Reference Manual This page intentionally left blank 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Table Of Contents Introduction..........................................................3 Welcome!...................................................................................................... 3 About the MultiMix 8 USB................................................4 MultiMix 8 USB Key Features .................................................................. 4 How to Use This Manual ...................................................5 A Few Words for Beginners..............................................6 Chapter 1: Getting Started ................................7 Hooking up the MultiMix 8 USB .....................................7 Using Proper Cables ..........................................................7 Setting Levels ......................................................................8 Chapter Two: A Tour of the MultiMix .............9 Patchbay...............................................................................9 Mic Inputs (Channels 1 ­ 4)...................................................................... 9 Line Inputs (Channels 1 ­ 4)..................................................................... 9 Line Inputs (Channels 5 ­ 8)..................................................................... 10 PHONE Jack............................................................................................... 10 AUX RETURNS ........................................................................................ 10 AUX SENDS .............................................................................................. 10 2-TRACK..................................................................................................... 10 MAIN MIX OUT....................................................................................... 10 CTRL RM OUT ......................................................................................... 10 Channel Strips ....................................................................11 Level Control............................................................................................... 11 PAN or BAL................................................................................................ 11 PEAK LED................................................................................................. 11 Aux................................................................................................................ 11 EQ................................................................................................................. 12 Master Section.....................................................................12 Main Mix ...................................................................................................... 12 2TK To Mix................................................................................................. 12 HDPH / CTRL RM................................................................................... 12 2TK TO CTRL ROOM Switch ............................................................... 13 AUX RETURN A LEVEL....................................................................... 13 EFFECTS / AUX RET B LEVEL ......................................................... 13 LED Meters................................................................................................. 13 POWER Indicator ...................................................................................... 13 +48V Indicator ........................................................................................... 13 Rear of the Mixer................................................................14 Power Input ................................................................................................. 14 Power Supply Unit...................................................................................... 14 Power On ..................................................................................................... 14 Phantom On................................................................................................ 14 USB port ...................................................................................................... 14 1 Table Of Contents Chapter Three: Digital Effects Processor ...............................................................15 Effects Section Components ............................................15 Program Selection Knob ........................................................................... 15 LED Display................................................................................................ 15 CLIP Indicator ............................................................................................ 15 SIG Indicator .............................................................................................. 15 Effect Descriptions.............................................................15 HALL ........................................................................................................... 15 ROOM ......................................................................................................... 15 PLATE ......................................................................................................... 15 CHAMBER ................................................................................................. 15 CHORUS ..................................................................................................... 16 FLANGE..................................................................................................... 16 DELAY ........................................................................................................ 16 PITCH.......................................................................................................... 16 MULTI & MULTI II.................................................................................. 16 Chapter Four: Applications ...............................17 Simple Recording Setup ...................................................17 Simple Live Setup...............................................................17 Using Additional External Audio Sources ....................17 Digital output to a digital recorder................................17 Using the Multimix USB with a Computer ...................18 Sending and Receiving Audio Data.......................................................... 18 Precautions when using the USB connection......................................... 18 Connection instructions for Windows (XP, 2000, ME, and 98 Second Edition) ............................................................................. 18 Connection instructions for Macintosh (OS X only)............................ 19 Chapter Five: Troubleshooting ........................21 Chapter Six: Specifications ...............................25 Chapter Seven: Block Diagram ........................27 Glossary .................................................................29 Warranty/Contact Alesis.....................................31 Alesis Limited Warranty............................................................................. 31 Alesis Contact Information....................................................................... 32 2 Introduction Welcome! Thank you for making the Alesis MultiMix 8 USB a part of your studio. Since 1984, we've been designing and building creative tools for the audio community. We believe in our products, because we've heard the results that creative people like you have achieved with them. One of Alesis' goals is to make high-quality studio equipment available to everyone, and this Reference Manual is an important part of that. After all, there's no point in making equipment with all kinds of capabilities if no one explains how to use them. So, we try to write our manuals as carefully as we build our products. The goal of this manual is to get you the information you need as quickly as possible, with a minimum of hassle. We hope we've achieved that. If not, please drop us an email and give us your suggestions on how we could improve future editions of this manual. We hope your investment will bring you many years of creative enjoyment and help you achieve your musical goals. Sincerely, The people of Alesis For more effective service and product update notices, please register your MultiMix 8 USB online at: http://www.alesis.com/ support/warranty.htm 3 Introduction About the MultiMix 8 USB The MultiMix USB mixers are the latest in the large family of Alesis audio mixers. We've come a long way since the 1622 mixer we first built in 1989. Since that time audio technology has grown in leaps and bounds, pushing up quality and driving down prices. Only a few years ago, you wouldn't have been able to buy a mixer this powerful for such an affordable price. Just take a look at the key features listed below, and you'll see that you have just made an incredible addition to your home studio or live setup. The MultiMix 8 USB gives you just about everything you need to create polished, professional-sounding mixes When designing this unit, our goal was to give you as much control over your mixes as possible without requiring a wealth of extra equipment. That's why we added tools like the digital effects processor and the mic preamps. And with a multitude of ways in which to connect other equipment and instruments, the MultiMix 8 USB offers endless possibilities. MultiMix 8 USB Key Features 4 microphone/line inputs with up to 50dB of preamp gain ­ gives a boost to microphones and instruments with weak levels. 2 stereo line inputs ­ great for line-level instruments Internal digital effects processor with 100 preset effects and an easy-to-read display ­ includes a variety of reverbs, delays, choruses, flanges, a pitch transposer and combinations of these. 3-band EQ per channel ­ a potent tool for sonically shaping each channel to get that perfect mix. 1 pre-fader aux send per channel ­ gives you control over the level of the pre-fader signal being routed to an external device. 1 post-fader aux send/effects send per channel ­ a control for the signal being routed to another external device or to the onboard effects processor. Control room output level ­ provides control over the separate control room output 2-track send and return ­ lets you mix your audio to tape or other media and to add a tape deck or CD player to the mix. Stereo USB input and output ­ routes the main ouput and the 2-track return through the USB port in crystalclean, 16-bit, 44.1 kHz stereo digital audio. Use the Multimix USB as a high-quality soundcard for recording and playback with Windows and Macintosh computers. External power supply 4 Introduction How to Use This Manual This manual is divided into the following sections describing the various functions and applications for the MultiMix 8 USB. While it's a good idea to read through the entire manual once carefully, those having general knowledge about mixing should use the table of contents to look up specific functions. Chapter 1: Getting Started shows you how to include the MultiMix 8 USB in your audio setup for recording and live applications. We've included a hookup diagram, guidelines for which cables to use and the vital steps you must take to set levels properly. Chapter 2: A Tour of the MultiMix describes the MultiMix 8 USB piece by piece. This chapter also features diagrams of the mixer to help you find each component as you read about it. Chapter 3: Digital Effects Processor explains the effects provided by the on-board digital effects processor. If you want to know what a certain effect will do to your sound before you select it, this is where you should look. Chapter 4: Applications outlines a number of scenarios in which you can use the MultiMix 8 USB, including some tips on what goes where when you're hooking everything up. Chapter 5: Troubleshooting can give you a hand if you're experiencing problems with your mixer. You'll find that most issues can be resolved simply and quickly with the push of a button. Chapter 6: Specifications and Chapter 7: Block Diagram are full of technical information for the more advanced users. And at the end of this manual you'll see a glossary of common mixing-related terms and a page about the MultiMix 8 USB's warranty. Helpful tips and advice are highlighted in a shaded box like this. When something important appears in the manual, an exclamation mark (like the one shown at left) will appear with some explanatory text. This symbol indicates that this information is vital when operating the MultiMix 8 USB. 5 Introduction A Few Words for Beginners We realize that some of you who have purchased the MultiMix 8 USB are fairly new to the art of mixing, and we've written this manual with that in mind. We also designed the Mul ...