Alesis USB2.0 manual

Ref er ence Manual[...]

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Table Of Contents 1 Introduction .......................................................... 5 W elcome! ...................................................................................................... 5 About the MultiMix USB2.0 .............................................. 6 All-In-One Mix er and Multichanne l Computer Audio Interface .....[...]

Table Of Contents 2 Chapter Three: Digital Effects Processor ............................................................... 19 Effects Section Components ............................................ 19 Program Selection Knob ........................................................................... 19 LED Display..................................[...]

Table Of Contents 3 Using the MultiMix USB2.0 with Core Audio on the Macintosh ................................................................ 42 Chapter Six: Troubleshooting: Hardware ............................................................... 43 Chapter Seven: Troubleshooting: Software ........................................................[...]

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Introduction 5 W elcome! Thank you for making the Alesis MultiMix USB2.0 a par t of your studio . Since 1984, we've been designing and building creativ e tools for the au dio community . W e believ e in our products , because we've heard the results that creativ e people like you hav e achieved with them. One of Alesis' goals is to m[...]

Introduction 6 About the MultiMix USB2.0 The MultiMix USB2.0 mixers are the latest in the larg e family of Alesis audio mixers and the seco nd series that includes comp uter interfacing (following on the launch of the MultiMix USB mix ers in 2004, the MultiMix FireWire mixers in 2005, and the iMultiMix8 USB-with-iP od mixer in 2007). W e’ve come [...]

Introduction 7 from the computer, all in 24-bit, 44.1/48/88.2/96 kHz digital audio . y ASIO and WDM computer dri ver s – lets you use the MultiMix USB2.0 with the vast ma jority of digital audio w orkstation programs . y Clean and pow erful pr eamps – u p to 50dB of preamp gain fo r capturing quiet sources . Glo bally switched phantom pow er . [...]

Introduction 8 How to Use This Manual This manual is divided into the following sections describing the vari ous functions and applicati ons of the MultiMix c onsoles . While it's a g ood idea to read through the entire m anual once carefully , those h aving general knowledge about mi xing should use the table of contents to look up specific f[...]

Introduction 9 A Few Words for Beginners W e realize that some of you who ha ve purc h ased the MultiMix USB2.0 are fairly new to the ar t of mixing and computer recording . W e’ve written this man ual with that in mind. W e designed the MultiMix to be both powerful and easy enough to use that even a beginner can quickly pick up the basics . Many[...]

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1 Getting Started 11 Important: download the drivers fr om http://www .alesis.com onto a folder on your des ktop or insert th e softw ar e CD into your computer’ s CD drive BEFORE you plug y our MultiMix into your computer for the first time. See page 23 for details. Hooking up the MultiMix USB2.0 This diag ram will help you get the MultiMix USB2[...]

1 Getting Started 12 Using Proper Cables When conn ecting instr uments and other equipme nt to the MultiMix, it’ s important that y ou use the appropriate ty pes of cables . Here are s ome simple but importan t guidelines: y F or the m ic inputs , use X LR cables . y F or the line inputs and all other 1/4” connec tions, use 1/4” mono TRS cabl[...]

2 A Tour of the MultiMix USB2.0 13 In this chapter, y ou’ll lear n all about the MultiMix’ s components (except for the digital effects proces sor, whic h is explained in the next chapter). Please re fer to the diagrams as you read each section to see whic h components we’ re talking about. Patchbay At the rear por tion of the top o f the Mul[...]

2 A Tour of the MultiMix USB2.0 14 Line Inputs (Channels 5 – 8) Unlike channels 1 – 4, the line inpu ts on channels 5 – 8 are stereo inputs that ha ve left and ri ght inputs . If y ou’ re using one of these channel s as a mono i nput, plug your instrument into the lef t input. Channels 5 – 8 d on’ t hav e the extra gain found on c hanne[...]

A Tour of the MultiMix USB2.0 2 15 This output can c arr y seve ral different signals , depending on whic h source you have selected in the master section of the mix er. Channel Strips The eight channel strips are vir tually identical to each other, with the only dif ference being that c hannels 1 – 4 are mono and channels 5 – 8 are stereo . Ea[...]

2 A Tour of the MultiMix USB2.0 16 EQ The MultiMix gives you three bands of EQ per channel. Using these knobs , you c an tailor the c hannel’ s signal by boosti ng some frequencies and cutting o thers . The LO an d HI controls are shelving controls with fixe d frequencies of 75 Hz and 12 kHz respectively . The MID co ntrol has a peaking response [...]

A Tour of the MultiMix USB2.0 2 17 HDPH / CTRL RM The HDPH / CTRL RM knob controls the lev el of the signal being sent to the CTRL RM OUT and the PHONES output. The level of this signal is represen ted by the LED meters . T he “CTRL RM” in the name of this knob refers to the fact that it controls the signal that typi cally is se nt to the contr[...]

2 A Tour of the MultiMix USB2.0 18 Rear of the Mixer Here’ s what you’ll find at the rear of the mixer . P ow er Inpu t Here’ s wh ere you plug in your mix er’ s external power supply . Y ou should always connect your power supply to the mixer before yo u plug the po wer supply i nto an electrical outlet. P ow er Sup ply Unit This unit prov[...]

3 Digital Effects Processor 19 Onboard you r MultiMi x USB2.0 is a pow erful effects unit that has 100 preset prog rams . W e offer a few tips on where to use these, but don ’t li mit yo urself to our suggestions. W e recommend that you experiment with these effects to g et a goo d feel for how they can improv e your mixe s Effects Section Compon[...]

3 Digital Effects Processor 20 CHORUS These create the effect of multip le voices (or instruments) sounding at onc e from a singl e input. FLANGE These create a sweeping, swoosh ing sound effe ct that you will probably rec ognize. DELA Y These effects are bas ed on a discreet repetition or echo of the input. PITCH These effects transpo se the pitch[...]

4 Traditional Mixing 21 Y o ur MultiMix 8 USB2.0 can be used in a wide variety of ways in both li ve and recording applic ations . Y o u ha ve sev eral options for bringing sound into and out of the board. And when it’ s brought in, you can route it to various parts of the mix er for cer tain desired effects, or ev en send it to an extern al proc[...]

4 Traditional Mixing 22 Simple Two-Channel Recording Setup (without using a computer) Again, connect y o ur instruments and micr ophones to the mono and stereo channels and set the levels appropriately . T o record directly fr om the mix er to a tape dec k or other device , connect the MultiMix 8 USB2.0’ s 2-TRA CK OUT jacks to the IN jacks of th[...]

5 USB2.0 Recording 23 First-time connection and driver installation instructions Wi n d ow s Before attaching your mix er to your computer , in stall the driv ers either from the website or th e software D VD . D uring the installation proce ss, attac h and re-attach y our mix er as prompted by the install program. F or each of the sev eral in stal[...]

5 USB2.0 Recording 24 Installing the optional applications The software DVD that comes with the MultiMix USB2.0 contain s not only the dri vers (the small com puter prog rams that w ork behind the scenes so that your MultiMix works properly with your computer) but also so me powerful m us ic applications . If you don ’t already hav e a Digital Au[...]

USB2.0 Recording 5 25 USB2.0 inputs and outputs Channels sent fr om th e MultiMix t o the comput er The USB2.0 port sends every individual mixer c hannel as well as the MultiMix’ s MAIN OUT/2-TRA CK OUT left and right signals to the computer. T his means that, for th e MultiMix 8 USB2.0, 8 individual channels are sent to the computer alon g with [...]

5 USB2.0 Recording 26 Sound setup under Windows T o use your MultiMix USB2.0 as your default Windows sound device, follow these steps: 1. From the Wi ndows Start menu, c hoose “Control P anel. ” Depending on your Windows preferences , it will app ear similar to one of the tw o pictures be low: 2. Choose “Sounds and A udio Devices”. 3. Click[...]

USB2.0 Recording 5 27 4. Click the “V o ice” tab . Chang e the voice pla yback and voice recording settings to “ Alesis USB Audio .” 5. Click “ Apply” to app ly these changes .[...]

5 USB2.0 Recording 28 Disabling Windows System Sounds Windows Sy stem Sounds—the sounds that Windows pl ays to signal starting up , shutting down, alerts and so for th—can interfere with your au dio recording . W e strongl y suggest that y o u disable these sounds. 1. Click the “Sou nds” tab of “Sounds and Au dio Device s .” 2. Under ?[...]

USB2.0 Recording 5 29 Connections and settings for USB2.0 recording and monitoring The best way to begin using the Mu ltiMix for USB2.0 recording is to set up y our system this w ay: 1. Hook up y o ur monitori ng system to the Multi Mix’ s CTRL RM OUT jacks . 2. Apply the MAST ER section ’ s buttons as follo ws: a. 2 TK TO MIX : Leav e UP . Pre[...]

5 USB2.0 Recording 30 Choosing the MultiMix as your audio device 1. Choose the men u option “Devices” | “De vice Setup…. ” 2. Click the “VST Multitrack” option. This discussion uses Steinberg’s Cubase software, but the principles provided here apply to all ASIO recordin g so f tware.[...]

USB2.0 Recording 5 31 3. From within the ASIO Dr iv er drop-down box, choose the Alesis USB Audio device . 4. Press “OK” to accept this setting . D ifferent ve r s ions of Cubase function similarly, but not exactly, to the exa mples shown here.[...]

5 USB2.0 Recording 32 5. Now that the MultiMix is selected as the audio device, indivi dual c hannels must be activa ted for use . Ag ain, return to the “Devices” menu, and select “VST inputs. ” 6. Click the ac tivation buttons for c hannel pairs that y ou want to use. Note tha t you can re-label the inputs as you wi sh. Some versions of Cu[...]

USB2.0 Recording 5 33 Cr eating a new audio file Now , you’ re ready to create an audio project. 1. Choose “File” | “New Project…” 2. Y ou can begin with a template or an empty file . F or now , begin with an em pty file.[...]

5 USB2.0 Recording 34 3. Cubase needs to know where to place audio. Choose a director y here. 4. Now , you ha ve a blank proj ect. Add an audi o track f or recording by choosing “Project” | “ Add Trac k” | “ Audio .” A n excellent sc heme fo r stor ing y our pr oject s i s to create a di rector y call ed “audio projects.” Then, with[...]

USB2.0 Recording 5 35 5. Be sure that the “ inspector”—a strip on the lef t-hand side of Cubase that sho ws all sor ts of infor mation about the sele cted track—is acti ve. If your view is similar to that shown bel ow , the Ins pector is active . If you do not see all of the infor mation on the left- hand side , the Inspec tor is not activ [...]

5 USB2.0 Recording 36 7. Y ou will do most of y our monito ring through the mixer . Howe ver , if y ou want to monitor with Cubase’ s effects , or if you ju st want to hear what t he computer is hearing, press the direct monitoring button next to the R ecord Enable bu tton. Note that using direct m onitoring causes a small delay as the digital au[...]

USB2.0 Recording 5 37 Working with the Alesis USB2.0 control panel A ccessing the contr ol panel In Window s , open the Alesis USB 2.0 control panel from e ither the All Programs menu or wit h in y our audio application. On the Mac , access this panel fro m the “conf igure devi ce” button of Audio/MIDI Setup . Here, y o u can see your current s[...]

5 USB2.0 Recording 38 Using the MultiMix USB2.0 with Sonar and other WDM applications Choosing the MultiMix as your audio device 1. Choose the men u “Options” | “ Audio…. ” 2. On the “General” tab, select any av ailable Alesis USB Audio channels as the Playbac k and Record timing maste rs. This discussion uses Cakewalk’s Sonar softw[...]

USB2.0 Recording 5 39 3. Click the “ Advanced” tab . For WDM operation, be sure that the “Driv er Mode” is set to “W DM/ KS.” (I f yo u ch an ge th is setting, you will need to exit and then restart Sonar.) F or applications like Sonar that support both WDM and ASIO m ode s, y ou may wa nt to experiment with each to see if either mode o[...]

5 USB2.0 Recording 40 4. Mov e to the “Driv ers” tab . Select each input pair and also on the output pai r to mak e them av ailable to Sonar .[...]

USB2.0 Recording 5 41 Assigning inputs t o audio trac ks Now , you’ re ready to assign the MultiMix’ s inputs to various channels . F or each audio trac k that you w ant to rec ord, clic k on the input section of th e trac k and select the MultiMix channel that you want. Record-enable the tracks to be recorded (first arrow). Y o u will do most [...]

5 USB2.0 Recording 42 Using the MultiMix USB2.0 with CoreAudio on the Macintosh T o co nfigure the MultiMix for use with CoreAudio: 1. Open the Mac’ s “ Audio MIDI Setup” utility . 2. Choose the “ Alesis USB A udio Device” as both inpu t and output device. 3. T o verify that the MultiMix USB 2.0 is connected to your Mac, select the “ Al[...]

6 Troubleshooting: Hardware 43 If you’ re having pro blems operating the MultiMix, this troubleshooting index will help you cor rect them. Sympt oms Cause Solution No sound from the mix er . Mixer is n o t plugged in or turn ed on. Plug in mixer and turn it on. Faders are too low . Raise appropriate faders . Control room level is too low . T ur n[...]

6 Troubleshooting: Hardware 44 Audi o signal car ries an unwanted hum. T oo much l ow-level noise in the mix. Eng age the channel’ s hi gh-pass filter b y pressing the HP F switch . Interference from appliances such as air conditio ners. Eng age the channel’ s hi gh-pass filter b y pressing the HP F switch . Not usin g TRS cables . Ma ke sure y[...]

Troubleshooting: Hardware 6 45 External effects aren’ t wo rk in g. Effect s processor is not plug ged in or tur ned on. Make sure unit is plug ged in and turn ed on. Aux outputs of mixe r aren ’t connec ted to inputs of proces sor or proce ssor’ s outputs aren’ t connected to mixer ’ s inputs (or aux return). Make sure the mixe r’ s au[...]

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7 Troubleshooting: Software 47 Computer or audio application does not see the MultiMix USB2.0 Basic tr oub leshooting First, check that the MultiMix is seen by the computer: Op en the Alesis contro l panel and check that Windows sees the device as attached. No connection If “MultiMix Audio” doe s not appear , Windows doe s not see the mixer as [...]

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8 Specifications 49 F or the mo re technical-minded, here are some detailed specifications fo r the MultiMix’ s operating levels . Input Channels Mic In Sensiti vity Range: -60dBu to –10dBu nomin al, +5dBu maximum Line In Sensiti vity Range: -40dBu to -+10dBu nominal, +25dBu maximum Mic/Line Gain Range: +10 to +60dB Equalization High-P ass Filt[...]

8 Specifications 50 Computer Requirements Minimum PC Require ments: • Pentium 4, 2.4GHz Processor (or equivalen t) • 512 MB RAM • Available USB2.0 Port • Windows XP (with Se rvice Pack 2 or higher i nstalled) Minimum Macintosh Re quirements: • G4 with native USB2 .0 support • Mac OS X version 10.4 or later • 512 MB RAM • 5400 RPM or[...]

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Glossary 53 Here are the definition s to some ter ms you’ll probably en counter while using your MultiMix USB2.0. Te r m Definition ASIO Audio S tream Inpu t/Output. An audio pr otocol deve loped by Stei nberg and used by multiple audio softw are manufactu rers . aux (auxiliar y) An additional set of outputs and inputs found on many mixers . Thes[...]

Glossary 54 rectangular rackmount units . EQ (equalizer) T he part of your mi xer (or ot her devi ce) that ma nipulates an au dio sign al by low ering the level of some frequencies and increasing the levels of others . EQ i s used to f ine-tu n e a signal’ s highs a nd lows . fader A device that allows y o u to control the level of an audio signa[...]

Glossary 55 return A line input whose functi on is to carry back t o the mixer an audio signal that has been sent from the mix er. U s ually used in the app lication of effects . sample rate Digital audio is c hop ped up into tiny time slices . The sample ra te is the number of time slices captured in on e second. 44.1kHz—44,100 samples pe r seco[...]

Contact Information 56 Alesis Contact Infor mation Alesis Distribution, LLC Los Angeles , CA USA E-mail: support@alesis .com W eb site: http://www .alesis . com MultiMix USB2.0 Reference Manual Re vision B by Edwin Erdmann, Br ooks Br uner, a n d F red Morgenster n. Copyright 2005-2007, Alesis Distribution, LLC. All rights reser ved Reproduc tion i[...]