4MinX Portable Mixer/Recorder 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 55 000 061 - F 4MinX - User manual Specifications subject to change – All rights reserved by AAS February 13 55000061F_4MinX_en.
Index 1. 2. Technical Characteristic ........................................................... 2 AUDIO Interfaces ......................................................................3 2.1. Audio Inputs ................................................................................................. 3 2.1.1. Input “Mic/Line” ................................................................................... 3 2.1.2. Line inputs/return .....................................................................
.4.2. Menu : « File Management ................................................................. 26 4.4.3. Menu : « Filename template »............................................................. 28 4.4.4. Menu : «Meta data » ........................................................................... 29 4.4.5. Menu : «File format » ......................................................................... 32 4.4.6. Menu : «pre-record » .......................................................................
6.3. M/S coupling .............................................................................................. 48 6.4. Double M/S coupling .................................................................................. 49 6.5. Link all 1 to4............................................................................................... 51 6.6. Soundfield A/B format (Option) ................................................................. 52 7. Technical Specifications ................................
Introduction 4MINX is a portable mixer specially designed for outside recording. 4Minx is new kind of product on this market. It can be use as a traditional mixer, but can be use as a multi tracks recorder. In same time, it can manage digital audio treatment in real time. This equipment is suitable for sound production, with its remarkable audio features and its full compatibility with « M/S » and « surround » systems. 4Minx have 4 Mic/Line inputs, with all power phantom and limitor, 2 digital inputs AES3.
1. Technical Characteristic Light weight and small dimensions (1.
2. AUDIO Interfaces The functions of the analog and digital mixer are shown on the functional diagram that can be found in annex,“Block diagram”. On next paragraph, we will describe in detail all inputs and outputs of the 4MinX 2.1. Audio Inputs 2.1.1. Input “Mic/Line” Each of these four inputs is available on a 3-pin female XLR socket, and is electronically balanced. Each input support 48V phantom power or T12 power. If no powering is active, unbalancing an input has no negative impact on the performance.
Input stage gain setting, 0dB to +50dB, 10dB steps; Phantom power for a microphone, 48V, or “Tonader 12V” ; Analog high-pass filtering, 50 Hz cut-off frequency, 18dB/octave; Digital high-pas filtering, 50 Hz to 200Hz 12dB/octave and 300 Hz, 6dB/octave, suitable for compensating proximity effects in directional microphones Polarity inversion (phase reversal) Fast limiting, with “soft knee”; Routing to Left or Right bus, or Center (i.e.
Input odd is routed to the Left bus, input pair is routed to the Right bus The even input is routed on the mix down Left and the odd on the mix down right. But, Over writing these routing remains possible! In “M/S” mode the transducers often have different sensitivity: The input gain adjustment is kept separate for channels odd and even, The odd channel control adjust the couple level The event channel control adjusts the stereo image width.
Note: In case of use specific coupling the limiters are coupling together, which is the required mode for applying simultaneous and identical gain reduction to both channels in « stereo » and M/S modes, in order to preserve the coherence of the stereo image. 2.1.2. Line inputs/return Two inputs are available on a 5-pin female XLR socket, and are electronically balanced. It is possible to unbalance an input without negative impact on the performance.
2.1.4. AES Inputs 4MINX can accept AES3 digital audio input on its « Dig. In » (XLR 3 pins). Signals can be routed or mixed in the bus as others inputs or send to any outputs. The input 1&2 can be used to synchronize the 4minx on another machine. This feature can be set in the synchronization menu, it is necessary to specified in the same menu the frequency of the AES signal. Both digital inputs are using a sample rate convertor when you are in master mode.
The L and R mix buses or any inputs can output on the « EXT I/O » socket (on the left side of the unit), with a separate adjustment of the maximum level for each channel from -20dBu to +10dBu, which allows a suitable adaptation to most radio transmitters. These outputs are asymmetrical. 2.2.4. Digital outputs 4MINX delivers 24-bit stereo digital outputs; it is possible (via the menu) to select either a “Pro” mode or “Consumer” mode, depending on the type of equipment the signals are fed to.
- - Levels are displayed on large scale bargraphs covering -50dBFS to 0dBFS. By menu you can set 4 metering level threshold (Minimum, nominal, yellow, red) They are measured with fast PPM ballistics. In addition, peaks are held on for about 4 second (“peak-hold” function) An “OVL” icon shows up whenever the level reaches -3dBFS or more. Input number are display in red when you enable a coupling between us (when 2 stereo or M/S coupling are selected, the second is show in blue).
Note: When presets are available, you should press twice the monitoring key to access to this menu. Note: press the monitoring key to swap between sources and mode. To set a shortcut key, you have just to press it under this display. The current selected source and mode will be saving on this shortcut key.
2.3.3. Headphone monitoring The headphone can be plugged into a stereo 6,35mm jack socket.
2.5. Intercom / Slate microphone A microphone is integrated in 4MINX’s front panel; its amplified signal can be inserted into the analog/digital outputs (replacing the normal audio signals). See audio routing, Slate. A function key can be set to have a direct access to the feature.
3. Powering 3.1. Specifications 4MINX operates from Li-Ion DV battery type NPF-9x0. The integrated charger can recharge it from an external DC supply in less than 7 hours (depending of the battery capability). The DC/Bat LED becomes red to show the proper operation of the internal charger. This LED becomes green at the end of the charge.
3.1. Switching on and off Hold down the “Esc” button for more than 2 seconds; the screen will light up and display the AAS logo after few seconds and after the application start. To switch off the unit, you can go in the menu tools and select power down. Or you can press “Esc” during 2s, and press F1 to confirm. Like that, you will preserve the integrity of the systems and limits the risks to have defective audio files.
4. Menu description 4.1. General principles To enter the menus, push (just shortly this time!) the “Esc” button. The main menu is then displayed. Pressing again the “Esc” button brings you back to the normal meter display mode You can navigate inside the menus and across lists using the rotary. To change an item, first move towards it using the rotary until the item is highlighted; then select the item by pressing the “OK” button or push down the rotary.
4.2.
« Backup to USB »: Enable the backup of the current working day on an USB disk.
About « Update firmware » : update the firmware from the SD card Show system information : version, configuration, IP address Shortcut list : Show shortcut key features 4.3. Menu : « Audio » - 4.3.1. Menu : « Audio Inputs » For each microphone 1 to 4 o The microphone gain can be set from 0 to +50dB by 10dB step o An analog filter at 50Hz 18dB/Octave can be enable o A limiter can be enable o A 48Volts phantom power can be enable or a Tonader 12V.
4.3.2. Menu : « Audio Output » - For each line from 1 to 4 o The maximum output level can be set between -9dBu to +22dBu o A 40dB attenuator can be added. - For each Extended outputs on I/O connector (MiniCon) o The maximum output level can be set between -20dBu to +10dBu o « AES out mode » : AES format : « Pro » or « Consumer » 4.3.3.
Auxiliary bus You have a second mixing bus for local diffusion. You can send it on analog and digital outputs. Only mono source can be managed correctly in this bus The master has no effect on the auxiliary bus. An automatic attenuation is made depending of the number of selected sources. Number of channels mixed into AUX bus Attenuation 1 0dB 2 -6.6dB 3 -10dB 4 -12dB 5&6 -14.
1. 2. 3. You can have a panpot feature on the microphone input 1 to 4. When you select this feature, the selected input is automatically routed in the mix down with panpot. When you disable it, the selected input is routed in L&R in the mix down. You can configure a gain adjustment on the input line 1 & 2, both can be coupled on a single potentiometer or separated on 2 potentiometers.
- Behringer BCF2000 Each of these surfaces can control 8 channels simultaneously. Channels, as on the 4Minx, can be coupled or not. Example: Mic/line1&2 coupling Channels 1 to 4 control mic / line 1 to 4 inputs; channels 5 & 6 control line inputs and finally channels 7 & 8 control AES 1 & 2 inputs. For each channel you disposed of two actuators: a linear fader and a rotary encoder. The encoder is primarily to adjust the input sensitivity.
Some keys are also used on the midi control surface: - REC: press twice to record. The pause is also available if the feature is enabled in the menu. - STOP: press twice to stop recording 4.3.7. Menu « Mixdown limiter » Under this menu, you can enable or disable a limiter and/or a compressor on the mixdown. The user can adjust many parameters.
1. - - Project management This module allows to create a new project, the work day will be the day of the machine (date system) You can destroy a project. But to destroy the current project, it is necessary to select another project before. Only information related to the project is destroyed but not audio files are destroyed.
2. Work day management - This module allows creating a new work day with the date system - You can destroy a workday. ATTENTION: all information and AUDIO files of this day will be destroyed. It is the only way to destroy audio files. - Can generate a report of the day's work in HTML and CSV format on SD card via the Sound report menu.
3. Scene management You can create a new scene in the project when you want. The scene index is not related to working days. It increments regardless For all modules, the navigation between the different drop-down lists is done through the encoder as in menus. The activation of the Ok allows entering and getting out of the various fields. The Esc key cancels any changes. 4.4.2. Menu : « File Management In this menu, you can configure your records. This configuration is linked to the active project.
- - o Track 3 : rear Mono For B format files o Track 1 : W soundfield o Track 2 : X soundfield o Track 3 : Y soundfield o Track 4 : Z soundfield For A format files o Track 1 : LF-A_FORMAT o Track 2 : RF-A_FORMAT o Track 3 : LB-A_FORMAT o Track 4 : RB-A_FORMAT The files are WAV files with the extension BWF and iXML fields. This type of file remaining fully compatible with a standard WAV file. For each file, you can select the sources.
To validate source(s) of the selected file, you should press F4 or SHIFT. Or press Esc to cancel modification. If the file is not valide, you have a ‘---‘ in the sources field. 4.4.3.
Through this menu, you can change the root of the file name. You have at your disposal 3 fields. For each field, you can select between: - the project name - Scene name - Working day - Recording type - Canvas The file will have the following name: [Field 1]_[ Field 2]_[ Field 3]-[scene index]_[Take index]_[File number]-[Split file index].wav Note: the [Split file index] is the index of the 2Go file split (FAT limitation size) 4.4.4.
- Use an external USB keyboard. 4MinX support every kind of USB keyboard, wire or wireless. You can specify in the 4MinX 3 keyboard types: UK, French and German. Some specifics characters aren’t take in care to stay compatible with the FAT system file. - Use the virtual keyboard o The letter selection is made via the encoder o The validation of the letter is made via the OK button. o o o o o o The position of the cursor can be set with and .
Recording type You can specify the nature of the record via the menu "Recording type". This information can be used in the name of the file. You have the choice between: - Wild Sound - Pick up - Announce - Time Sync - Not specify - Ignore Canvas For people working with 3 index, a canvas is available in this menu too. The canvas has the following format: sequence number + letter-scene-take. The canvas is automatically incremented at each new take and it is resetting on a new scene creation.
You can modify the sequence, revision and scene fields. You should set the focus on the wanted field, press Ok and increase or decrease the value with the encoder. And press Ok again to validate. To take in care index modification, go on take field and press Ok. The take index is automatically reset. Sources names You can specify a name for each inputs, this name will be show in the sound report and can be read form the audio file in post production to identify easily sources 4.4.5.
4.4.7. Menu : «Backup False take » If you enable this function, false take will be saved in a "trash" sub directory of the project. The files keep the same name indexed by a '_x'. If you make several consecutive false take on the same index, we add an another '_x' on older files To mark a take as a false take, you should use the shortcut: “Stop” + 4.4.8.
4.5. Menu « Settings » 4.5.1. Menu : « Synchronization » In the "Mode" menu, you can choose the mode "Master" (operation on the internal clock) or select an external sync mode: AES or a word clock (Time code Option) In the "Frequency" menu, you can select the sampling rate frequency from 32kHz to 96 kHz Note: It is imperative to select same sampling rate as the external source of synchronization for the proper functioning of the machine.
4.5.2. Menu : Time Code ( Option) In this menu you can set the Time Code mode of operation: - Off: all the records begin to 0h0m0s -Free Run: Time code runs independently on its current value -Ext TC: 4MinX following continuously an external code, including judgment time -Ext Tc / cont: 4MinX synchronizes to an external TC and continues to run the TC even if the source is disconnected. You also have the option to configure video format which is associated with: 23.976, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 29.
4.5.1. Menu : « Snapshots » You can create configurations memories. All configurations related to audio and audio files will be stored in each memory. 4.5.2. Menu : « Tone » Allows adjusting the level of the tone generator between -6dBFS to -20dBFS 4.5.3. Menu : « Display » The menu "Brightness" allows both adjust the brightness of the screen and all of DEL present in the face before. The "Metering thresholds" menu allows setting the threshold for each LED of the bargraph.
- - Meta data o Note o Scene name o Type of take o Canvas Memories o Snapshot from 1 to 8 Other functions o Slate, Tone,… 4.6. Menu : « Tools » 4.6.1. Menu : Power down It is imperative to power down the 4MinX correctly from the user interface if you don’t want to lose settings and configurations. You can press during 1s the ESC key in place to use this menu and confirm by F4 4.6.2. Menu : Sleep This menu allows putting the 4Minx in standby. In standby, the consumption is reduced to 1.5W.
4.6.4. Menu : Format media Through this menu, you can format quickly your SD card with FAT32 file system. 4.6.5. Menu : Reset settings This action will destroy all configurations registered in the machine. You can also, via this menu, return to the "factory configuration". Note: restart requested after this action! Note: The audio files in the memory card are not destroyed! 4.6.6.
- Warning threshold for remaining SD card disk space. 4.6.8.
5. Operating mode – Detailed description 5.1. Recording 5.1.1. Interface 4 5 6 3 7 8 9 2 10 11 1 1 : Show monitoring source and listening mode 2 : Recorder state : Stop, Recording, Pause, play 3 : Function keys : show the name of the function on the first line and in [], the second function accessible with the shift key 4 : Synchronization and sample rate frequency indication. 5 : Time Code or system hour 6 : Last recorded scene and take index.
5.1.2. Start a record To record, a project must be validate (by default "default" project), and having a configuration files valid ( by default “Mix down”). This information must be available on the work screen (above: point 7 and 10). To start a recording, you should press "REC" key. The first pressure, the recorder is set to "READY", and it waiting for a confirmation by a second "REC" press.
5.2.2. Play To start reading, you should press again the play key. The "pause" is accessible by pressing the same key. The advance and return keys allow to reposition in the file with a step of 5 s or / and 1 minute if the "shift" key is enabled. 5.2.3. Monitoring Only registered sources will appear in the monitoring. Shortcuts are created automatically with the recorded file types. Bargraphs on the screen display the levels of all recorded channels.
5.3. Shortcuts To optimize the use of 4minx, some shortcuts are available: Keys « Headphone » « Headphone » twice Function Display monitoring shortcut or source list Display listening mode « Stop » + « << » « Stop » + « >>» False take New scene « Shift » + « OK » To inhibit or activate the recording of a file.
6. Couplings 6.1. Using the L/R M/S transcoding This chapter shows examples of situations where L/RM/S matrixing can be used and the effect of matrixing in these situations. Due to the flexibility of 4MINX, this is not an exhaustive view and other configurations are also possible. 6.1.1. 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. 1.
6.1.2. 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. The M should be connected on the input 1 or 3 and the S on the input 2 or 4. The M/S coupling mode should be enabling in the menu. The output signal is a stereo signal in this case.
6.1.3. 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/RM/S matrixing is not applied at the MAIN output (Outputs kept configured in “L/R” mode).
6.2.
6.3.
6.4.
In this mode you can use a dedicated monitoring for the Double MS; The 4MinX will give you a separated monitoring for the front and for the rear. Note: The Double M/S microphone is mixed as 2 separated M/S microphones in the mix down after stereo conversion.
6.5.
6.6.
In this mode you can use a dedicated monitoring to decode the A or B format. You can turn around the microphone by 45° step. With this monitoring, you have the best monitoring as possible during your records.
For having a good monitoring of the A or B format microphones, you should indicate in the Audio, Channel coupling menu the orientation of the microphone ( for the SPS200) and the stereo width between 60° and 180°.
7. Technical Specifications 7.1.
7.2. Line input Number 1 x 2 channels Format 2 channels, electronically Female 5-pin XLR 1 : Ground 2 : Line 1 + 3 : Line 1 – 4 : Line 2 + 5 : Line 2- Socket Maximum input level +24 dBu Bandwith 10 Hz - 50 kHz (+0 dB, -1 dB) Commun mode rejection 90 dB @ 1 kHz Input Impedance > 10k 7.3.
7.4.
7.5. "Line Out" unbalanced analog outputs Audio signals are the same as line output 1 and 2. Format 2 channels, unbalanced Socket Mini-jack 3.5mm, stereo Output level 6dB below balanced output Maximum output level +16 dBu Source impedance 100 7.6. Digial outputs 3 mini XLR TA3 provide 2 digital channels 3 times. The pin allocation of the “TA3” socket is as follows: Pin Function 1 Ground 2 + Output 3 - Output The outputs levels have an AES level, 4Vc-c110 .
Protocol CEI 958 , SPDIF, "consumer" Format Unbalanced, Transformer isolated Connector RCA mal Level ( on 75 ) 0,5V c-c Source Impedance 75 7.7. Headphone output Socket Jack 6.35mm, stereo Maximum output level +20 dBu Acceptable output load 16 7.8.
7.9.
7.10. Power supply Socket Hirose HR10-7R-4S female 4 pins Nominal Voltage 12 V Minimum Voltage 8 V to supply 4MinX and 10V minimum for the battery charger Maximum Voltage 18 V The power socket Hirose 4 has following pin allocation: Pin Function 1 Ground 2 3 + External DC for the internal battery charger 4 + 4Minx external DC input 7.1. Time Code Pin out of the serial 0B LEMO 5 pins connector: EXG.0B305.
7.2. Dimensions and weight Dimensions (including connectors) 260 x 75 x 195 mm (10.2”x3.0”x7.7”) 1900 g Weight 7.3. Environmental 4MINX can operate from–20 °C to +55 °C ambient temperature (-4 °F to 131 °F).
7.4. Options Hirose 10Pins On request 4MinX can be equipped with XLR3M in place of XLR5M outputs. In this case, only two channels will be available instead of the 4 channels. Upon request, replacing the female base XLR5M outputs 3/4, 4MinX can be equipped with a base 10 pins Hirose RM15TRD-10S, for wire connection for "Go /Return", unbalanced, with a two channels analog recorder. The entrance is style accessible on the XLR 5F.
8. Annexes 8.1. iXML The BWF audio file is a WAF file with extended part under XML format, named iXML. We respect the xml version 1.0 encoding in UTF-8 and the iXML version 1.52. In this part many information are saved. Some data are automatically generated by the 4MinX and some can be modify by the user Many data are also saved in the standard WAF header like notes and time code. In most case, sound editor read at first the waf header and complete data base by the iXML part.
User Sample resolution Auto The file name Auto Number of file for a record Auto AAS4MI….
8.2.
7 6 10 11 12 1 2 14 15 3 5 4 16 55 000 061 – F 8 9 13 17 4MinX - User manual 67
Left Panel: 1 Mic/Ligne inputs ( XLR3F) 2 Digital inputs AES-3 / 42 (XLR3F) 3 Minicon 12pins interface for wireless transmitter/receiver 4 Digital outputs AES-3 ( TA3) Right panel: 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 68 Stereo headphone output Auxiliary stereo output, unbalanced Main “Line” outputs, balanced Line In / Return inputs Direct outputs from the 4 channel External power input Ethernet interface SD/SDHC-CARD holster USB host Micro USB 2.
1 3 2 4 6 9 8 7 5 16 14 13 12 11 15 8.3.
70 4MinX - User manual AES 3 & 4 AES 1 & 2 AES42 ( Ph 10V ) Outpre1 Outpre2 Outpre3 Ovl AES Pre 3&4 -90...+36dB -90...+36dB -90...0dB Balance or S width +14 +4 +4 AES Pre 1&2 Out Pre1 Out Pre2 Out Pre3 Out Pre4 Limiter Balance or S width +14 +4 +4 Outpre4 Line Pre 1&2 -100 to +20dB Ovl Ovl -100 to +20dB Ovl Synchro Sam ple rat e conve rter Sam ple rat e conve rter -6...+24dB (1dB steps) AES42 ( Ph 10V ) PAD 12dB P48 T12 Off Ext 4 PAD 20dB PAD 20dB 0...
8.4.
8.5.
8.6.
8.7.
NP1 holdster for NP1 battery Car adaptor power cable Adaptor cable XLR5 to 2 XLR3 for line outputs 55 000 061 – F 4MinX - User manual 75
Adaptor cable from 2 XLR3 to XLR5 for line inputs AES adaptor cable from TA3 to XLR3 Specific adaptor cable for wireless microphone receiver and transmitter 76 4MinX - User manual 55 000 061 - F
Compact keyboard : QZERTY Micro USB cable adptor to HOST interface Carring Bag Other (on request): Adaptor cable for AES output to SPDIF on RCA Adaptor Time code cable between Lemo 5 and 2 BNC connectors MiniCon 12pins alone 55 000 061 – F 4MinX - User manual 77
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