Members G-Sun Posted May 25, 2009 Members Share Posted May 25, 2009 Hi! What's the difference between Mackie's vlz 1604 and 1642?(except for xlr's on top vs rear) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members goldenpiggy Posted May 25, 2009 Members Share Posted May 25, 2009 IMo, these are meaningful differences: 16 mics inputs on 1604 vs. 10 on the 1642. Depends on the type of band, how many singers, etc. -- more mics inputs might be better, or not necessary. 4 stereo channels on the 1642, none on the 1604. If you do DJ or Karaoke type gigs or use the board as a keyboard submixer, this is really handy. You can pan eight channels on the 1604 to give you 4 stereo, but not as convenient during a live show. 6 sends on 1604 versus 4 on 1642. If you need 4 separate monitor mixes + reverb, you''ll have to get clever on the 1642 an use the sub busses. 1/4" TRS outs on the 1604 vs. XLR outs on the 1642. This is a "WTF were you thinking, Mackie?" for me. I don't want to have to remember to bring TRS to XLR cables or lose them. To me this is the biggest downfall of the 1604. Having said that, I own both of these mixers, and I almost alway use the 1642 in a live environment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members G-Sun Posted May 25, 2009 Author Members Share Posted May 25, 2009 Thanks! So, 1604 a little "bigger" and a little different? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members goldenpiggy Posted May 25, 2009 Members Share Posted May 25, 2009 I guess you can say it is "bigger" in that it can do everything the 1642 can and then some. Question is do you need the additional mic inputs and aux sends? If not, save yourself some money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Unalaska Posted May 25, 2009 Members Share Posted May 25, 2009 The aux sends aren't a true 6 auxes. pressing a switch makes the aux 3/4 turn into aux 5/6. Great for needing a lot of post fade sends (for vocals, drums where one source is entirely different from another to 2+ different verbs). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members G-Sun Posted May 26, 2009 Author Members Share Posted May 26, 2009 Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members agedhorse Posted May 26, 2009 Members Share Posted May 26, 2009 If you buy one used, check EVERY function on EVERY channel. The 1604VLZ's had an astonishingly high failure rate in the field. Every one of the dozen or so I installed over a period of 3-4 years finally failed due to all kinds of intermittent connections internally as well as line driver problems, one power supply problem etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members goldenpiggy Posted May 26, 2009 Members Share Posted May 26, 2009 You had better luck than I did. 24-4 VLZ Pro: last 8 channels bad. Replaced a PCB. 32-4 VLZ Pro: blown caps on the power supply rectifier 1642 VLZ Pro: intermittent left main out. Had the infamous ribbon cable issue. another 1642 VLZ Pro: another ribbon cable. two 1604 VLZ Pro's: two more ribbon cables. Never had problems with the smaller ones (1202 VLZ Pro, 1402 VLZ Pro). Never had problems with earlier ones before the VLZ Pro series. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members G-Sun Posted May 27, 2009 Author Members Share Posted May 27, 2009 Thanks for the info!If I'm buying on ebay, I'll have a hard time sending it back from where I live.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members goldenpiggy Posted May 27, 2009 Members Share Posted May 27, 2009 If you're going to buy on eBay, I recommend asking the seller for the serial number of the unit. Then confirm with Mackie whether the particular unit is afflicted with a bad ribbon cable. If so, ask Mackie if they would be willing to send you a replacement cable free of charge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jimmymio Posted May 28, 2009 Members Share Posted May 28, 2009 I've had a 1642 VLZ Pro for years, used it hundreds of times with no problem. I bought it because it fits into an SKB pop up rack along with 2 single space FX units. I could really use the extra mic pres though. No XLR outs on the 1604? That sucks.JP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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