MIXY Portable Stereo and M/S Analog/Digital Mixer User Manual AETA AUDIO SYSTEMS 18-22, avenue Edouard Herriot – Kepler 4 – 92350 Le Plessis Robinson – FRANCE Tél. +33 1 41 36 12 00 – Fax +33 1 41 36 12 69 – Web: http://www.aeta-audio.com 55 000 057 - B MIXY - User Manual Specifications subject to change – All rights reserved by AAS August 07 55000057-b_mixy_en.
Table of contents 1. Main technical characteristics...........................................2 2. Functions .............................................................................3 2.1. “Mic/Line”........................................................................................... 3 2.2. “EXT I/O” socket, radio receivers ....................................................... 5 2.3. USB and auxiliary Return/Line In ....................................................... 6 2.4.
.3. "Line Out" unbalanced analog outputs...............................................27 4.4. Headphone output ..............................................................................28 4.5. External DC supply ............................................................................28 4.6. "EXT I/O": Interface for RF transmitters/receivers............................29 4.7. Digital outputs and direct analog outputs ...........................................30 4.8. Power supply ..................
Introduction MIXY is a portable mixer specially designed for outside recording (ENG). MIXY is ideally suitable for production, thanks to its outstanding audio characteristics and full compatibility with “M/S” systems. MIXY includes three Mic/Line inputs, with comprehensive powering and limiting features. With no need for complex recording level setting, the “AES” and “Toslink” digital outputs can directly feed digital inputs of audio recorders such as DAT, CD, D-D, M-C and MiniDisc.
1. Main technical characteristics x x x x x x x x x x x x Light weight and small dimensions (1.23 kg, 171 x 131 x 49 mm) x 2 separate Stereo l M/S encoders/decoders, for monitoring and analog outputs. x 2 balanced main outputs, maximum level adjustable from -9 dBu to +22 dBu x x 2 unbalanced outputs (level 6 dB below the balanced outputs) x High performance headphone amplifier, with selectable source and listening mode.
2. Functions The functions of the mixer are shown on the functional diagram that can be found in annex 5.1, “General block diagram ” 2.1. “Mic/Line” Each of these three inputs is available on a 3-pin female XLR socket, and is electronically balanced. If no powering is active, unbalancing an input has no negative impact on the performance. Microphones can be powered in « phantom » mode or “Tonader 12V”, with separate setting for each input. In phantom mode, 12V or 48V can be selected.
2.1.2. Stereo and M/S (Channels 1 and 2) Via menu selection, channels 1 and 2 can be used as independent channels or coupled for stereo or M/S operation. When used as a couple of stereo or M/S channels: Channel 1 fader is not used, but channel 2 fader becomes the master, controlling the level of both channels. The outer concentric control (of channel 2) provides +/-5dB adjustment of the balance in L/R mode (normal stereo), or the stereo width in M/S mode.
2.1.3. Limiters A limiter can be inserted into each channel, after the channel fader. This is a fast limiter with a dynamic range wide enough to stand the 40 dB overhead of the input stage. The activation of the limiter is shown by an LED. As long as the signal level stays below the limiter threshold, little effect is seen on the signal. When the limiter is triggered, its output stays 3 dB below the A/D converter clipping level for up to 40 dB input overdrive.
2.3. USB and auxiliary Return/Line In MIXY also has auxiliary two-channel inputs that can be routed to the mix buses, and/or monitored on the display and the headphone: x USB: this interface brings a digital 2-channel signal, that is converted to analog ; no gain adjustment is needed! x Line In: two-channel input on a 5-pin female XLR (15); balanced signals, but unbalanced inputs can be used as well with no performance loss.
2.4.2. Unbalanced “Line Out” The same signals as found on the XLR5M socket are also fed to a 3.5 mm stereo mini-jack socket (14). These signals are unbalanced, and their level is 6 dB below those on the balanced XLR5M (16). Their typical use is for linking the mixer to a semi-professional recorder (MiniDisc, cassette, DAT…) 2.4.3.
To compensate for such situations, it is possible to use MIXY’s “monitoring boost” function, that provides a 20 dB gain increase on the headphone when a pre-fader source is selected. This function can be instantly activated or deactivated using the programmable push-button (4), and its status is reminded by an icon on the display. Note that this boost is only active for pre-fader sources; this avoids a too loud listening when you switch the monitoring back to other sources! 2.5.1.
2.5.2. Headphone monitoring The headphone can be plugged into a stereo mini-jack socket (18).
2.7. SPDIF digital input MIXY can accept an SPIDF digital audio input on its « Dig. In » RCA socket (unbalanced, 75 Ohm). This input can be used in two ways (“Inputs” menu): x Synchronisation of the digital parts of MIXY, including the A/D and D/A converters, onto the SPDIF input. MIXY can be operated at any arbitrary sampling frequency (up to 96 kHz) in such “slave” or “external sync” mode. x Same, but with the SPDIF directly feeding the D/A converter.
2.9. Internal alignment signal generator An integrated oscillator can deliver a “square” 1 kHz signal to the analog outputs. This can be used to align analog equipment connected to these outputs (note that peak meters are needed, as the signal is not a sine wave). Activating this generator has no effect on the digital outputs (AES and Toslink). The function key (4) may be programmed to provide an instant on/off control to this function.
3. Operating mode – Detailed description 3.1. Switching on and off Hold down the “Esc” button (6) for more than 2 seconds; the screen will light up and display the “Standard” monitor mode. If phantom power was active on an input before the unit was switched off, you will be first asked to confirm the power settings; press the “PAD” key if you agree, otherwise any other key will defeat any microphone powering. This confirmation is to avoid possible harm to external equipment.
3.3. Mic/Line 1 and 2 operating mode In the main menu, move to the 3rd line: “Mode In 1&2”. Press the “OK” button (4) and move the joystick to select the desired mode for channels 1 and 2: x x x Two separate channels, independent gain setting with the faders (1); Stereo, linked; M/S, linked. Confirm the choice by pressing the “OK” button (4), then leave the menu by pressing “ESC” (6).
3.4.1. Input routing The signal from each input can be routed to the mix buses, on left, right or center (routing to both buses, with same level), and it can be left unrouted. NOTE: x When the “Stereo” mode is selected for inputs 1 and 2, the routing of these inputs automatically becomes Input 1 to Left, Input 2 to Right.
3.4.3. Microphone powering Using the joystick (10), move the highlight to the “Pwr” column setting on the desired channel, and select it by pressing the “OK” button (4). Available choices are: “ – ” (no powering, for dynamic microphones, including ribbons), “P12” (phantom, 12V), “P48” (phantom, 48V), “T12” (Tonader, 12V). T12 must only be used with microphones marked as such. Phantom power microphones will normally use P48 but if rated for P12 this option will be more economical of battery power.
3.5. Auxiliary Inputs 3.5.1. USB input From the main menu, select the “Aux Inputs” line and enter the sub-menu by pressing the “OK” button (4). The first line shows the routing for the USB input. No gain adjustment is needed here, as the audio signals extracted from the USB Input are calibrated to fit the dynamic range of the A/D converter of MIXY (i.e. a full scale signal from the USB interface gives a full scale input to the internal A/D converter when it is routed to the buses).
3.5.3. SPDIF input Still in this “Aux Inputs” sub-menu, move to “SPDIF”. The possible settings are : x “DA OFF”: once a valid signal is present at the SPDIF input, all digital functions of MIXY are synchronised on this signal (except the USB interface, which is always under direct control of the USB host), with same sampling rate as the SPDIF input.
3.6.3. Maximum level of the outputs, MOL It is possible to set the maximum level of the analog signal for each channel of the XLR5M (16) and mini-jack (14) outputs (this level is reached for a “0 dBFS” level in the digital domain before the D/A converter of MIXY). On the “Line” line of the “Outputs” sub-menu, push the joystick (10) to the right to reach these settings, and set the MOL for the Left channel and the Right channels.
3.9. Monitoring 3.9.1. Monitor display mode Two monitor display modes are available: x The “STD” mode is simpler and just displays the level of the two channels of the selected source, according to PPM ballistics, on a –50 dBFS to 0 dBFS scale. When monitoring an input (1, 2 or 3), the level displayed is the same on both bargraphs. An “OVL” risk of overload icon appears when a signal goes beyond – 3dBFS.
3.10. Miscellaneous functions 3.10.1. Extension I/O selection From the main menu, go to “Miscellaneous” on the scond page, then select “Miscellaneous”; in this sub-menu, select “Ext I/O”.
3.10.5. Information on the software In the “Miscellaneous” sub-menu, move to “About”, then press “OK” 4. The screen will display information about the software (version, date, etc.). Press Esc to leave this screen. 3.11. Save or recall a complete setup The Memories sub-menu allows you to save all the current settings in a memory (among nine available). From the main menu, enter this sub-menu by pressing the “OK” key 4.
3.13. Using the L/R l M/S transcoding This chapter shows examples of situations where L/RlM/S matrixing can be used and the effect of matrixing in these situations. Due to the flexibility of MIXY, this is not an exhaustive view and other configurations are also possible. 3.13.1. Case 1: standard stereo engineering This is the most common application. In this case, mono microphones or normal (L/R) stereo microphone couples are used, and the output of the mixer is in standard stereo format.
3.13.2. Case 2: stereo recording using M/S microphones In this case, M/S stereo microphone couples are used (typically the association of a directional cardioid transducer for the “M” channel and a bidirectional “figure of 8” transducer for the “S” channel), but the output of the mixer is in standard stereo format. One way to do that is to configure inputs 1 and 2 in M/S mode, which will then feed the mix buses in normal stereo mode, just as in the previous example.
3.13.3. Case 3: M/S recording using M/S microphones In this case, M/S stereo microphone couples are used, and the output is kept in M/S format for recording. In this way, further stereo image processing is made possible with studio equipment in later production. The mixer buses process M (Mid) and S (Side) signals. L/RlM/S matrixing is not applied at the MAIN output (Outputs kept configured in “L/R” mode).
3.13.4. Case 4: M/S recording using classical microphones In this case, mono microphones or normal (L/R) stereo microphone couples are used, but the output is encoded in M/S format for recording. In this way, further stereo image processing is made possible with studio equipment in later production. In order to encode the outputs in M/S format, L/RlM/S matrixing is applied at the analog (and USB) outputs (set on “M/S” mode).
4. Technical specifications 4.1.
4.2.
4.4. Headphone output Socket Mini-jack 3.5mm, stereo Maximum output level +20 dBu Acceptable output load t 16 : 4.5.
4.6. "EXT I/O": Interface for RF transmitters/receivers Socket 12-pin, Neutrik MiniCon Audio signals for transmitters Unbalanced, 2 channels, line level Maximum level Adjustable via menu, -40 dBu to +14 dBu Source impedance 1 k: The signals for the transmitters are the same as the Line Out signals, with same L/R or M/S encoding format.
4.7. Digital outputs and direct analog outputs A common socket groups the two-channel digital audio output and three direct analog outputs (direct channel signals, pre-fader).
4.8. Power supply MIXY operates from its internal 4-element NiMH battery, or from a DC external voltage source. MIXY automatically and seamlessly switches between these power sources, with priority given to the external DC source. This external source may be a power adapter delivering a filtered DC voltage (8 V minimum) or an external battery (like e.g. an NP1 battery pack). An icon on the display shows the battery level: x x x x x 5 segments = 5.6V (full charge) 4 segments = 5.1V 3 segments = 4.
4.9. Dimensions and weight Dimensions (including connectors) 171 x 131 x 49 mm (6.7”x5”x1.9”) 1230 g (2.7 lbs) Weight 4.10. Environmental MIXY can operate from–20 °C to +55 °C ambient temperature (-4 °F to 131 °F). MIXY complies with EC directives regarding safety, EMC and hazardous substances (RoHS): x x x Safety : compliant with EN60950 Susceptibility: compliant with EN50082-1 Emission: compliant with EN55022 (classe B) 4.11.
55 000 057 - B MIXY - User Manual 8-18V DC Line In 3 Ext. I/O 2 1 P12 P48 T12 Off Rx1 Rx2 P12 P48 T12 Off P12 P48 T12 Off Mic power Charger PAD 20dB 0..
5.2. Overview of connectors and front panel elements MIXY’s front panel: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. “Limiter” LED 9. 20dB pad for Input 3 10. Control joystick 11. “Charge” LED 12. “External DC” LED 13. Headphone volume control Channel 1 gain Channel 2 balance Slate microphone Function and OK key Display screen On/Off and Escape key “Overload” LED Right panel : 14. “Line” outputs, stereo, 18. Stereo headphone output 19. AES outputs and direct unbalanced 15. Line In / Return inputs 16.
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5.3.
