Alesis Multimix 8 User Manual

Reference Manual

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Table Of Contents

Introduction..........................................................3

Welcome!......................................................................................................3

About the MultiMix 8 USB................................................ 4

MultiMix 8 USB Key Features.................................................................. 4

How to Use This Manual ...................................................5

A Few Words for Beginners.............................................. 6

Chapter 1: Getting Started ................................7

Hooking up the MultiMix 8 USB ..................................... 7

Using Proper Cables ..........................................................7

Setting Levels ...................................................................... 8

Chapter Two: A Tour of the MultiMix .............9

Patchbay...............................................................................9

Mic Inputs (Channels 1 – 4)...................................................................... 9

Line Inputs (Channels 1 – 4).....................................................................9

Line Inputs (Channels 5 – 8).....................................................................10

PHONE Jack...............................................................................................10

AUX RETURNS........................................................................................ 10

AUX SENDS.............................................................................................. 10

2-TRACK.....................................................................................................10

MAIN MIX OUT....................................................................................... 10

CTRL RM OUT .........................................................................................10

Channel Strips ....................................................................11

Level Control...............................................................................................11

PAN or BAL................................................................................................ 11

PEAK LED.................................................................................................11

Aux................................................................................................................ 11

EQ.................................................................................................................12

Master Section.....................................................................12

Main Mix...................................................................................................... 12

2TK To Mix.................................................................................................12

HDPH / CTRL RM...................................................................................12

2TK TO CTRL ROOM Switch ............................................................... 13

AUX RETURN A LEVEL.......................................................................13

EFFECTS / AUX RET B LEVEL......................................................... 13

LED Meters................................................................................................. 13

POWER Indicator...................................................................................... 13

+48V Indicator ...........................................................................................13

Rear of the Mixer................................................................14

Power Input................................................................................................. 14

Power Supply Unit......................................................................................14

Power On..................................................................................................... 14

Phantom On................................................................................................ 14

USB port ......................................................................................................14

Table Of Contents

Chapter Three: Digital Effects

Processor ...............................................................15

Effects Section Components ............................................15

Program Selection Knob ...........................................................................15

LED Display................................................................................................15

CLIP Indicator ............................................................................................ 15

SIG Indicator ..............................................................................................15

Effect Descriptions............................................................. 15

HALL ...........................................................................................................15

ROOM ......................................................................................................... 15

PLATE......................................................................................................... 15

CHAMBER .................................................................................................15

CHORUS.....................................................................................................16

FLANGE..................................................................................................... 16

DELAY........................................................................................................16

PITCH.......................................................................................................... 16

MULTI & MULTI II..................................................................................16

Chapter Four: Applications ...............................17

Simple Recording Setup ...................................................17

Simple Live Setup...............................................................17

Using Additional External Audio Sources....................17

Digital output to a digital recorder................................17

Using the Multimix USB with a Computer ................... 18

Sending and Receiving Audio Data..........................................................18

Precautions when using the USB connection.........................................18

Connection instructions for Windows (XP, 2000, ME,

and 98 Second Edition) .............................................................................18

Connection instructions for Macintosh (OS X only)............................ 19

Chapter Five: Troubleshooting ........................21

Chapter Six: Specifications ...............................25

Chapter Seven: Block Diagram ........................27

Glossary .................................................................29

Warranty/Contact Alesis.....................................31

Alesis Limited Warranty............................................................................. 31

Alesis Contact Information.......................................................................32

Introduction

Welcome!

Thank you for making the Alesis MultiMix 8 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.

For more effective service and product update notices, please register your MultiMix 8 USB online at:

http://www.alesis.com/ support/warranty.htm

Sincerely, The people of Alesis

Introduction

About the MultiMix 8 USB

The MultiMix USB mixers are the latest in the large family of Alesis audio mixers. We’ve come a long way since the 1622 mixer we first built 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 8 USB gives 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 and the mic preamps. And with a multitude of ways in which to connect other equipment and instruments, the MultiMix 8 USB offers endless possibilities.

MultiMix 8 USB Key Features

y 4 microphone/line inputs with up to 50dB of preamp

gain – gives a boost to microphones and instruments with weak levels.

y 2 stereo line inputs – 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 combinations of these.

y 3-band EQ per channel – a potent tool for sonically

shaping each channel to get that perfect mix.

y 1 pre-fader aux send per channel – gives you control over

the level of the pre-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

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 ouput

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.

y External power supply

How to Use This Manual

This manual is divided into the following sections describing the various functions and applications for the MultiMix 8 USB. 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 8 USB in your audio setup for recording 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 8 USB 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 8 USB, 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 Diagram are full of technical information for the more advanced users.

And at the end of this manual you’ll see a glossary of common mixing-related terms and a page about the MultiMix 8 USB’s warranty.

Introduction

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 8 USB.

Introduction

A Few Words for Beginners

We realize that some of you who have purchased the MultiMix 8 USB are fairly new to the art of mixing, and we’ve written this manual with that in mind. We also designed the MultiMix 8 USB 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 be for e yo u begin a mixing session is to set the levels. Be sure to refer to the instructions on page

16.

1 Getting Started

Hooking up the MultiMix 8 USB

This diagram will help you get the MultiMix 8 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.

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.

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.

Getting Started

y Use a USB cable to connect the USB port to a computer. Do

not use a USB hub, as hubs can introduce timing glitches in USB communication.

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.

2 A Tour of the MultiMix USB

In this chapter, you’ll learn all about the MulitMix-8FX’s components (except for the digital effects processor, which is explained in the next chapter). 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 USB, 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.

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.

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 ac tiv ate phantom power.

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