MULTI-PURPOSE CONSOLES FX16 16 Mono Channels with onboard Lexicon Effects FX8 8 Mono Channels with onboard Lexicon Effects SX 12 Mono & 4 Stereo Inputs M SERIES 4/8/12 Mono & 4 Stereo Inputs E SERIES 6 or 8 Mono & 4 Stereo Inputs NOTEPAD 4 Mono & 2 Stereo Inputs SPIRIT RANGE BROCHURE
CONTENTS Quick Selector Spirit Mixers at a glance 4 ? Compare Spirit Mixer Inputs & Features Quickly Features Table Power Features Page 4 What makes Spirit consoles special Features in depth Power Features 16 Mono Channels with onboard Lexicon Effects FX16 The Mixers in detail Pages 4 - 7 4-7 Full Product Description Dimensions Specifications 8 - 18 Pages 8 & 9 Page 24 Page 25 8 Mono Channels with onboard Lexicon Effects FX8 Full Product Description Dimensions Specifications Pages 10 &
WORLD CLASS MIXERS TEXAS The Spirit range from Soundcraft rates among the world’s best selling series of compact mixers. Designed by sound industry legend, Graham Blyth, the multi-award-winning Spirit range is unique in providing professional features and sound quality at a price everyone can afford. Every console in the Spirit range is designed to incorporate the warm, British EQ that has made Soundcraft, the leading name in live, studio and broadcast mixing for nearly 30 years.
SPIRIT FEATURES THE SPIRIT ADVANTAGE ULTRAMIC™ The mic pre-amp is one of the more critical points in the signal chain. Both live and in the studio, any distortion or noise that is introduced at this stage will remain a problem. Graham Blyth’s UltraMic™ design Soundcraft Spirit mixers share the same design philosophy, aimed at delivering uncompromising audio quality and a wide range of features in compact, affordable products.
SPIRIT FEATURES exceptionally wide gain range of the UltraMic™ (see diagram below) means that it can just as easily amplify the signal from a low-output ribbon mic as a high-output condenser type. In fact signals as hot as +22dBU can be accepted, which means that it’s almost impossible to push an UltraMic™ into distortion.
SPIRIT FEATURES CUSTOM CONTROLS BUILD QUALITY Soundcraft’s advanced manufacturing ensures that all of these advanced designs are produced efficiently and to the very highest standards. Surfacemount PCB construction means that components can be soldered directly to circuit boards, improving reliability and efficiency, and reducing susceptibility to vibration fatigue.
SPIRIT FEATURES DIRECT OUTPUTS Direct outputs allow the signal from each channel to be sent straight back out of the console as well as into its audio busses. Individual channels can be recorded separately to tape, and you can record on as many tape tracks at once as you have channels. Folio direct outputs can be switched to be either pre-fade or post-fade. The prefade signal is the output from the channel EQ but before the mute switch.
16 MIC/LINE INPUT MIXER WITH LEXICON 16 Mono UltraMic™ Inputs The FX16 offers a combination of powerful live and recording features, with enough channels and direct outputs to enable use with 16-track recording systems. 4 Stereo Returns With its 16 mono channels, stereo effects returns and a 2-track return that can be routed to the mix, the FX16 can handle up to 26 inputs simultaneously.
EFFECTS Auxiliary Outputs MONO INPUTS 3 impedance-balanced 1/4" jacks send signals to effects units or monitor/foldback amplifiers. Connectors Neutrik XLR for mics. Phantom Power available globally from the master section (condenser mics). 1/4 inch jack for line level instruments. Mic and line inputs are balanced. Direct Out and Insert point. Phantom Power Supplies +48V globally to power condenser mics. LED indicates +48V active.
8 MIC/LINE INPUT MIXER WITH LEXICON EFFECTS 8 Mono UltraMic™ Inputs 4 Stereo Inputs Global 48V Phantom Power 3-Band EQ with Swept Mid Whatever the application, you can add studio-quality digital effects using the built-in Lexicon effects processor. Its 16 preset chorus, delay and reverb effects are selected with a simple control knob, and an easy-touse interface allows each preset to be quickly edited to create your own custom effects.
MONO INPUTS Mix Inserts Connectors For processing all signals routed to mix with a compressor/limiter or other device. Neutrik XLR for mics. Phantom Power available globally from the master section (condenser mics). 1/4 inch jack for line level instruments. Mic and line inputs are balanced. Insert point. Monitor Outputs For nearfield monitors via an amplifier. 2-Track Return Two phono connectors allow playback of master stereo recording or for pre-show music.
COMPACT 20-INPUT MIXER FOR LIVE 12 Mono UltraMic™ Inputs 4 Stereo Inputs Global 48V Phantom Power Channel Mute 4-Bus Architecture The SX has 12 mono channels for mic or line sources, each with an UltraMic pre-amp, classic 3-band British EQ with a swept mid band, and a 100mm fader for precise level control. Direct outputs are provided for recording, and these can be switched pre-or post fade to suit live or studio use.
& STUDIO USE WITH 100MM FADERS MASTER SECTION Phantom Power Switch for global +48V phantom power on/off. LED indicates +48V active. 2 Track Return Two unbalanced phono connectors. 2TK LEVEL rotary controls playback levels. Monitoring Two impedance balanced 1/4 inch jacks for connection to an amplifier and monitor speakers. Monitor Mix, Submix, any Solo or 2-Track Return through monitor outputs or phones. MONO INPUTS Connectors Neutrik XLR for mics, with Phantom Power available.
HIGH PERFORMANCE COMPACT MIXE Effective grounding eliminates noise and crosstalk 3-band EQ with swept mid band Integrated S/PDIF digital output Sonic integrity through design High quality, linear mic preamps with smooth gain control Through a fresh and innovative approach, Soundcraft designers have created a mixer that rivals the sonic performance of many high end live consoles. Attention to detail in the design of the Spirit M Series makes mixing a positive pleasure.
ERS CONTROLS & CONNECTIONS MONO INPUTS Direct Out (switchable) For connection to external multitrack recorders or effects units. Mic Input A balanced female XLR connector accepts balanced or unbalanced mic signals. At -128dbu EIN the mic amp is extremely quiet and transparent. Line Input A balanced 1/4" jack for connecting balanced or unbalanced electronic instruments, such as keyboards.
HIGH PERFORMANCE COMPACT MIXE Multi-point signal channel status monitoring (post-Mic pre, post-EQ, post-fade) with proportional illumination Close tolerance surfacemount components for high accuracy repeateable EQ Looking for a simple, easy to use mixer that delivers an exceptional audio performance? The Spirit E Series is here. For recording, live, install or broadcast use there’s a Spirit E Series for you.
ERS WITH 100MM FADERS MONO INPUTS (E and ES Models) MASTER SECTION Mic Input Phantom Power A balanced female XLR connector accepts balanced or unbalanced mic signals. At -128dbu EIN the mic amp is extremely quiet and transparent. Global control over professional +48V phantom power is offered via a push button. When active, an LED will illuminate. 2-Track Inputs and Outputs 2-track recorder playback inputs and record sends are on unbalanced RCA phonos.
COMPACT MIXER MAIN FEATURES 4 Mono Inputs 2 Stereo Inputs If ever a mixer deserved to be called “small but perfectly formed”, it’s the Spirit Notepad that earned the title. Despite its ultra-compact size and very affordable price tag, the Notepad comes with the same professional pedigree as all Spirit mixers, and is packed with enough features to handle a surprisingly wide range of mixing tasks.
SPIRIT APPLICATIONS Whatever the application – studio recording, live mixing or live recording – a mixer invariably does the same basic job of combining and routing several signals at once. But in situations as different as mixing a band in a small bar, sound reinforcement in a large church hall, or recording in a compact studio, this basic job comes with widely varied additional requirements.
SPIRIT APPLICATIONS FX8 FX16 SX E Series M Series Notepad Vocal Mic Mic/Line Mic/Line Compressor/De-Esser Mic'd Drum Kit Insert Mic/Line Mic/Line Mic/Line Mic/Line Mic/Line Mic/Line Guitar through DI Box Mic/Line Mic/Line Mic/Line Stereo A Bass Guitar Amp Mic'd Stereo A Keyboards Effects Stereo B Stereo B Stereo C Stage Monitors FX Send Aux 1 Monitor Amp L Aux 2 Stage Monitor Amp Monitor Amp R Aux 3 [Not E Series] Tape In 2-Track Return Master Mix Out Monitor L/R Cassette
SPIRIT APPLICATIONS FX8 FX16 SX E Series M Series Notepad Induction Loop for the Hard of Hearing Main Mic Mic/Line Mic/Line Mic/Line Mic/Line Mic/Line Mic/Line Mic/Line Mic/Line Houses of Worship Vocal Mic As in live music mixing, a graphic equaliser across the main outputs can be very effective in correcting room acoustics (every hall or room tends to boost or cut some frequencies relative to others).
SPIRIT APPLICATIONS FX8 FX16 SX M Series M Series Notepad FX8 FX16 SX E Series M Series Notepad Keyboards Mic/Line Mic/Line Mic/Line Mic/Line Mic/Line Mic/Line Mic/Line Mic/Line Mic/Line Mic/Line Mic/Line Mic/Line Mic/Line Mic/Line Mic/Line Mic/Line Vocal Mic Mic/Line Compressor/Exciter Insert Mic/Line Guitar through Effects Processor Output 1 Sampler Stereo Output Mic/Line Output 2 Synthesizer Synthesizer Mic/Line Stereo Separate Output A Mic/Line Mic/Line Mic/Line Ster
SPIRIT APPLICATIONS Small/Home Studio Recording Most small studios employ computer-based digital recording systems. Although we’ve shown stereo inputs and outputs, most hard disk systems will allow multitrack recording, sub-mixing digitally to a stereo output. Using aux rather than main outputs allows the input levels to the soundcard to be set independently of the monitoring levels, and ensures that feedback through the card is avoided.
DIMENSIONS 248.0 (9.76") 50.0 (1.97") Notepad EQ Bands (mono inputs) ±15dB. Lo Mid (swept) Hi Q EQ Bands (stereo inputs) Lo Hi High Pass Filters Frequency Slope 237.0 (9.33") 224.0 (8.82") 148.0 (5.83") 443.6 (17.46") Noise Mic EIN @ max gain, 150Ω source impedance Aux, Mix & Masters @ max, faders down FX16 Crosstalk (typical, @ 1kHz) Channel Mute Fader Cut-off (rel 0 mark) Routing Isolation Aux Send Pots offness 442.0 (17.42") 10U Frequency Response Mic/Line Input to any output 482.
SPECIFICATIONS Notepad FX16 FX8 SX M Series E Series 80Hz 240Hz-6kHz 12kHz 1.5 80Hz 250Hz-6kHz 12kHz 1.5 80Hz 250Hz-6kHz 12kHz 1.5 60Hz 240Hz-6kHz 12kHz 0.77 80Hz 140Hz-3kHz 12kHz 1.5 N/A N/A 80Hz 12kHz 80Hz 12kHz 100Hz 18dB/Octave 100Hz 18dB/Octave 100Hz 18dB/Octave 100Hz 18dB/octave -129dBu <-80dBu -129dBu <-85dBu -129dBu <-85dBu -128dBu <-84dBu -128dBu <-85dBu -128.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS What are the maximum and minimum input levels to the mic and line inputs? The maximum levels are: +22dBu for UltraMic™ preamp inputs (i.e. mic inputs on all Spirits apart from the Notepad), +14dBu for the Spirit Notepad mic inputs, and +30dBu for all line inputs. There is no minimum level – but remember that the lower your input level, the more noise will be noticeable. The noise floor of UltraMic™ inputs is around -150dBu, so any signal at this level will be effectively lost.
GLOSSARY AFL (After Fade Listen) A solo function that sends the post-fade signal of a channel to the monitor output. Attenuate Another way of saying ‘reduce in level’. Auxiliary output An output consisting of a mix of signals (from channels and sub-groups) derived independently of the main stereo and sub-group mixes. Auxiliary sends can be used for foldback and for effects sends.
...AND BEYOND 328XD spirit Mixers are just part of a comprehensive range of soundcraft professional audio equipment. 32 Ch Digital Mixing Console From project studios to world famous recording facilities, from clubs to stadiums, from young musicians to international superstars, Soundcraft designs have become synonymous with versatility, innovation and sonic excellence.
