Fostex VM04 User Manual
Owner’s manual
Model
4CH DIGITAL MIXER WITH DSP EFFECTS
Introduction
Thank you very much for having purchased the Fostex VM04.
This unit is a digital mini-mixer so the internal signal processing is all done digitally.
Its input section consists of four analog input channels including two that can take a
microphone. The output section, in addition to normal analog outputs like two channel
stereo outputs and a headphone output, also has an S/P DIF digital output via an optical
format with a 44.1kHz sampling frequency and a 20 bit resolution.
Its internal Buss consists of a two channel Stereo L/R and also an independent Effect Buss.
The VM04 also incorporates an internal high quality digital effect (1in/ 2out) employing
the A. S. P. (Fostex Advanced Signal Processing Technology)*, which is newly developed by
Fostex. It can provide a wide variety of Effect sounds. You can also store all the mix settings
you have made in the Scene Memories and recall them instantly.
The VM04 is a light and compact piece of precision sound technology which offers high
quality sound performance and considerable scope for experimentation.
To fully exploit all of its many useful features and functions, we recommend you read this
manual first before you start using the VM04.
* See page 18 for more details of the A. S. P. (Fostex Advanced Signal Processing Technology).
VM04 Owner’s manual
CAUTION
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK,
DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK).
NO USER - SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE.
REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.
"WARNING"
"TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC
SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS APPLIANCE TO RAIN
OR MOISTURE."
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
1. Read Instructions - All the safety and operating instructions
should be read before the appliance is operated.
2. Retain Instructions - The safety and operating instructions should
be retained for future reference.
3. Heed Warnings - All warnings on the appliance and in the
operating instructions should be adhered to.
4. Follow Instructions - All operating and use instructions should
be followed.
5. Water and Moisture - The appliance should not be used near
water - for example, near a bathtub, washbowl, kitchen sink,
laundry tub, in a wet basement, or near a swimming pool, and
the like.
6. Carts and Stands - The appliance should be used only with a
cart or stand that is recommended by the manufacturer.
An appliance and cart combination should be moved with care.
Quick stops, excessive force, and uneven surfaces may cause
the appliance and cart combination to overturn.
7. Wall or Ceiling Mounting - The appliance should be mounted to
a wall or ceiling only as recommended by the manufacturer.
8. Ventilation - The appliance should be situated so that its location
or position dose not interfere with its proper ventilation. For
example, the appliance should not be situated on a bed, sofa,
rug, or similar surface that may block the ventilation openings;
or, placed in a built-in installation, such as a bookcase or cabinet
that may impede the flow of air through the ventilation openings.
9. Heat - The appliance should be situated away from heat sources
such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other appliances
(including amplifiers) that produce heat.
10. Power Sources - The appliance should be connected to a power
supply only of the type described in the operating instructions or as
marked on the appliance.
CAUTION:
TO PREVENT ELECTRIC SHOCK, MATCH WIDE BLADE
OF PLUG TO WIDE SLOT, FULLY INSERT.
ATTENTION:
POUR EVITER LES CHOCS ELECTRIQUES,
INTRODUIRE LA LAME LA PLUS LARGE DE LA FICHE
DANS LA BORNE CORRESPONDANTE DE LA PRISE
ET POUSSER JUSQU' AU FOND.
The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol,
within an equilateral triangle, is intended to alert
the user to the presence of uninsulated
"dangerous voltage" within the product's
enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude
to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons.
The exclamation point within an equilateral
triangle is intended to alert the user to the
presence of important operating and
maintenance (servicing) instructions in the
literature accompanying the appliance.
11. Grounding or Polarization - The precautions that should be taken
so that the grounding or polarization means of an appliance is not
defeated.
12. Power Cord Protection - Power supply cords should be routed so
that they are not likely to be walked on or pinched by items placed
upon or against them, paying particular attention to cords at plugs,
convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the
appliance.
13. Cleaning - The appliance should be cleaned only as recommended
by the manufacturer.
14. Nonuse Periods - The power cord of the appliance should be
unplugged from the outlet when left unused for a long period of
time.
15. Object and Liquid Entry - Care should be taken so that objects do
not fall and liquids are not spilled into the enclosure through
openings.
16. Damage Requiring Service - The appliance should be serviced by
qualified service personnel when:
A. The power supply cord or the plug has been damaged; or
B. Objects have fallen, or liquid has been spilled into the appliance;
or
C. The appliance has been exposed to rain; or
D. The appliance does not appear to operate normally or exhibits
a marked change in performance; or
E. The appliance has been dropped, or the enclosure damaged.
17. Servicing - The user should not attempt to service the appliance
beyond that described in the operating instructions.
All other servicing should be referred to qualified service personnel.
18. The appliance should be situated away from drops of water or
spray of water.
19. Objects conaining liquid such as vase must not be put on the
appliance.
20. The appliance is not completely isolated from the power supply
even if the power switch is at off position.
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VM04 Owner’s manual
T able of Contents
Precautions..............................................................................3
Let’s examine the VM04 in more detail...........................4
1. Input Section................................................................5
2. Buss Section..................................................................6
3. Master Section.............................................................6
4. Effect Section................................................................7
1. Names and Functions...................................................8
2. Before Use.....................................................................10
2-1. Remove the insulation paper.............................10
2-2. Caution when powering ON...............................10
2-3. Reset........................................................................10
2-4. Internal battery for the memory back up........10
3. Applications...................................................................11
4. Initial Setting..................................................................13
5. Normal Mix Mode.........................................................14
6. Channel Edit Mode.......................................................15
6-1. PAN setting.............................................................15
6-2. EQ Lo setting...........................................................16
6-3. EQ Hi settint............................................................16
6-4. EFFECT SEND setting............................................17
6-5. EFFECT POST/PRE setting...................................17
7. Effect Mode....................................................................18
7-1. EFFECT TYPE setting.............................................19
7-2. EFFECT PARAMETER setting...............................20
Reverb Level setting.................................................21
Reverb Time setting.................................................21
Pre-Delay Time setting............................................21
High Dump setting...................................................21
Early Reflection Balance setting.............................22
8. Scene Memory..............................................................22
8-1. Scene Store.............................................................22
8-2. Scene Recall............................................................23
8-3. Fader Adjust mode...............................................24
8-4. Scene Direct Recall................................................24
Precautions (please read before use)
Power supply
* When unplugging the AC adaptor from the outlet,
be sure to grasp the adaptor. Attempting to unplug
it by pulling on the AC cable may damage the
wiring.
* It is dangerous to use any power cable that is cut
or frayed. If the power cable is damaged,
immediately stop using it, and have it repaired.
* Do not plug in or unplug the AC adaptor with wet
hands. Doing so may result in dangerous electric
shock.
* Do not open the unit or touch any parts inside.
Doing so may result in a dangerous electric shock,
and could damage the unit.
* Do not let water or other liquids, flammable
materials, or metal objects such as pins get inside
the unit. These things may cause electrical shock
or short circuit the VM04, and damage it.
If the VM04 should become wet, unplug the AC
adaptor from the AC outlet, and contact your
authorized service station.
Location
* Avoid using the VM04 in the following locations:
* Locations of extreme low or high temperatures, or
extreme changes in temperature.
* Locations with excessive moisture or dust.
* Locations where direct sunlight falls for an
extended time, or near a stove or other source of
heat.
* Locations where electrical voltage varies.
* Unstable locations or where there is heavy
vibration.
* Near strong magnetic fields (on top of a television
or speaker).
9. SETUP Mode.................................................................25
10. Other Modes...............................................................26
10-1. Software Version Check....................................26
10-2. Battery Check......................................................26
Specifications..............................................................................27
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VM04 Owner’s manual
Let’s examine the VM04 in more detail.
The basic rationale of an audio mixer is to be able to add more than two sounds together. The size
of the mixer depends on the number of input and output channels it has, but the mixer’s role
remains basically the same. There are various types of mixers depending on their purposes, e.g.,
recording mixers and P.A. mixers (Public Address system for live performances). These mixers have
some additional features for the convenience of their practical use. For instance, the recording mixer
has a Recorder IN socket in each input channel to cater for the audio mixing reproduction of the
Multi Track Recorder. There are also large P.A. mixers which have sub Master sections so that the
different mixing can be sent to various different monitor systems at the same time. The VM04 can
adapt to both type of mixers. It can also be used as a sub mixer in large systems as you can see from
the Application sections in the manual.
As far as the size is concerned, the VM04 is a very compact audio mixer with a capacity of 4 in/2
out (4 channel audio can be mixed into 2 channel stereo buss). Although small, it has the beauty of
a digital mixer in the high sound quality available and the variety of functions it can perform. The
unit has a Stereo output via a pair of phone jacks as well as an optical S/P DIF digital output. The S/
P DIF ( Sony Philips Digital Interface) is the standard digital audio signal. And the VM04 is capable of
transferring the mixed audio signal in digital to other digital equipment like the Fostex D-5 DAT
recorder. The digital audio signal that the VM04 handles is a 44.1kHz sampling frequency, which is
common to the audio CD and 20 bit resolution of the AD/DA conversion( Analog to Digital and
Digital to Analog conversion). This is superior to the 16 bit audio CD. The VM04 also uses a 24 bit
resolution in its internal buss for the audio mixing process so that the sound deterioration is kept to
a minimum.
The VM04 incorporates the newly developed high quality digital Effect inside its light and compact
body. This means you can enjoy mixing audio with a variety of sound effects without using an
external Effect unit and awkward connections.
A block diagram is always available in an audio mixer manual. The most efficient way to use an
audio mixer is to get familiar with the block diagram. How to read the block diagram is always the
same, however big the mixer size is. There are many professional sound engineers who can do the
task by just reading the block diagram. Take note of the importance of the block diagram.
L
R
CH1
INPUT 1
(-10dBV~-50dBV)
CH2
INPUT 2
(-10dBV~-50dBV)
CH3
INPUT 3
(-10dBV)
CH4
INPUT 4
(-10dBV)
METER
100Hz
A/D
TRIM
A/D
TRIM
A/D
A/D
10kHz
HI
LO
METER
100Hz
10kHz
HI
LO
METER
100Hz
10kHz
HI
LO
METER
100Hz
10kHz
HI
LO
FADER
FADER
FADER
FADER
PRE/POST
PRE/POST
PRE/POST
PRE/POST
PAN
EFFECT
SEND
PAN
EFFECT
SEND
PAN
EFFECT
SEND
PAN
EFFECT
SEND
EFFECT
MASTER
MASTER FADER
EFFECT
EFFECT
METER
D/A
D/A
PHONES
S/P DIF OUT
L
R
PHONES
OUTPUT
(-10dBV)
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VM04 Owner’s manual
1. Input Section
As Channel 1 and 2 are identical in the VM04, let’s take Channel 1 as an example. In the VM04
block diagram, the input is on the left and output is on the right, i.e., the audio signal goes from left
to right. First, look below where it says INPUT 1. You will see (-10dBV~-50dBV) written there. This
is the signal voltage level that the input phone jack terminal can take. It is a range of voltage from as
low as a microphone (-50dBV) to line level (-10dBV). The sound source that has line level is an
ordinary Keyboard, CD player or electric guitar with pre amp.
CH1
INPUT 1
(-10dBV~-50dBV)
A/D
TRIM
100Hz
METER
LO
10kHz
HI
FADER
PRE/POST
PAN
EFFECT
SEND
The next point on the diagram is a triangle, which is directing the signal towards the right. It is a
kind of amp sometimes called a “buffer”. Underneath the triangle, there is a circle with an arrow
with TRIM written below it. This is the input gain adjust TRIM pot on the rear panel. This TRIM will
adjust the gain to adapt a wide range of incoming signals. The TRIM is for lifting up the level of the
low voltage input so that the MIC level audio and Line level audio can be handled equally at the
INPUT FADER. If you turn the TRIM pot clockwise, the gain will increase to accommodate the low
signal level.
A rectangle with A/D written in it follows. This is the circuit for converting the analog signal into
digital. From this point, the audio signal will be processed digitally until it is converted back again in
the D/A which is discussed later. The analog audio signal is converted to a 44.1kHz, 20 bit digital
audio signal because the VM04 undertakes all its mixing and operates all its controls in digital.
At the next point on the diagram, there is an arrow pointing upwards and to the right and labeled
METER. The VM04 extracts the signal level at this point and displays it in the Channel 1 level meter
on the LCD Display (Liquid Crystal Display). This point is sometimes called Pre-Fader or Pre-EQ.
Move on to the next section (EQ). You will see a rectangle labeled “>100Hz” and “<10kHz”. There
are controls for LO and HI underneath the rectangle. These are the Shelving Type Equalizations.
You can adjust the Bass tone below 100Hz using the LO EQ and the Treble tone above 10kHz using
the HI EQ. The VM04 controls these EQ’s by entering the CHANNEL EDIT MODE. There is no
independent control POT available unlike an analog mixer.
After the EQ, you will see a rectangle and arrow labeled FADER. This is the INPUT FADER to adjust
the audio level on the channel. There is one FADER for each channel and they are slide POTs so that
you can move them up and down to control the volume of each channel.
Now, we need to talk about the relationship between the TRIM function mentioned above and the
FADER. The TRIM is for adjusting the gain so that the input can take a wide range of signal voltages
from MIC to Line level. In other words, the TRIM aligns the various different incoming signals from
various sound sources, so that they become more or less the same level before reaching the FADER.
This is to make the mixing easier.
For example, if you had a design of mixer that had no TRIM function, but the INPUT FADER had a
very wide adjustment range, then, to make a well balanced mix, the microphone channel might have
to have the FADER extremely high, while the keyboard channel might have to have the FADER very
low. This would make mixing the sounds together very awkward. The TRIM enables you to handle
differing sound sources as though they are at the same level on the INPUT FADER.
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VM04 Owner’s manual
Before and after the FADER, there are two lines pointing downwards and to the right. These are
the selector switches. In the diagram the line after the FADER has an arrow touching it. The line
before the FADER is labeled PRE. The line after the FADER is labeled POST. With these switches, you
can decide whether to send the audio signal to the internal EFFECT either before or after the FADER.
If you choose “PRE”, the audio will be sent to the EFFECT even if you turn down the FADER. As a
result only the Effect sound will go out via the STEREO OUT without the dry source sound (i.e., the
original raw sound, vocal or instrumental). If you choose “POST”, the INPUT FADER will control the
entire audio level including the Effect sound. The VM04 does not have dedicated switches for this
purpose, but you select it by entering the CHANNEL EDIT mode.
If you look at the second line after the FADER, you will see that the base of arrow touching it is
connected to the EFFECT SEND volume control. This control adjusts the audio level to be sent to the
EFFECT in each channel. This control is not available on the VM04 control panel, but you can set it
by entering the CHANNEL EDIT mode.
The final part of the INPUT section is labeled “PAN”. With this control, you can individually allocate
the audio signal to either the left or the right of the stereo, e.g., the keyboard will be in the right while
the guitar will be in the left. The PAN control is also not available on the VM04 control panel. But
you can set it by entering the CHANNEL EDIT mode.
We said that the channel 2 input is exactly the same as the channel 1. So what about channels 3
and 4? They have the same structure as Channels 1 and 2 except the TRIM part has been deleted.
INPUTs 3 and 4 are labeled (-10dBV) . This means they can only take the Line level audio signal. You
cannot directly connect a microphone to INPUTs 3 and 4 as the MIC level is too low for them.
2. Buss Section
To the right of Channels 1,2,3 and 4 on the block diagram, you will see three vertical lines. These
are the Buss lines. They are the main audio signal streams which flow between the input and output
sections. In the VM04 there are two Buss lines for STEREO L/R and another one for the Effect Buss.
You can see these labeled in the block diagram. The audio signal assigned to the PAN control is
known as the stereo signal. It will go to both L and R Buss lines. The signal level adjusted by the
EFFECT SEND will go to the Effect Buss line. All four channel input signals will go to these Buss lines
after the INPUT section.
L
R
EFFECT
MASTER
PAN
EFFECT
SEND
OST
3. Master Section
The audio signal that has come through the L/R Buss lines will now go to the Master section. As
they are already divided into two channel stereo, the signal from this point will be handled as two
channels together at once. So the parts discussed in the Master section consist of two channels in a
pair. At the beginning of the MASTER section, there are two rectangles bisected with an arrow and
labeled “MASTER FADER”. The MASTER FADER can control both L/R channel audio at the same
time.
MASTER FADER
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VM04 Owner’s manual
After the MASTER FADER, there are two arrows pointing downwards and to the right labeled
“METER”. The VM04 will extract the signal level at this point and display it in the LCD Display L/R
level meters. In the opposite direction, upwards and to the right, there are two lines leading to the
S/P DIF output square. This square sends out the digital signal via the optical output. The digital
signal for the VM04 output is a 44.1kHz, 20 bit signal.
Next in line are two rectangles labeled D/A. These will convert the digital audio signal back to
Analog. After the D/A rectangles, you will see two sets of triangles pointing to the right. These direct
the signal flow and are kinds of amps (buffers). These refine the analog audio signal for the STEREO
OUT L/R. The STEREO OUT L/R has (-10dBV) written below it. This means that the output line level
of the VM04 is (-10dBV).
If you look after the D/A rectangles again, you will see two lines moving downwards to the right.
These connect with two circles bisected with an arrow. They are the Headphone amps and Headphone
level volume controls. This is the VM04’s monitor section. Some large mixers may have a selector
switch so that it is possible to choose which part of the signal flow will be monitored. In the case of
the VM04, the monitor output will always send exactly the same signal to the STEREO OUT as to the
Headphones.
MASTER
D/A
D/A
MASTER FADER
METER
PHONES
S/P DIF OUT
L
OUTPUT
(-10dBV)
R
PHONES
4. Effect Section
The destination of the signal from the Effect Buss line is the Effect section. You can treat the Effect
section as if it is an independent (1 in / stereo out) Effect unit. After the audio signal has been
through the Effect process, it will become a STEREO signal and return to the L/R Buss lines. Then, the
Effect sound will be mixed with the dry sound coming from each Input channel and will head back
into the MASTER section. Don’t forget the POST/PRE selector switch. If you set the switch to “PRE”
and INPUT FADER to MIN, only the Effect sound will go out via the STEREO OUT without dry sound.
Again, if used this way, the VM04 Effect section is acting as an independent Effect unit.
The Effect section is very adaptable. For example, if you are recording the vocal in your home studio,
by using the reverb you can record the sound as if you are recording in a large hall. You can also
change the original source sound completely by using the delay or chorus.
EFFECT
EFFECT
The types of Effect the VM04 provides are Reverb, Delay, Chorus and Flanger. Some combinations
of these are also available. See EFFECT mode (page 18) for more details of the Effect and how to use
it.
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VM04 Owner’s manual
1. Names and Functions
21
20
19
12
OUT
9V
S/P DIF
DC IN
3
FADER ADJUST
4
PHONESFOOT SW
MIN MAX
OUTPUT
22
CH
OL
0
6
12
24
48
1234LR1234
CHANNEL EDIT
MAX
MIN
56
LR
RESET
23
MASTER
MAX
R
L
MIN
VIEWLEVEL
MAX
MAX
MIN
MIN
24
SCENE No
EQ
EQ
7
32 14
INPUT
TRIMTRIM
-10-50
-10-50
8
9
10
SCENE
STORERECALL
EFFECT
EFFHILOPAN
PARAMETERTYPE
SETUP
11
12
VIEW
ENTEREXIT
13
14
MASTER4321
MAX
MIN
DATA
15
1. DC INLET connector
To connect the standard accessory AC adaptor to
power up the VM04.
2. S/P DIF optical output connector
You can obtain the same audio signal as the
STEREO OUT L/R, but in S/P DIF digital and optical
format.
3. Foot SW jack
Connect a Foot SW, such as the Fostex Model 8051,
to recall the Scene Memories. See SCENE MEMORY
(page 22).
4. Headphone jack and its volume control
Connect a pair of headphones to the socket and
control the volume level by using the control knob.
161718
5. STEREO OUT L/R jacks
(6mm Phone Jack, Un-Balance)
To send a mixed audio signal to other equipment,
such as an MTR, Stereo Monitor system or another
mixer.
6. RESET SW
To reset the internal CPU. See the “Before Use”
section for more details.
7. INPUT jacks
(6mm Phone Jack, Un-Balance)
To connect the audio source into the jack. Inputs
1 and 2 can take either mic or line level signals,
while Inputs 3 and 4 are designed for the line
level only.
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VM04 Owner’s manual
8. TRIM knobs
These volume knobs control the input gain of
INPUT 1 and 2 according to the incoming signal
level. Range: -10dBV~-50dBV. When you turn it
clockwise, the gain will increase so that the Input
socket can take low level signal inputs.
9. SCENE RECALL key
Use this to recall the Scene Memories. See SCENE
MEMORY (page 22).
10. SCENE STORE key
Use this to store your own settings in the Scene
memories. See SCENE MEMORY (page 22).
11. EFFECT PARAMETER key
Use this to set the Effect Parameters. See EFFECT
MODE (page 18).
12. EFFECT TYPE key
Use this to set the Effect Type. See EFFECT MODE
(page 18).
13. EXIT key
Use this key to quit the current mode.
See CHANNEL EDIT MODE (page 15), EFFECT
MODE (page 18), SCENE MEMORY (page 22),
FADER ADJUST MODE (page 23) and SETUP MODE
(page 25).
19. CHANNEL EDIT key
Press this key to enter the CHANNEL EDIT MODE.
See CHANNEL EDIT MODE (page 15).
20. FADER ADJUST key
When you have recalled a Scene, if the Fader
position is different from the Scene setting, this
key will flash. Then, press this key to enter the
FADER ADJUST MODE (page 24).
21. Contrast control knob
Use this to control the contrast on the LCD display.
22. LCD Display
This LCD shows various kinds of essential
information. It consists of the Character part, Level
display part, View display part, Channel Fader
display part and Master Fader display part.
23. VIEW Status Indicator
Use this to confirm which mode you are setting
when in the CHANNEL EDIT MODE. You can
choose the mode by pressing the VIEW key. See
CHANNEL EDIT MODE (page 15).
24. SCENE Number display
This shows the SCENE Number that has been
recalled. See SCENE MEMORY (page 22).
14. ENTER key
Use this key to accept the current setting.
See EFFECT MODE (page 18), SCENE MEMORY
(page 22), and SETUP MODE (page 25).
15. VIEW key
Use this key to choose which function to adjust
and display on the LCD Display and VIEW Status
Indicator.
16. DA T A ENCODER
Use this dial to set the various values in each mode.
17. MASTER FADER
Use this to adjust the output level at the STEREO
OUT jack.
18. INPUT FADERs
Use this to adjust the input level on the individual
channel.
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