Digital Mixing Console to AUTOMATION MANUAL Table of Contents 1 ­ Introduction Using This Manual ....................................... 3 Automated Controls .................................... 4 A Note on Touch-Sensitive Faders ......................... 4 Displays .......................................................11 AUTO MAIN ............................................................11 AUTO FILES .............................................................14 AUTO CONFIG ........................................................15 Setup ............................................................ 5 LTC MTC ...................................................................... 5 ...................................................................... 5 Channel LED Indicators ..............................15 4 ­ Operation Setting Up Your Mix ..................................16 Writing Mix Moves ....................................16 Revert Time ............................................................16 Write To End: .........................................................21 2 ­ Quick Start Starting out with the time code ............................ 6 Access the automation screens .............................. 6 Turn on the automation ......................................... 6 Make the initial settings ......................................... 7 Store the current settings ....................................... 7 Write some fader moves ........................................ 7 Write some mute moves ......................................... 7 Write some Aux send moves .................................. 8 Writing POD moves ................................................. 8 Trimming existing mix moves ................................ 8 Finishing up ............................................................. 8 Writing Switch Events ...............................23 Revert Time ............................................................23 CONTROL SENSE TIME OUT & Switch Events ......23 Auto Revert Choices: .............................................24 Write To End: .........................................................26 Trimming Mix Moves .................................27 Revert Time: ...........................................................27 Auto Revert Choices: .............................................28 Trim To End ............................................................30 3 ­ Automation Overview Modes ........................................................... 9 Auto ...................................................................... 9 Write ...................................................................... 9 Trim .................................................................... 10 Static .................................................................... 10 Safe .................................................................... 10 Off .................................................................... 10 Rehearse ................................................................ 11 Initial Status ................................................32 Editing the Initial Status .......................................32 Automating Library Recall .........................34 Writing Library Recall Events Over Existing Static Control Positions ......................................34 Combining Library Recall With Dynamic Mix Moves ..........................................................34 Automating Groups ...................................35 Grouping Non-Automated Controls .....................35 Grouping Automated Controls .............................35 Hierarchical Groups ...............................................35 Mix File Management ................................36 The Mix Data ..........................................................36 2 TASCAM DM-24 Automation 1 ­ Introduction The DM-24 is capable of writing and reading mix moves as well as editing and refining mix moves during replay, all synchronized to time code. No external computer is necessary, as all control of the automation is made from the DM-24ís control surface. Automated mixes are stored internally on the DM-24 and can be off-loaded via a System Exclusive (SysEx) MIDI dump to anything capable of storing such data, such as a MIDI sequencer or MIDI data filer. Here are a few reasons to use mixer automation: · Tedious moves, (such as mutes), that occur at the same place in the program each time can be written to the automation system for playback. This allows you to focus on the creative aspect of listening and mixing, instead of the mechanical aspect of pressing the mute keys at the right time, every time. · Mix moves can be refined to your satisfaction then the automation system will read those moves back every time in exactly the same way. · A mix can be recalled at a later time for further refinement. The DM-24's automation system was designed to be intuitive, using the mixer's familiar control surface and a minimum number of keystrokes, to stay out of the way of the creative process of mixing. Using This Manual The following type conventions are used in this manual: BOLD CAPS for physical keys on the mixerís control LIGHT CAPS or Light First Letter Caps for on-screen con- trols in the display First Letter Caps for names of operational modes and functions surface (Automation keys are color coded purple.) TASCAM DM-24 Automation 3 1 ­ Introduction Automated Controls The following mixer controls of the DM-24 can be automated: · · · · · · · · · · · · The following mixer controls of the DM-24 cannot be automated: · · · · · · · · · DIGI-TRIM Fader levels Mutes Panning (including surround panning) EQ settings: Gain, Frequency, Q, EQ On/Off switching Individual EQ band TYPE switching between High/Low Pass Filter, Peaking & Shelving Auxiliary send levels and Pre/Post switching Auxiliary master send levels Buss master levels GATE settings: THRESHold RANGE HYSTeresis ATTACK HOLD DECAY COMPressor settings: THRESHold RATIO ATTACK RELEASE Individual EQ band On/Off switching Effect settings Buss assignments Control Room monitor switching LCD navigation Transport control Fader layer switching Global mixer setup parameters · MIC TRIM · · · · · · · · · Moves for different mixer controls do not have to be automated in the same pass. Just as in multi-track recording, it is possible to concentrate on one specific control at a time, building up the automated mix over a number of passes. The DM-24's automation system allows this to occur by intelligently switching automation modes transparently on a per control basis. This work done by the DM-24 automation system provides a high degree of flexibility while not requiring constant attention from you. Of course, the DM-24's automatic mode switching may be over-ridden at any time for "power user" operation. The automation is synchronized to external time code. This could be Linear Time Code (LTC or commonly referred to as SMPTE/EBU) or MIDI Time Code (MTC). The event resolution for mix moves on the DM-24 is one event per quarter time code frame. At a time code rate of 30 frames per second, non-drop, this equates to about 5 milliseconds per event. · Library recall A Note on Touch-Sensitive Faders When using the touch-sensitivity of the faders in automation, you should always use your fingers to touch the faders. If you use a pencil or ruler, etc., or even your fingernails to touch them, the fader will not register as having been touched. 4 TASCAM DM-24 Automation 1 ­ Introduction Setup There are two possible sources of time code to which the DM-24's automation can lock. Both are equal in functionality and accuracy. Your choice will depend on what you have available in your situation. The choices are: LTC There is an RCA jack (TIME CODE on the back of the DM-24 which accepts Linear Time Code (SMPTE/EBU). To use LTC with the automation system, go to the SYNC/TC tab in the OPTION display, and then select TC IN as shown below: Figure 1 ­ OPTION / SYNC/TC display showing LTC choice MTC This refers to MIDI Time Code being received at the DM-24's MIDI Input. The source of MTC could be a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW), hardware recorder that does not support LTC, or any other source of MTC. To use MTC with the automation, go to the SYNC/TC tab in the OPTION display then select MIDI IN MTC as shown below. Figure 2 ­ OPTION / SYNC/TC display showing MTC choice TASCAM DM-24 Automation 5 2 ­ Quick Start While the DM-24 automation system is extremely powerful, it is also very easy to use. This Quick Start covers much of what you need to know to run the system. The rest of the manual provides details on the concepts of the system and how to use it to its fullest potential. Starting out with the time code 1 Connect a LTC or MTC (time code) source to the Time Code or MIDI input on the rear panel of the DM-24. Choose the appropriate setting in the OPTION ­ SYNC/TC display. Be sure your recorder is set to output the correct type of time code. Access the automation screens 2 Press the AUTOMATION key to access the automation screens on the display. If you do not see the AUTO MAIN display, press the AUTOMATION key repeatedly until you see AUTO MAIN. EXT.CTRL MIDI/MC AUTOMATION SHIFT 30 EDIT 40 0 CLR -dB UNDO ENTER Turn on the automation 3 Move the cursor to the onscreen AUTOMATION ENGINE button and press the ENTER key to turn on the automation system:. 6 TASCAM DM-24 Automation 2 ­ Quick Start Make the initial settings 4 Operate your recorder and navigate the DM-24 as you normally would during a mix. The DM-24's automation system stores control settings as you change them. NOTE You are not writing mix moves yet! Store the current settings 5 Store the current mix data using the AUTO FILES display. Press the STORE soft key again. Press the AUTOMATION key until the AUTO FILES screen is shown on the display. Press the STORE soft key (the second). Use the cursor keys, the data wheel and the ENTER key to name your mix. See the main manual section on libraries for further details of naming and editing library entries. See "AUTO FILES" on page 14 of this manual for further details of this screen. Write some fader moves 6 Once you have the mix basically set up, write some fader moves: LAYER STATUS REPEAT CH1-16 MACHINE CONTROL ALL INPUT AUTO MON With time code running, press the WRITE key. Touch a fader with your finger and move it up or down. Release the fader when your mix move is complete. When you release the fader, it automatically returns to its previous setting. Rewind the recorder and play the section again. The DM-24 plays back the moves you just wrote. You can press the WRITE key, and touch the faders to write new mix moves at will. AUTO PUNCH IN/OUT RHSL IN/OUT CH17-32 CLEAR AUTOMATION MASTER REHEARSE WRITE TRIM ALL SAFE REW F FWD EDIT DISCARD INTIAL EDIT REVERT AUTO FADE STOP PLAY RECORD Write some mute moves 7 Now write some Mutes (also called Switch Events): With time code running, press the WRITE key. Press some MUTE keys to change the mute settings to on or off. Rewind the recorder and play the sections again. The DM-24 will play back the Switch Events you just wrote to the MUTE keys (in other words, the MUTE indicators and status will change in sync with the incoming time code. TASCAM DM-24 Automation 7 2 ­ Quick Start Write some Aux send moves 8 Write Auxiliary Send moves using the touch-sensitive faders: To place the Auxiliary Sends 1 & 2 under fader control, press AUX 1-2 and choose Auxiliary Send 1 by pressing the first soft key under the display. With time code running, press the WRITE key. Touch a fader and move it up or down to write a mix move for Auxiliary Send 1 for that channel. Release the fader when your mix move is complete. When you release the fader, it automatically returns to its previous setting. Writing POD moves 9 Write a POD Control move (EQ or Aux Send): With time code running, press the WRITE key. Select the appropriate screen on the display, and turn the desired POD control to write the mix move. After the POD movement has stopped for one second, the control will automatically return to its setting before being moved. NOTE You may want to disable AUTO REVERT or adjust the CONTROL SENSE TIMEOUT using the AUTO MAIN screen, when automating POD controls. See "Auto Revert Choices:" on page 28 Trimming existing mix moves 10 This allows you to trim an existing mix move (that is, to adjust the overall level of the move). For example, the move you wrote in step #6 is good but the move itself need to be louder. With time code running, press the TRIM key. At the desired time, touch the fader to be trimmed with your finger and raise it. You will hear the previous moves with the addition of the amount of trim you're adding. Release the fader when you are finished trimming. The fader re ...