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Alesis 16 manual

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Table of contents for the manual

  • Page 1

    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 .....[...]

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    Table Of Contents 2 P ower Input ................................................................................................. 20 P ower Supply Unit ...................................................................................... 20 P ower On .................................................................................................[...]

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    Table Of Contents 3 Accessing the control panel....................................................................... 39 Using the MultiMix USB2.0 with Sonar and other WDM appl ications ................................................... 40 Choosing the MultiMix as y our audio device ......................................... 40 Assigning inputs to[...]

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    Table Of Contents 4[...]

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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[...]

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    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 four th series that includes co mputer 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 [...]

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    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 . [...]

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    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[...]

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    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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    Introduction 10 This pag e intentionally left blank.[...]

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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 25 for details. Hooking up the MultiMix USB2.0 This diag ram will help you get the MultiMix USB2[...]

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    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[...]

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    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[...]

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    2 A Tour of the MultiMix USB2.0 14 Line Inputs (Channels 9 – 16) Unlike channels 1 – 8, the line inpu ts on channels 9 – 16 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 9 – 16 don’ t hav e the extra gain found on c h a[...]

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    A Tour of the MultiMix USB2.0 2 15 CTRL RM OUT Y o u can use these 1/4" jacks to send the co ntrol room signal to the input of the amplifier dri v ing y o ur monit ors or headphone s. 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 c[...]

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    2 A Tour of the MultiMix USB2.0 16 the relati ve balance of the left and right channel sig nals being sent to the left and right main mix buse s. Au x Here y ou’ll find knob s that control the levels of aux sends A and B . A UX A is either pre -fader or post-fader, depend ing on the position of the PRE / POST switc h . When the switch is in the r[...]

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    A Tour of the MultiMix USB2.0 2 17 MAIN MIX OUT and the 2-TRA CK OUT . In its low est pos ition the signal is cut off co mpletely , and in the upper most pos ition you get an additional 10dB of g ain. In the 0 position the fader is at unity gain . Alt 3/4 F ader This fader controls the output of the Alt 3/4 bus . 2TK T o Mix When you pres s this sw[...]

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    2 A Tour of the MultiMix USB2.0 18 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 switches to the right of the HDPH / CTRL RM kno b determ ine the source of the control room mix as explai ned below . Y ou [...]

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    A Tour of the MultiMix USB2.0 2 19 LED Met ers These are th e tw o rows of yellow , green and red lights you see in the master section o f the mixer . Th ey are v er y ve rsatile, allowing you to view the signal level of the main mix, individual channels (both pre- and post-fader) and aux returns depending on whic h signal you hav e routed to the c[...]

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    2 A Tour of the MultiMix USB2.0 20 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[...]

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    3 Digital Effects Processor 21 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 m it y ourself to our sug gestions . 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 Com[...]

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    3 Digital Effects Processor 22 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[...]

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    4 Traditional Mixing 23 Simple Live Setup Connect y o ur ins tr uments and microphones to the mo no and stereo channels, making sure to properly set the lev el o f each channel . Y o u can select one on-board effect and cont rol its level with the A UX B knob for eac h channel. Y ou can also use an exter nal effects processo r by sending a signal t[...]

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    5 Traditional Mixing 24 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’ s 2-TRACK OUT jac ks to the IN jacks of the recorde[...]

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    5 USB2.0 Recording 25 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[...]

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    5 USB2.0 Recording 26 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[...]

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    USB2.0 Recording 5 27 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 16 USB2.0, 16 individual channels are sent to the computer alon g wit[...]

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    5 USB2.0 Recording 28 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[...]

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    USB2.0 Recording 5 29 4. Click the “V o ice” tab . Chang e the voice pla yback and voice recording settings to “ Alesis USB Au dio .” 5. Click “ Apply” to apply th ese changes .[...]

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    5 USB2.0 Recording 30 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 ?[...]

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    USB2.0 Recording 5 31 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[...]

  • Page 34

    5 USB2.0 Recording 32 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.[...]

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    USB2.0 Recording 5 33 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 versions of Cubase function similarly, but not exactly, to the exa mples shown here.[...]

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    5 USB2.0 Recording 34 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. Some versions of Cubase do not allow all inputs to be us ed simultaneous[...]

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    USB2.0 Recording 5 35 Cr eating a new audio file Now , you’ re ready to create an audio p roject. 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.[...]

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    5 USB2.0 Recording 36 3. Cubase needs to know where to place audio. Choose a director y here. 4. Now , you ha ve a blank pr oject. Add an audio track for 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, within[...]

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    USB2.0 Recording 5 37 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 Inspector is active . If you do not see all of the infor mation on the left- hand side , the Inspec tor is not activ e[...]

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    5 USB2.0 Recording 38 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[...]

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    USB2.0 Recording 5 39 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[...]

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    5 USB2.0 Recording 40 Using the MultiMix USB2.0 with Sonar and other WDM applications Choosing the MultiMix as your audio device 1. Choose the men u “Options” | “ Audi o…. ” 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 soft[...]

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    USB2.0 Recording 5 41 3. Click the “ Advanced” tab . F o r 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[...]

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    5 USB2.0 Recording 42 4. Mov e to the “Driv ers” tab . Click on each i nput pair and also on the outpu t pair to make the m av ailable to Sonar .[...]

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    USB2.0 Recording 5 43 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 [...]

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    5 USB2.0 Recording 44 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 inp ut and output device. 3. T o verify that the MultiMix USB 2.0 is connected to your Mac, select the “ Al[...]

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    6 Troubleshooting: non-USB2.0 45 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[...]

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    6 Troubleshooting: non-USB2.0 46 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 using TRS cab les . Ma ke sure[...]

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    Troubleshooting: non-USB2.0 6 47 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 [...]

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    7 Troubleshooting: USB2.0 49 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 be[...]

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    7 Troubleshooting: USB2.0 50 This pag e intentionally left blank.[...]

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    8 Specifications 51 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[...]

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    8 Specifications 52 Mechanicals (W x L x H) MultiMix 12 USB2.0: 13.0” x 13.4” x 3.2” / 331mm x 340mm x 80mm, 7.0lbs / 3.2kg MultiMix 16 USB2.0: 13.0” x 15.2” x 3.2” / 331mm x 386mm x 80mm, 9.7lbs / 4.4kg Computer Requirements: Minimum PC Require ments: • Pentium 4, 2.4 GHz Processor (or equival ent, such as any Intel Centrino notebook[...]

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    9 Block Diagrams 53[...]

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    9 Block Diagrams 54[...]

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    Glossary 55 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[...]

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    56 rectangular rackmount units . EQ (equali zer) T he part of your mixe r (or other devi ce) that ma nipulates an audi o signal 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 signal by slidi[...]

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    Glossary 57 effects . sample rate Digital audi o is chopped up into tiny ti me slices . The sample rate is the number of time slices captured in on e second. 44.1kHz—44,100 samples pe r second—is the standard used for C ompact Disk audi o. 48kHz—48,000 samples per second, is commonly used for film and video . send A line output whose function[...]

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    58 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 1.0 by Edwin Erdman n, Brooks Bruner, and F red Morgenster n. Copyright 2005-2007, Alesis Distribution, LLC. All rights reser ved Reproduc tion in whole or in part is [...]