The Mackie CR1604vlz is a sixteen channel four buss mixer and successor to the highly acclaimed Mackie CR1604. Extremely quiet mic preamps and signal path have made the Mackie a standard by which other small mixers are judged. The unit is known for its flexible connector pod positioning and rugged steel chassis and construction. The Mackie CR1604vlz features sixteen inputs, four stereo returns, and a seperate two track return. Each input channel has a gain control, four auxiliary sends (3 and 4 switchable to 5 and 6), and a three band EQ with sweepable mids. Channels 1 through 8 feature psuedo balanced direct outs. Each input can be assigned to the stereo LR buss, busses 1/2 or 3/4, or no buss at all. In addition to channel assignments, each input can be muted or soloed. Each channel fader is a short throw 60mm custom tapered fader. The four stereo returns feature level controls, and returns 1 and 2 have send controls to aux 1 and 2 respectively. Return 3 can also be routed to busses 1/2 or 3/4. Busses 1 through 4 can be individually routed to the LR buss as well as having psuedo balanced outputs. Solo can be either stereo-in-place or prefader listen. The headphone and monitor source is selectable, and the headphone amp is powerful enough to drive high impedance headphones such as AKG K240DFs to insane levels. One last handy item is a mono summed output with adjustable level great for feeding the house PA or a subwoofer. I now have two of these little Mackies and don't think I could ever live without them. They're invaluable for gigs and portable road rigs. Mackie Central