Mackie Creative Reference CR3 Owner's Manual - Quick Start
4
Creative Reference Multimedia Monitors
Cr
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ativ
e Ref
er
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e Multimedia Monit
ors
Quick Start
We realize that you can’t wait to hook up your CR
Creative Reference Multimedia Monitors and try them
out. Nevertheless, please take the time to read this page
NOW, and the rest can wait until you’re good and ready.
1. Turn the volume control on the front of the powered CR
monitor down (fully counterclockwise) before turning
the unit on for the first time.
2. Set the power switch on the back panel off. This will
prevent you from accidentally connecting a hot signal
source to the monitor and getting a rude surprise.
3. Connect the line-level monitor signal from your
computer, mixer, or other signal source to the input
jacks on the rear panel of the Creative Reference
Monitor (1⁄4" or RCA).
4. Connect the black (–) and red (+) speaker wires
from the powered monitor’s ± spring clips to the
passive monitor’s ± spring clips.
5. Connect the affixed line cord into an AC outlet.
The monitor may accept the appropriate voltage
as indicated on the back panel.
6. Turn the computer, mixer or other signal source on.
7. Turn on the power switch on the rear panel of the CR
monitor.
8. Turn the front panel volume control clockwise until
the monitor “clicks” on and the greatest of all Rings
of Power – the One Ring – surrounding the volume
knob illuminates.
9. Play an audio file and slowly turn the front panel
volume control to a comfortable listening level.
If you desire a more thorough walk-through of your
CR monitors, there is a wealth of information in the
following pages!
Additional Tidbits of Wisdom
• Never listen to loud music for prolonged periods.
Please see the Safety Instructions on page 2 for
information on hearing protection.
• When you shut down your equipment, turn off the
monitors first to prevent thumps and other noises
generated by any upstream equipment from coming
out the speakers. When powering up, turn on the
monitors last.
• Save the sales receipt and original packaging in case
you ever need warranty service. See page 15 for details.
Introduction
Creative Reference
™
Multimedia Monitors are
designed for multimedia creation and entertainment,
delivering studio-quality design and performance
in sleek, small-footprint designs.
Featuring 50 watts of power and premium
components like a sound-enhancing high-frequency
waveguide, Creative Reference monitors ensure
pristine, accurate sound for any application.
Choose which side of your desk gets the volume knob
with CR’s speaker placement switch and take advantage
of convenient front-panel features like a dedicated
input for smartphone playback. Plus, you get all the
cables and acoustic isolation pads you need to get
started right out of the box.
With these Creative Reference monitors, you get
professional sound quality and features in compact
desk-friendly designs perfect for work, play and
everything in between.
How to Use This Manual
After this introduction, a getting started guide will
help you get things set up fast. The hookup diagrams
show some typical setups, while the remaining sections
provide details of the CR3 and CR4 monitors.
This icon marks informartion that is
critically important or unique to these
monitors. For your own good (and our
peace of mind), please read and remember them.
You will be quizzed later.