Reference Manual
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Table Of Contents Introduction..........................................................5 Welcome!...................................................................................................... 5 About the MultiMix USB2.0..............................................6 All-In-One Mixer and Multichannel Computer Audio Interface ....................................................................................................... 6 MultiMix USB2.0 Key Features .........................................
Table Of Contents Chapter Three: Digital Effects Processor ...............................................................19 Effects Section Components ............................................19 Program Selection Knob ........................................................................... 19 LED Display................................................................................................ 19 CLIP Indicator .....................................................................................
Table Of Contents Using the MultiMix USB2.0 with CoreAudio on the Macintosh ................................................................42 Chapter Six: Troubleshooting: Hardware...............................................................43 Chapter Seven: Troubleshooting: Software .................................................................47 Computer or audio application does not see the MultiMix USB2.0 ..........................................................47 Basic troubleshooting..........
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Introduction Welcome! Thank you for making the Alesis MultiMix USB2.0 a part of your studio. Since 1984, we've been designing and building creative tools for the audio community. We believe in our products, because we've heard the results that creative people like you have achieved with them. One of Alesis' goals is to make high-quality studio equipment available to everyone, and this Reference Manual is an important part of that.
Introduction About the MultiMix USB2.0 The MultiMix USB2.0 mixers are the latest in the large family of Alesis audio mixers and the second series that includes computer interfacing (following on the launch of the MultiMix USB mixers in 2004, the MultiMix FireWire mixers in 2005, and the iMultiMix8 USB-with-iPod mixer in 2007). We’ve come a long way since introducing our first mixing console in 1989. Since that time audio technology has grown in leaps and bounds, pushing up quality and driving down prices.
Introduction y y y y y y y y from the computer, all in 24-bit, 44.1/48/88.2/96 kHz digital audio. ASIO and WDM computer drivers – lets you use the MultiMix USB2.0 with the vast majority of digital audio workstation programs. Clean and powerful preamps – up to 50dB of preamp gain for capturing quiet sources. Globally switched phantom power. Stereo inputs – Two stereo pairs. Great for line-level instruments.
Introduction How to Use This Manual This manual is divided into the following sections describing the various functions and applications of the MultiMix consoles. While it's a good idea to read through the entire manual once carefully, those having general knowledge about mixing should use the table of contents to look up specific functions. Chapter 1: Getting Started shows you how to include the MultiMix in your audio setup for recording, computer interfacing, and live applications.
Introduction A Few Words for Beginners We realize that some of you who have purchased the MultiMix USB2.0 are fairly new to the art of mixing and computer recording. We’ve written this manual with that in mind. We designed the MultiMix to be both powerful and easy enough to use that even a beginner can quickly pick up the basics.
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1 Getting Started Important: download the drivers from http://www.alesis.com onto a folder on your desktop or insert the software CD into your computer’s CD drive BEFORE you plug your MultiMix into your computer for the first time. See page 23 for details. Hooking up the MultiMix USB2.0 This diagram will help you get the MultiMix USB2.0 hooked up and ready to go. The equipment you use depends on personal preference and on whether you’re performing live or recording.
1 Getting Started Using Proper Cables When connecting instruments and other equipment to the MultiMix, it’s important that you use the appropriate types of cables. Here are some simple but important guidelines: y y y y For the mic inputs, use XLR cables. For the line inputs and all other 1/4” connections, use 1/4” mono TRS cables. Use stereo RCA cables for the 2-track in and out. Use a USB 2.0 cable to connect one of the USB 2.0 ports to a computer.
2 A Tour of the MultiMix USB2.0 In this chapter, you’ll learn all about the MultiMix’s components (except for the digital effects processor, which is explained in the next chapter). Please refer to the diagrams as you read each section to see which components we’re talking about. Patchbay At the rear portion of the top of the MultiMix, you’ll find the patchbay. This is where you plug in instruments, signal processors, multitrack recorders and other devices.
2 A Tour of the MultiMix USB2.0 Line Inputs (Channels 5 – 8) Unlike channels 1 – 4, the line inputs on channels 5 – 8 are stereo inputs that have left and right inputs. If you’re using one of these channels as a mono input, plug your instrument into the left input. Channels 5 – 8 don’t have the extra gain found on channels 1 – 4 because most line-level instruments don’t require the extra boost. Synthesizers and other electronic instruments will work especially well on these channels.
A Tour of the MultiMix USB2.0 2 This output can carry several different signals, depending on which source you have selected in the master section of the mixer. Channel Strips The eight channel strips are virtually identical to each other, with the only difference being that channels 1 – 4 are mono and channels 5 – 8 are stereo. Each channel strip contains the following components. Level Control The level control knob controls how much of the signal from the mic or line inputs is sent to the channel.
2 A Tour of the MultiMix USB2.0 EQ The MultiMix gives you three bands of EQ per channel. Using these knobs, you can tailor the channel’s signal by boosting some frequencies and cutting others. The LO and HI controls are shelving controls with fixed frequencies of 75 Hz and 12 kHz respectively. The MID control has a peaking response fixed at 2.5 kHz. “Shelving” means that the mixer boosts or cuts all frequencies past the specified frequency.
A Tour of the MultiMix USB2.0 2 HDPH / CTRL RM The HDPH / CTRL RM knob controls the level of the signal being sent to the CTRL RM OUT and the PHONES output. The level of this signal is represented by the LED meters. The “CTRL RM” in the name of this knob refers to the fact that it controls the signal that typically is sent to the control room monitors of a studio, where someone—usually an engineer—is working the mixer.
2 A Tour of the MultiMix USB2.0 Rear of the Mixer Here’s what you’ll find at the rear of the mixer. Power Input Here’s where you plug in your mixer’s external power supply. You should always connect your power supply to the mixer before you plug the power supply into an electrical outlet. Power Supply Unit This unit provides 18.5 VAC at 700 mA of power, more than enough to keep your MultiMix running smoothly. As with nearly all power supply units, this one tends to get warm when left on for a while.
3 Digital Effects Processor Onboard your MultiMix USB2.0 is a powerful effects unit that has 100 preset programs. We offer a few tips on where to use these, but don’t limit yourself to our suggestions. We recommend that you experiment with these effects to get a good feel for how they can improve your mixes Effects Section Components Program Selection Knob You can use this knob to assign one of 100 effect programs to your mix.
3 Digital Effects Processor CHORUS These create the effect of multiple voices (or instruments) sounding at once from a single input. FLANGE These create a sweeping, swooshing sound effect that you will probably recognize. DELAY These effects are based on a discreet repetition or echo of the input. PITCH These effects transpose the pitch of the input signal and blend the effect signal with the original to create harmonies. MULTI & MULTI II These are combinations of two or more of the above effects.
4 Traditional Mixing Your MultiMix 8 USB2.0 can be used in a wide variety of ways in both live and recording applications. You have several options for bringing sound into and out of the board. And when it’s brought in, you can route it to various parts of the mixer for certain desired effects, or even send it to an external processor or tape deck and back. To give you some ideas for different mixing scenarios, here are descriptions of a few common applications for the MultiMix 8 USB2.0.
4 Traditional Mixing Simple Two-Channel Recording Setup (without using a computer) Again, connect your instruments and microphones to the mono and stereo channels and set the levels appropriately. To record directly from the mixer to a tape deck or other device, connect the MultiMix 8 USB2.0’s 2-TRACK OUT jacks to the IN jacks of the recorder. For monitoring you can connect the CTRL RM OUT jacks to a speaker or headphone amplifier, or just simply plug headphones into the PHONES jack.
5 USB2.0 Recording Important: download the drivers from http://www.alesis.com onto a folder on your desktop or insert the software DVD into your computer’s DVD drive BEFORE you plug your MultiMix into your computer for the first time. First-time connection and driver installation instructions Windows Before attaching your mixer to your computer, install the drivers either from the website or the software DVD.
5 USB2.0 Recording Installing the optional applications The software DVD that comes with the MultiMix USB2.0 contains not only the drivers (the small computer programs that work behind the scenes so that your MultiMix works properly with your computer) but also some powerful music applications. If you don’t already have a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) program, definitely install one from the DVD. It’s a fantastic way to get started in computer-based recording.
USB2.0 Recording 5 USB2.0 inputs and outputs Channels sent from the MultiMix to the computer The USB2.0 port sends every individual mixer channel as well as the MultiMix’s MAIN OUT/2-TRACK OUT left and right signals to the computer. This means that, for the MultiMix 8 USB2.0, 8 individual channels are sent to the computer along with the MAIN stereo pair (10 channels in total).
5 USB2.0 Recording Sound setup under Windows To use your MultiMix USB2.0 as your default Windows sound device, follow these steps: 26 1. From the Windows Start menu, choose “Control Panel.” Depending on your Windows preferences, it will appear similar to one of the two pictures below: 2. Choose “Sounds and Audio Devices”. 3. Click the “Audio” tab. Change the default devices for both sound playback and sound recording to “Alesis USB Audio.
USB2.0 Recording 4. Click the “Voice” tab. Change the voice playback and voice recording settings to “Alesis USB Audio.” 5. Click “Apply” to apply these changes.
5 USB2.0 Recording Disabling Windows System Sounds Windows System Sounds—the sounds that Windows plays to signal starting up, shutting down, alerts and so forth—can interfere with your audio recording. We strongly suggest that you disable these sounds. 28 1. Click the “Sounds” tab of “Sounds and Audio Devices.” 2. Under “Sound Scheme,” choose “No sounds.” 3. Click “OK” to accept this entry and close the dialog box.
USB2.0 Recording 5 Connections and settings for USB2.0 recording and monitoring The best way to begin using the MultiMix for USB2.0 recording is to set up your system this way: 1. Hook up your monitoring system to the MultiMix’s CTRL RM OUT jacks. 2. Apply the MASTER section’s buttons as follows: a. 2 TK TO MIX: Leave UP. Pressing this button down can cause nasty feedback loops. b. MIX TO CONTROL ROOM: Press DOWN. This will allow you to hear the music being recorded in real time. c.
5 USB2.0 Recording Choosing the MultiMix as your audio device 1. Choose the menu option “Devices” | “Device Setup….” This discussion uses Steinberg’s Cubase software, but the principles provided here apply to all ASIO recording software. 2. 30 Click the “VST Multitrack” option.
USB2.0 Recording 3. From within the ASIO Driver drop-down box, choose the Alesis USB Audio device. 4. Press “OK” to accept this setting. 5 Different versions of Cubase function similarly, but not exactly, to the examples shown here.
5 32 USB2.0 Recording 5. Now that the MultiMix is selected as the audio device, individual channels must be activated for use. Again, return to the “Devices” menu, and select “VST inputs.” 6. Click the activation buttons for channel pairs that you want to use. Note that you can re-label the inputs as you wish. Some versions of Cubase do not allow all inputs to be used simultaneously.
USB2.0 Recording 5 Creating a new audio file Now, you’re ready to create an audio project. 1. Choose “File” | “New Project…” 2. You can begin with a template or an empty file. For now, begin with an empty file.
5 USB2.0 Recording 3. 4. 34 Cubase needs to know where to place audio. Choose a directory here. Now, you have a blank project. Add an audio track for recording by choosing “Project” | “Add Track” | “Audio.” An excellent scheme for storing your projects is to create a directory called “audio projects.” Then, within that folder, create a new folder for each song you work on. Cubase will store your song file and all associated audio files in that same folder.
USB2.0 Recording 5. Be sure that the “inspector”—a strip on the left-hand side of Cubase that shows all sorts of information about the selected track—is active. If your view is similar to that shown below, the Inspector is active. If you do not see all of the information on the lefthand side, the Inspector is not active. To activate it, press the “show Inspector” button towards the upper left of the screen (just below the “Edit” menu in the following picture). 6.
5 USB2.0 Recording 7. You will do most of your monitoring through the mixer. However, if you want to monitor with Cubase’s effects, or if you just want to hear what the computer is hearing, press the direct monitoring button next to the Record Enable button. Note that using direct monitoring causes a small delay as the digital audio is being processed.
USB2.0 Recording 5 Working with the Alesis USB2.0 control panel Accessing the control panel In Windows, open the Alesis USB2.0 control panel from either the All Programs menu or within your audio application. On the Mac, access this panel from the “configure device” button of Audio/MIDI Setup. To open the control panel from within Cubase in Windows, select “Devices” | “Device Setup….” | “VST MultiTrack.” Then, click the “Control Panel” button.
5 USB2.0 Recording Using the MultiMix USB2.0 with Sonar and other WDM applications Choosing the MultiMix as your audio device 1. Choose the menu “Options” | “Audio….” Choosing the MultiMix as your audio device Unlike ASIO, WDM allows multiple audio devices to be used at the same time. However, doing so can cause all sorts of synchronization problems. Therefore, we suggest that you use the MultiMix as your sole audio input/output device. 2.
USB2.0 Recording 3. 5 Click the “Advanced” tab. For WDM operation, be sure that the “Driver Mode” is set to “WDM/KS.” (If you change this setting, you will need to exit and then restart Sonar.) For applications like Sonar that support both WDM and ASIO modes, you may want to experiment with each to see if either mode offers greater stability.
5 USB2.0 Recording 4. 40 Move to the “Drivers” tab. Select each input pair and also on the output pair to make them available to Sonar.
USB2.0 Recording 5 Assigning inputs to audio tracks Now, you’re ready to assign the MultiMix’s inputs to various channels. For each audio track that you want to record, click on the input section of the track and select the MultiMix channel that you want. Record-enable the tracks to be recorded (first arrow). You will do most of your monitoring through the mixer.
5 USB2.0 Recording Using the MultiMix USB2.0 with CoreAudio on the Macintosh To configure the MultiMix for use with CoreAudio: 42 1. Open the Mac’s “Audio MIDI Setup” utility. 2. Choose the “Alesis USB Audio Device” as both input and output device. 3. To verify that the MultiMix USB 2.0 is connected to your Mac, select the “Alesis USB Audio Device” under “Properties For:” and then press “Configure Device.” Mac OS X 10.4 or higher is required by the MultiMix drivers.
6 Troubleshooting: Hardware If you’re having problems operating the MultiMix, this troubleshooting index will help you correct them. Symptoms No sound from the mixer. Audio signal is distorted. Cause Solution Mixer is not plugged in or turned on. Plug in mixer and turn it on. Faders are too low. Raise appropriate faders. Control room level is too low. Turn up control room level. The appropriate signal hasn’t been assigned to the control room out.
6 Troubleshooting: Hardware Audio signal carries an unwanted hum. Microphone level is too low. No or low sound from a channel. Internal effects aren’t working. 44 Too much low-level noise in the mix. Engage the channel’s high-pass filter by pressing the HPF switch. Interference from appliances such as air conditioners. Engage the channel’s high-pass filter by pressing the HPF switch. Not using TRS cables. Make sure you are using 1/4” TRS cables. Phantom power is not turned on.
Troubleshooting: Hardware External effects aren’t working. Effects processor is not plugged in or turned on. Make sure unit is plugged in and turned on. Aux outputs of mixer aren’t connected to inputs of processor or processor’s outputs aren’t connected to mixer’s inputs (or aux return). Make sure the mixer’s aux outputs are connected to the processor’s inputs and that the processor’s outputs are connected to the mixer’s aux inputs. Mixer’s effects return signal is too low.
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7 Troubleshooting: Software Computer or audio application does not see the MultiMix USB2.0 Basic troubleshooting First, check that the MultiMix is seen by the computer: Open the Alesis control panel and check that Windows sees the device as attached. No connection If “MultiMix Audio” does not appear, Windows does not see the mixer as being connected to the computer. Check your USB2.0 cable and try powering the mixer off and on again. As a last resort, re-start your computer.
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8 Specifications For the more technical-minded, here are some detailed specifications for the MultiMix’s operating levels. Input Channels Mic In Sensitivity Range: Mic/Line Gain Range: -60dBu to –10dBu nominal, +5dBu maximum -40dBu to -+10dBu nominal, +25dBu maximum +10 to +60dB Equalization High-Pass Filter: High Shelving: Mid Bandpass/Band Reject: Low Shelving: 75Hz, 18dB/octave 12kHz, +/- 15dB 2.
8 Specifications Computer Requirements Minimum PC Requirements: • • • • Pentium 4, 2.4GHz Processor (or equivalent) 512 MB RAM Available USB2.0 Port Windows XP (with Service Pack 2 or higher installed) Minimum Macintosh Requirements: • • • • 50 G4 with native USB2.0 support Mac OS X version 10.
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Glossary Here are the definitions to some terms you’ll probably encounter while using your MultiMix USB2.0. Term Definition ASIO Audio Stream Input/Output. An audio protocol developed by Steinberg and used by multiple audio software manufacturers. aux (auxiliary) An additional set of outputs and inputs found on many mixers. These allow the addition of external effects and other audio sources.
Glossary rectangular rackmount units. 54 EQ (equalizer) The part of your mixer (or other device) that manipulates an audio signal by lowering the level of some frequencies and increasing the levels of others. EQ is used to fine-tune a signal’s highs and lows. fader A device that allows you to control the level of an audio signal by sliding the fader up and down a straight path. Each input channel of the MultiMix has its own fader, and so do the MAIN MIX and ALT 3/4. USB2.
Glossary return A line input whose function is to carry back to the mixer an audio signal that has been sent from the mixer. Usually used in the application of effects. sample rate Digital audio is chopped up into tiny time slices. The sample rate is the number of time slices captured in one second. 44.1kHz—44,100 samples per second—is the standard used for Compact Disk audio. 48kHz—48,000 samples per second, is commonly used for film and video.
Contact Information Alesis Contact Information Alesis Distribution, LLC Los Angeles, CA USA E-mail: Web site: support@alesis.com http://www.alesis.com MultiMix USB2.0 Reference Manual Revision B by Edwin Erdmann, Brooks Bruner, and Fred Morgenstern. Copyright 2005-2007, Alesis Distribution, LLC. All rights reserved Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited. “MultiMix” and “MultiMix USB2.0” are trademarks of Alesis, LLC. Specifications subject to change without notice.
