Owner's Manual Model Eight Channel Digital Mixer with DSP Effects Introduction Thank you very much for purchasing the Fostex VM88. Please read the following to get the most satisfaction from your purchase, and to learn important information about safety precautions when using Fostex products. The VM88 digital mixer does all internal signal processing digitally. The input features 8 analog channels, of which 4 channels (XLR or PHONE) are for microphones; digital inputs (S/P DIF or ADAT) via optical connection are provided. For outputs, an optical digital output (S/P DIF or ADAT) in addition to stereo out (balanced/unbalanced), headphone out, AUX send/out and monitor outs in analog are also provided. An insert function is featured in channels 1 - 4 for more flexibility during mixing. In addition to each input channel, an three band EQ is also provided for the master output. The VM88 also incorporates high performance DSP multi-effects on two channels that operate by A.S.P. (Fostex Advanced Signal Processing Technology*) exclusively developed by Fostex. This allows a wide range of equalizing and effects processing. All settings, including mix and effects settings, are stored in scene memory, and a desired scene memory can be recalled instantaneously. Although small and lightweight, the VM88 is a high performance unit. Please read this manual carefully before operation to understand all functions of the VM88. * See page 24 for more details on the A.S.P. (Fostex Advanced Signal Processing Technology). Model VM88 Owner's Manual CAUTION: TO PREVENT ELECTRIC SHOCK, MATCH WIDE BLADE OF PLUG TO WIDE SLOT, FULLY INSERT. CAUTION RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT OPEN ATTENTION: POUR EVITER LES CHOCS ELECTRIQUES, CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK). NO USER - SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL. The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol, within an equilateral triangle, is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated "dangerous voltage" within the product's enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons. The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the appliance. INTRODUIRE LA LAME LA PLUS LARGE DE LA FICHE DANS LA BORNE CORRESPONDANTE DE LA PRISE ET POUSSER JUSQU' AU FOND. "WARNING" "TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS APPLIANCE TO RAIN OR MOISTURE." SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS 1. Read Instructions - All the safety and operating instructions should be read before the appliance is operated. 2. Retain Instructions - The safety and operating instructions should be retained for future reference. 3. Heed Warnings - All warnings on the appliance and in the operating instructions should be adhered to. 4. Follow Instructions - All operating and use instructions should be followed. 5. Water and Moisture - The appliance should not be used near water - for example, near a bathtub, washbowl, kitchen sink, laundry tub, in a wet basement, or near a swimming pool, and the like. 6. Carts and Stands - The appliance should be used only with a cart or stand that is recommended by the manufacturer. 12. Power Cord Protection - Power supply cords should be routed so that they are not likely to be walked on or pinched by items placed upon or against them, paying particular attention to cords at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the appliance. Cleaning - The appliance should be cleaned only as recommended by the manufacturer. Nonuse Periods - The power cord of the appliance should be unplugged from the outlet when left unused for a long period of time. Object and Liquid Entry - Care should be taken so that objects do not fall and liquids are not spilled into the enclosure through openings. Damage Requiring Service - The appliance should be serviced by qualified service personnel when: A. The power supply cord or the plug has been damaged; or B. Objects have fallen, or liquid has been spilled into the appliance; or C. The appliance has been exposed to rain; or D. The appliance does not appear to operate normally or exhibits a marked change in performance; or E. The appliance has been dropped, or the enclosure damaged. Servicing - The user should not attempt to service the appliance beyond that described in the operating instructions. All other servicing should be referred to qualified service personnel. 13. 14. 15. 16. An appliance and cart combination should be moved with care. Quick stops, excessive force, and uneven surfaces may cause the appliance and cart combination to overturn. 7. Wall or Ceiling Mounting - The appliance should be mounted to a wall or ceiling only as recommended by the manufacturer. 8. Ventilation - The appliance should be situated so that its location or position dose not interfere with its proper ventilation. For example, the appliance should not be situated on a bed, sofa, rug, or similar surface that may block the ventilation openings; or, placed in a built-in installation, such as a bookcase or cabinet that may impede the flow of air through the ventilation openings. 9. Heat - The appliance should be situated away from heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other appliances (including amplifiers) that produce heat. 10. Power Sources - The appliance should be connected to a power supply only of the type described in the operating instructions or as marked on the appliance. 11. Grounding or Polarization - The precautions that should be taken so that the grounding or polarization means of an appliance is not defeated. 17. < IMPORTANT! > Equipment name, electrical ratings, serial number and other information for the VM88, are written on bottom side. 2 Model VM88 Owner's Manual Table of Contents Precautions............................................2 Names and Functions...........................4 Top panel section...........................................4 Rear panel section..........................................7 Setup of input mode for INPUT 5/6..............35 Setup of input mode for INPUT 7/8..............36 Setup of the fader fix mode............................36 Setup of the channel fader recall mode........36 Setup of the master fader recall mode..........36 Setup of the foot switch function..................37 Voltage check of the internal battery...........37 Block Diagram........................................7 Before Operation...................................8 Remove the insulation paper.......................8 Reset of VM88.................................................8 Internal battery for the memory back up...8 The Options..........................................38 Specifications......................................39 Precautions (please read before use) Power Supply * When unplugging the power cable the outlet, be sure to grasp the adaptor. Attempting to unplug it by pulling on the AC cable may damage the wiring. * It is dangerous to use any power cable that is cut or frayed. If the power cable is damaged, immediately stop using it, and have it repaired. * Do not plug in or unplug the power cable with wet hands. Doing so may result in dangerous electric shock. * Do not open the unit or touch any parts inside. Doing so may result in a dangerous electric shock, and could damage the unit. * Do not let water or other liquids, flammable materials, or metal objects such as pins get in side the unit. These things may cause electric shock or short circuit the VM88, and damage it. If the VM88 should become wet, unplug the power cable from the AC outlet, and contact your authorized service station. Peripheral Equipment Connection.....9 Application Examples........................12 Initial State of the VM88.......................14 Normal Mix Mode.................................15 Muting the input/master channels..........16 On and off of the stereo output L, R..........16 Select of the monitor signals......................17 Input/output of an digital signals.............18 Channel Parameter Edit Mode..........20 Setup method for PAN setting....................20 EQ setup method..........................................21 Setup method of the effect send level.......21 Setup method of the aux send level..........22 PRE/POST setup method............................23 Effect Edit Mode...................................24 About the effect types.................................25 Selecting the effect type..............................26 Effect parameter settings............................27 Muting an effect...........................................27 Effect parameter details..............................28 Scene Memory Mode..........................30 Storing a scene memory.............................30 Recalling a scene memory..........................30 Level adjust..................................................31 Fader adjust.................................................31 Directly recalling a scene memory...........32 Clearing a scene memory...........................32 Location Avoid using the VM88 in the following locations: * Locations of extreme low or high temperatures, or extreme changes in temperature. * Locations with excessive moisture or dust. * Locations where direct sunlight falls for an extended time, or near a stove or other source of heat. * Locations where electrical voltage varies. * Unstable locations or where there is heavy vibration. * Near strong magnetic fields (on top of a television or speaker). Setup Mode..........................................33 Making settings in setup mode..................33 Details of the setup menu...........................34 Setup of the SYSTEM CLOCK..........................34 Setup of DIGITAL IN........................................34 Setup of DIGITAL OUT....................................35 Setup of phantom power ON/OFF.................35 Setup of peak hold time..................................35 3 Model VM88 Owner's Manual Names and Functions Top panel section 1. Input connector External sound sources are input here. MIC 1 - 4 are for Canon connectors (XLR-3-31; pin 2=hot), which comply to mic/line signals. The input gain can be trimmed within a range of -50dBu ~ 10dBu. Because phantom power is available at these connectors, condenser mics can also be connected. LINE 1 ~ 4 are TRS phone jacks exclusively for line inputs and each input gain can be trimmed the same as with MIC 1 ~ 4, within a range of -30dBu ~ +10dBu. For details, please refer to "Connecting peripheral equipment" on page 9. 2. AUX send jack AUX SEND level signal adjusted in the channel parameter edit mode is output here. For details on adjusting the output signals, refer to "Channel parameter edit mode" on page 20. 3. Stereo out connector The mixed signal to be input to an MTR or other mixer is output from this connector. Connectors for balanced output (XLR-3-32 type) and unbalanced output (phone) are provided and the output level can be adjusted by the MASTER fader. The output signal can be switched on/off by the ST OUT ON/ OFF switch. 4 Model VM88 Owner's Manual 4. Stereo out ON/OFF switch Stereo out signal ON/OFF is controlled by this switch. For details, please refer to "Normal mix mode" on page 15. switched ON/OFF. Refer to [Effect edit mode] on page 24 for details. 16. Effect 1 key This is pressed to select the EFF 1 effects type or the parameter to be edited. Also, if this key is pressed while pressing the EXIT key, muting of EFF 1 can be switched ON/OFF. Refer to [Effect edit mode] on page 24 for details. 5. Monitor in jack External signals are input here. The input signal is adjusted via the MON IN GAIN knob and directly mixed into the monitor circuit, so that it can be monitored at the PHONES and MON OUT L, R jacks together with a monitor signal selected by the MON SEL switch. 17. Enter key This is used to accept the current mode setting. This key will setup scene memory mode (page 30), the setup mode (page 33) and also the setup of effects type (page 26). Please refer to their respective explanation for details. 6. Monitor out jack Powered monitoring speakers or an amplifier + speaker combination are plugged in here. The signal to be monitored is selected by the MON SEL switch and the output is adjusted with the MON OUT GAIN knob. For details, please refer to "Connecting peripheral equipment" on page 9. 18. Exit key This is used to exit from all modes but the normal mix mode. This key works for the channel parameter edit mode (page 20), the effects edit mode (page 24), the scene memory mode (page 30) and the setup mode (page 33). Refer to their respective explanations for details. 7. Foot switch connecting jack A foot switch (Fostex Model 8051) is plugged in here. The foot switch function can be changed by ...