Alesis Multimix 16, Multimix 12 User Manual
Reference Manual
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Table Of Contents
Introduction..........................................................5
Welcome!......................................................................................................5
About the Multimix USB...................................................6
Multimix USB Key Features......................................................................6
Aditional Features of the Multimix 12 USB and Multimix
16 USB .........................................................................................................7
How to Use This Manual ...................................................8
A Few Words for Beginners.............................................. 9
Chapter 1: Getting Started ................................11
Hooking up the Multimix USB ........................................11
Using Proper Cables ..........................................................11
Setting Levels ...................................................................... 12
Chapter Two: A Tour of the MultiMix .............13
Patchbay...............................................................................13
Mic Inputs (Channels 1 – 4)...................................................................... 13
Line Inputs (Channels 1 – 4).....................................................................13
Line Inputs (Channels 5 – 12) ..................................................................14
Digital Output Jack.....................................................................................14
PHONE Jack...............................................................................................14
AUX RETURNS........................................................................................ 14
AUX SENDS.............................................................................................. 14
ALT 3/4 OUT ............................................................................................ 14
2-TRACK.....................................................................................................15
MAIN MIX OUT....................................................................................... 15
CTRL RM OUT .........................................................................................15
Channel Strips ....................................................................15
Fader............................................................................................................. 15
MUTE / Alt 3/4.........................................................................................15
PFL / SOLO...............................................................................................15
PAN or BAL................................................................................................ 16
Aux................................................................................................................ 16
EQ.................................................................................................................16
Master Section.....................................................................17
Main Mix Fader........................................................................................... 17
Alt 3/4 Fader............................................................................................... 17
2TK To Mix.................................................................................................17
Alt 3/4 To Mix............................................................................................ 17
Solo Mode.................................................................................................... 17
HDPH / CTRL RM...................................................................................18
MIX Switch..................................................................................................18
ALT 3/4 Switch.......................................................................................... 18
2TK Switch.................................................................................................. 18
Aux Ret A Level..........................................................................................18
Effects / Aux Ret B level ..........................................................................18
LED Meters................................................................................................. 19
POWER Indicator...................................................................................... 19
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Table Of Contents
+48V Indicator ...........................................................................................19
Rear of the Mixer................................................................20
Power Input................................................................................................. 20
Power Supply Unit......................................................................................20
Power On..................................................................................................... 20
Phantom On................................................................................................ 20
USB port ......................................................................................................20
Chapter Three: Digital Effects
Processor ...............................................................21
Effects Section Components ............................................21
Program Selection Knob ...........................................................................21
LED Display................................................................................................21
CLIP Indicator ............................................................................................ 21
SIG Indicator ..............................................................................................21
Effect Descriptions............................................................. 21
HALL ...........................................................................................................21
ROOM .........................................................................................................21
PLATE......................................................................................................... 21
CHAMBER .................................................................................................21
CHORUS.....................................................................................................22
FLANGE..................................................................................................... 22
DELAY........................................................................................................22
PITCH.......................................................................................................... 22
MULTI & MULTI II..................................................................................22
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Chapter Four: Applications ...............................23
Simple Recording Setup ...................................................23
Simple Live Setup...............................................................23
Using Additional External Audio Sources....................23
Digital output to a digital recorder................................24
Using the Multimix USB with a Computer ................... 24
Sending and Receiving Audio Data..........................................................24
Precautions when using the USB connection.........................................24
Connection instructions for Windows (XP, 2000, ME,
and 98 Second Edition) .............................................................................24
Connection instructions for Macintosh (OS X only)............................ 25
Chapter Five: Troubleshooting ........................27
Chapter Six: Specifications ...............................31
Chapter Seven: Block Diagram ........................33
Glossary .................................................................35
Warranty/Contact Alesis.....................................39
Alesis Limited Warranty............................................................................. 39
Table Of Contents
Alesis Contact Information.......................................................................40
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Table Of Contents
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Introduction
Welcome!
Thank you for making the Alesis Multimix USB a part of your
studio. Since 1984, we've been designing and building creative
tools for the audio community. We believe in our products,
because we've heard the results that creative people like you have
achieved with them. One of Alesis' goals is to make high-quality
studio equipment available to everyone, and this Reference Manual
is an important part of that. After all, there's no point in making
equipment with all kinds of capabilities if no one explains how to
use them. So, we try to write our manuals as carefully as we build
our products.
The goal of this manual is to get you the information you need as
quickly as possible, with a minimum of hassle. We hope we've
achieved that. If not, please drop us an email and give us your
suggestions on how we could improve future editions of this
manual.
We hope your investment will bring you many years of creative
enjoyment and help you achieve your musical goals.
Introduction
For more effective service
and product update notices,
please register your
MultiMix mixer online at:
http://www.alesis.com/
support/warranty.htm
Sincerely,
The people of Alesis
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Introduction
About the Multimix USB
The Multimix USB consoles are a versatile series of mixers
designed to perform well in the live and home studio realm. They
are the latest in the large family of Alesis audio mixers. We’ve
come a long way since introducing our first mixing console in
1989. Since that time audio technology has grown in leaps and
bounds, pushing up quality and driving down prices. Only a few
years ago, you wouldn’t have been able to buy a mixer this
powerful for such an affordable price. Just take a look at the key
features listed below, and you’ll see that you have just made an
incredible addition to your home studio or live setup.
The Multimix USB consoles give you just about everything you
need to create polished, professional-sounding mixes. When
designing this unit, our goal was to give you as much control over
your mixes as possible without requiring a wealth of extra
equipment. That’s why we added tools like the digital effects
processor, the mic preamps, the USB computer interface, and the
digital out (12- and 16-channel models only). And with a multitude
of ways in which to connect other equipment and instruments, the
Multimix USB offers endless possibilities.
Multimix USB Key Features
y Three Models:
Multimix 8 USB (4 mic/line preamps, 4 stereo inputs)
Multimix 12 USB (4 mic/line preamps, 4 stereo inputs)
Multimix 16 USB (8 mic/line preamps, 4 stereo inputs)
y Clean and powerful preamps – up to 50dB of preamp
gain for capturing quiet sources. Globally switched
phantom power.
y Stereo inputs – Two stereo pairs for the Multimix 8 USB.
Four stereo pairs for the 12- and 16-channel versions.
Great for line-level instruments.
y Internal digital effects processor with 100 preset
effects and an easy-to-read display – includes a variety
of reverbs, delays, choruses, flanges, a pitch transposer and
multiple combinations of these.
y 3-band EQ per channel – a potent tool for sonically
shaping each channel to get that perfect mix.
y 1 aux send per channel (pre/post-fader switchable on
the 12- and 16-channel versions) – gives you control over
the level of the pre- or post-fader signal being routed to an
external device.
y 1 post-fader aux send/effects send per channel – a
control for the signal being routed to another external
device or to the onboard effects processor.
y Control room output level – provides control over the
separate control room output
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y 2-track send and return – lets you mix your audio to tape
or other media and to add a tape deck or CD player to the
mix.
y Stereo USB input and output – routes the main output
and the 2-track return through the USB port in crystalclean, 16-bit, 44.1 kHz stereo digital audio. Use the
Multimix USB as a high-quality soundcard for recording
and playback with Windows and Macintosh computers.
Aditional Features of the Multimix 12 USB
and Multimix 16 USB
y PFL/Solo in place functionality per channel – isolates a
channel with a single push of a button.
y Mute/Alt 3/4 assign per channel – lets you mute a
channel and, at the same time, route its signal to the mixer’s
ALT 3/4 output—a separate stereo bus.
y Independent Main Mix and Alt 3/4 levels – permits you
to separately command the levels of the MultiMix’s two
stereo buses
y 44.1 kHz S/PDIF digital out – sends the digital stereo
signal directly to a DAT, DVD or other recording device
that can accept a S/PDIF signal.
Introduction
7
Introduction
H
How to Use This Manual
This manual is divided into the following sections describing the
various functions and applications for the Multimix consoles.
While it's a good idea to read through the entire manual once
carefully, those having general knowledge about mixing should use
the table of contents to look up specific functions.
Chapter 1: Getting Started shows you how to include the Multimix in
your audio setup for recording, computer interfacing, and live
applications. We’ve included a hookup diagram, guidelines for
which cables to use and the vital steps you must take to set levels
properly.
Chapter 2: A Tour of the MultiMix describes the Multimix piece by
piece. This chapter also features diagrams of the mixer to help you
find each component as you read about it.
Chapter 3: Digital Effects Processor explains the effects provided by
the on-board digital effects processor. If you want to know what a
certain effect will do to your sound before you select it, this is
where you should look.
Chapter 4: Applications outlines a number of scenarios in which
you can use the Multimix, including some tips on what goes
where when you’re hooking everything up.
Chapter 5: Troubleshooting can give you a hand if you’re experiencing
problems with your mixer. You’ll find that most issues can be
resolved simply and quickly with the push of a button.
Chapter 6: Specifications and Chapter 7: Block Diagrams are full of
technical information for the more techie users.
And at the end of this manual you’ll see a glossary of common
mixing-related terms and a page about the Multimix USB’s
warranty.
elpful tips and advice are
highlighted in a shaded box
like this.
When something important
appears in the manual, an
exclamation mark (like the
one shown at left) will appear
with some explanatory text.
This symbol indicates that
this information is vital when
operating the MultiMix
consoles.
8
A Few Words for Beginners
0
We realize that some of you who have purchased the Multimix
USB are fairly new to the art of mixing, and we’ve written this
manual with that in mind. We designed the Multimix to be both
powerful and easy enough to use that even a beginner can quickly
pick up the basics.
Many mixer manuals—and manuals for just about any electronic
instrument for that matter—are full of complicated terminology
and incomplete instructions that presume a lot of experience on
the part of the reader. We try to avoid that with this manual. True
enough, you will find all the technical lingo and specifications you
can handle in here, but we do our best to make this accessible to
you.
Beginners will find several elements of this manual especially
useful. Keep your eye out for the tips found in the gray boxes on
the right side of the page. Be sure to check out the hookup
diagrams on page 11, which will give you some ideas on how to fit
the mixer into your audio setup after you’ve taken a tour of the
mixer in Chapter 2. And if you come across any terms that you
haven’t seen before, the glossary probably can help you out.
Introduction
One of the most important
things you’ll do be for e yo u
begin a mixing session is to
set the levels. Be sure to refer
to the instructions on page
2
.
Introduction
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Introduction
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10
1 Getting Started
B
e
Hooking up the Multimix USB
This diagram will help you get the Multimix USB hooked up and
ready to go. The equipment you use depends on personal
preference and on whether you’re performing live or recording.
For example, you’ll see below that the MAIN MIX OUT can be
routed to a recording device for recording, or to a PA system for
live performance.
e sure to follow th
guidelines for which cables to
use (further down this page)
and the procedure for setting
levels (on the next page)
before you begin mixing.
1
Using Proper Cables
When connecting instruments and other equipment to the
MultiMix, it’s important that you use the appropriate types of
cables. Here are some simple but important guidelines:
y For the mic inputs, use XLR cables.
y For the line inputs and all other 1/4” connections, use 1/4”
mono TRS cables.
y Use stereo RCA cables for the 2-track in and out.
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