MACKIE X.200 User Manual

Page 1
QUICK-START GUIDE
X.200
Page 2
Table of Contents
Getting Started ..........................................................................................................4
Connections.................................................................................................................................................4
Digital X Bus
I/O Cards.............................................................................................................................................................................. 4
1. MIC/LINE 4 CARD............................................................................................................................................................................................ 4
2. MIC/LINE 8 CARD ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
3. LINE CARD.......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
4. DIGITAL CARD ...................................................................................................................................................................................................5
5. AES/EBU CARD..................................................................................................................................................................................................5
6. FIREWIRE CARD ................................................................................................................................................................................................5
7. MIX OUT CARD..................................................................................................................................................................................................5
8. SYNC CARD .......................................................................................................................................................................................................6
Other Connections............................................................................................................................................................. 6
9. FOOT SWITCH 1 and 2..................................................................................................................................................................................... 6
10. SERIAL 9 PIN.................................................................................................................................................................................................... 6
11. MIDI IN and OUT ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 6
12. ETHERNET ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 6
13. USB ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 6
14. IEC Power Receptacle................................................................................................................................................................................... 6
15. Power Switch................................................................................................................................................................................................... 7
More Connections...............................................................................................................................................................7
16. Mouse................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 7
17. Keyboard........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 7
18. USB..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 7
Operational Basics.................................................................................................................................... 8
Turning on the Digital X Bus............................................................................................................................................ 8
About Fader Banks............................................................................................................................................................. 8
About V-Pot Controls ........................................................................................................................................................8
Touchscreens........................................................................................................................................................................ 8
Keyboard and Mouse.........................................................................................................................................................8
Getting Sound Happening...................................................................................................................... 9
Hookup Diagrams.................................................................................................... 12
Don’t forget to visit our website at www.mackie.com for more information about this and other Mackie products.
Part No. 0012120 Rev. 3 10/04 ©2004 LOUD Technologies Inc. All Rights Reserved.
2
X.200
Page 3

Introduction

Quick-Start Guide
Thank you for choosing a Mackie Digital X Bus for your next-generation digital recording con­sole. The Digital X Bus offers you the fl exibility to confi gure it for virtually any recording application through its extended card cage and I/O routing op­tions. It was designed with the ability to upgrade as advancements are made in ogy. But with 32-bit fl oating point processing, you have more power than just console in its class.
We know you want to get started right away, so this Quick-Start Guide is designed to help you get up and running quickly. If you have any experience using a digital mixing console, like our D8B, you’ll fi nd that using the Digital X Bus is very similar and you’ll be mixing away in no time. If this is your fi rst experience with digital mixing, we’ll run you through some of the unique aspects of using a digi­tal mixing console. You will fi nd that once you’ve learned these differences and the incredible fl exibil­ity that digital mixing has to offer, you will have a very short learning curve, and wonder how you have lived without the power of digital mixing for so long.
digital recording technol-
about any other digital mixing
Note: As new software releases be­come available, they can be download­ed from the Mackie website by going
to the Digital X Bus webpage at: http://www.mackie.com/products/digitalxbus. You will need a USB fl ash drive (a.k.a. thumb­drive) to transfer the installer package from your computer to the Digital X Bus. Installation in­structions are also available on the website.
HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL
We know that many of you can’t wait to get your new Digital X Bus hooked up, and you’re probably not going to read the manual fi rst (sigh!). So this Quick-Start Guide will help you get the mixer set up fast so you can start using it right away. After the "Getting Started" section, we have included some hook-up diagrams that show typical connections for tracking, mixdown, and using the Digital X Bus with a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation).
Then, when you have time, read the owner's manual. It describes every knob, button, and slider on the console, and all the menus and windows on the touchscreens.
Please write your serial number here for future reference (i.e., insurance claims, tech support, return authorization, etc.)
Purchased at:
Date of purchase:
Quick-Start Guide
3
Page 4

Getting Started

I/O Cards

Once youve unpacked your new Digital X Bus, youll want to posi­tion it where you can sit comfort­ably and reach the touchscreens and controls, and have relatively
easy access to the rear panel, in case you need to
Digital X Bus
make any changes to the connections. Typically, once you’ve set it up and made the connections, you won’t have to make any changes unless you change your external equipment.

Connections

The Digital X Bus comes with a Mix Out card (con­trol room card) and a Sync card already installed in the card cage in the rear panel. There are also connec­tions
for a USB mouse and keyboard (see More Con­nections for PS/2-style mouse and keyboard connec­tions). While not required to operate the Digital X Bus, they can be handy for quickly entering data or when clicking is easier than touching (the touchscreen).
Beyond that, we have a variety of analog and digital I/O cards, not included with the base model, that you can install in the card cage to suit your ap­plication. This allows you to match the I/O connec­tions on your Digital X Bus with the I/O connections provided on the other equipment in your studio. Here’s a quick run-down of what we offer:
1. MIC/LINE 4 CARD
This card has four female XLR balanced micro­phone inputs, and four 1/4" TRS balanced/unbalanced line-level inputs, for a total of eight analog inputs. Note that this card does not provide any outputs.
2. MIC/LINE 8 CARD
The Mic/Line 8 card has two DB25 connectors, one for inputs and one for outputs. The input con­nector accepts eight balanced mic/line-level inputs. The output connector provides eight balanced line­level outputs. These DB25 connectors use the TAS­CAM standard pinout for analog signal connections (the same standard used on the analog cards for the Mackie D8B and Hard Disk Recorder). If you are connecting these to another device using the same DB25 standard, you can use a DB25-to-DB25 audio cable. Otherwise, you will need to use DB25 cables that breakout to XLR, 1/4" TRS, or TT connectors.
3. LINE CARD
The Line card has two DB25 connectors. One pro­vides eight balanced line-level inputs, and the other provides eight balanced line-level outputs. They use the TASCAM standard pinout for analog signal con­nections (the same standard used on the analog cards for the Mackie D8B and Hard Disk Recorder). If you are connecting these to another device using the same DB25 standard, you can use a DB25-to-DB25 audio cable. Otherwise, you will need to use DB25 cables that breakout to XLR, 1/4" TRS, or TT connectors.
Refer to Appendix B in the Digital X Bus X.200 Owner's Manual for a wiring diagram of these connectors.
SYNC C • SLOTSD • SLOT B • SLOTS A • SLOTS
SYNC CARD
IN
WORD CLOCK
OUT
IN
SMPTE
OUT
4
X.200
MIX OUT CARD
IN
AES/EBU
OUT
IN
SPEAKERS
LR
LR
PHONES
12
MIX OUT
LR
SPDIF
TDIF
I/O
OUT
OPTICAL
IN A
A
IN B
B
OUT A
OUT B
FIRE CARDDIGITAL CARD
AES CARD
I/O
LINE CARD
OUT
IN
LINE CARD
OUT
IN
MIC/LINE 8 CARD
OUT
IN
MIC/LINE 4 CARD
1
2
3
4
5
7
MIC/LINE 4 CARD
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
6
8
Page 5
4. DIGITAL CARD
This card provides eight channels of digital I/O in two formats; TDIF on a DB25 connector and ADAT optical on four TOSLINK connectors.
At 44.1/48 kHz sample rates, each optical TOSLINK connector provides either eight inputs or eight outputs of digital audio. At 88.2/96 kHz sample rates, the S/MUX protocol is used to provide chan­nels 1-4 on the “A” connectors, and channels 5-8 on the “B” connectors. At 176.4/192 kHz sample rates, the S/MUX II protocol is used to provide channels 1-2 on the “A” connectors and channels 3-4 on the “B” connectors, for a total of four inputs and outputs.
5. AES/EBU CARD
The AES/EBU card has one DB25 connector, providing eight channels of digital I/O in the AES/EBU format.
The original AES/EBU specifi cation (IEC958 Type 1) provides for carrying two channels of digital audio at resolutions up to 24-bit at 48 kHz. When higher sampling rates became possible, two methods were developed to transmit digital audio at the higher sample rates — double-fast and double-wide.
The double-fast method (also called single-wire) clocks the digital I/O port at twice the speed to get twice the information through, providing support for resolutions up to 24-bit at 96 kHz.
The double-wide method (also called dual-wire) transmits one channel of digital audio instead of two channels through a single digital I/O port, again pro­viding support for resolutions up to 24-bit at 96 kHz.
The AES/EBU card currently uses the double-fast method, so eight channels of digital I/O are sup­ported up to 192 kHz.
At sampling rates up to 48 kHz, two channels of digital audio are transmitted on a single wire (one 3-pin XLR) at normal speed as specifi ed by the AES/EBU standard.
At sampling rates of 88.2/96 kHz, two channels of digital audio are transmitted on a single wire (one 3-pin XLR) at twice the normal speed (2x).
At sampling rates of 176.4/192 kHz, two channels of digital audio are transmitted on a single wire (one 3-pin XLR) at four times the normal speed (4x).
Note: Check the owner’s manual for the device you are connecting to the AES/EBU card, to fi nd out if it supports the double-fast (or single-wire) method.
6. FIREWIRE CARD
The FireWire card uses the IEEE-1394 protocol for connecting digital devices. It currently provides 24 inputs and 24 outputs of digital audio at 48 kHz, and 8 inputs and 8 outputs at 96 kHz (with room for improvement as driver technology improves). It sup­ports OS X Core Audio applications on the Macintosh, and Windows XP ASIO applications on the PC.
7. MIX OUT CARD
This provides several outputs (with the addition of an AES/EBU and S/PDIF input), typically used for control room, headphones, and main outputs.
AES/EBU IN and OUT
These are XLR connectors that accept and send standard AES/EBU two-channel digital signals.
S/PDIF IN and OUT
These are RCA-type connectors that accept and send standard S/PDIF two-channel digital signals.
SPEAKERS A and B
These are two sets of stereo monitoring outputs using 1/4" TRS jacks. They produce a line-level analog signal that you can connect to the inputs of the amplifi er powering your control room monitors (or the inputs to your active studio monitors). You might use one pair (A) for near-fi eld monitor speak­ers and the other pair (B) for your main monitor speakers. These are assigned to the Control Room Left and Right outputs by default, but can be reas­signed to virtually any input or output source.
The Control Room source is selected in the CONTROL ROOM section of the console (press the SETUP button in the CONTROL ROOM section for more setup options).
PHONES 1 and 2
These are stereo 1/4" TRS jacks that provide a stereo output for headphones, or for connecting to a headphone distribution box. These are assigned to the Phones 1 and Phones 2 outputs by default, but can be reassigned to virtually any input or output source.
The Phones 1 and 2 sources are selected in the PHONES 1 or PHONES 2 section on the console (press the SETUP button in the PHONES section for more setup options).
MIX OUT
These are balanced 1/4" TRS jacks that provide a line-level analog signal. These are assigned to the left and right mix outputs by default, but can be reas­signed to virtually any input or output source. Con­nect these outputs to the inputs of a 2-track recorder for mixdown, or to the inputs of a power amplifi er to drive a pair of speakers for the studio or whatever.
Quick-Start Guide
Quick-Start Guide
5
Page 6
8. SYNC CARD
V 9
p 6
V 4.5
p 5
1100
W M
The Sync card provides the digital word clock in and out on a pair of BNC connectors, and SMPTE time code in and out on a pair of 1/4" jacks.
Sync data is also transmitted through the ADAT lightpipe and AES/EBU connections. The Sync card just provides another means to transmit and receive the word clock. This is particularly useful when you want the Digital X Bus to be the master clock for
Digital X Bus
your digital audio system.
Time code is also provided through MIDI time code (MTC). SMPTE time code is more commonly used in motion picture and broadcast applications.

Other Connections

In addition to the cards in the card slots, there are more connections you can make on the rear panel.
9. FOOT SWITCH 1 and 2
These two 1/4" TS jacks are provided for foot­switch control of various functions. These functions are assignable in the Windows > Setup window, and include Talkback, Play/Stop, Next Marker, Previous Marker, and New Marker.
10. SERIAL 9 PIN
This DB9 connector is an RS-422 port that sup­ports the Sony® 9-Pin device protocol. It is con- gured to operate as a controller, so it should be connected to a device (DEV) that is confi gured to be controlled by a controller (CONT). This is used primarily to transmit tape transport commands from the Digital X Bus to a recorder.
You can turn MTC on and off in the Sync Card setup window (Windows > I/O Confi guration and touch the Sync card) by clicking the Generate MTC box. You can select MTC as the time code source in the same setup window by clicking the Time Code Source dropdown box and selecting MIDI (MTC).
12. ETHERNET
The Ethernet connector is reserved for future upgrades.
13. USB
The two USB ports on the Digital X Bus can be used to connect a USB equipped mouse, keyboard, or USB memory stick (USB fl ash drive). See “More Connections” on the next page to see how to con- nect more USB devices, and a PS/2-style keyboard and mouse with a 6-pin miniDIN connector.
14. IEC Power Receptacle
There are two power receptacles on the Digital X Bus, one to provide power to the Digital X Bus and the other to connect to another device and provide power to it. These are standard 3-prong IEC power connectors. Connect the detachable linecord (in­cluded with your Digital X Bus) to the male power receptacle, and plug the other end of the linecord into an AC outlet with the correct voltage for your particular Digital X Bus.
To connect another device to the female IEC power receptacle, you need a power cord with a male IEC power connector on one end, and a female IEC power connector on the other end. These can be purchased at most electronic supply stores.
11. MIDI IN and OUT
These standard MIDI connectors (female 5-pin DIN) can be used to send or receive MIDI Time Code (MTC) and MIDI Machine Control (MMC) when connecting to equipment with transport con­trols and a position display.
The MIDI connectors can also be used to control your DAW application when the MIDI fader bank is selected (DAW Bank).
USB ETHERNET SERIAL 9-PIN
6
X.200
MIDI
IN
MIDI OUT
FOOT SWITCH
1 2
115V 9
230V 4.5
1100
amp 6
amp 5 W M
0Hz
0Hz
ax
Page 7
15. Power Switch
This one is self-explanatory. When the POWER switch is turned ON, power is supplied to the Digital X Bus and it boots up. When turning off the Digital X Bus, you should select Shutdown from the File menu. At the end of the shutdown procedure, the touchscreens go blank, indicating that it is okay to turn off the power switch.

More Connections

There are even more connections available behind the removable panel on the back of the Digital X Bus, which we call the Motherboard Access Area. These are connections to the motherboard, and include four additional USB connections, and the PS/2-style mouse and keyboard connections.
To access the connectors:
1. First, turn off the Digital X Bus (select File >
Shutdown and then turn off the power switch).
2. Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the eight
screws securing the panel to the chassis.
16. Mouse
Quick-Start Guide
This 6-pin miniDIN connector is used to connect a
PS/2-style mouse.
17. Keyboard
This 6-pin miniDIN connector is used to connect a
PS/2-style keyboard.
18. USB
These are four additional USB ports for connect­ing more USB devices to the Digital X Bus. If you are connecting a USB CD-ROM drive, use one of these ports rather than the USB ports on the rear panel (13).
MOUSE
KEYBOARD
USB PORTS
Quick-Start Guide
7
Page 8

Operational Basics

About V-Pot Controls

Are you ready to get started? Let’s turn on the Digital X Bus and go over some of the general operational features before we start passing audio through it.

Turning on the Digital X Bus

Digital X Bus
Connect the supplied power cord to the male IEC connector on the rear panel. Plug the other end of the power cord into an outlet properly confi gured for the voltage indicated on your particular model. Turn on the power switch. The faders start moving and the Digital X Bus loads its software into memory. This may take up to 60 seconds. When the screens display the channels strips, youre ready to go.

About Fader Banks

If you have used a digital console before, then you are probably familiar with the concept of fader banks. Unlike an analog board, a digital mixing con­sole can reassign a channel strip to route any input to any output. This can be done on an individual channel basis, or globally, by switching banks and reassigning all 24 channel strips at once.
You can think of each bank as a separate layer of controls, stacked one on top of each other. The X.200 has six banks:
1-24 25-48 49-72 MASTERS GROUPS MIDI
Thus, 24 channels strips suddenly become 144 channels (24 channels x 6 banks = 144 channels)!
The fi rst three banks, channels 1-72, provide a 72x72 channel I/O matrix. With nine I/O cards in­stalled, you can have 72 individual inputs and outputs (8 inputs/outputs x 9 cards = 72 inputs/outputs).
The MASTERS bank is used for the 12 Aux Send masters, 8 Bus masters, and the L/R mix master.
The GROUPS bank has the controls for Groups 1-12, and for 12 MIDI channels.
1-24 25-48
49-72
GROUPS
MSTRS
MIDI
Just below the touchscreens are a row of rotary con­trols called V-Pots, which is short for virtual potenti­ometer. Again, unlike an analog console where a rotary pot can control one function, a digital console allows you to assign a V-Pot to many different functions.
Using the buttons to the right of the touchscreens, you can assign the V-Pots to control the following functions:
PAN L/R (Left/Right) PAN F/B (Front/Back,
CUE 1 CUE 2
9-10 11-12
for surround sound) AUX 1-8 Send
PAN PAN
AUX 9/10 and 11/12 Send AUX 9/10 and 11/12 PAN Digital TRIM LEVEL TO TAPE
MIC LINE
LEVEL
TRIM
TO
TAPE
When one of the above buttons is selected (lit), all 24 V-Pots control that function for each of the 24 channels in the selected bank. What would take 384 controls on an analog console can be done with 24 controls and 16 but­tons on the Digital X Bus!
In addition, windows that contain adjustable parameters, like the Dy­namics and EQ windows, have their controls situated above the channel
POT CONTROLS
1 2
3 4
5 6
7 8
PAN
PAN
L/R
F/B
V-Pots, which temporarily become controls for the parameters in the window, overriding the V-Pot Assign selection. As soon as the window is closed, V-Pot control returns to whatever is selected in the V-Pot Assign section.

Touchscreens

Although using the touchscreens may seem unfa­miliar at fi rst, the touchscreen interface will quickly become second-nature to you. The dual 15" TFT touchscreens not only give you a detailed, high-defi ni- tion view of what is happening with the Digital X Bus, but they also give you almost instant access to alter­nate screens, settings, and controls. As you become familiar with you will fi nd yourself accessing screens and controls with increasing speed and effi ciency.
navigating the touchscreen interface,
The MIDI bank is used to convert the Digital X Bus into a control surface for any DAW that supports the Mackie Control Universal protocol. You can select the DAW you are using from an emulation mode box to confi gure the MIDI bank to work with your particular DAW via the MIDI IN/OUT connectors.
8
X.200

Keyboard and Mouse

In addition to the touchscreens, you can use a key­board and mouse to select and change controls on the Digital X Bus. Use a keyboard to enter keyboard shortcuts (hot keys), or to enter letters and numbers whenever a keyboard graphic appears on-screen. Use the mouse to click on-screen where you would otherwise touch to open, close, or select something.
Page 9

Getting Sound Happening

The following procedure demonstrates how to connect a microphone to an input and get sound out of the Digital X Bus.
Here’s what you’ll need:
1 stereo power ampli er
1 pair of monitor speakers (you can substi-
tute a pair of powered monitors for the power amplifi er/monitor speaker combo, or a set of stereo headphones)
1 microphone
Appropriate cable to connect the microphone to
your particular input card
Cables to connect the speaker outputs to the
amplifi er or powered monitor speakers
5. Make sure channel 1 has Input 1 assigned to it. Open the Assign window (Windows > Assign). Under the Input Src drop-down box select Mic Line In. 1.
Quick-Start Guide
Here's what you do:
1. Turn on the Digital X Bus.
2. Connect a microphone to Input 1. If you are us­ing a MIC/LINE 8 card, use a DB25-to-XLR fe­male breakout cable to connect the microphone to Input 1. If you are using a MIC/LINE 4 card, you can plug the XLR microphone cable directly into the card.
THREE
DIGITAL CARDS
B SLOTS A SLOTS
DIGITAL CARD
DIGITAL CARD
ITAL CARD
TDIF
TDIF
I/O
I/O
AL
IN A
IN B
UT A
UT B
OPTICAL
OPTICAL
IN A
IN A
IN B
IN B
OUT A
OUT A
OUT B
OUT B
THREE
MIC/LINE 4 CARDS
MIC/LINE 4 CARD
MIC/LINE 4 CARD
MIC/LINE 4 CARD
1
2
3
4
576
8
1
2
3
4
576
1
2
3
4
576
8
8
6. If the microphone requires phantom power, select the 48V button in the Assign window to turn on phantom power. Leave the –10 dB pad off when using a microphone.
7. Talk or sing into the microphone and adjust the Gain control using the V-Pot on channel 1 so the meter indicates between –12 and –6.
3.
Press the Bank 1 button (1-24) in the Banks sec­tion of the console (just above the Master fader).
25-481-24
49-72
MSTRS
GROUPS
MIDI
4. Press the SELECT button on channel 1.
8. In the Assign window, make sure L-R is select­ed under Bus Assigns.
SELECT
Quick-Start Guide
9
Page 10
9.
Connect the Left and Right Speaker Outs (A) from the Mix Out card to the inputs of your ste­reo power amplifi er (or powered monitor speak- ers). These outputs are balanced when using a TRS (tip-ring-sleeve) connector, or unbalanced when using a TS (tip-sleeve) connector. Use instrument/line-level cable for this connection. If using a stereo power amplifi er/speaker combo, connect the amplifi er outputs to the monitor
Digital X Bus
speakers using appropriate speaker cable.
10. If you don’t have an amplifi er and speakers handy, you can connect a pair of headphones to the Phones 1 output on the Mix Out Card.
ONE
LINE CARD
SYNC C SLOTSD SLOT B SLOTS A SLOTS
SYNC CARD
IN
WORD CLOCK
OUT
IN
SMPTE
OUT
MIX OUT CARD
IN
AES/EBU
OUT
SPDIF
IN
OUT
SPEAKERS
LR
LR
PHONES
12
MIX OUT
LR
LINE CARD
OUT
A
IN
B
THREE
DIGITAL CARDS
DIGITAL CARD
DIGITAL CARD
TDIF
TDIF
I/O
I/O
OPTICAL
OPTICAL
IN A
IN A
IN B
IN B
OUT A
OUT A
OUT B
OUT B
DIGITAL CARD
TDIF I/O
OPTICAL
IN A
IN B
OUT A
OUT B
THREE
MIC/LINE 4 CARDS
MIC/LINE 4 CARD
MIC/LINE 4 CARD
MIC/LINE 4 CARD
1
2
3
4
576
8
1
2
3
4
576
1
2
3
4
576
8
12. If you are using headphones instead of speak­ers, turn the Phones 1 level control all the way down in the PHONES 1 section on the right side of the console. Make sure L-R is selected as the source in the CONTROL ROOM section, and C/R is selected as the source in the PHONES 1 section.
13. Press the MSTRS button in the Banks section of the console. Set the Mix L and Mix R faders to unity (U). These two faders are stereo-linked by default.
14. Set channel 1 fader to unity (U).
15. Set the Master fader to unity (U).
16. Turn on the power amplifi er (or powered monitor speakers). Set the level controls on the power amplifi er to the manufacturers recommended setting.
17. Talk or sing into the microphone while slowly turning up the level
8
control in the CONTROL ROOM sec­tion. You should hear sound in the speakers and see the L/R meters at the top of the touchscreen display levels.
Headphones
Powered Studio Monitors for Control Room
11. In the CONTROL ROOM section on the right side of the console, turn the level control all the way down (counterclockwise), and select L-R for the source and NEAR (Speaker Out A) for the output.
CONTROL ROOM
1 2
SUR
L - R
MONO
MAIN
NEAR
PHONES 1
1 2
SETUP
C/R
18. If you are using headphones, turn the level control in the CON­TROL ROOM section up about halfway, then SLOWLY turn up the level control in the PHONES 1 sec­tion. You should hear sound in the headphones.
To patch an effect into the signal path:
19. Open the Effects Rack (Windows > Effects Rack).
20. Click the New Plugin button and select Reverb in the NEW PLUGIN window, then click OK.
10
DIM SETUP
X.200
Page 11
21. In the Reverb panel, click the Src L drop-down
B
box and select Channel Post Insert > Ch. 1 Post. This places the reverb in the post-insert loop on channel 1.
24. Select the WRITE button in the ASSIGN BUT­TON SETUP section of the console. Press the ASSIGN button on channel 1.
ASSIGN BUTTON
SETUP
REC
L - R
READ
WRITE
25. Start running time code by pressing the PLAY button in the Transport section of the console. You can see the time code in the upper-right corner of the screen.
Quick-Start Guide
22. Adjust the reverb parameters using the V-Pots at the bottom of the Effects Rack. You should see the Left Input and Output meters move as you talk or sing into the microphone.
Note: A more typical use for an effect in the Ef­fects Rack might be to route several channels to an Aux Send; for example, all the background vocals to Aux Send 1. Route Aux Send 1 to the input of the effect in the Effects Rack by selecting it in the Src (Source) drop-down box. The Aux 1 master fader (Masters Fader Bank) is used to control the amount of signal being sent to the effect. Return the effects signal to the signal path by selecting the effect's output for the input of an unused channel.
To write some basic automation:
23. In the AUTOMATION MODES section of the console, select FADER and MUTE. Turn off the BYPASS button.
AUTOMATION
MODES
TRIM
EDIT
START
END
SNAP
SHOT
LOCATE
REWIND FAST FWD PLAYSTOP RECORD
7 8 9
4 5 6
1 2
STORE SET ENTER
0
LOOP
START
STOP
3
ON
SCRU
26. Move the channel 1 fader up and down a few times and press the mute button on channel 1.
Press the STOP button in the Transport section
27. and press REWIND to return the time code to zero.
28. Press the PLAY button and the fader moves and mute will playback from automation.
You can open the Mix Editor (Windows > Mix
29. Editor) to see the automation moves. Select Channels > Ch. 1 in the Show drop-down box at the top of
the Mix Editor to see the recorded fader
moves and mute action relative to the time code.
FADER
MUTE
PAN
ALL
BYPASS
Quick-Start Guide
11
Page 12

Hookup Diagrams

One of the primary applications for the X.200 is multitrack recording. This involves tracking and monitoring, bouncing, overdubbing, and mixdown. A typical application might involve 24 inputs for tracking and 24 outputs to a multitrack recorder or DAW (Digital Audio Workstation). In this case, you
Digital X Bus
might have three MIC/LINE 4 CARDS installed in slots 1-3 (ASLOTS) for 24 analog inputs, and three DIGITAL CARDS installed in slots 4-6 (B•SLOTS) for 24 digital outputs. By assigning the Output Source for the 24 digital outputs to Channels 1-24, you can record each input channel to an individual track on the multitrack recorder.
The hookup diagrams in this section demonstrate how the connections are made with the Digital X Bus X.200 for tracking and mixdown, mixdown to surround sound, and using a DAW.
12
X.200
Page 13
Quick-Start Guide
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" F
E
P
AT
T P
D BY
V 9
p 6
V 4.5
p 5
1100
W M
t
Reverb
Vocal Mics
THREE
MIC/LINE 4 CARDS
THREE
DIGITAL CARDS
ONE
AES CARD
Direct Box
Bass Guitar
Electric Guitar
6
8
MIC/LINE 4 CARD
1
2
3
4
5
7
6
8
MIC/LINE 4 CARD
1
2
3
4
5
7
6
8
MIC/LINE 4 CARD
1
2
3
4
5
7
IN B
IN A
OUT B
OPTICAL
IN A
OPTICAL
IN A
OPTICAL
OUT
SPDIF
SPEAKERS
IN
LR
IN
OUT
SMPTE
OUT A
IN B
OUT A
IN B
OUT A
B
A
PHONES
LR
12
OUT B
OUT B
MIX OUT
LR
Word
24-Tracks
Clock
Inputs)
(to Optical
Outputs)
24-Tracks
(from Optical
Stereo Guitar Effects
HeadphonesHeadphones
Powered
Studio Monitors
for Control Room
I/O
DIGITAL CARD
TDIF
I/O
DIGITAL CARD
TDIF
I/O
DIGITAL CARD
TDIF
AES CARD
I/O
AES/EBU
MIX OUT CARD
IN
OUT
SYNC C SLOTSD SLOT B SLOTS A SLOTS
IN
SYNC CARD
OUT
WORD
CLOCK
Reverb
Vocal Enhancer
Multi Effect
Processor
MIXDOWN
TRACKING and
SELECT
SELECTSELECTSELECT
1 2
FOOT SWITCH
OUT
MIDI
IN
MIDI
USB ETHERNET SERIAL 9-PIN
ENGINEERED BY
©2004
NC.:
ECH. I
MANUF. DATE
high-definition
digital console
OPYRIGHT
ENDING
OUD T
• C
F L
SA
ENT P
N U
AT
• P
ED I
SERIAL NUMBER
IGURE
RADEMARKS O
AN" F
ANUFACTUR
• M
SA
EGISTERED T
R R
RUNNING M
HE "
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT
UTILISE UN FUSIBLE DE RECHANGE DE MÊME TYPE.
DEBRANCHER AVANT DE REMPLACER LE FUSIBLE
ND T
RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE — NE PAS OUVRIR
OODINVILLE, WA U
RADEMARKS O
EXPOSE THIS EQUIPMENT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE. DO NOT REMOVE COVER.
NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL.
WARNING:
AVIS:
N W
RE T
MACKIE", A
KOIDS I
PCO", "
AC
"TA
OLLOWING A
RISK OF
DO NOT OPEN
THE F
CAUTION
ELECTRIC SHOCK
REPLACE WITH THE SAME TYPE FUSE AND RATING.
DISCONNECT SUPPLY CORD BEFORE CHANGING FUSE
DESIGNED BY M
0Hz
amp 6
115V 9
MIDI
MMC)
(MTC and
0Hz
ax
amp 5
W M
1100
230V 4.5
Digital Multitrack Hard Disk Recorder
o 24 microphone and instrument inputs (12 Mic/Line inputs and 12 Line
This diagram demonstrates how to use three MIC/LINE 4 cards, providing up
inputs). Three DIGITAL cards provide 24 output tracks to a hard disk recorder
via ADAT optical connections (and Fader Bank 1) and 24 input tracks via
ADAT optical connections (and Fader Bank 2) from the hard disk recorder for
mixdown. The MIDI IN/OUTs provide MMC (MIDI Machine Control) to the hard
disk recorder and MTC (MIDI Time Code) to the Digital X Bus. An AES card
provides digital sends and returns for external effects so you can keep the
signal in the digital domain, and the MIX OUT card provides two stereo line-level
control room outputs (1=NEAR; 2=MAIN [not shown]) and two stereo
headphone outputs for monitoring the input sources.
Quick-Start Guide
13
Page 14
Digital X Bus
D BY M
AC
S I
N W
E, WA U
A
M
UR
D I
N U
A
C
T
4
E F
G A
E T
S O
R R
D T
S O
F L
D T
H. I
C.:
TA
", "
", A
D T
E "
G M
" F
E
P
AT
T P
D BY
V 9
p 6
V 4.5
p 5
1100
W M
t
f
Center Right Center Right Front
Powered
Subwoofer
MIC/LINE 4 CARD
1
MIC/LINE 4 CARD
THREE
THREE
ONE
1
MIC/LINE 4 CARDS
MIC/LINE 4 CARD
1
DIGITAL CARD
DIGITAL CARD
DIGITAL CARDS
DIGITAL CARD
LINE CARD
LINE CARD
MIX OUT CARD
IN
SYNC C SLOTSD SLOT B SLOTS A SLOTS
SYNC CARD
SELECT
SELECTSELECTSELECT
6
8
2
3
4
5
7
6
8
2
3
4
5
7
6
8
2
3
4
5
7
IN B
IN A
OUT B
OPTICAL
IN A
OPTICAL
IN A
OPTICAL
OUT
SPDIF
SPEAKERS
IN
IN
OUT
SMPTE
OUT A
IN B
OUT B
OUT A
IN B
OUT B
OUT A
IN
B
A
PHONES
LR
LR
12
MIX OUT
LR
I/O
TDIF
I/O
TDIF
I/O
TDIF
OUT
AES/EBU
OUT
IN
OUT
WORD
CLOCK
Word
Clock
8 Surround Stems
24-Tracks
Matching Powered Studio Monitors
Left Rear Right Rear
Left Front Left Center
MIXDOWN
SURROUND
8 Bus Outputs
MANUF. DATE
SERIAL NUMBER
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT
WARNING:
CAUTION
1 2
FOOT SWITCH
OUT
MIDI
IN
MIDI
USB ETHERNET SERIAL 9-PIN
ENGINEERED BY
©2004
NC.:
ECH. I
OPYRIGHT
ENDING
OUD T
C
F L
SA
ENT P
N U
AT
P
ED I
IGURE
RADEMARKS O
AN" F
ANUFACTUR
M
SA
EGISTERED T
R R
RUNNING M
HE "
UTILISE UN FUSIBLE DE RECHANGE DE MÊME TYPE.
DEBRANCHER AVANT DE REMPLACER LE FUSIBLE
ND T
RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE NE PAS OUVRIR
OODINVILLE, WA U
RADEMARKS O
EXPOSE THIS EQUIPMENT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE. DO NOT REMOVE COVER.
NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL.
AVIS:
N W
RE T
MACKIE", A
KOIDS I
PCO", "
AC
"TA
OLLOWING A
RISK OF
DO NOT OPEN
THE F
ELECTRIC SHOCK
REPLACE WITH THE SAME TYPE FUSE AND RATING.
DISCONNECT SUPPLY CORD BEFORE CHANGING FUSE
DESIGNED BY M
SELECT
SELECTSELECTSELECT
MIDI
high-definition
digital console
0Hz
0Hz
ax
amp 5
W M
amp 6
1100
115V 9
230V 4.5
he hard disk recorder via ADAT optical
After getting your tracks down, the three
DIGITAL cards provide inputs for 24-tracks from
connections. The MIDI IN/OUTs provide MMC
or monitoring the mixdown in either stereo (L/R
(MIDI Machine Control) to the hard disk recorder
and MTC (MIDI Time Code) to the Digital X Bus.
A LINE card provides up to eight line-level sends
Mix) or surround sound. You can use the AES/EBU or S/PDIF outputs (or the analog MIX
OUT) from the MIX OUT card to record a stereo mixdown, or one of the ADAT optical
outputs to record the surround stems to a digital multitrack recorder.
14
X.200
Page 15
Quick-Start Guide
D BY M
AC
S I
N W
E, WA U
A
M
UR
D I
N U
A
C
T
4
E F
G A
E T
S O
R R
D T
S O
F L
D T
H. I
C.:
TA
", "
", A
D T
E "
G M
" F
E
P
AT
T P
D BY
V 9
p 6
V 4.5
p 5
1100
W M
Vocal Mics
6
8
MIC/LINE 4 CARD
1
2
3
4
5
7
6
8
MIC/LINE 4 CARD
1
2
3
4
5
4
IN
A
SPEAKERS
LR
LR
OUT
SMPTE
7
6
8
5
7
B
PHONES
MIX OUT
LR
12
THREE
MIC/LINE 4 CARDS
MIC/LINE 4 CARD
1
2
3
AES CARD
I/O
AES CARD
time code for the DAW. Two MIDI interfaces are used to achieve full 24-
channels of MIDI communication between the Digital X Bus and the DAW via
This example demonstrates how to use the Digital X Bus with a digital
audio workstation (DAW). Three MIC/LINE 4 cards provide up to 24
microphone and instrument inputs (12 Mic/Line inputs and 12 Line inputs).
Three AES cards provide 24 output tracks to the DAW’s audio interface via
25-pin AES/EBU connections. The SMPTE IN/OUTs on the SYNC card provide
or better yet, use the Internal Effects Rack in the Digital X Bus loaded with
the USB. A LINE card provides line-level sends and returns for external effects,
VST effects and eliminate the need for expensive external signal processors.
Aux Sends,
Channel Inserts,
or Master Inserts
Reverb
THREE
The MIX OUT card provides a stereo line-level control room output and two
stereo headphone outputs for monitoring the input sources.
AES CARDS
ONE
LINE CARD
N/C
N/C
N/C
N/C
I/O
AES CARD
I/O
LINE CARD
OUT
OUT
AES/EBU
SPDIF
MIX OUT CARD
IN
IN
OUT
SYNC C SLOTSD SLOT B SLOTS A SLOTS
SYNC CARD
IN
IN
OUT
WORD
CLOCK
Direct Box
Bass Guitar
Electric Guitar
HeadphonesHeadphones
Stereo Guitar Effects
Powered
Studio Monitors
for Control Room
Vocal Enhancer
Internal Effects Rack
(DAW)
WORKSTATION
DIGITAL AUDIO
Multi Effect Processor
Returns
N/C
N/C
Channel Inserts,
From Aux Sends,
or Master Inserts
Input Source,
To any Channel
Channel Inserts,
or Master Inserts
24-Tracks
1 2
FOOT SWITCH
OUT
MIDI
IN
MIDI
USB ETHERNET SERIAL 9-PIN
USB
ENGINEERED BY
©2004
NC.:
ECH. I
MANUF. DATE
high-definition
digital console
OPYRIGHT
ENDING
OUD T
C
F L
SA
ENT P
N U
AT
P
ED I
SERIAL NUMBER
IGURE
RADEMARKS O
AN" F
ANUFACTUR
M
SA
EGISTERED T
R R
RUNNING M
HE "
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT
UTILISE UN FUSIBLE DE RECHANGE DE MÊME TYPE.
DEBRANCHER AVANT DE REMPLACER LE FUSIBLE
ND T
RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE NE PAS OUVRIR
OODINVILLE, WA U
RADEMARKS O
EXPOSE THIS EQUIPMENT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE. DO NOT REMOVE COVER.
NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL.
WARNING:
AVIS:
N W
RE T
MACKIE", A
KOIDS I
PCO", "
AC
"TA
OLLOWING A
RISK OF
DO NOT OPEN
THE F
CAUTION
ELECTRIC SHOCK
REPLACE WITH THE SAME TYPE FUSE AND RATING.
DISCONNECT SUPPLY CORD BEFORE CHANGING FUSE
DESIGNED BY M
0Hz
0Hz
ax
amp 5
W M
amp 6
1100
115V 9
230V 4.5
SMPTE
MIDI Interface
USB
MIDI Interface
Digital I/O for Workstation
or
To Desktop
Laptop Computer
Quick-Start Guide
15
Page 16
16220 Wood-Red Road NE • Woodinville, WA 98072 • USA
United States and Canada: 800.898.3211 Europe, Asia, Central and South America: 425.487.4333 Fax: 425.487.4337 Middle East and Africa: 31.20.654.4000
www.mackie.com • sales@mackie.com
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