect what performers hear.
If you were to use the post-fader FX send as a monitor output, fader adjustments would impact the mix which might throw off the performers’ ability to hear themselves.

Guitar pickups carry extremely low signal with high-impedance. This is called instrument-level signal. Guitar and bass amplifiers are designed to use this as-is, but professional mixers require conversion of this into low-impedance, line-level signal for proper gain. Typically you’d use a transformer known as a Direct (DI) Box, but ProFXv3 mixers feature transformers on channels 1 and 2. Connect your guitar or bass into these combo inputs and engage the Hi-Z button.

Make sure that whatever channel(s) you want to hear out of the Mon Send 1 have their respective Mon 1 knob turned up (located within the channel strip) as well as the Mon 1 knob in the AUX MASTER section (16/22) or the Mon Fader (8/12).

Make sure that whatever channel(s) you want to hear out of the Mon Send(s) have their respective Monitor Send knobs turned up on the channel strips as well as the Aux Master knob found in the master section.

Effects returns work the same way, with the added step of turning up your FX Return fader to the left of your subs/mains.

In Windows 10 or 11, select ProFX 3-4 as your default sound device either through your taskbar or through the System Sound Settings window.

In macOS, open Audio MIDI Setup. Under the ProFX device in the Output tab, click “Configure Speakers.” Change the left output to 3 and the right output to 4.

Your computer will now output its audio to the 3-4 return as a standard channel! Engage the USB 3-4 button on the last channel of your mixer to monitor it through your Main Mix.

If using a 12-channel mixer or larger, ensure that you route this channel to the Main Mix with the L-R switch next to its fader.

Sub stands for subgroup, not subwoofer. You can assign certain channels to feed subgroups (1-2/3-4) rather than your mains, assign the subgroup to the main (LR) mix, and then control them all these channels with one fader! This is very useful for controlling a large blend of inputs, such as a drum kit or backing vocal mix.

Alternatively, you can assign channels to subgroups for use as extra stereo outputs with the sub outs. Get creative with your routing!

These output the same signal going to the Phones output. This allows you to connect a set of stereo speakers for main mix and solo monitoring in an engineering booth.

2x4 refers to the USB input and output capabilities of ProFXv3 mixers, with 2 sends and 4 returns.

The ProFXv3 series can send the main mix through 2 tracks out via USB. In other words, the USB output offers a digital copy of your stereo main mix but no individual multitracking.

You can return 4 tracks (ala 2 stereo mixes) to the mixer from your computer. USB 1-2 can blend with your analog inputs for monitoring while USB 3-4 can be assigned to a channel for house music or mixing with the band!

 ProFXv3 boards of 12-channel and 16-channel variations can be used with rack ears (sold separately). Order rack ear accessories from your preferred Mackie dealer!

While both subtle and sudden dynamics provide the soul for our music, compressors allow you to regulate how much your performers’ levels can technically vary. A strong, high note from a vocalist might provide the power that your song needs, but it may also scare your audience away if the singer isn’t using proper mic technique!

The ProFXv3 compressors smoothly reduce the threshold at which they will begin reducing dynamics on the input. Compression is an art form and there are no rules, so play with compressors on vocals, kicks and snares, bass, and acoustic guitars to even out peaks and achieve a more professional mix.

Are your meters lit up with levels? If not, then you’ve likely forgotten to route your channels anywhere. Enage one of the assign switches next to each of your faders: LR for main mix and 1-2/3-4 for subgroups (which can then be routed to the main mix). The mixer won’t assume you want signal to go anywhere, so make sure you let each channel know where you want it to go!

The ProFX Series can send 2 tracks out via USB. What feeds this output is the Main Mix. So whatever is coming out of your main mix, is what will go out via USB.