Viking MCX-106 User Manual
Operating Instruction Manual
TOA POWERED MIXER
Model MCX-106
TOA ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
KOBE, JAPAN
Contents
General Description
Features
Front Panel [Input Section]
Front Panel [Output Section]
Front Panel [Stereo Cassette Recorder Section]
Front Panel [Patch Bay & Bus Link]
Rear Panel
Connection Examples
Input Connections
How to get a good mix.
Recording Level Setting
Type of Cassette Tape
Maintenance of Stereo Cassette Deck
Block and Level Diagrams
Specifications
Characteristic Diagrams
Appearance
Precautions
1. XLR Type Audio Connector
The connectors are wired as follows.
The pin 1 is ground (shield), the pin 2 cold (low,
minus), the pin 3 hot (high, plus).
MCX-106™ Operating Guide
A Few Words about design:
The MCX™ is quite an unusual product, but the
reasoning behind its design was quite simple .... we
wanted to intergrate all the basic components of a
sound reinforcement system and a recording studio
into a single, transportable package.
The basic components of the MCX™ are as follows:
1. Six-channel main mixer.
2. Six-channel on-stage monitor mixer.
3. Six-channel special effects mixer.
4. Six-channel recording mixer.
5. Stereo tape deck.
2. Description of components and functions on the
MCX-106.
Descriptions may vary, depending on each manufacturer. In our Operating and Instruction Manual
explanation of components and functions is made
according to our usage for them.
6. One-octave equalizer.
7. Patch bay.
8. Headphone cue/monitor system.
9. Three-hundred watt power amplifier.
10. Road case.
Each of these "components" functions independently
of the others, although some do share common signal
processing and control circuitry. For example, the
main mixer, effects mixer, and recording mixer all
make use of the same input equalization on each of the
six channels. And the input trim control performs the
same function for all four mixing sections.
— 1 —
General Description
The MCX-106 is a compact self-powered mixer with a Microprocessor controlled stereo
cassette deck, designed to allow recording a live demo tape, performing to pre-recorded
program material, recording sound on sound with an external tape source, and
simultaneously performing as a six-channel "powered" main sound system and a six-
channel independent monitor mixer.
The MCX-106 fea ture s: six i nput channels, a 300 watt power amplifier, 9-band graphic
equalizer, automatic compressor, reverb effect, fluorescent bargraph meter, power
amplifier protection circuitry, and a complete patch bay.
Each input channel features: input trim control with LED peak indicator, pre-EQ foldback
send, 3-band EQ, post-EQ recording level and pan controls, post-reverb/effects send, Lo-
Z balanced XLR input and Hi-Z unbalanced 1/4" input.
The built-in cassette deck features: full logic cassette mechanism control, dbx noise
reduction system, zero return and cue functions, automatic tape selector.
All these unique functions are integrated into a ruggedly construct and portable package,
offering unlimited applications for school, church, band, performing group, etc.
The MCX-106 is a "first of its kind" product, providing such a wide variety of versatility.
Features
1. Built-in Stereo Cassette Recorder with micro-
processor control
2. Six Input Channels
3. 300 watt Power Amplifier
4. 9-band Graphic Equalizer with Bypass Switch
5. Auto-Comp™ Compression Circuitry with LED
indicator
6. Reverberation Effect with 2-band dedicated EQ
7. Fluorescent Bargraph Metering— assignable
8. Power Amp Protection Circuitry with indicator
9. Complete patch Bay with Buss-Link™
10. Aux. Input with Stereo Balance and Level
Controls — assignable to PGM, FB, and Rec L & R
Busses
11. Headphone Monitoring/Cueing System
12. Independent Stage Monitor (FB) Mix
Each Channel
1. Input Trim Control with LED peak indicator
2. Pre-EQ foldback send
3. 3-Band EQ
4. Post-EQ recording level and pan controls
5. Post reverb/effects send
6. Lo-Z Balanced XLR Input
7. Hi-Z Unbalanced 1/4" Input
Stereo Cassette Recorder
1. Full Logic Cassette Mechanism Control
2. dbx® Noise Reduction System
3. Automatic Tape Selector with Indicator (normal,
CrO2 Metal)
4. Headphone Output with Level Control
5. Tape Transport Remote Control (start/stop)
6. Tape Pitch Control (±10%)
7. Zero Return with Automatic Cue
8. 3-Digit Tape Counter
— 2 —
Front Panel, Input Section
Foldback Control (FB)
The Foldback control determines the level of signal assigned to the foldback mixing buss,
thus setting the level of t h at
channel in the on-stage monitor
mix.
High Equalizer Control
The high EQ control alters the
high frequency response of t he
input channel, providing ±13dB
at 10kHz, and ±15dBat 20kHz of
continuously variable active
shelving equalization. The "0"
detented position provides fla t
audio response.
Middle Equalizer Control
The mid EQ control provides
±15dB of continuously variable
active peaking equalization at
2kHz. and has a flat audio response when set to the "0"
detented position.
(HIGH EQ)
(MID
EQ)
Peak Indicator (PEAK)
The peak indicator lights when
the pre or post EQ signal level
reaches 3dB below cli ppi ng,
giving a visual reference for
optimum setting of the trim control.
Input Trim Control (TRIM)
The input trim adjusts the gain
of the head-amp stage of the as-
sociated channel, providing 39
dB of gain control. When the
trim control is set to the "10"
position, the nominal input
levels of t he low-Z and high-Z
inputs are — 55dB and —35dB re-
spectively. At the "0" position
the levels are -16dB and +4dB.
The trim of each channel should
be adjusted so that the peak LED
j u s t be gin s to l ig ht , or o nly
flashes occasionally. This will
ensure lowest distortion levels
and optimum signal to noise
ratio.
Recording pan Pot
(REC
PAN)
This control assigns the recording signal from each channel to
the recording L and R mixing
busses. At the center position,
the pan pot routes the signal
equally to the L and R mixing
busses. Panning from one side to
the other gradually assigns the
input signal to either the record-
ing L or R mixing bus exclusive-
ly!
Low Equalizer Control
The low EQ control provides
±13dB at l00Hz and ±15dB at
50Hz (of continuously variable
active shelving equalization.
The "0" detented position provides flat audio response.
Reverb/Effects Control
This
control
level of signal assigned to th e reverb effects buss. Rotating the
control clockwise increases t he
amount of reverb effect in that
channel.
(LOW
(REV/EFF)
determines
EQ)
the?
Low Impedance Connectors
(LOW
The XLR connectors are low im-
pedance, electronically balanced
inputs with an input impedance
of 1k ohms.
Z)
High Impedance Connectors
(HIGH Z)
These connectors are unbalanced, standard 1/4" phone jacks
with an input impedance? of 50k
ohms, and an input level of
—35dB when t he tri m control is
set to "10". When a plug is inserted into the high —Z input, the cor-
responding XLR connector is
automatically switched out of
the input circuitry.
Recording Level J Control
(REC LEVEL)
This control adjusts the level of
signal assigned to th e tape deck
via the recording pan pot and
stereo L and R recording busses.
Rota ting the control clockwise
increases the amount of signal
assigned to the recording L and R
busses and t hu s the level of t ha t
input in the "recording mix."
Input Level Control
(INPUT LEVEL)
The level control provides continuously variable adjustment
of the channel output to the
program mixing buss, t hu s determining the level of that
channel in the main sound
system mix. Since t he reverb/
effects
signal
is
"post"
this
trol, an increase in the level of the
channel's output will also result
in a corresponding increase in
he reverb effect of that channel.
The nominal level of the input
level control is at the "10" posi-
tion.
con-
— 3 —
Front Panel, Output Section
Aux Recording Balance
(AUX
REC
Th is c on tr ol ad j u st s t h e l ev el
balance of the aux in, L and R
signals routed to the L and R
mixing busses.
At the center position, the balance control routes the signal
equally to the L and R mixing
busses.
BAL)
Auxiliary Input Recording
Level Control
This control sets the level of
stereo L and R signal (from an
external source connected to the
AUX INPUT) assigned t o the recording busses, via the AUX
REC BAL control.
(AUX REC LEVEL)
Auxiliary Input to
Foldback Control
((AUX
(AUX
TO FB)
TO
Control
PGM)
This control sets the level of aux
input signal assigned to t he foldback mixing bus, and thus the
level of the exter nal aux source
in the on-stage monitor mix.
NOTE: If t he au x source is a
stereo L and R signal (for
example, a stereo cassette player) the L and R
will be combined i nt o
one mono signal before
assignment to either the
FB or PGM mixing busses.
Auxiliary Input to Program
This control sets the level of aux
input signal assigned to the
program mixing bus, and thus
the level of the external aux
source in the main mi x.
Effect to Foldback Control
(EFF
This control determines the
level of reverb/effects return
signal assigned to the foldback
mixing buss, and th us t he
amount of effects in the on-stage
TO FB)
monitor mix.
Reverb/Effects to Program-
Control
(EFF
TO
This control adjusts the amount
of reverb/effects signal that is
returned to the program buss
and thus th e level of reverb/
effects contained in the main
PGM)
sound system.
Reverb/Effects Send Control
This control ad jus ts the overall
signal level of the effects mix
th a t is delivered to the inte rnal
reverberation unit, or to an
external effects device through
the effects output. The send contro l works in conjunction with
(REV/EFF SEND)
the REV/EFF to PGM and t he
REV/EFF to FB controls to set
the overall level of reverb/
effects in the main and monitor
sound systems.
Reverberation High Equalizer —
Control
(REV HIGH EQ)
The high EQ control alters the
high frequency response? of t h e
reverberation signal. The "0" de-
tented
position
audio response.
Recordig Level Control
(EFF REC LEVEL)
This control sets the level of
reverb (or external effects) in
the recording mix, via the effects
return pan pot.
provides
flat
Effect Recording Pan Control
(EFF
REC
This control assigns t he reverb
or external effects signal to the
recording L and R mixing bus-
ses. I n t he center "detended"
position, the signal is assigned
equally to L and R; panning the
control gradually assigns the
PAN)
effect to either bus exclusively.
-Aux Input L and R
(AUX
IN, L, R)
The aux L and R 1/4" phone
jacks are unbalanced and accept
low and high impeda nce sources
at nominal —20 dB level. The
jacks are wired w i t h t he corresponding L and R pin jacks in
parallel. When a plug is inserted
in t he phone jack, the pin jack is
automatically switched out of
the aux input circuitry. The aux
input is intended primarily for
external music sources such as
cassette tape players, radio
receivers, or record players.
NOTE: A phonograph with
magnetic cartridge re-
quires the use of a pre-
amp with RIAA equalization.
Recording Output Pin Jack-
(REC
The REC out pin jack derives its
signal from t h e recording L and
R mixing busses, and is intended
for connection to external re-
cording equipment. Nominal
output level is —10 dB wi th an
impedance of 1k ohms.
OUT)
- Reverberation Low Equalizer
Control
(REV
LOW EQ)
The low EQ control alters the
low frequency response of th e
reverberation signal. The "0" de-
tented
position
audio response.
- Playback to Program Control
(TAPE TO PGM)
This control adjusts th e level of
playback signal r outed to th e
program mix ing buss, and t hus
the level of the internal tape?
source in th e mai n mix.
provides
Playback to Foldback Control
(TAPE TO FB)
This contr ol ad ju st s the level of
playback signal to the foldback
mix in g buss, and t hu s th e level
of the internal tape in the onstage monitor mix.
Buss Link Ja ck (BUSS LINK)
Patching Jack (PATCH BAY/OUT)
Patching Jack (PATCH BAY/IN)
Playback Output Pin Jack
(TAPE OUT)
The playback o u t pin jack
obtains its signal from the
internal tape deck. Nominal
ou tp u t level is 0dB dB wi th an
impedance o f 1k ohms.
Power Amp Compression-
of
the
power
Indicator (COMP)
power
amplifier
The com p LED l ig ht s whe n the
internal compressor is activat-
ed. The compressor is pr ov i ded
to prote ct speaker systems by
compressing t h e input signal
level
when clipping occurs in th e output stage. Frequent flashing of
the LED is not reason for alarm.
However. a constant or steady
light indicates t ha t the MCX-106
is being overdriven and that the
internal
sibly "under powered" (or tha t
application. The output level of
th e; MCX-106 should be; decreased until the LED only flashes
intermittently.
flat
amplifier
is
pos-
Foldback Master Control (FB)
The FB master control adjusts
the overall combined signal
level of the six independent
channel foldback sends, and
thus the level of the entire on-
stage monitor mix.
Program Master Control (PGM)
The PGM control adjusts the
overall combined signal level of
the six independent channel
level controls, and thus the level
of the main sound system.
Graphic Equalizer
(EQUALIZATION)
The graphic equalizer is 1/1
octave with 9 independent active
bands (filters), providing 12dB
of boost or cut at each center frequency. The "0" detented position provides fl at audio response.
Graphic Equalizer In/Out
Switch (IN/OUT)
The in/out switch enables comparison
between a flat
(out) and the equalized response
(in). The "out" position completely removes the equalizer
from the MCX-106 circuitry.
Phones Level Control
(PHONES)
The phones level control
adjusts both the recording L
and R signals fed to the phones
output and permits recording
and playback monitoring.
Headphone Jack
The headphone jack will accept
any stereo headphone with 8
ohms impedance, or higher.
Tape Deck Remote Control
(TAPE REMOTE)
This jack remotely operates t he
tape PAUSE function during
recording or playback by means
of a foot switch.
Power Amp Protection
Indicator (PROTECT)
The indicator LED lights if the
power amplifier output is short-
ed, if the temperature of the unit
rises above acceptable levels, or
if DG is drifted to the speaker
ou tp ut s. If th e LED should ligh t,
speaker wiring and ambient
temperature of the MCX-106
should be checked. If the LED
remains lighted, the unit should
be referred to qualified service
personnel for repair.
Note:
The MCX-106 protection cir-
cuitry will (1) detect 'faulty con-
response
di ti ons ' wit h i n t he power amplifier, (2) give a visual indication,
and (3) automatically shut down
un ti l the; fault condition is
alleviated. This special circuitry
ensures maximum reliability
and virtually eliminates equip-
ment damage due t o unsafe or
fault
conditions.
fault protection table on page 9
for full explanation of this
important feature.
Please
refer
to
— 4
—
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