Mackie Introduces Compact VLZ Series of Mixers

1202-VLZ Pro

1402-VLZ Pro

1604-VLZ Pro

January 28, 1999 -- Mackie Designs Inc. (NASDAQ: MKIE), the Woodinville, Washington manufacturer of award winning professional audio mixers, announced today the introduction of the new Mackie Compact VLZ Pro(TM) series of affordable, professional audio mixers. The new line offers several new internal features and benefits, which place these compact mixers at the top level of studio-grade mixing.

All three mixers in the compact product family line feature new Precision-Engineered XDR™ Extended Dynamic Range Premium Studio-Grade mic pre-amps. The new XDR mic pre-amps offer an ultra-wide 60dB-gain range with ultra-low noise and the highest headroom in their class. These high performance Mackie mixers can be thought of as ultra-premium mic pre-amps that just happen to have mixers attached to them.

The new line will replace the current Compact VLZ line and is being marketed to Mackie's core product market base which includes professional recording engineers, home and project studios, local and regional club bands, club PA systems, major touring applications, secondary mix, broadcast and post production applications, theater and multimedia applications.

Performance specifications have been considerably improved over the already outstanding ratings of the original Mackie Compact VLZ line.

Key Features of the Mackie Compact VLZ Pro(TM) series include:

Ultra-low noise, high-headroom design,
New Precision-Engineered XDR(TM) Extended Dynamic Range Premium Studio-Grade Mic Pre-amps featuring:
- Full gain range from 0 to 60dB,
- +22dBu line signal handling capability,
- 130dB dynamic range,
- Distortion less than 0.005%, 20Hz to 20kHz,
Exceptional RF rejection utilizing bifilar-wound, DC-pulse transformer ( the most bullet-proof RF Rejection in the Industry),
8 True logarithmic taper 60mm faders on the 1402 and 1604,
Special design circuitry to minimize noise and crosstalk,
Convenient ALT 3/4 bus,
Active 3-band EQ on 1202 and 1402 and swept mid on 1604 (positioned at Mackie's popular musical frequency points),
Switchable phantom power (for utilizing condenser microphones),
18dB/oct. 75Hz Lo Cut filter (perfect to cut stage rumble and mic handling noise),
Rugged steel chassis and sealed, dust-proof rotary controls.

The new Mackie Compact VLZ Pro(TM) series of affordable, professional audio mixers are planned to start shipping to domestic Mackie retail dealer locations in January, '99.

For more information, visit Mackie's web site at www.mackie.com.