thomann t.mix Rackmix 821 FX User Manual

Rackmix 821 FX USB

mixer

user manual

Musikhaus Thomann

Thomann GmbH

Hans-Thomann-Straße 1

96138 Burgebrach

Germany

Telephone: [phone]

E-mail: [e-mail]

Internet: www.thomann.de

26.11.2018, ID: 445450

Table of contents

Table of contents

1 General information.............................................................................................................. 4

1.1 Further information........................................................................................................ 4

1.2 Notational conventions................................................................................................. 4

1.3 Symbols and signal words........................................................................................... 4

2 Safety instructions................................................................................................................. 6

3 Features....................................................................................................................................... 9

4 Installation and starting up............................................................................................. 10

5 Connections and controls................................................................................................ 11

6 Technical specications.................................................................................................... 16

7 Plug and connection assignment................................................................................. 17

8 Protecting the environment........................................................................................... 19

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General information

1 General information

1.1 Further information

This manual contains important instructions for the safe operation of the unit. Read
and follow the safety instructions and all other instructions. Keep the manual for
future reference. Make sure that it is available to all those using the device. If you sell
the unit please make sure that the buyer also receives this manual.

Our products are subject to a process of continuous development. Thus, they are
subject to change.

On our website (www.thomann.de) you will nd lots of further information and
details on the following points:

Download This manual is also available as PDF le for you to download.

1.2 Notational conventions

Letterings

1.3 Symbols and signal words

Keyword search

Online guides

Personal
consultation

Service

This manual uses the following notational conventions:

The letterings for connectors and controls are marked by square brackets and italics.

Examples: [VOLUME] control, [Mono] button.

Use the search function in the electronic version to nd the
topics of interest for you quickly.

Our online guides provide detailed information on technical
basics and terms.

For personal consultation please contact our
technical hotline.

If you have any problems with the device the
customer service will gladly assist you.

In this section you will nd an overview of the meaning of symbols and signal words
that are used in this manual.

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4

General information

Signal word Meaning

DANGER! This combination of symbol and signal word indicates

an immediate dangerous situation that will result in
death or serious injury if it is not avoided.

CAUTION! This combination of symbol and signal word indicates

a possible dangerous situation that can result in minor
injury if it is not avoided.

NOTICE! This combination of symbol and signal word indicates

a possible dangerous situation that can result in mate‐
rial and environmental damage if it is not avoided.

Warning signs Type of danger

Warning – high-voltage.

Warning – danger zone.

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Safety instructions

2 Safety instructions

Intended use

Safety

This device is intended to be used for amplication, mixing and playback of signals
from musical instruments and microphones. Use the device only as described in this
user manual. Any other use or use under other operating conditions is considered to
be improper and may result in personal injury or property damage. No liability will be
assumed for damages resulting from improper use.

This device may be used only by persons with sucient physical, sensorial, and intel‐
lectual abilities and having corresponding knowledge and experience. Other persons
may use this device only if they are supervised or instructed by a person who is
responsible for their safety.

DANGER!
Danger for children

Ensure that plastic bags, packaging, etc. are disposed of properly and
are not within reach of babies and young children. Choking hazard!

Ensure that children do not detach any small parts (e.g. knobs or the
like) from the unit. They could swallow the pieces and choke!

Never let children unattended use electrical devices.

DANGER!
Electric shock caused by high voltages inside

Within the device there are areas where high voltages may be present.
Never remove any covers.

There are no user-serviceable parts inside.

Do not use the device if covers, protectors or optical components are
missing or damaged.

DANGER!
Electric shock caused by short-circuit

Always use proper ready-made insulated mains cabling (power cord)
with a protective contact plug. Do not modify the mains cable or the
plug. Failure to do so could result in electric shock/death or re. If in
doubt, seek advice from a registered electrician.

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Safety instructions

CAUTION!
Possible hearing damage

With loudspeakers or headphones connected, the device can produce
volume levels that may cause temporary or permanent hearing impair‐
ment.

Do not operate the device permanently at a high volume level.
Decrease the volume level immediately if you experience ringing in
your ears or hearing impairment.

NOTICE!
Risk of re

Do not block areas of ventilation. Do not install the device near any
direct heat source. Keep the device away from naked ames.

NOTICE!
Operating conditions

This device has been designed for indoor use only. To prevent damage,
never expose the device to any liquid or moisture. Avoid direct sunlight,
heavy dirt, and strong vibrations.

NOTICE!
Power supply

Before connecting the device, ensure that the input voltage (AC outlet)
matches the voltage rating of the device and that the AC outlet is pro‐
tected by a residual current circuit breaker. Failure to do so could result
in damage to the device and possibly injure the user.

Unplug the device before electrical storms occur and when it is unused
for long periods of time to reduce the risk of electric shock or re.

NOTICE!
Danger of short circuit

Switching on phantom power will damage the device if unbalanced XLR
cables are connected.

Only turn on phantom power when exclusively balanced XLR cables are
connected.

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Safety instructions

NOTICE!
Possible staining

The plasticiser contained in the rubber feet of this product may possibly
react with the coating of your parquet, linoleum, laminate or PVC oor
and after some time cause permanent dark stains.

In case of doubt, do not put the rubber feet directly on the oor, but use
felt-pad oor protectors or a carpet.

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3 Features

Features

n 8-channel rack mixer with built-in USB audio player and multi-eects unit
n 8 mono channels (MIC, Line, Insert)
n 3-band EQ and pan control
n PFL switch per channel
n 2 AUX ways (1 × FX, 1 × Aux)
n Master output L/R via 2 × XLR and 2 × 1/4" phone socket
n Adjustable headphones output (1/4" phone socket, stereo)
n USB port
n 48 V phantom power, globally switchable
n Built-in power supply

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Installation and starting up

4 Installation and starting up

Unpack and check carefully there is no transportation damage before using the unit.
Keep the equipment packaging. To fully protect the product against vibration, dust
and moisture during transportation or storage use the original packaging or your
own packaging material suitable for transport or storage, respectively.

Before connecting the operating voltage and before connecting or disconnecting
audio cables, set all volume controls of the unit to zero to avoid damage to the con‐
nected speakers and devices.

NOTICE!
Possible staining

The plasticiser contained in the rubber feet of this product may possibly
react with the coating of your parquet, linoleum, laminate or PVC oor
and after some time cause permanent dark stains.

In case of doubt, do not put the rubber feet directly on the oor, but use
felt-pad oor protectors or a carpet.

10

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5 Connections and controls

Mono channel strips

1 [GAIN]

2 [PFL]

3 [PAN]

4 [PEAK]

Connections and controls

Rotary control to adjust the input level

With this switch pressed, the channel signal is unaectedly by the setting of
the channel fader and the internal eects section and present at the output
[PHONES] to adapt the values). The switch does not aect the signal at the
outputs [MAIN OUT] and [REC OUT].

Rotary control for positioning the channel signal within the stereo pan‐
orama

The LED lights up on channel overload. If this happens, turn the [GAIN]con‐
trol to the left until this LED is extinguished.

5 The channel fader sets the strength of the channel signal in the overall

signal.

6 [EFF]

Rotary control to adjust the signal portion to be sent to the [FX SEND] output
and to the built-in eects unit.

7 [AUX]

Rotary control to adjust the signal portion to be sent to the [AUX SEND]
output to e.g. create a monitor mix.

8 3-band EQ for treble [HIGH], mids [MID] and bass [LOW].

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Connections and controls

Main and eects section, USB

9 [MP3 IN 7/8]

Switches the signal source for channels 7 and 8 between the audio player and the inputs [R/MONO] / [L] on the rear
panel.

10 These LED chains indicate the level of the sum signal. Keep the level within a range below +18. The red LEDs indicates

overload. In this case, pull back the two master faders so that the red LEDs do not light up any more.

11 [POWER]

This LED shows that the unit is turned on.

12 [PHANTOM]

When this switch is in ON position, a phantom voltage of 48 V is present at the XLR sockets in the mono channels for
using condenser mics. If no condenser mics are used, the switch should be in the OFF position. The phantom voltage
must not be switched on if an unbalanced XLR cable is connected to one of the MIC inputs.

The LED is lit when the phantom power is on.

13 USB port for connecting data media for playback of MP3 or WAV les.

14 The left half of this display shows the contents of a connected MP3 player. The number of the selected eect is dis‐

played in the right half.

15 [EFF DEEP 1-24]

Rotary control to ne tune specic parameters of the currently selected eect.

16 [PROGRAM][UP] / [DOWN]

Buttons to select the desired eect, see imprinted list. To select an eect, press [UP] or [DOWN] repeatedly until the
desired number is displayed.

12

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Connections and controls

17 These buttons are used to operate the built-in audio player.

: Pause / Playback

: Previous track

: Next track

: Operating mode selection

18 [PHONES]

Volume control for headphone output

19 Stereo headphones output

20 [PHONES PFL]

Switches the signal source for the headphone output between the MAIN signal (switch not pressed) or those input
channels that have pre-fader listening activated with the [PFL] switch.

21 [AUX]

Rotary control to adjust the overall level at the output [EFF SEND]

22 [EFF]

Fader to adjust the eects portion in the overall signal.

23 [STEREO]

Master fader to adjust the sum level at the output [MAIN]

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Connections and controls

Rear panel

24 [ON | OFF]

Mains switch to turn the device on or o.

25 [MAIN OUT]

Balanced 1/4" phone and XLR outputs for connecting power ampliers, eects or recording devices.

26 [EFF SEND]

1/4" phone socket, usable, for example, for connecting external eects units. At this output, the signal controlled by
the [EFF] fader is present.

27 [AUX EFF]

1/4" phone socket, usable, for example, for connecting a monitor speaker. At this output, the signal controlled by the
rotary control [AUX] is present.

28 [REC OUT]

RCA connections (left and right), for example for an external recording device

[REC IN]

RCA connections (left and right), for example for an external player

29 [MIC]

Balanced XLR mono inputs to connect each one microphone

30 [LINE]

1/4" phone input to connect a line level audio source (keyboards, drum modules etc., balanced or unbalanced)

31 [INSERT]

1/4" phone socket to loop in external devices into the signal path of the respective channel.

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Connections and controls

32 [R/MONO] / [L]

Line level input for connecting external audio devices, e.g. signal processors, designed as a 1/4" phone socket.

33 IEC chassis plug with fuse holder for the power supply. Should the fuse have blown, disconnect the unit from the

power supply and replace the fuse with a new fuse of the same type.

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Technical specications

6 Technical specications

Max. output level Main Balanced: +28 dBu

Unbalanced: +22 dBu

AUX SEND, REC OUT Unbalanced: +22 dBu

Headphones output +15 dBu / 150 mW

Frequency response MIC input 10 Hz … 200 kHz

Line input 10 Hz … 130 kHz

Signal-to-noise ratio MIC input 120 dB E.I.N.

Line input 95 dB E.I.N.

Signal gain MIC input 14 dB … 60 dB

Line input -6 dB … 38 dB

Input level MIC input +4 dBu ± 1 dBu max.

Stereo line input +21 dBu ± 1 dBu max.

Sound control Treble 10 kHz , ± 15 dB

Mids 50 Hz, ± 15 dB

Bass 700 Hz,± 10 dB

Eects 33 in total

Phantom voltage 48 V

Operating supply voltage

Fuse 5 mm × 20 mm, 1.6 A, 250 V, slow-blow

Power consumption 19 W

Dimensions (W × H × D) 485 mm× 140 mm (3 RU) × 175 mm

Weight 4.5 kg

100 – 240 V 50/60 Hz

16

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7 Plug and connection assignment

Plug and connection assignment

Introduction

Balanced and unbalanced transmis‐
sion

1/4" TS phone plug (mono, unbal‐
anced)

This chapter will help you select the right cables and plugs to connect your valuable
equipment in such a way that a perfect sound experience is ensured.

Please note these advices, because especially in ‘Sound & Light’ caution is indicated:
Even if a plug ts into the socket, an incorrect connection may result in a destroyed
power amp, a short circuit or ‘just’ in poor transmission quality!

Unbalanced transmission is mainly used in semi-professional environment and in hi
use. Instrument cables with two conductors (one core plus shielding) are typical rep‐
resentatives of the unbalanced transmission. One conductor is ground and shielding
while the signal is transmitted through the core.

Unbalanced transmission is susceptible to electromagnetic interference, especially at
low levels, such as microphone signals and when using long cables.

In a professional environment, therefore, the balanced transmission is preferred,
because this enables an undisturbed transmission of signals over long distances. In
addition to the conductors ‘Ground’ and ‘Signal’, in a balanced transmission a second
core is added. This also transfers the signal, but phase-shifted by 180°.

Since the interference aects both cores equally, by subtracting the phase-shifted
signals, the interfering signal is completely neutralized. The result is a pure signal
without any noise interference.

1/4" TRS phone plug (mono, bal‐
anced)

1/4" TRS phone plug (stereo, unbal‐
anced)

1 Signal

2 Ground, shielding

1 Signal (in phase, +)

2 Signal (out of phase, –)

3 Ground

1 Signal (left)

2 Signal (right)

3 Ground

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Plug and connection assignment

XLR plug (balanced)

XLR plug (unbalanced)

1 Ground, shielding

2 Signal (in phase, +)

3 Signal (out of phase, –)

4 Shielding on plug housing (option)

1 Ground, shielding

2 Signal

3 Bridged to pin 1

RCA connection

Drawing and table indicate the pin assignment of an RCA plug.

1 Signal

2 Ground, shielding

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8 Protecting the environment

Disposal of the packaging material

For the transport and protective packaging, environmentally friendly materials have
been chosen that can be supplied to normal recycling.

Ensure that plastic bags, packaging, etc. are properly disposed of.

Do not just dispose of these materials with your normal household waste, but make
sure that they are collected for recycling. Please follow the notes and markings on
the packaging.

Disposal of your old device

This product is subject to the European Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment
Directive (WEEE) in its currently valid version. Do not dispose with your normal
household waste.

Dispose of this device through an approved waste disposal rm or through your local
waste facility. When discarding the device, comply with the rules and regulations
that apply in your country. If in doubt, consult your local waste disposal facility.

Protecting the environment

Rackmix 821 FX USB

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Notes

20

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Notes

Rackmix 821 FX USB

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Notes

22

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Musikhaus Thomann · Hans-Thomann-Straße 1 · 96138 Burgebrach · Germany · www.thomann.de