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Pyramix 4.3
User Manual
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Merging Pyramix 4.3 User Manual

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USER MANUAL
Pyramix 4.3
No part of this documentation may reproduced in any form whatsoever or be stored in any data retrieval system without prior written permission of the copyright owners.
All company and product names are ™ or Registered Trademarks ® of their respective owners. Windows XP, Windows 2000 and Windows NT are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
Merging Technologies makes no warranties express or implied regarding this software, its quality, performance, merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. The soft­ware is supplied “as is” you, the purchaser, are assuming the entire risk of the results of using this Merging Technologies software.
In no circumstances will Merging Technologies, its owners, directors, officers, employ­ees or agents be liable to you for any consequential, incidental or indirect loss or dam­ages including loss of time, loss of business, loss of profits, loss of data or similar resulting from the use of or inability to use the Merging Technologies hardware and or software or for any defect in the hardware software or documentation.
© Copyright Merging Technologies Inc. 2004. All rights reserved
Merging Technologies
Le Verney 1070 Puidoux Switzerland
Tel: +41 21 946 04 44 • Fax: +41 21 946 04 45
www.merging.com
User Manual : Contents
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User Manual : Contents
User Manual : Contents
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Thank you! 14
Pyramix Versions 15
Pyramix Native 15
Native Playback Channels 16
Pyramix LE 16
Pyramix Virtual Studio Core 16
Introduction 17
Conventions 17
Pyramix Guides 18
Installation Guide 18
Virtual Transport Guide 18
Pyramix Applications Guides 18
Guides for Pyramix Optional Features 18
Pyramix Virtual Studio Overview 19
Pyramix Card and Software Set and Pyramix Turnkey 19
Pyramix Virtual Studio Board I/O 19
Time Code and Video Sync Option 20
System Requirements For Pyramix Virtual Studio 20
Digital Audio Synchronization and TimeCode 22
Installing Pyramix Virtual Studio Hardware 23
Mykerinos Board Installation 23
Multi-board installation 23
Daughter-cards 23
External Audio D/A-A/D Converter Boxes 23
Cabling Pyramix in your System Environment 24
Installing Pyramix Virtual Studio Software 26
Driver Signing 26
Running the Installer 26
Enabling Pyramix Virtual Studio with your Software Key 27
Pyramix User Interface 28
Mouse Modifier Keys 28
Context Menus 28
Keyboard Shortcuts 28
Macros 28
Tutorial Project 28
Project Templates 29
Pyramix Concepts 30
User Manual : Contents
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Project 30
Mixer 30
Compositions 30
Timeline 30
EDL 30
Media Files 30
Master Clips 30
Clips 31
Media Management - Housekeeping 31
Media Drives and Folders 31
Libraries 31
User Libraries 31
Automation in libraries 31
Global Libraries 31
Offline / Reference Libraries 32
Sound Effects / Large Projects and Offline Libraries 32
Project Libraries 33
Library Maintenance 33
Track and Mixer Muting 33
TimeCode Entry 34
Starting Pyramix Virtual Studio 36
Beginning a New Project 37
New Project from scratch 38
Mixer Wizard 41
Getting Audio into Pyramix Virtual Studio 44
Check Sync 44
Pyramix audio file format 45
Recording Audio into a Pyramix Virtual Studio Project 45
Track Record Modes 45
After Recording 45
AutoPunch Mode 46
Importing Audio Files into Pyramix Virtual Studio 47
Practical Media Management and Libraries 49
Clips and Compositions 49
Media Folders 49
Editing 52
Clips and Compositions 52
User Manual : Contents
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Anatomy of a Clip 52
Locking Clips 54
Grouping Clips 54
Gain WIndow 54
Clip and Selection Editing 54
Selections and Region Selections 55
Dragging Clips into a Composition 56
Copy and Paste 56
Auto-Crossfade By Default 58
Clip Fade Commands 58
Editing Modes 59
Splitting Clips and Regions 59
Jog-Wheel Editing 60
Edit Command highlights: 60
Auto Silence Removal 63
The Placement Tool 65
Markers or User Flags 66
Using the Mixer 67
Mixer Components 67
Creating and Configuring Mixers 69
I/O Busses Explained 69
Internal Return Busses 69
Mixer Delay Compensation 69
Input Strips 70
Groups 70
Mixing/Monitoring/Aux Buses 71
Configuring a Blank or Existing Mixer 73
Mixer Configure Mode 74
Adding Strips 74
Mixer I/O Assignments 74
Adding Plug-ins 74
Further Mixer Configuration Options 75
Dithering 76
Channel Direct Outputs 77
Storing and Recalling Mixer Presets 77
Mixer Surround Components 78
Configuration - Program and Project Settings Windows 81
User Manual : Contents
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General Settings 82
General 82
Editing 84
Playback 86
Layout 88
Locations 90
Time Code 91
Jog / Chase 94
Video 98
Keys 99
Machines 100
Controllers 103
Virtual Transport 104
Project Information & Settings 106
Information 106
Record 107
Controllers 111
Mixer Settings 112
General 112
I/O and Sync 114
Mykerinos Daughter Card Settings 116
Level Meter 116
Pyramix Virtual Studio Window Orientation 119
Program Window 119
Project Window 120
Dual Monitors 120
Project Editing Panel 120
Project Management Panel 121
Tracks 122
Adding and Deleting Tracks 122
Track Header Panel 123
Navigation 126
Jog / Shuttle 127
Transport Controls 128
Transport Control Panel 131
Zooming and Panning 131
Scroll Wheel 132
User Manual : Contents
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The Overview 133
Project Management Panel Tabs 134
Overview 134
EDL 134
Document Libraries 135
Media Management 141
Tracks 149
Track Groups 152
Playlists 154
Work Spaces 154
Selection 154
Fade Editor 158
Markers 164
CD 165
Notes 172
Machines 173
Global Libraries 173
Cue Sequencer 173
External Machines 174
9-pin (Sony P2 protocol) 174
Setting up an external machine 174
Virtual Multi-track 175
Digitizing Sessions 177
Manual Digitizing 178
Autoconforming 178
Conforming and Reconforming 180
Importing a CMX EDL 180
CMX EDL Format 182
CMX Autoconform 184
CMX Reconform 184
Source - Destination Editing 188
Concept 188
Setting up a Source - Destination environment 188
Automation 192
Automation Modes 192
Automation Settings 193
Selecting Automation Modes 194
User Manual : Contents
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Master Automation Controls 195
Display and Editing of Automation Data 196
Undo/Redo 198
Editing Automation data 198
Automation in editing and libraries 199
Mixer and Plug-in Snapshots 199
Virtual Transport 201
What is Virtual Transport? 201
Strip and Bus Tools - Plug-ins 202
Eq, Comp/Limiter/Expander 202
Bus Tools 212
Delay Compensation 214
Delay Compensation / Pre-Anticipation 217
Plug-Ins 218
Common Master Section 218
Parametric EQ. 220
10 Bands EQ 221
Three Band Tone Control 221
Dynamics Processing 222
Delay 224
Flanger 225
MS Encoder 226
AnguDion 226
Mastering Peak/Vu Meters 228
Phase-Oscillo 234
Surround Meter 236
DC Meter 237
Modulometer 237
Function Generator 239
Plug-in Automation 240
Effects Snapshots 240
Optional Plug-ins 241
Prosoniq MPEX2 Timestretch and pitch change 241
VST / DirectX support 244
Direct X Plug-ins 244
VST Plug-ins 244
External Effects 245
User Manual : Contents
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Mastering a Composition to CD-R 246
CD Markers 246
Project Processes 247
Dither 247
Mixing Down Projects 247
Exporting Projects to CD Image Files 248
DiscWrite 249
Optical Drives - Important Note: 252
CD Text 252
Burning a CD-R 252
Archiving Projects 254
Consolidating Projects 254
Converting Projects 256
Changing Project Length / Pitch 256
Reconforming a Project 256
Surround Post-Processing Projects 256
Rendering Projects 257
Currently Available Plug-ins 258
Cleaning Up Project media 258
Project Interchange 259
File Interchange with Apple Macintosh 259
AAF 260
Akai DD / DR 262
CD Import 263
CMX EDL 265
OMF 265
ProTools 265
Report Printer 268
Cue Sheet Printer 268
Customizing the User Interface 272
Interface Editor 272
Workspaces 273
Customizing Keyboard Shortcuts 274
User Macros 275
Application Specific Configurations 276
Multitrack Editing 276
LTC sync 276
User Manual : Contents
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Dubbing Mode 277
Virtual Tape Mode 277
Discontinuous TimeCode 280
Metronome / Click Track 281
Menus - Project Menu 283
Menus - Edit menu 286
Menus - View Menu 292
Menus - Clips 296
Menus - Tracks 301
Menus - Cursors and marks 303
Menus - Selection 307
Menus - Fade Editor 309
Menus - Automation 313
Menus - Workspaces 314
Menus - Machines 315
Menus - Macro 320
Menus - Settings 320
Menus - Window 320
Menus - Help 321
Remote Control 322
Control of External Device 322
Control by External Device 322
Hardware Control Surfaces 322
GPI / GPO Support 324
Optimizing Pyramix 326
Use Templates 326
Pyramix File Format .PMF 326
One File Per Track option 326
DSP optimization 326
Troubleshooting 328
Keeping Up To Date 328
Error Messages 328
Multi-channel Audio Files 329
No Sound on Live Inputs 330
Clip Display Problems 331
Relaunch After Improper Exit 332
The I/O Status window 333
User Manual : Contents
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Input sources 333
Debug Menu 333
Appendix I Mouse Modifier Keys 336
Main Editor 336
Overview 338
Notes 338
Media Folder 338
Appendix II I/O Daughter-card Options 339
Appendix III Optional Features 341
Pyramix DSD / SACD 341
Time-code Sync 342
Cue Sequencer 342
Appendix IV 9 - Pin connection 344
PC RS-232 Serial Port to External Sony P2 RS-422 Controller 344
Connecting an RS422 device using a direct cable 344
Appendix V Mykerinos Latencies 346
Index 347
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USER MANUAL
User Manual
User Manual : Thank you!
User Manual
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Thank you!
Congratulations on your purchase of Pyramix Virtual Studio. More than just a product, this is a gate­way to the future of sound recording, editing, mixing and mastering. You have joined a worldwide com­munity of users who have already discovered the Pyramix advantage.
Note: IMPORTANT! - The first thing you need to do is register your software to acquire your Pyramix key(s) and to be included in our user support list.
Please also subscribe to the User Forum at:
http://www.merging.com/forum/
User Manual : Pyramix Versions
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Pyramix Versions
There are now several versions of Pyramix. Pyramix Native, Pyramix Native Media Bundle, Pyramix LE and Pyramix Virtual Studio. Numerous options and option packs are also available. This manual covers all versions of Pyramix and many optional functionalities and features.
Note: Depending on the version and options purchased, some of the functions and features detailed in this manual may, or may not, be available in your version of Pyra­mix, or may vary in capacity.
Pyramix Native
Pyramix Native offers 100% compatibility with the main Pyramix Virtual Studio (VS) system. Both the Pyramix Native and the Pyramix VS can be connected on the same standard Ethernet network and directly interchange audio and video media, or a complete Pyramix project between them.The Native software is USB dongle protected and runs on Windows 2000 or Windows XP desk-top or lap-top com­puters. It does have restrictions compared to the main Pyr amix Virtual Studio capabilities as you would expect but the Native software maintains all the real-time editing capabilities expected of a professional system. Pyramix native includes…
• Tone Control,
• 4 Band Parametric EQ
• Dynamics processor
• 2 Channel Record Inputs
• 2 Channel Playback Outputs
• 4 Audible Internal Editing Tracks
• Real-time Editing
• Source/Destination Editing
• Track Grouping
• Up to 48kHz sample rate
• CD Import
• Direct-X and VST capability
• Supports, PMF, WAV, BWF, AIFF, SD2, OMF and CD Image audio formats as standard.
Pyramix native media Bundle Includes Native configuration PLUS…
• 8 Audible Internal Editing Tracks
• Pyramix Core (inc. including VT Server)
• 10 band Graphic Equalizer
• Strip Tools, Bus Tools
• Delay, Echo
• Generator (Sinus, Pulse, DC)
• Flanger
• Mastering Peak/Vu meters
• Phase Correlator and Audio
• Vectorscope
• Angudion
• Nagra Modulometer
• CD-R Mastering
• Disk Write Software
• Virtual Transport Server
• Virtual Transport MIDI Sync Client
• DS Video Player
User Manual : Pyramix Versions
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Native Playback Channels
In the standard Native configuration the Mixing Console is limited to 4 playback channels. In the Native Media Bundle this is expanded to 8 playback channels. These channels are the first 4/8 strips of the mixer, regardless of how the mixer is configured.
Both Native and Native Media Bundle configurations can have any number of tracks and can connect any of them to any of the first 4/8 strips of the mixer.
The Mixing console allows only 2 live inputs but they can be patched to any of the strips of the console.
The Mixing console can have any number of strips, but only the first 4/8 can playback from Pyramix tracks. All other strips can be used for live or internal aux busses return.
Both configurations can load projects that come from a Pyramix Virtual Studio system (Mykerinos based) without any track limitations. Once loaded it shows all original connections on the track headers. It will create the same mixer as used in the main Pyramix system, but only the first 4/8 strips will actually playback audio.
Pyramix LE
Pyramix LE, currently available as a free of charge item, bundled with Mykerinos hardware, includes 16 tracks, Tone Control, 4 Band Parametric EQ and Dynamics processor effects.
Pyramix Virtual Studio Core
Pyramix Virtual Studio Core includes Pyramix LE features plus:
• Unlimited number of Tracks
• 10 band Graphic Equalizer
• Strip Tools, Bus Tools
• Delay, Echo
• Generator (Sinus, Pulse, DC)
• Flanger
• Mastering Peak/Vu meters
• Phase correlator and Audio Vectorscope
• Angudion
• Nagra Modulometer
• Virtual Transport Server (VT Clients require separate ordering)
• Virtual Transport DS Video Player client
User Manual : Introduction
User Manual
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Introduction
Assumptions
This User Manual and the other Pyramix guides assume you are thoroughly familiar with PCs and Win- dows terms and concepts. If the PC is new, please ensure the machine is working correctly before attempting to install Pyramix Virtual Studio.
Conventions
Conventions used in this manual:
Names found on Pyramix screens and menus are shown in bold. E.g. Information & Settings
Menu and sub-menu selections are shown like this:
View > Tracks > Show all Tracks
Which means:
Go to the View pull-down menu, mouse down to the Tracks sub-menu and choose Show all Tracks.
Where a dialog box has several Pages, Tabs are used to ‘turn’ the pages. Ta b page selection is shown thus:
Project > Information & Settings : Record
Which means:
Go to the Project pull down menu, choose Information & Settings then click on the Record Ta b.
User Manual : Pyramix Guides
User Manual
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Pyramix Guides
User Manual
This manual is intended to enable new users to achieve good results quickly. It also aims to introduce existing Pyramix users to the new features in Pyramix 4.3.
Other Pyramix Guides
The other guides listed here are installed along with the Pyramix software and may be freely down­loaded from the Merging Technologies website.
http://www.merging.com
Installation Guide
An expanded version of the chapter: Installing Pyramix Virtual Studio Hardware on page 23
Virtual Transport Guide
This is the reference guide for Virtual Transport.
Pyramix Applications Guides
These guides aim to be a useful resource for Pyramix users. They contain set-up examples and practi­cal hints and tips for using Pyramix for specific applications such as;
Music Recording
Music editing
Mastering
SACD Production Guide
Radio Production
Radio Broadcasting
Theatre Playout
Sound for Picture
Guides for Pyramix Optional Features
Documentation for optional features is provided in PDF format. These are installed with the Pyramix software or may be freely downloaded from:
http://www.merging.com
User Manual : Pyramix Virtual Studio Overview
User Manual
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Pyramix Virtual Studio Overview
VERY IMPORTANT!
We strongly recommend you consult the other Pyramix guides, and the Applica- tions Guide for a more complete understanding of all the features and functions of Pyramix.
HOWEVER,
recognizing that most people do not read manuals until they have to, this ver- sion will enable you to achieve (almost) instant gratification! This manual will introduce you to Pyramix Virtual Studio Version 4.3 and lead you through a sim­ple set-up, recording and importing audio, simple editing, mixing, adding effects, and CD recording.
Pyramix Virtual Studio is a powerful and flexible Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) integrating hard
disk recording and editing, digital audio mixing, effects processing, machine control, video, and CD-R mastering.
The Pyramix software runs on the Merging Technologies Mykerinos hardware platform. Each Myk- erinos board is capable of up to 128 channels of 24-bit digital audio, 64 recording and 64 playback. External access to these 128 channels is determined by your choice of physical inputs and outputs to the Mykerinos board.
Pyramix Card and Software Set and Pyramix Turnkey
Your Pyramix Virtual Studio will have been supplied in one of two forms: Pyramix Card and Software Set or Pyramix Turnkey.
Pyramix Turnkey systems are complete, ready to go, rack-mounted PCs with the Pyramix Card and
Software Set already installed and properly configured at the Merging Technologies factory. As such, no user installation or configuration is needed. You can launch and run the Pyramix software immediately.
Pyramix Card and Software Set consists of the Mykerinos hardware and the Pyramix software ONLY. You must provide an appropriate computer platform and software environment in which to install
the board and software, and install these yourself. Guidelines for an appropriate Pyramix system envi­ronment can be found in the following section.
Future Expansion is of course, possible, whether you start with Turnkey or Card and Software Set.
Pyramix Virtual Studio Board I/O
Audio I/O Options
Mykerinos is a modular board which can have any one of several optional audio I/O daughter cards attached. When ordering Pyramix Virtual Studio from Merging Technologies or one of its distributors, be sure to specify the daughter card appropriate to your specific needs. (Please see Appendix II I/O Daughter-card Options on page 339)
User Manual : Pyramix Virtual Studio Overview
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On-board Analog Audio I/O
Regardless of which I/O daughter card is chosen, you can simultaneously use the 3.5mm stereo mini­phone jack on the Mykerinos board as an unbalanced, analog stereo audio monitor output for all projects up to 384 kHz, with levels programmable from within the Pyramix software. Sources at sample rates higher than 96 kHz are automatically Sample Rate Converted to 96 kHz, 24 bit. This stereo mini­jack connection may be connected to headphones or to a line level audio monitor input.
Time Code and Video Sync Option
The Pyramix Synchronization option provides SMPTE / EBU LTC and VITC time code in/out, video sync in/out and word clock sync. A multi-pin circular mini-DIN connector, on the back plate of the Myk­erinos board carries all the system synchronization, time code and video sync signals. An optional break-out cable is provided for connections to time code, sync and video I/O. The Synchronization option allows Pyramix to be configured as a master or slave lock to external time code, video or word clock. It also enables VITC and/or a visible time code burn-in window (BITC) to be added to video out­put/throughput.
System Requirements For Pyramix Virtual Studio
Computer
• PC with Intel Pentium PIII 800 MHz or higher, minimum 256 MB RAM.
• PCI 2.1 compliant card slot(s) in which to install the Mykerinos board(s).
• Windows XP, Windows 2000 or Windows NT Workstation (v4.0 SP6 or higher OS
• Graphics Adapter with a minimum resolution of 1024x768 (Dual Head with resolution of 1280 x 1024 recommended).
• Sufficient HD space and speed for your audio media files. The speed and amount of disk space required depends on sample rate, bit depth, number of tracks and length of program material. A fast (10k rpm or better 15k rpm) SCSI drive (e.g. Seagate Cheetah) or a SCSI RAID array is recom­mended for larger multi-track projects, high sample rate and DSD work. Low cost IDE drives are fine for smaller projects of up to 24 channels.
• We recommend disks should be formatted as NTFS volumes.
Hard Disk Space Requirements
A complete software installation will require around 50MB of disk space for the Pyramix software itself and approximately 10MB of disk space for the Virtual Transport.
In addition, you will need hard disk storage for any captured audio media files. As a rule of thumb, one Gigabyte of disk storage equals:
• 185 track minutes at 44.1 kHz 16 bits
• 125 track minutes at 44.1 kHz 24 bits
• 170 track minutes at 48 kHz 16 bits
• 115 track minutes at 48 kHz 24 bits
• 55 track minutes at 96 kHz 24 bits
For continuous multi-track recording applications, divide total available mono track time by the number of tracks you will be using.
User Manual : Pyramix Virtual Studio Overview
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Please note that these are very rough estimates, and should be used only as a general indication of storage requirements.
Operating System
Windows XP, Windows 2000 or Windows NT Workstation (v4.0 SP6 or higher) installed (never attempt to install Pyramix on NT Server). Windows XP is preferred.
Drivers
Regularly acquiring and installing the latest Drivers/Firmware/Bios or Operating System available for equipment such as: Graphic Cards, CD/DVD writers, Network Adapters, Motherboards, (but exercise especial caution), external drives, RAID controllers and other third party hardware add-ons, will ensure that your system will always perform as efficiently as possible. Always accept any ‘rollback’ options, just in case the driver updates have unforeseen consequences.
Drivers should have the Microsoft digital signature, where available. However, the latest drivers will often not be signed. In these cases use the latest driver which is known to work or otherwise certified. This may require a little on-line research.
Graphics cards and optical drives, in particular, benefit from the most recent stable driver updates.
Keeping Windows (and DirectX) up to date with latest service packs is also, in general, a positive move towards maintaining a healthy system.
Note: These operations are not required for Mykerinos and Daughter cards simply because the latest firmware for your hardware (if any) is automatically installed by the most recent Pyramix installer.
Power Management
N.B. As with all Digital Audio Workstations and Non-Linear Editors, we recommend setting the PC to an Always On Power management scheme. (Start > Settings > Control Panel double click Power Options. Choose Always On from the Power Schemes drop down list.) This allows the monitor to be
turned off by the system but disables hard-disk turn off and Standby.
Note: The Mykerinos card is not designed to support Standby modes.
Other Applications
Like all Digital Audio Workstations, Pyramix works best when there are no other unnecessary applica­tions or services running.
Video and Pyramix on one PC
To ensure a very smooth system (especially for seeking) playing video with Pyramix on the same com­puter, we recommend a Dual Processor PC, a dedicated hard drive for the video and Windows XP
User Manual : Digital Audio Synchronization and TimeCode
User Manual
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Digital Audio Synchronization and TimeCode
THERE MUST BE ONLY ONE SOURCE OF SYNC FOR AUDIO AND TIME-CODE
Digital audio relies on extremely accurate timing. In any digital audio system there can only be one source of sync at one time. This is particularly important when planning multi-machine systems. If time­code is not locked to the same sync source as the digital audio then either the audio will work properly, or the time-code. But NOT BOTH AT THE SAME TIME.
Ideally, in any system with more than one device, there will also be an independent source of sync. E.g. a word-clock generator with multiple outputs. Each device is fed by a single output and configured to use this source as its sync reference.
Example:
A location digital recorder records at a nominal 44.1kHz sampling rate generated by its internal crystal oscillator and also records time-code derived from the same oscillator. Although the machine may be running slightly slow or fast the digital audio and time-code will vary by exactly the same percentage. When this location recording is played back on a machine locked to a stable sync source, digital audio will play at the same rate as the workstation and the time-code will be correct.
Consider an alternative scenario:
A digital multi-track is used as a location recorder, synced to its internal oscillator. Time-code is recorded on an audio track sourced from, say, a camcorder. When the resulting tape is played back on a machine locked to a stable sync source, the audio will be at the correct rate but the time-code will ‘drift’ in relation to it. The amount of this error is known as ‘DELTA’. Delta is simply the result of the fol­lowing formula: Internal TC minus External TC minus Offset = Delta. Where such a recording exists and it is imperative the time-code on tape is the master reference there are several solutions. The preferred options are:
Play back the tape with the machine chase-synchronized to the recorded time-code. Since the digital audio is not locked to the time-code the sample rate will drift. If recorded directly, this would result in missed or duplicated samples. I.e. unpleasant audible artefacts. Therefore, in order to record the audio in Pyramix it must go via a digital audio synchronizer/sample rate converter synchronized to the master word-clock source. This will then present Pyramix with digital audio at the correct rate.
Alternatively, the audio could be converted to analogue then fed into Pyramix via an analogue to digital converter.
User Manual : Installing Pyramix Virtual Studio Hardware
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Installing Pyramix Virtual Studio Hardware
Mykerinos Board Installation
The Merging Technologies Mykerinos board can be installed in any free PCI slot in your PC. In general, it is best NOT to install the board in the PCI slot adjacent to an AGP graphics adapter; and in a PCI slot which may be physically shared with an ISA slot. Please consult the merging.com website for current compatibility information.
Make absolutely certain the PC power is OFF before installing the board!
With most of the current generation motherboards this means either the mains switch on the power sup­ply or the power outlet switch. Where no switch is provided, either on the PC or the supply socket, then the PC should be unplugged.
Always observe proper static precautions when handling any PC boards! Use a static strap, and/or be sure to firmly ground yourself to the computer power supply, chassis or if the PC is unplugged, to a known good earth before handling and installing the Mykerinos board.
Some PCs have batteries, cables, jumpers, etc. which could prevent proper board seating in one or more slots. Make certain the board is firmly and fully seated before switching on.
Multi-board installation
Multiple boards must be installed in adjacent slots. To enable multi-board operation, all Mykerinos cards in the PC have to be connected together using a special HDTDM ribbon cable. This cable has to be plugged into the multi-pin connectors located on the top edge of the I/O daughter cards. Please contact your Merging Technologies dealer for information on how to order this HDTDM ribbon cable.
HDTDM
The HDTDM cable has the following functions in a multiple Mykerinos board installation:
a) synchronization (to 1/512th of an audio sample accuracy) This enables Pyramix to "see" a single sys­tem comprised of a large pool of DSP power and I/O resources spread over separate cards.
b) transfers all audio signals (Live Inputs, Internal Send/Return Busses, Mix busses, Aux busses, Live Outputs, etc. between all the Mykerinos I/O daughter-cards which comprise the multi-board system.
Daughter-cards
Please see Appendix II I/O Daughter-card Options on page 339 for a description of the available daughter-cards.
External Audio D/A-A/D Converter Boxes
Most of the I/O options for the Mykerinos board are digital. Pyramix will often be used with external audio D/A (for playback) and A/D (for recording) converters. Many such converters are available from Merging Technologies as options: for example, the Merging Technologies Dua II and Sphynx boxes. Contact Merging Technologies Sales for more information.
Capabilities of third party D/A - A/D converter boxes are widely variable. Please check with the manu­facturer to ascertain which sample rates, word lengths and number of I/O channels are supported. You will need this information later to appropriately configure the Pyramix software.
User Manual : Cabling Pyramix in your System Environment
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Cabling Pyramix in your System Environment
Please read this in conjunction with the guide or guides for your specific interface daughter-cards and external interfaces/converters.
Due to the number of possible I/O options and the variety of user environments it is impossible to cover all the variations of cable connections to and from Pyramix. However, here are some general rules and examples:
Audio Connections
Many users will have A/D Converters for feeding analog audio sources into Pyramix, and D/A Convert­ers for playing analog audio out of Pyramix. In this case, connect your analog audio sources to the A/D Converter analog audio inputs, and the A/D digital audio output(s) to the Mykerinos digital audio input(s). Similarly, connect the Mykerinos digital audio output(s) to your D/A Converter digital audio input(s), and the D/A Converter analog audio outputs to your studio monitors or recorders. It may be also be useful to connect the stereo mini-phone output on the Mykerinos card to either stereo head­phones or a stereo monitor console input. The source for this jack can be configured inside the Pyramix software.
3.5mm Mini-Phone Jack for analog monitor output
8-pin Mini-DIN for sync breakout cable
Area where I/O Daughter Card output connectors appear
Mykerinos Backplate
User Manual : Cabling Pyramix in your System Environment
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Sync, Video and Time Code Connections
In any digital audio system, it is VERY IMPORTANT all interconnected units are locked to the same sync reference. A digital audio signal itself can sometimes be used as the master sync source, but a high stability video or wordclock signal is usually preferable.
The Mykerinos board can be configured inside the Pyramix software to act as either a sync master, or to slave to a variety of incoming signals.
Decide which device in your system will provide the master sync reference, then ensure that all other digital audio devices in your system take their synchronization from it. This will require routing appropri­ate cables --whether digital audio, video or wordclock cables-- to the various other devices and may also involve a separate sync reference generator and or distribution amplifiers.
If Pyramix is configured as the master (Internal sync), other digital audio devices will probably be able to lock to the digital audio output from Pyramix. However, Pyramix can also be configured to output a wordclock signal at the Video output BNC connector (Pyramix Synchronization option required).
If Pyramix is configured as a slave to an external device, Various synchronization signals can be accepted.
• To lock to incoming digital audio, connect an appropriate digital audio signal to a Pyramix digital audio input.
• To lock to incoming video, connect an appropriate video signal to the Pyramix Video Reference input (Pyramix Synchronization option required).
• To lock to incoming wordclock, connect an appropriate master wordclock signal to the Pyramix Video 2 Input (Pyramix Synchronization option required).
• To set the termination jumpers provided on the Mykerinos board, please see the Mykerinos User Guide.
Pyramix can either output or lock to incoming SMPTE / EBU time code.
• If a master LTC time code output from Pyramix is needed, cable the Pyramix LTC time code out RCA jack or XLR to any other devices slaving to this output (Pyramix Synchronization option required). Pyramix always generates time code when playing.
• To lock Pyramix to an incoming LTC time code signal, cable the LTC time code output from the time code source to the Pyramix LTC input RCA jack or XLR (Pyramix Synchronization option required).
Pyramix can accept and generate VITC in standard PAL/NTSC formats. It can also provide BITC (Burnt In Time-Code) on its video outputs.
MIDI Connections
To use Pyramix MIDI functionality with external equipment, you will require a MIDI interface. Many cur­rent motherboards include an on-board MIDI interface. If yours does not, it is a simple matter to add one. This can be either an internal PCI card or an external unit connected via a USB port or an RS232 serial COM port.
User Manual : Installing Pyramix Virtual Studio Software
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Installing Pyramix Virtual Studio Software
Driver Signing
Important! Before attempting to install the Pyramix Virtual Studio software please check the following setting:
Start > Settings > Control Panel > System : Hardware
Click on the Hardware Tab, then click on Driver Signing. The Driver Signing Options dialog opens:
Make sure the middle option Warn is selected.
Running the Installer
Pyramix Virtual Studio and Virtual Transport software is provided on a CD-ROM. You may also receive software updates as a download from our ftp site. In either case, install the Pyramix and Virtual Transport software by running the Virtual Transport and Pyramix Virtual Studio Installer programs.
Choose the default location to install the software unless you have good reason to do otherwise. You will also be asked to a create folders for your media files and for CD Images (these can be changed later). If you receive any error messages regarding the Microsoft Digital Signature, ignore these and continue on with the installation by clicking ‘Yes’.
Important! After installation, please reboot the PC before attempting to launch Pyramix Virtual Studio. Then open the VS3 control panel application (Start > Programs > Pyramix > VS3
control panel). The default Tab page is Configuration. Select 8 in the Internal Return Bus- ses drop down menu box then click on the Autorouting button followed by the OK button.
When the VS3 panel, Do you want to save routing? dialogue box appears, click on OK to close the VS3 control panel.
Double-click on the Pyramix Virtual Studio desktop icon to launch Pyramix.
Driver Signing Options dialog
User Manual : Installing Pyramix Virtual Studio Software
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Enabling Pyramix Virtual Studio with your Software Key
Pyramix Virtual Studio is protected by a special software Key. Once you have registered your software you will be provided with this Key or Keys (depending on the chosen options).
Entering your Key(s)
After the Pyramix installation process you will be prompted to enter your Authorization Key. If you click Yes the MT Security Settings dialog will be launched automatically, allowing the Key or Keys to be entered immediately. If you choose not to enter your Key at this point you can do so later by choosing one of the following procedures:
1. Double-click the file YourPersonalKeyXXXXX.mtk. This is attached to the email containing your Key(s).
2. Open the MT Security Settings Control Panel (Windows Task Bar Start > Control Panel > MT Security Settings), click the Import Key button and browse for your Key file called
YourPersonalKeyXXXXX.mtk
3. Open the MT Security Settings Control Panel (as above), in the Registration section select the
board number corresponding to the serial number for your Keys or HASP Key for a dongle, click the Enter Key button and type your User Name, Company Name and Key then click OK. Repeat this step for each Keys listed in the email.
Changing or re-entering a Key
Should you need to subsequently change or re-enter a Key, follow the appropriate option above.
The key system is "smart". Only one key or set of keys is required regardless of the number of boards in a system. Any card can hold this key set as the authorization is processed based on a "Logical OR" of all keys present on any and all Mykerinos boards. Of course this Logical OR will only process keys with identical User Name and Company Name to the one entered in the key enabling dialog box.
User Manual : Pyramix User Interface
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Pyramix User Interface
The Pyramix user interface has evolved into an extremely powerful tool for manipulating audio. Com­mands and functions can be accessed from pull-down menus, pop-up menus, Tab windows and key­board shortcuts.
There are generally several ways of accessing any given function in Pyramix. This helps users to work in the way they find most comfortable for the type of projects they are undertaking. It also means ‘Power Users’ can develop highly efficient operating procedures.
It is perfectly possible to casually use Pyramix without discovering all of the many possibilities on offer. However, by looking deeper, a far more rewarding experience awaits.
Mouse Modifier Keys
The range of possible actions resulting from a mouse click are massively extended by the use of Key­board Modifiers. These greatly aid productivity and are well worth learning. Please see: Appendix I Mouse Modifier Keys on page 336
Context Menus
Right clicking over objects on screen such as clips, mixer strips and controls and track headers pops up menus with commands and options relevant to the object.
Keyboard Shortcuts
In particular we would encourage users to use keyboard shortcuts and preferably the standard Pyramix layout. Keyboard shortcuts can be fully customized and users of other workstations will discover we have also provided familiar keyboard layouts to help them on their learning curve.
Macros
The Macro is another powerful feature of Pyramix. Macros are sequences of commands which can be invoked by a single key or combination. Some macros are conditional. I.e their precise action depends on variables in the project. A considerable library of pre-programmed macros is provided together with an editor which enables users to construct their own macros.
Tutorial Project
An introductory tutorial project is provided on the Pyramix software CD-ROM. If you are new to Pyramix, please work through the tutorial in conjunction with this manual. Together, they are a comparatively painless introduction to many of the concepts and terms used in Pyramix.
User Manual : Project Templates
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Project Templates
Pyramix provides the user with a number of Tem plates for various applications. A Template is a com­plete Pyramix Project, without any associated audio, specially configured to suit a particular type of activity. Apart from configuring the appearance of Pyramix, the track layout and mixer design, templates also include important optimizations to suit the activity.
Please see: Optimizing Pyramix on page 326
These templates also offer a good starting point for creating your own customized templates. To begin a new project using a template choose Project > New from Template which opens the Select a Tem- plate file browser.
When a template is opened a dialog box appears requesting the user to choose a Media Folder for the new project. Unless the project is saved using the Save As option, the first time it is saved the Save As dialog will appear.
Further Templates will be added as they are developed.
To save a new Template choose File > Save as Template, name and save.
Select a Template dialog
User Manual : Pyramix Concepts
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Pyramix Concepts
Project
A Project is the top level of organization. Projects are saved with the file extension .PMT. A Project controls and keeps track of all the various elements you are assembling at a given time. A Project always contains a Mixer and a Composition, viewed on the Timeline, or as an Edit Decision List (EDL), plus Libraries containing Master Clips, Compositions, Mixer settings, and Fade settings.
Mixer
The Mixer, is the nexus of the Virtual Studio. The Mixer routes all audio into and out of a Pyramix Project. It also determines audio sample rates and synchronization. The user configures the Mixer as
appropriate, for the number and type of inputs strips and output busses needed for a Project. Without a properly configured Mixer, no audio can be recorded, mixed, or monitored.
Compositions
A Composition is any number of clips complete with edits and fades, level settings etc. placed on a track or tracks in a time relation to each other and to the Timeline.
Timeline
The Timeline shows a graphic representation of the current Composition. and its location in relation to the Playhead Cursor, In and Out Marker Cursors and various other Markers. All editing is done in the Timeline, EDL or Fade Editor windows.
EDL
The EDL (Edit Decision List), is a textual and numeric representation of the same information shown in the Timeline and Fade Editor. Changes made here are reflected in the Timeline and vice-versa.
Media Files
These are actual audio data files which can only be seen at the Windows level, e.g. in Windows Explorer. In Pyramix, they are represented by Master Clips which reference the raw data files.
Master Clips
The concept of Master Clips is one of the keys to the power of Pyramix. An individual Master Clip is a set of pointers that reference one or more Media Files.
Note that a single Master Clip references all Media Files in a multi-channel audio recording. E.g. a ste­reo recording can have one or two Media Files, (depending on whether there is a check in the One file per track box in the Media Option section of the record page of the Project Information and Settings dialog box.) (Project > Project Information and Settings - Record Tab).
When One file per track is checked, one invisible Media File is generated for each channel of a recording but only one Master Clip. So.a stereo Master Clip references two invisible Media Files and a Multi-channel Master Clip references as many invisible Media Files as there are channels in the recording. check box ‘One file per track’), but will only generate one Master Clip.
A Master Clip can be mono, stereo, four channels, six channels, 24 channels, in fact there is no limit to the number of channels that can be contained within a Master Clip. When a Master Clip is placed into a Composition there is the option to place it where it was originally recorded.
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