User manual SPL MIXDREAMXP

Manual -7 -4 0 POWER 1/2 3/4 Mono 5/6 Mono 7/8 Mono MixDream XP Discrete Class A 16 in 2 summing mixer Mono Variable Output 9/10 -12 3 11/12 Mono 13/14 Mono 15/16 Mono Mono Expansion Input 5 -13 dB Output 7 -14 Model 2591 MixDream XP Model 2591 Analog 16:2 summing unit Manual MixDream XP Version 1.0, 5/2005 Designer: Ruben Tilgner Model 2591 This manual contains a description of the product. It in no way represents a guarantee of particular characteristics or results of use. The information in this document has been carefully compiled and verified and, unless otherwise stated or agreed upon, correctly describes the product at the time of packaging with this document. Sound Performance Lab (SPL) continuously strives to improve its products and reserves the right to modify the product described in this manual at any time without prior notice. This document is the property of SPL and may not be copied or reproduced in any manner, in part or fully, without prior authorization by SPL. CE Declaration of Conformity Manufacturer: Type of Equipment: Product: SPL electronics GmbH Audio Signal Processor MixDream XP, Model 2591 Compliance Engineer: Wolfgang Neumann Test Basis: EN 50081-1:1992, EN 50082-1:1992, EN 60065:1993 , EN 610003-3:1995, EN 60065:2002, EN 55013:2001, EN 55020:2002, EN 61000-3-2:2000, 73/23 EWG; 93/68 EWG. We herewith declare, that the construction of the MixDream XP, model 2591, is in compliance with the standards and regulations mentioned above. SPL electronics GmbH Sohlweg 55, 41372 Niederkruechten, Germany Tel. +49 216 398 340, Fax +49 216 398 3420 EMail: info@soundperformancelab.com Internet: www.soundperformancelab.com 2 © 2005 SPL electronics GmbH. All rights reserved. Names of other companies and their products are trademarks of their respective owners. Contents Introduction .................................................................... Analog vs. Digital Summing ............................................ Advantages And Special Features ................................... MixDream XP Advantages--An Overview ......................... Connection of Samplers, Keyboards etc. ......................... Mono Switches ................................................................ Before You Begin ............................................................ Rear Panel/Connections ................................................. Wiring ............................................................................. General advices .............................................................. Input Channels ................................................................ Main Outputs ...................................................................... Monitor Outputs ............................................................. Control Elements ............................................................ Output Control ................................................................ Variable Output Switch ................................................... Mono Switch ................................................................... Expansion Input Switch ................................................... GND-Lift Switch ............................................................... Applications and Modes of Operation ............................. Summing ........................................................................ Summing of Subgroups ................................................... MixDream XP in Mastering Applications ........................... Linking Several MixDream XP ........................................... Block Diagram ................................................................. Measurements ................................................................ Power Supply .................................................................. Specifications, Dimensions and Weight ........................... Warranty ......................................................................... 4 4 5 5 5 5 6 7 7 8 9 9 9 10 10 10 10 10 11 11 11 11 12 12 13 14 16 17 18 MixDream XP 3 Introduction The MixDreamXP design plan provides for stereo mixdown at the analog level. This concept offers high-grade analog summing without panorama and fader controls, in turn allowing an engineer to retain the entire scope of his computer automation. In use, the MixDreamXP requires almost no departures from an engineer`s usual working mode, so that all his trusted DAW features and familiar working routines remain available while the MixDreamXP seamlessly expands his aural mixing palette. One MixDreamXP can sum up to 16 audio tracks to a stereo signal, and should the need arise for more than 16 tracks, several MixDreamXP may be linked together. Owners of a MixDream, model 2384, can expand this unit with the cost effective MIxDreamXP at an identical quality level and by the way, that`s where the suffix "XP" comes from (=Expansion). The MixDreamXP discrete class A technology is based on the same 60-volt rails (+/- 30V) of the MixDream model 2384. Newly developed circuitry, based on the most modern analog components, guarantees an extremely high slew rate, a very low noise level of -97 dBu and a dynamic range of 125 dB. Thus the MixDreamXP easily reaches the technical level of the best analog consoles. Analog vs. Digital Summing Nowadays, many are asking whether analog summing is better than digital summing. But perhaps the real question is whether digital summing better than analog summing? We at SPL don`t know of anyone who says so. We do know that summing with the MixDreamXP creates an amazing signal depth, precise localization and a wonderful stereo imaging. Moreover, the addition of individual instruments results in soft and pleasant transitions. These are analog summing results that we appreciate from past decades of the best analog technology. The MixDreamXP now allows DAW users to exploit this potential with maximum comfort and uncompromising quality, ensuring that nothing can stand in the way of the engineer`s having the best of both analog and digital worlds. 4 MixDream XP Advantages MixDreamXP Advantages--An Overview · High-grade analog summing on just 1U rack space for amazing signal depth, precise localization and a wonderful stereo imaging · No analog mixing console necessary · No loss of computer automation · Lower DAW processor utilization rates · Latency free monitoring · Surround capable (from up to 3 MixDream XP units) · Channel capacity expandable through linked units · Cost-effective expansion for the MixDream model 2384 Special Features Connection of Sampler, Keyboards etc. Along with DAW audio tracks and effects machines or processors in the insert loops, samplers, keyboards and expanders may also be connected directly to the MixDreamXP. Then the Midi tracks need only be added in the DAW project, the outputs (for example, from a keyboard) are then routed directly to the MixDreamXP. Mono Controls To save converter channels, all channels may be switched to Mono so that two signals can be converted by a paired D/A. In this case such signals are characteristically chosen which would receive a more central placement in the stereo mix (e.g. kick, snare, lead vocal, bass). All channel pairs must otherwise be panned hard left/right in the mix (see ,,mono switches" on page 10). MixDream XP 5 Before You Begin It makes good sense to think about where you place your MixDream XP before connecting it. It should be positioned so that you can easily reach it, but there are other considerations. Try not to place it near heat sources or in direct sunlight, and avoid exposure to excessive vibrations, dust, heat, cold or moisture. It should also be kept away from transformers, motors, power amplifiers and digital processors. IMPORTANT: Adjust the voltage setting on the rear panel so that it corresponds to your local power conditions! Before connecting the MixDream XP or any other equipment turn off all power! 230 V ­ 50 Hz/315 mA 115 V ­ 60 Hz/630 mA VOLTAGE/FUSE · Do not open the case. You may risk electric shock and damage to your equipment. · Leave repairs and maintenance to a qualified service technician. Should foreign objects fall inside the case, contact your authorized dealer or support person. · To avoid electric shock or fire hazards, do not expose your unit to rain or moisture. · In case of lightning, unplug the unit. · Always unplug the cable by pulling on the plug only; never pull on the cable. · Never force a switch or knob. · Use a soft, lint-free cloth to clean the case. Avoid cleaning agents as they may damage the unit. if necessary, use an acid-free cleaning oil instead. 6 MixDream XP DAW Stereo Mix Summing Tracks Wiring XLR Wiring: 1 = GND/ 2 = (+)/ 3 = (­) IMPORTANT: Voltage Selector, see page 6 Power Connector: see page 16 GND Lift Switch: see page 11 Monitoring 1/2 Expansion -7 -4 0 POWER 3/4 5/6 7/8 9/10 3 11/12 13/14 15/16 MixDream XP Discrete Class A 16 in 2 summing mixer Mono Mono Mono Mono Variable Output -12 Mono 5 Mono -13 Mono Mono Expansion Input dB Output Model 2591 Monitoring outputs for any stereo monitoring chain. Recommended: SPL MTC 2381 Monitoring Controller with Talkback and Cue-Mixing. Connect the Main Outputs of a second MixDream XP to the Expansion Inputs of the first one. IMPORTANT: see page 10 for further information. Rear Panel/Connections Pin wiring of all input and output connectors on page 8. Made in Germany soundperformancelab.com DB25 comply with TASCAM standard 7 -14 MixDream XP 2 x A/D 1 2 9-16 1-8 16 x D/A 2 x XLR to XLR or TRS 2 cascade cables, 8 x XLR or TRS to DB25 each CAUTION RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT OPEN Right Left Right Left WARNING MixD rea m XP SERIAL No. AVIS: RISQUE DE CHOC ÉLECTRIQUE - NE PAS OUVRIR TO REDUCE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT EXPOSE THIS UNIT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE. DISCONNECT MAINS BEFORE REMOVING COVER. THIS EQUIPMENT MUST BE EARTHED. Se rie n n um m e r 230 V ­ 50 Hz/315 mA 115 V ­ 60 Hz/630 mA VOLTAGE/FUSE GND LIFT Main Outputs Monitor Outputs Expansion Inputs Input Channels 9 to 16 Input Channels 1 to 8 7 Rear Panel/Connections General Advice The MixDream XP enclosure is EMC-safe and effectively shielded against HF interference. Nonetheless, you should carefully consider where you place the unit to avoid electrical disturbances. The MixDream XP and all devices to be connected should be turned off before connections are made. Always turn volume down or mute your speakers when disconnecting or repatching audio cables to avoid damage to your speakers and ears. The following graph shows the correct wiring for connecting unbalanced signals to the balanced XLR I/O connectors: Input balanced unbalanced Output balanced unbalanced 2 3 1 2 3 1 1 3 2 1 3 2 1=GND 2=hot (+) 3=cold (-) Input Channels The MixDream XP has 16 electronically balanced inputs that are connected over two DB 25 connectors. Readily configured cascade cables from XLR or 1/4 inch TRS to DB 25 are available in many audio stores. Usually the analog outputs of a D/A converter that transmit the summing tracks from the DAW are connected here. These connectors conform to the Tascam standard with pin layout as pictured below: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 GCHGCHGCHGCHGCH GCH GCH GCH 13 25 1 14 G= GROUND (Masse), C=COLD (-), H=HOT (+) 8 MixDream XP Rear Panel/Connections Main Outputs The Main Outputs provide a stereo mixdown for a recording device through electronically balanced XLR outputs. Here as a rule you will route the stereo mix through an A/D converter for re-recording as a new DAW track. Right Left Main Outputs Monitor Outputs The Monitor Outputs run parallel with the Main Outs and provide for separate monitoring of the stereo mixdown through electronically balanced XLR outputs. TIP: SPL's Monitor & Talkback Controller MTC 2381 offers all necessary control functionality for DAW monitoring at this stage. IMPORTANT: Since Main and Monitor Outs function in parallel, using a non-balanced connection in one results in both outputs being unbalanced. Right Left Monitor Outputs Expansion Inputs This is another stereo input based on electronically balanced XLR connectors. It can be activated with the Expansion Input switch at the right set of switches on the front. Usually the Main Outputs of another MixDreamXP are connected here to enable summing of up to 32 channels, but of course any (stereo) summed signal can be connected here. IMPORTANT: The Expansion Inputs of the summing MixDreamXP must be connected to the Main Output of the second MixDreamXP--never connect both Expansion Inputs! TIP for owners of the MixDream 2384: A MixDreamXP should always be used for Mixdream 2384 expansion. This way you can always make use of the processing stages of the MixDream 2384 for the final stereo mix (Stereo Expander, Limiter, Master Insert, Output Transformers). Expansion Inputs MixDream XP 9 Control Elements -7 -4 Output Control 0 dB Output The Output control regulates the MixDreamXP output level (at the Main Outs). Its range extends from -14 dB to +7 dB. With this Output Control final levels can be ajdusted to accommodate subsequent A/D converters. Because the Main Outputs and Monitor Outputs run in parallel, both outputs are regulated globally via this control. -12 3 5 -13 Variable Output 1/2 Mono Expansion Input 7 -14 Variable Output Switch The Output Control is activated by the Variable Output switch situated among the front-left group of switches. When this Variable Output switch is deactivated, the Input Level remains unaltered (Unity Gain). 3/4 Mono Mono Switches All MixDreamXP channel pairs (1/2 through 15/16) are by default panned hard left/right. This configuration is the only sensible way in which each signal contributing to the stereo sound canvas can retain its placement and automated characteristics. However, for mono signals (such as kick, snares, lead vocals or bass that should appear in the middle of a mix), it would be a waste to use (in hard L/R panned channels) what would amount to two required converters for a mono result. In such cases, each channel pair can be switched to mono mode (red status LED), so that, for example, there might be a (mono) kick on channel 1, snare on channel 2 and bass on channel 3, etc. IMPORTANT: Panning for such instruments in the sequencing program should place the kick hard left, the snare hard on the right, and so on. Expansion The Expansion Inputs provide an additional XLR stereo input (see page 9 for details) and can be activated by the Expansion Inputs Switch in the front-right group of switches. Typically this stereo input would provide for linking with another MixDream XP unit. 10 MixDream XP Control Elements GND Lift Switch (Rear Panel) The GND Lift switch separates internal ground from chassis ground. The switch can be activated to eliminate ground loop humming which may occur if the MixDreamXP is connected to units with a different ground potential. The switch should normally be in the GND position to maintain the shielding effect of the metal housing. GND LIFT Applications and Modes of Operation Summing Tracks destined for analog summing are routed from the DAW to the MixDreamXP via A/D converters. Identical converters are ideal to exclude level and sound differences. Although you may often wish to sum more than 16 tracks, a general recommendation to reduce track numbers is to route those tracks to a common output bus of the sequencing program which are not played back simultaneously in your arrangement. This way you avoid digital summing and your production benefits from the full potential of 100% analog summing. With mono signals one should switch these to mono mode to confine them to single D/A converter, thereby avoiding the waste of having to use a D/A pair for one mono track (see ,,Mono Switches" on page 10). IMPORTANT: In the DAW such signals must be panned hard left or right. Summing of Subgroups To reduce track numbers, there are two other options besides the above mentioned ,,Summing" tip: Well, you could buy additional MixDreamXP (which we confess would make us happy--and we`re sure would not disappoint you) or sum your grouped tracks with the MixDreamXP itself. For example, if you`ve done a chorus backup in 16 solo tracks, you can adjust your panning in the DAW and the MixDreamXP sums a stereo mix which is recorded again--the sound benefits of analog summing are larger than the disadvantage of a further A/D-D/A conversion. MixDream XP 11 Applications and Modes of Operation MixDream XP in Mastering Applications Your MixDreamXP is predestined for mastering applications, as we`ve planned its superior sound quality for just such occasions. Two applications are especially interesting: 1) discrete Mastering, and 2) upsampling to SACD/DVD-A formats. 1) Normally a studio mastering engineer requires that a stereo file be made available for his or her work. But in such a mixdown, any problems (for example, significant variations in volume among instrumental subgroups) will mean equally significant limitations to your final mastering options. Instead, however, if one masters from a discrete mix with single tracks or subgroups, each of these can be adjusted just as easily and quickly in the mastering process--to the extent that even individual groups can be tweaked with different processing. Your final result is clearly better and the time needed, minimal--especially since it is less likely that a new mix will be called for. 2) Multichannel sessions can be summed in the infinite resolution of analog signal processing equipment, something that may also be of special importance when an engineer wishes to upsample to SACD or DVD-A. Linking Several MixDream XP An expansion connector provides for a second MixDreamXP input should 16 channels not suffice. IMPORTANT: The Main Outputs of the second MixDreamXP must be connected to the Expansion Inputs of the first unit; do not connect both Expansion Inputs. If more than three MixDreamXP are to be summed, we recommend to employ a further MixDreamXP as master--otherwise the signals from the first MixDreamXP (to cite a "worst case scenario") would unnecessarily be summed in each following unit. In such a chain One MixDreamXP is connected to the Expansion Inputs while all other units are connected to the usual (DB25) Input Channels. 12 MixDream XP Block Diagram 13 Measurements Audio Precision FFT Spectrum Analysis 2591 MixDream XP Expansion Input +20 +10 +0 -10 -20 -30 -40 -50 -60 -70 -80 -90 -100 -110 -120 -130 -140 -150 20 FFT Spectrum Analysis 05/09/05 14:41:38 Noise Spectrum d B u 50 100 200 500 Hz A-A FFT Noise .at2c 1k 2k 5k 10k 20k The FFT Spectrum Analysis above shows the spectrum of noise components. We have a very low overall level here, in particular without ugly ,,spikes". The analysis below shows distortion components at an input level of +10dBu. There is no distortion present above the MixDreamXP`s outstanding, low (THD+N = -103dB) noise level. Audio Precision FFT Spectrum Analysis 2591 MixDream XP Expansion Input, Fix Output Input Level:+10dBu 05/09/05 14:46:52 +20 +10 +0 -10 -20 -30 -40 -50 -60 -70 -80 -90 -100 -110 -120 -130 -140 -150 d B u 2k 4k 6k 8k 10k Hz A-A FFT .at2c 12k 14k 16k 18k 20k 14 MixDream XP Frequency Response Audio Precision Frequency Response 2591 MixDream XP Expansion Input, Fix Output Measurements 05/09/05 14:48:13 +10 +9 +8 +7 +6 +5 +4 +3 +2 d B r A +1 -0 -1 -2 -3 -4 -5 -6 -7 -8 -9 -10 20 50 100 200 500 1k 2k Hz 5k 10k 20k 50k 100k 200k A-A FREQ RESP 20Hz-200kHz.at2c Well, we think this is ,,linear frequency response" in the word`s best possible sense: even at 200kHz the fall-off is below -1dB. And mind you, typical frequency response measurements are related to a -3dB fall-off. MixDream XP 15 Power Supply No effort or expense was spared here. We don't know of anyone who makes good coffee with great beans and bad water, and we don't know of anyone who makes great sounding audio equipment with mediocre power supplies. The best parts cannot give you a sound without dependable power. The MixDreamXP is equipped with an internal power supply. Two +/-15 VA transformers are capable of providing adequate current regardless of any demands you can put on it, even when running the MixDreamXP pedal to the metal. The MixDreamXP power transformer is also heavily shielded to minimize hum. The +/-30V (=60 V rail) power is derived from high quality linear regulators whose noise level borders on the immeasurable. Extremely fast rectifier diodes and 14.000 microFarrad capacitors insure that there is enough available current at all times and for every imaginable peak. Additional 100nF/250V MKP stabilizing condensers are present to insure further that any conceivable peak loads will not affect your mix. Power connection must be provided by the included standard IEC three-pole (computer) cable. The power chain (cable connections and transformer) conforms to appropriate VDE, UL and CSA standards. Fuses are rated at 315mA for 230V and 630 mA at 115V operation. 16 MixDream XP Specifications Frequency range: THD+N: 20-22kHz, Input Level +10 dBu < 1Hz-200 kHz (-1 dB) -103 dBu -97 dBu +28 dBu +28 dBu Noise Level: 20-22kHz, A-weighted Max. Input Level: Max. Output Level: @ 1 kHz, THD+N -95 dB Dynamic range: 20-22kHz, A-weighted 125 dB -90 dB < 70 dB 10 kOhm 65 Ohm 36 W Crosstalk L-R: @ 1 kHz, Input Level +10 dBu CMRR: @ 1 kHz, Input Level +10 dBu Input Impedance: Output Impedance: Power Consumption: Dimensions and Weight Standard EIA 19 inch Housing, 1 U Dimensions (W x H x D): Weight: 482 x 44 x 237 mm ca. 19 x 1.76 x 9.5 inch 3,55 kg/7.81 lb MixDream XP 17 Guarantee SPL products are guaranteed for a period of one year against faults in materials or workmanship. Refer to your local supplier for full sales and guarantee terms. 18 MixDream XP