Mackie D8B manual

D8B Manual • Chapter 4 • page 87 Chapter 4 Applications[...]

D8B Manual • Chapter 4 • page 88 Set ting Up f or a Session This section of the Digital 8•Bus Owner’ s Manual provides very application-specific descrip- tions of some common usages. Follow the check- list format to help ensure everything is set just right for your configuration. As your skills and knowledge increase, try new techniques. Bu[...]

D8B Manual • Chapter 4 • page 89 • It’ s a good idea to keep a snapshot of each working configuration as a starting point: tracking, overdubs, symphony , grunge band, etc. ❏ Connect all mics and instruments • Be sure all channel faders are down. • T urn Master Fader down. • T urn Speaker level down. ❏ Set up sample clock • V eri[...]

D8B Manual • Chapter 4 • page 90 Setup W indow settings are automatically stored and are recalled in subsequent boot ups. ❏ General • Mouse Speed • Display Intensity • Date and T ime • Smart Save selection • Appearance style ❏ Mackie Digital Systems (MDS) Network • Network Channel • Mixer Name • Alt I/O 1–8 assignments •[...]

D8B Manual • Chapter 4 • page 91 Installation and C onnection of Optional I/ O and Effects Car ds The Input/Output cards are an essential part of the D8B multitrack system. These cards provided up to 24 tape outputs and inputs for use with any common analog and digital formats. Since the I/O cards are optional and interchange- able, you probabl[...]

D8B Manual • Chapter 4 • page 92 FX Card Installation FX Card Cover Plate Removal Installation of FX Car ds IMPORT ANT : Shut off power to the Digital 8•Bus’ Remote CPU before installing or removing cards. Also, install your FX cards in order . For example, put your first FX card in the slot marked “A,” your second FX card in slot “B,[...]

D8B Manual • Chapter 4 • page 93 Installation of I/ O Car ds IMPORT ANT : Shut off power to the Digital 8•Bus’ Remote CPU before installing or removing cards. 1. Using a #2 Philips screwdriver , unscrew the blank cover plate corresponding to the I/O card slot you want to fill. 2. Holding the I/O card so that the components on the green circ[...]

D8B Manual • Chapter 4 • page 94 Checklist for Basic Oper ational F unctionality Basic system functionality depends greatly on the accurate selection of a few key items. W ork through this checklist to verify console settings. The previous chapters provide an explanation of each item. This checklist simply provides a mental road map to verify p[...]

D8B Manual • Chapter 4 • page 95 Connecting T ASCAM (TDIF) Multitr ack(s) ❏ Install DIO•8 car d into one or more of the D8B T APE card slots. ❏ Using a 25-pin D-sub digital cable (TDIF), connect the D8B Digital I/ O connect or to the T ASCAM MDM ( e.g., DA -88) Digital I/ O connector . ❏ Install BNC clock cable and make sur e all connec[...]

D8B Manual • Chapter 4 • page 96 Multitr ack Recor ding Multitrack recording involves a continuous assessment of signal flow . If you follow a well- planned thought process from the beginning of the signal path to the end, you’ll succeed in each audio task. When multitrack recording using the D8B, it’ s helpful to visualize the basic signal[...]

D8B Manual • Chapter 4 • page 97 ❏ Once e ach channel is verified and audible, pr ess channel mute. 21 45 22 46 23 47 10 dB 30 20 10 40 5 5 U 60 50 10 dB 30 20 10 40 5 5 U 60 50 10 dB 30 20 10 40 5 5 U 60 50 RET 5 BUS 5 RET 6 BUS 6 RET 7 BUS 7 SELECT MUTE SOLO SELECT MUTE SOLO SELECT MUTE SOLO ❏ Set Master F ader to Unity position. MASTER L[...]

D8B Manual • Chapter 4 • page 98 ❏ Assign MIC/LINE bank channels to desir ed tape tracks. ❏ Place tape inputs in r ecor d/ r eady to v erify signal at machine. It’ s typically best to monitor signal from the multitrack rather than from the channel input. Modular Digital Multitrack Record Ready Buttons ❏ If levels on the multitr ack appe[...]

D8B Manual • Chapter 4 • page 99 ❏ Adjust headphone monitor v olume in the PHONES/ CUE MIX section. CONTROL ROOM COPY MIX TO CUE AUX 9-10 AU X 11-12 CONTROL ROOM COPY MIX TO CUE AUX 9-10 AUX 11-12 LEVEL LEVE L PHONES/C U E M IX 1 PHONES/C U E M IX 2 ❏ Adjust channel aux lev els to onboar d or outboard effects fr om Fader Bank 2 (T APE IN). [...]

D8B Manual • Chapter 4 • page 100 Sample T r acking Setup This diagram shows a typical hookup for tracking. Four microphones are connected to channels 1–4 for vocals. T wo of them are condenser mics, which require phantom power , so the +48V PH switch is pushed in on those channels. A vocal enhancer is connected to the channel 1 INSER T jack [...]

D8B Manual • Chapter 4 • page 101 V ocal Enhancer LINE IN INSERT AUX 2 2 LINE IN INSERT AUX 3 3 LINE IN INSERT AUX 4 4 LINE IN INSERT AUX 5 5 LINE IN INSERT AUX 6 6 LINE IN INSERT AUX 7 7 LINE IN INSERT AUX 8 8 LINE IN INSERT AUX 9 9 LINE IN INSERT AUX 10 10 LINE IN INSERT AUX 11 11 LINE IN INSERT AUX 12 12 LINE IN MASTER OUT CR MAIN CR NEAR FI[...]

D8B Manual • Chapter 4 • page 102 Mixdo wn Setup This simple checklist will help get the mix started. Notice that, each time, we follow the signal path from its source to its destination. ❏ Be sure the multitr ack r ecor der is connected properly to the T ape In car d(s). ❏ Roll tape to verify signal a t T APE IN Fader Bank. ❏ If any trac[...]

D8B Manual • Chapter 4 • page 103 Sample Mixdo wn Setup This sample mixdown setup helps provide ideas for how your mixdown setup might look. Each setup is unique in many ways, yet predictable in many ways. Digital 8•Bus Analog Recor ding/ Mixdo wn Hookup Example LINE IN INSERT AUX 2 2 LINE IN INSERT AUX 3 3 LINE IN INSERT AUX 4 4 LINE IN INSE[...]

D8B Manual • Chapter 4 • page 104 Effects/Plug-ins MFX/UFX Before we look at more setup examples, lets cover some quick tips on efficient use of the Digital 8•Bus plug- ins. Follow these easy steps to use the Digital 8•Bus internal plug-ins. 1. Open the Plugin Configuration window (click Plugins in the upper menu bar and select Plugins, or [...]

D8B Manual • Chapter 4 • page 105 6. Use the channel V -Pots to set individual channel send to the selected aux bus. Note: Alternately , you can click and drag on the horizontal bar in the auxes section at the top of the channel strip to adjust the aux send level. 7. Click and drag on the Master V -Pot to adjust the overall aux send level to th[...]

D8B Manual • Chapter 4 • page 106 Dynamics and EQ Applications Dynamics and equalization are typically applied in one of three ways: 1. Proc essing Dynamics and EQ Befor e T ape • Select Fader Bank 1 (MIC/LINE). • Double-click SELECT on the desired channel to open the on-screen Fat Channel. • Set compression, EQ, or gate. Since Fader Bank[...]

D8B Manual • Chapter 4 • page 107 MIDI and the D8B MIDI Basics Y our Digital 8•Bus works very well when incorporated in a MIDI network, utilizing a computer referenced to time code. Be sure to connect the D8B MIDI jacks to your MIDI interface. W ithin your computer -based MIDI sequencer , set the MIDI channel connected to the D8B to transmit [...]

D8B Manual • Chapter 4 • page 108 MIDI Snapshots Once you’ve developed several snapshots for a mix, they can be recorded into a sequencer for consistent playback. This feature is set in the Mix Options window , under Setup in the lower menu bar . When enabled: 1) Incoming MIDI program changes (received on any MIDI channel) can recall Snapshot[...]

D8B Manual • Chapter 4 • page 109 Pr oper Sync Connection Every digital system needs a master sync source. The D8B prefers to be the master source but will function as a master or slave. Follow these simple steps to help assure a successful digital setup: • Determine which piece of gear is the master . The master must be able to generate prop[...]

D8B Manual • Chapter 4 • page 110 V erifying Wor d Clock Sync Between Devices and the Digital 8•Bus • When the D8B is set to “Internal” in the Apogee Clock pop-up window , it generates word clock as a master device. All other devices must be connected as slaves. • If the D8B is slaved properly to a master word clock source, “Locked.[...]

D8B Manual • Chapter 4 • page 111 Dither - T o UV22 or Not t o UV22 : Tha t Is the Question Digital audio’ s weakness is its ability to accurately reproduce extremely low-level signals. As the amplitude decreases, there are fewer and fewer bits available to accurately represent the audio wave. In an analog system the audio simply sinks into t[...]

D8B Manual • Chapter 4 • page 112 This example describes the hookup for the D8B c onsole equipped for analog I/ O . D8B–HDR24/96 Setup Hookups This section shows how the D8B is connected to the Mackie HDR24/96. These examples assume that the rest of your studio equipment (monitors, sound sources, outboard processing, etc.) is already connecte[...]

D8B Manual • Chapter 4 • page 113 TDIF Hookup to HDR24/ 96 (DIO•8) Cables & Hardw are (3) DIO • 8 cards for HDR24/96 (3) DIO • 8 cards for D8B (1) Clock I/O card for D8B (3) TDIF cables (1) 75 Ω BNC word clock cable Hookup 1. Connect the three TDIF cables between the corresponding TDIF jacks on the HDR24/96 and D8B. 2. When TDIF is [...]

D8B Manual • Chapter 4 • page 114 Console Settings 1. Set the T ape Input and T ape Output format for each DIO•8 card to TDIF . 2. If the D8B is the clock master , set the Sample Rate to either 44.1kHz or 48kHz , and set the Apogee Clock to Internal (in the Digital I/O Setup window). If it is a clock slave, set the Apogee Clock to W ord Clock[...]

D8B Manual • Chapter 4 • page 115 Console Settings 1. If you have DIO • 8 cards installed, set the T ape Input and T ape Output format for each card to ADA T . OPT • 8 cards need no configuration. 2. If the D8B is the clock master , set the Sample Rate to either 44.1kHz or 48kHz , and set the Apogee Clock to Internal (in the Digital I/O Set[...]

D8B Manual • Chapter 4 • page 116 AES/EBU Hookup to HDR24/ 96 (PDI•8) Cables & Hardw ar e (3) PDI•8 cards for HDR24/96 (3) PDI•8 cards for D8B (1) Clock I/O card for D8B (3) DB25 to DB25 AES/EBU snakes (1) 75 Ω BNC word clock cable Hookup 1. Connect the three AES/EBU cables between the corresponding AES/EBU connectors on the HDR24/9[...]

D8B Manual • Chapter 4 • page 117 Using the Digital 8•Bus with AD A T s This is a simple setup. It works well and is easy to configure. However , it has some limitations. W ithout a MTC sync source there’ s no way for the Digital 8•Bus to time-reference snapshot or dynamic automation. As long as automation isn’ t a consideration, this s[...]

D8B Manual • Chapter 4 • page 118 Connecting the Digital 8•Bus to a BR C and AD A T s The inclusion of a BRC controller or , for that matter , any other sync controller box with word clock and MTC, vastly increases the capabilities of the Digital 8•Bus. W ith centralized controls, common sync reference, and MIDI T ime Code communication est[...]

D8B Manual • Chapter 4 • page 119 INPUT OUTPUT INPUT OUTPUT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 LOCATE/PLAY LRC REMOTE PUNCH IN/OUT DIGITAL IN OUT SYNC IN OUT INPUT OUTPUT INPUT OUTPUT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 LOCATE/PLAY LRC REMOTE PUNCH IN/OUT DIGITAL IN OUT SYNC IN OUT INPUT OUTPUT INPUT OUTPUT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 LOCATE/PLAY LRC REMOTE PUNCH IN/OUT DIGITAL IN OUT SYNC IN O[...]

D8B Manual • Chapter 4 • page 120 Connecting the Digital 8•Bus to AD A T s Using an External Sync Bo x Cabling and Hookup 1. Connect a fiber optic cable between the ADA T’ s lightpipe output and the D8B’ s lightpipe input. Likewise, connect the D8B’ s lightpipe output to the ADA T’ s lightpipe input. (A DIO•8 or OPT•8 lightpipe ca[...]

D8B Manual • Chapter 4 • page 121 Connecting the D8B to AD A T s Using an External Sync Bo x INPUT OUTPUT INPUT OUTPUT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 LOCATE/PLAY LRC REMOTE PUNCH IN/OUT DIGITAL IN OUT SYNC IN OUT INPUT OUTPUT INPUT OUTPUT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 LOCATE/PLAY LRC REMOTE PUNCH IN/OUT DIGITAL IN OUT SYNC IN OUT INPUT OUTPUT INPUT OUTPUT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 L[...]

D8B Manual • Chapter 4 • page 122 Connecting the D8B to T ASCAM MDMs Cabling and Hookup 1 . Connect the digital cables between the T ASCAM tape decks and the DIO•8 cards in the Digital 8•Bus. Note: Y ou must use the special dubbing cables provided by T ASCAM, part number PW -88D (1 meter) or PW -88DL (5 meters). These cables are reverse wir[...]

D8B Manual • Chapter 4 • page 123 IN OUT REMOTE IN/SYNC IN (FROM RC-848/DA-88) SYNC OUT (TO DA-88) METER UNIT DIGITAL I/0 TDIF-1 REMOTE IN MACHINE ID (FROM RC-808) REMOTE PUNCHIN/OUT WORD SYNC DSP SYS DSP SYNC SYS IN OUT REMOTE IN/SYNC IN (FROM RC-848/DA-88) SYNC OUT (TO DA-88) METER UNIT DIGITAL I/0 TDIF-1 REMOTE IN MACHINE ID (FROM RC-808) RE[...]

D8B Manual • Chapter 4 • page 124 Digital Audio W orksta tion Setup Connecting the Digital 8•Bus to a Digital Audio W orkstation (Digital Performer , Studio V ision Pro, Cakewalk Pro, etc.) shares considerations with the ADA T and T ASCAM hookups. W ord clock synchro- nization must be addressed; the master and slaves must be established; the [...]

D8B Manual • Chapter 4 • page 125 MIDI Interfac e TALKBACK PHONES 2 19 13 PUNCH I/O PHONES 1 20 14 21 15 22 16 2 TRACK IN A 23 17 24 18 MASTER OUT 2 TRACK IN B STUDIO OUT 2 TRACK IN C MASTER OUT LR L R CR MAIN BUS OUT 1-8 & SURROUND OUT CR NEAR FIELD LINE INPUT S (BAL /UNBAL ) LR LR LR LR LR LR MACKIE DESIGNS THIS DEVICE COMPLIES WITH PART [...]

D8B Manual • Chapter 4 • page 126 Liv e Sound/Live Rec or ding Setup In a live sound/recording application the console fader banks are chained together to form one large console. W ith the addition of up to 24 more mic preamplifiers, the tape inputs can be used to receive signal from any mic-level or line- level source. The setups for live conc[...]

D8B Manual • Chapter 4 • page 127 LINE IN INSERT AUX 2 2 LINE IN INSERT AUX 3 3 LINE IN INSERT AUX 4 4 LINE IN INSERT AUX 5 5 LINE IN INSERT AUX 6 6 LINE IN INSERT AUX 7 7 LINE IN INSERT AUX 8 8 LINE IN INSERT AUX 9 9 LINE IN INSERT AUX 10 10 LINE IN INSERT AUX 11 11 LINE IN INSERT AUX 12 12 LINE IN ANALOG I/O MASTER OUT CR MAIN CR NEAR FIELD 2[...]

D8B Manual • Chapter 4 • page 128 P ost-Pr oduction Setup The Digital 8•Bus is an amazing tool, no matter what the setup. However , the more com- plex the setup, the more amazing the D8B be- comes. Post-production provides potential for any tracks, effects, snapshots, automation moves, and general madness mayhem. Most post-production faciliti[...]

D8B Manual • Chapter 4 • page 129 Using Basic Automa tion Wha t T ype of Data Can Be Automat ed V irtually all of the D8B channel parameters are available for automation. However , there are a few exceptions—some obvious and some not so obvious. All D8B channel parameters can be automated except: • Analog T rims on channels 1–12 • T ape[...]

D8B Manual • Chapter 4 • page 130 Sav e Snapshot F or Safety As you build the mix, save snapshots as soon as the music begins to reveal itself. Label the snapshots for your own reference. Sometimes these basic mixes, which are derived from your initial “gut” reaction to the music, are the most powerful. Basic dynamic automation does not req[...]

D8B Manual • Chapter 4 • page 131 Mov e a channel fader • As soon as the fader moves, the WRITE button illuminates, indicating automation data is being recorded. Exit Recor d and Rewind t o Beginning of T r ack • Stop playback or press the WRITE button on the active channels to exit automation record mode. Rewind playback/Record device to t[...]

D8B Manual • Chapter 4 • page 132 ❏ Exit AUT O TOUCH and/ or TRIM LEVELS Mode ❏ Exit Write Ready mode in the Options>Automa tion Menu ❏ Start Playback/Rec ord Device and Verify MTC ❏ Press the W rite Button(s) on the Desir ed Channels ❏ Adjust Automation P ar ameters on the WRITE- Enabled Channels ❏ Exit Rec ord and Rewind to Beg[...]