Alesis Multimix 8 User Manual
Reference Manual
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Table Of Contents
Introduction..........................................................5
Welcome! ...................................................................................................... 5
About the MultiMix 8 FireWire ....................................... 6
All-In-One Mixer and Multichannel Computer Audio
Interface ....................................................................................................... 6
MultiMix 8 FireWire Key Features...........................................................7
How to Use This Manual ...................................................8
A Few Words for Beginners.............................................. 9
Chapter 1: Getting Started ................................11
Hooking up the MultiMix 8 FireWire .............................11
Using Proper Cables .......................................................... 12
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 – 8).....................................................................14
PHONE Jack...............................................................................................14
AUX RETURNS ........................................................................................ 14
AUX SENDS .............................................................................................. 14
2-TRACK.....................................................................................................14
MAIN MIX OUT....................................................................................... 14
CTRL RM OUT ......................................................................................... 14
Channel Strips ....................................................................15
Level Control............................................................................................... 15
PAN or BAL................................................................................................ 15
PEAK LED.................................................................................................15
Aux................................................................................................................ 15
EQ................................................................................................................. 16
Master Section..................................................................... 16
Main Mix...................................................................................................... 16
2TK To Mix.................................................................................................16
HDPH / CTRL RM................................................................................... 16
2TK TO CTRL ROOM Switch ...............................................................17
AUX RETURN A LEVEL.......................................................................17
EFFECTS / AUX RET B LEVEL .........................................................17
LED Meters................................................................................................. 17
POWER Indicator...................................................................................... 17
+48V Indicator ........................................................................................... 17
Rear of the Mixer................................................................18
Power Input................................................................................................. 18
Power Supply Unit......................................................................................18
Power On..................................................................................................... 18
Phantom On................................................................................................18
Firewire ports .............................................................................................. 18
1
Table Of Contents
Chapter Three: Digital Effects
Processor ...............................................................19
Effects Section Components ............................................ 19
Program Selection Knob ...........................................................................19
LED Display................................................................................................19
CLIP Indicator ............................................................................................ 19
SIG Indicator .............................................................................................. 19
Effect Descriptions............................................................. 19
HALL ........................................................................................................... 19
ROOM ......................................................................................................... 19
PLATE ......................................................................................................... 19
CHAMBER ................................................................................................. 19
CHORUS.....................................................................................................20
FLANGE..................................................................................................... 20
DELAY........................................................................................................20
PITCH.......................................................................................................... 20
MULTI & MULTI II.................................................................................. 20
Chapter Four: Traditional Mixing ...................21
Simple Live Setup............................................................... 21
Using Additional External Audio Sources .................... 21
Simple Two-Channel Recording Setup
(without Firewire)..............................................................22
2
Chapter Five: Firewire Recording ..................23
First-time connection instructions.................................23
and driver installation ...................................................... 23
Installing the optional applications ...............................24
Power-on/Power off order ................................................24
Power-on sequence ..................................................................................... 24
Power-off sequence....................................................................................24
Firewire inputs and outputs............................................25
Channels sent from the MultiMix to the computer...............................25
Channels returned from the computer to the MultiMix ....................... 25
Sound setup under Windows ...........................................26
Disabling Windows System Sounds................................ 28
Connections and settings for Firewire
recording and monitoring ................................................29
Using the MultiMix FireWire with Cubase
and other ASIO applications............................................ 29
Choosing the MultiMix as your audio device .........................................30
Creating a new audio file ........................................................................... 34
Working with the ASIO control panel............................ 38
Accessing the ASIO control panel........................................................... 38
Setting the mixer nickname .......................................................................38
Setting the master device ........................................................................... 38
Adjusting latency by changing the buffer size ........................................ 39
Adjusting the sample rate ..........................................................................39
Table of Contents
Using the MultiMix FireWire with Sonar
and other WDM applications ...........................................40
Choosing the MultiMix as your audio device .........................................40
Assigning inputs to audio tracks............................................................... 43
Using the MultiMix FireWire with
CoreAudio on the Macintosh ........................................... 44
Chapter Six: Troubleshooting: non-
Firewire .................................................................45
Chapter Seven: Troubleshooting:
Firewire .................................................................49
Computer or audio application does not see
the MultiMix FireWire....................................................... 49
Basic troubleshooting................................................................................. 49
Advanced troubleshooting under Windows ........................................... 49
Audio playback or recording is at the wrong
speed...................................................................................... 51
Audio playback or recording stutters or
drops out...............................................................................51
Audio echoes during recording .......................................51
Chapter Eight: Specifications...........................53
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Chapter Nine: Block Diagram...........................55
Glossary .................................................................57
Contact Information ...........................................59
Alesis Contact Information.......................................................................59
Trademarks .................................................................................................. 59
Table Of Contents
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4
Introduction
Welcome!
Thank you for making the Alesis MultiMix 8 FireWire 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.
Sincerely,
The people of Alesis
For more effective service
and product update notices,
please register your
MultiMix 8 FireWire online
at:
http://www.alesis.com/
support/warranty.htm
5
Introduction
About the MultiMix 8 FireWire
The MultiMix FireWire mixers are the latest in the large family of
Alesis audio mixers and the second series that includes computer
interfacing (following on the launch of the MultiMix USB mixers
in 2004).
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 with analog
performance this powerful for such an affordable price, and the
addition of multichannel computer audio interfacing would have
been a pipe dream. 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.
All-In-One Mixer and Multichannel
Computer Audio Interface
The MultiMix 8 FireWire gives you just about everything you need
to create polished, professional-sounding recordings and live
mixes. When designing this unit, our goal was to give you as much
control over your recordings and mixes as possible without
requiring a wealth of extra equipment. That’s why we added tools
like the digital effects processor and the mic preamps. And with a
multitude of ways in which to connect other equipment and
instruments, the MultiMix 8 FireWire offers endless possibilities.
The MultiMix FireWire is also a full-duplex, multichannel
computer recording interface device. Not only can you record
every channel independently, but you can also record the MAIN
mix channels. To get you started with computer-based recording,
we even include a well-specified Digital Audio Workstation (DAW)
software program. With a multitude of ways in which to connect
other equipment and instruments, the MultiMix FireWire offers
endless possibilities.
Important: download the drivers from http://www.alesis.com onto a
folder on your desktop or insert the software CD into your computer’s
CD drive
BEFORE
you plug your MultiMix into your computer
for the first time.
See page 23 for details.
6
Introduction
Mult iMix 8 FireWire Key Features
Multichannel Firewire (IEEE 1394a) input and output
– routes each individual channel’s output, plus the MAIN
outputs, through the FIREWIRE port, and receives two
channels back from the computer, all in 24-bit, 44.1/48
kHz digital audio.
ASIO and WDM computer drivers – lets you use the
MultiMix FireWire with the vast majority of digital audio
workstation programs.
Clean and powerful preamps – up to 50dB of preamp
gain for capturing quiet sources. Globally switched
phantom power.
Stereo inputs – Two stereo pairs for connecting line-level
instruments.
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.
3-band EQ per channel – a potent tool for sonically
shaping each channel to get that perfect mix.
2 aux sends per channel – one can be used to access an
external effects device; the other can be used either to
access the MultiMix’s internal effects or to access a second
external device.
Control room output level – provides control over the
separate control room output.
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.
External power supply
7
H
v
s
mp
asaThv
Introduction
How to Use This Manual
This manual is divided into the following sections describing the
various functions and applications of 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.
elpful tips and advice are
highlighted in a shaded box
like this.
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: Traditional Mixing outlines a number of scenarios in
which you can use the MultiMix for live mixing and simple,
non-Firewire based recording.
Chapter 5: Firewire Recording orients you to the MultiMix’s powerful
Firewire recording features, including software installation and
setup with common DAW programs.
Chapter 6: 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.
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.
Chapter 7: Specifications and Chapter 8: 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.
8
Introduction
A Few Words for Beginners
We realize that some of you who have purchased the MultiMix 8
FireWire are fairly new to mixing, to computer-based recording, or
both. We’ve written this manual with that in mind. We also
designed the MultiMix 8 FireWire 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 7, 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.
One of the most important
things you’ll do before you
begin a mixing or recording
session is to set the levels. Be
sure to refer to the
instructions on page 16.
9
Introduction
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10
B
1 Getting Started
Hooking up the MultiMix 8 FireWire
This diagram will help you get the MultiMix 8 FireWire 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, to a PA system for live
performance, or both.
e sure to follow the
guidelines for which cables to
use (further down this page)
and the procedure for setting
levels (on the next page)
before you begin mixing.
11
1
Getting Started
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:
For the mic inputs, use XLR cables.
For the line inputs and all other 1/4” connections, use 1/4”
mono TRS cables.
Use stereo RCA cables for the 2-track in and out.
Use a Firewire (IEEE 1394a) cable to connect one of the
Firewire ports to a computer.
Setting Levels
Before you can begin mixing different audio sources with your
MultiMix, you must set the level for each channel you’re using.
This helps to prevent distortion and clipping. The idea is to get the
strongest signal possible without clipping. Here’s how:
1. Turn the channel level control to the 12:00 position.
2. Turn the AUX SEND and GAIN controls all the way down,
and turn the EQ knobs to the center detent (you’ll feel a click).
3. Connect the source of the signal to the channel’s input.
4. Play the instrument at a normal level and adjust the channel’s
gain slowly until the PEAK LED lights.
5. Slowly reduce the channel’s gain until the PEAK LED no
longer lights when you play.
6. If you need to apply EQ, do so and check the PEAK LED to
make sure it still does not light as you play.
12
A
A
2 A Tour of the MultiMix FireWire
In this chapter, you’ll learn all about the MulitMix-8 FireWire’s
components (except for the digital effects processor and computer
connectivity, which are explained in later chapters). Please refer to
the diagrams as you read each section to see which components
we’re talking about.
Patchbay
At the rear portion of the top of the MultiMix 8 FireWire, you’ll
find the patchbay. This is where you plug in instruments, signal
processors, multitrack recorders and other devices. Whatever you
need to connect to the mixer, this is where it’s done. In the
following paragraphs, we tell you all about the inputs, outputs,
switches and knobs you see in this section of the mixer.
Mic Inputs (Channels 1 – 4)
The MultiMix uses standard XLR-type mic inputs. These provide
+48V phantom power that you can turn on and off with the
Phantom On switch located on the rear of the mixer. You
probably will have to turn on the phantom power when you’re
using most condenser mics, as these usually require the extra
voltage (unless the mic has its own power source, such as a
battery). Dynamic and ribbon mics don’t require phantom power
and are unaffected when the power is on.
These high-quality mic inputs also feature up to 50dB of preamp
gain that you can adjust with the Gain knob.
Another useful feature of these mic inputs is a high-pass filter
(HPF) that can be turned on and off with the HPF switch. When
you activate this switch, all frequencies below 75Hz are cut from
the signal. This is useful for mic or line signals that don’t have
much bottom end, such as vocals, snares, cymbals and electric
guitar. You’ll want to leave this inactivated for instruments like
basses and kick drums.
Line Inputs (Channels 1 – 4)
The line inputs, marked LINE IN, are balanced 1/4” jacks that
offer the same 50dB of preamp gain and the high-pass filter
provided by the mic inputs (however, phantom power does not
apply to line inputs). These inputs accept line-level instruments
such as keyboards and drum machines. If you find that your
instrument has a weak line signal, just plug it into channels 1 – 4
and crank it up with the Gain knob.
lthough chances are your
microphones will work fine
with these mic inputs, we
recommend that you do some
checking up on the type of
microphone you’re using,
especially if it’s one of the
older vintage models. Verify
that your microphone
requires phantom power and
make sure its output is low
impedance, balanced and
floating.
lways connect your
microphones before
activating phantom power.
Microphones tend to be very
sensitive, and the sudden
power surge can do
permanent damage to the
mic’s circuitry. It’s also a
good idea to lower mixer
levels before you activate
phantom power.
13
2
I
A Tour of the MultiMix FireWire
Line Inputs (Channels 5 – 8)
Unlike channels 1 – 4, the line inputs on channels 5 – 8 are stereo
inputs that have left and right inputs. If you’re using one of these
channels as a mono input, plug your instrument into the left input.
Channels 5 – 8 don’t have the extra gain found on channels 1 – 4
because most line-level instruments don’t require the extra boost.
MIDI and other electronic instruments will work especially well on
these channels. These inputs are also good for connecting CD
players or tape decks, as these audio sources don’t require extra
gain.
PHON E Jack
The headphone jack accepts 1/4” plugs. If your headphones are
1/8”, you can find a 1/8” to 1/4” adapter in most electronics
stores.
AUX RETURNS
These are the 1/4” jacks where you connect the outputs of an
external effects processor or other audio source. Each aux return
gives you 15dB of gain that can be controlled by the AUX RET A
and EFFECTS / AUX RET B LEVEL knobs in the mixer’s
output section.
AUX SENDS
Use these jacks to connect the lines going out of the MultiMix into
the input of an external effects processor. The aux sends give you
10dB of gain that can be controlled in the AUX section of each
channel input.
2-TRACK
The 2-TRACK IN and OUT jacks are standard RCA jacks. You’ll
use the OUTs for mixing to a tape deck or other recorder. With
the INs you can bring in a signal, which can be monitored and
even added to the main mix via the 2TK TO MIX switch in the
master section of the mixer.
The 2-TRACK INPUT is blended with any signal coming back
from a computer over the Firewire connection.
MAIN MIX OUT
These 1/4” jacks are where the signal on the main mix bus leaves
the mixer. From there you can send it to a recorder or a PA system.
The level of this signal is controlled by the MAIN MIX level
control.
CTRL RM OUT
You can use these 1/4" jacks to send the control room signal to
the input of the amplifier driving your monitors or headphones.
f you are using an effects
device with only a mono
output, plug it into the left
return of STEREO AUX
RETURN. It will appear in
the center of the stereo
spectrum, and not to the left.
14
A Tour of the MultiMix FireWire
This output usually carries the main mix. However, if you engage
the 2TK TO CTRL ROOM switch, the CTRL RM OUT will carry
the signal present at the 2-TRACK inputs.
Channel Strips
The eight channel strips are virtually identical to each other, with
the only difference being that channels 1 – 4 are mono and
channels 5 – 8 are stereo. Each channel strip contains the following
components.
Level Control
The level control knob controls how much of the signal from the
mic or line inputs is sent to the channel. To adjust the level, simply
turn the knob to the desired level. In the leftmost position, levels
are cut completely, and in the rightmost position you get an
additional 10dB of gain.
PAN or BAL
This control—labeled PAN on the mono channels and BAL on
the stereo channels—lets you assign the channel to a particular
spot within the stereo spectrum. If you turn this knob to the left,
you can hear the signal move to the left, and if you turn it to the
right…you get the picture. The pan controls do this by adjusting
the amount of the signal being sent to the left main mix bus versus
the right main mix bus. The balance controls do it by controlling
the relative balance of the left and right channel signals being sent
to the left and right main mix buses.
PEAK LED
This indicator lets you know when the channel’s signal is clipping.
This light plays an important role in setting channel levels by
helping you know when to reduce the channel’s gain.
Aux
Here you’ll find knobs that control the levels of aux sends A and
B. AUX A is pre-fader, which means that the AUX A send is
affected only by the EQ and HPF settings. A pre-fader send is
usually used for cue sends (for example, sending a signal to
headphones while recording, for which you may not want the fader
to alter the channel’s level).
AUX B is post-fader, which means that the AUX B send is
affected by the fader (or level control knob in this instance), EQ
and HPF settings. A post-fader send is generally used for sending
the signal to an external effects device (so that the fader controls
the signal level). Like AUX A, AUX B can be used for routing
signals to external devices. And when you are using the onboard
effects processor, AUX B is used to control the level of the
channel’s signal being routed to the processor.
2
15
2
A Tour of the MultiMix FireWire
EQ
The MultiMix gives you three bands of EQ per channel. Using
these knobs, you can tailor the channel’s signal by boosting some
frequencies and cutting others. The LO and HI controls are
shelving controls with fixed frequencies of 75 Hz and 12 kHz
respectively. The MID control has a peaking response fixed at 2.5
kHz.
“Shelving” means that the mixer boosts or cuts all frequencies past
the specified frequency. “Peaking” means that frequencies above
and below the specified frequency fall off, forming a peak in a
graphical representation.
Master Section
The Master Section is the heart of the mixer, where the channel
inputs and aux returns all are mixed together and routed in various
ways.
Main Mix
The signals from all channels and aux sends are sent to the main
mix. The MAIN MIX level control is the one you’ll use to control
the overall level of those combined signals. This knob affects the
levels of the signals sent to the MAIN MIX OUT and the 2TRACK OUT. In its leftmost position the signal is cut off
completely, and in the rightmost position you get an additional
10dB of gain.
2TK To Mix
When you press this switch, the signal coming in through the 2TRACK IN gets routed to the MAIN MIX, joining whichever
other signals are already part of the main mix. Used this way, the
2-TRACK IN effectively becomes another stereo channel (but
without all the extras like pan, EQ, etc.).
HDPH / CTRL RM
The HDPH / CTRL RM knob controls the level of the signal
being sent to the CTRL RM OUT and the PHONES output. The
level of this signal is represented by the LED meters. The “CTRL
RM” in the name of this knob refers to the fact that it controls the
signal that typically is sent to the control room monitors of a
studio, where someone—usually an engineer—is working the
mixer. However, don’t be intimidated if you’re using this mixer in
your bedroom, which probably isn’t equipped with a control room.
In this scenario, you can use headphones or connect the CTRL
RM OUT to your speakers.
16
A Tour of the MultiMix FireWire
2TK TO CTRL ROOM Switch
When you engage this switch, the signal coming in from the 2TRACK jacks is routed to the headphones and to the control
room output. This level is controlled by the HDPH / CTRL
ROOM level control and cancels out any signal from the main mix.
AUX RETUR N A LEVEL
This is the level control for the signal returning to the mixer via
AUX RETURN A.
EFFECTS / AUX RET B LEVE L
If you are using one of the MultiMix 8 FireWire’s internal effects,
this knob controls the effect level. If AUX SEND B is connected
to an external device, this knob controls the level for AUX
RETURN B.
LED Meters
These are the two rows of yellow, green and red lights you see in
the master section of the mixer. The LED meters allow you to
view the signal level of the main mix and 2-TRACK IN depending
on which signal you have routed to the control room mix.
POWER Ind icator
When this LED is lit up, that means the POWER ON switch on
the rear of the mixer has been activated.
+48V Indicator
When this one is lit up, that means the PHANTOM ON switch on
the rear of the mixer has been activated and is supplying +48V
phantom power to all XLR mic inputs.
2
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