controlling levels on mackie VLZ 1402 pro

I'm looking at buying one of these to utilise to track drums - using inserts as direct outs. Seeing as though this method is pre fader etc, how do those of you using this mixer control the input level?

hello otto, i don't think it's the best way to do it, but i want/must do it this way then you can control the level with the gain potmeter. mind you: with this way of working you can not use a compressor, or you have to repatch everytime. greetings and succes, tantejo

hi, i use a 1202 in the same manner (same concept, fewer pre's) and the trim pot for the input gain on each pre is still in the signal path if you patch out of the insert. i have to use -10db pads on all my drum mic's though, as the levels even with the trim pots all the way down still peak in PT. no big deal, it works great. good luck.

to whosmatt: did you also trim the input levels to +4dBu in protools ? with a -10 pad and no gain i guess that you shouldn't fear any real peak.....strange. what mic's do you use ? a curious tantejo.

I use an AMIII, and i left the input gain adjustment in PT at default. The pads went inline w/ the mic's before the mackie preamps. I track drums w/ 4 tracks 4 mic's. a peavey pvm520 kick mic, a sm57 on the snare and two mxl 603s small diaphragm condensers as overhead mics. i track the kick and snare into the r and l analog in's on the amIII and the oh's into a midiman flying cow a/d converter and then into the s/pdif for a total of four tracks. works great. <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:<HR>Originally posted by tantejo: to whosmatt: did you also trim the input levels to +4dBu in protools ? with a -10 pad and no gain i guess that you shouldn't fear any real peak.....strange. what mic's do you use ? a curious tantejo.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

so to answer your original question, i control the level with the trim pots on the mackie, which are the only control that's not taken out of the signal path when you patch out of the insert. <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:<HR>Originally posted by otto: I'm looking at buying one of these to utilise to track drums - using inserts as direct outs. Seeing as though this method is pre fader etc, how do those of you using this mixer control the input level?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>