Plug the included power cord into the rear panel of the mixer and connect it to an electrical outlet. The Mackie CR 1604 requires connection to a power source to operate. Power on the mixing board using the on/off switch on the rear panel.
Connect any microphones you will be using during your production to the mixing board using the microphone XLR cables. Place the three-pronged end of the cable into a matching input port on the rear panel of the mixing board. The remaining end of the cable should easily fit the XLR port on the microphone. Each audio channel on the mixing board uses a specific XLR input. The channel assignments for the microphone inputs are clearly marked on the upper, front face of the mixer.
Connect any instruments you will be using to the mixer using the instrument cables. In similar fashion to XLR inputs, each channel on the mixing board uses a specific line-in port. Plug one end of the instrument cable into an empty audio channel line-in port and the other end into the instrument. The mixer can now receive signals from the instrument.
Plug your speakers or stereo system into the mixer using the audio-out port on the back of the mixer. Both stereo cables and line cables can function properly with the Mackie CR 1604. After connecting your playback devices, any audio transmitted into the mixer will be output directly into the speakers.
Connect your headphones to the mixer by connecting the headphones to a quarter-inch adapter and plugging the unit into the headphone jack on the front face of the mixer. The headphone jack is located on the right side of the mixing board and is clearly marked with an image of headphones.