dMIX300 Digital Music Control Station product manual. Now that you Own it...
Dmix 300 Manual Table of Contents Warnings and WEEE.............................................................................................2 Introduction..............................................................................................................3 Features...................................................................................................................4 Compatibility and Recommended Peripherals.................................................5 Device Requirements....
IMPORTANT WARNING & SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS P L E A S E R E A D P R I O R TO O P E R AT I N G T H I S D E V I C E ! CAUTION: This product satisfies FCC regulations when shielded cables and connectors are used to connect the unit to other equipment. To prevent electromagnetic interference with electric appliances such as radios and televisions, use shielded cables and connectors for connections.
Introduction Foreword Thank you for purchasing our Cortex Dmix-300. We are confident that the Cortex platform of products will not only make your life easier through the use of the latest advancements in cross-platform connectivity and sound reproduction but will raise the bar for DJ and pro audio products. With the proper care & maintenance, your unit will likely provide years of reliable, uninterrupted service. All Cortex products are backed by a 1-year limited warranty*.
Dmix 300 Manual Features The Cortex Dmix-300 has been designed & engineered to provide digital music playback and manipulation features demanded by professional users. The Dmix-300 is designed to liberate DJs from the issues associated with PC-based solutions, by eliminating the need for a computer during performance. The Dmix-300 also offers superior portability and flexibility over that of a typical PC. Jog Wheels The Jog Wheels on the Dmix-300 provide highly precise control for a variety of functions.
Dmix 300 Manual Additional Information Maintaining Storage Devices When using writable storage devices, such as hard drives, and harddrive-based music players (iPod, Zen), certain maintenance might be required. Because the Cortex units use streaming technology to manipulate more than one music file from one device simultaneously, hard drives and hard-drive based units need to be defragmented regularly to ensure the integrity of the streamed files.
Important Notice Before operating this unit, please verify that you have the latest firmware version available from our website - http://www.cortex-pro.com. New versions of the Dmix-300 firmware will include additional features, bug fixes, and enhanced compatibility to guarantee optimum performance of your unit.
Dmix 300 Manual Parts Diagram and Functions 5 6 Rear Panel 4 2 7 Front Panel 2 1. Power Button Press and hold the Power Button for 1 second to boot up the unit. To turn the unit off the power button must be held down for 3 seconds to protect from the unit being accidently shut down. 2. Microphone Input(s) with Gain and EQ The Dmix 300 has two microphone inputs-one on the front and one on the rear of the unit.
Dmix 300 Manual 1 6 Parts Diagram and Functions Top Panel-Player Section 5 20 9 17 3 11 4 10 16 18 14 2 19 12 15 7 8 1. LCD DISPLAY panel This blue-backlit display is a 20 Character LCD that displays information such as track/waveform, folders, parameter adjustments and search information. Contrast is available in the Edit menu. 2. JOG WHEEL The JOG WHEEL controls many aspects of the unit, and can be used for navigating through menus, searching through music and manipulation of pitch.
Dmix 300 Manual 1 6 Parts Diagram and Functions Top Panel-Mixer Section 5 20 9 17 3 11 4 10 16 18 14 2 19 12 15 7 8 12.Line Fader The Line Faders on each channel are used to control volume. Use these in conjunction with the Gain and EQ on each channel to control the Volume and Tone of each channel. 13. Crossfader The Crossfader is used to fade between channels one and two. The crossfader is user replaceble from the top panel. 14.
Dmix 300 Manual Preparing for Use STEP ONE Connect the DC adapter to the DC Inlet, found on the rear of the unit. Fasten the Security Clamp (found directly below the DC Inlet jack) on top of the cable, so that it is not possible for the cable to become dislodged. STEP TWO Connect the Master output to your main mixing board, amplifier or powered speakers using RCA cables. If you have a sperate booth monitoring system, connect that to the Booth output.
Dmix 300 Manual Selecting Devices & Database Creation STEP ONE - DEVICE SELECTION When prompted, select the desired storage device, on each side, that you wish to access. Use the Navigator Keypad to advance through the list of devices, and press Enter to select. If necessary, you can also connect other USB storage devices without powering down the unit.
Dmix 300 Manual Database Creation (continued) STEP TWO - VERIFICATION (CONTINUED) If you select ‘YES’ at the prompt to verify, you will have the option to either verify the entire database, or to verify a single directory at a time. If you keep your collection organized within separate directories, you can easily select just the directories which you know have been updated.
Using the Dmix-300 File Browser and Search Options Section Three: File Browser and Search Options USING THE FILE BROWSER The File Browser is designed to allow you to view the directory structure found on a connected storage device, rather than search by specific criteria. This can be helpful if you keep your music collection in order, but can also help to locate a song that may not have the appropriate ID3 tag information.
Using the Dmix-300 Search Options (continued) SEARCH OPTIONS (CONTINUED) Search by Genres When Search by Genres is chosen, you will be presented with a list of all of the genres found in the database. Because not every MP3 has ID3 genre tagging, some tracks may not be displayed in this search. Once you select a genre from the list, you will be able to browse all songs within that genre. Search by Album Using the Search by Album option will allow you to search by the name of the album that a track is from.
Using the Dmix-300 Search Options (continued) SEARCH OPTIONS (CONTINUED) Processing Once you press Enter twice, the unit will begin processing your search. Depending on the size of your library, this may take awhile. < After the unit is finished executing the search, it will display the results that were found for each category: Titles, Artists, Genres, and Albums each of which can be accessed by using the Navigation Pad Arrow Keys or the Jog Wheel.
Using the Dmix-300 Info Button & Track Attributes Section Four: Info Button and Track Attributes You will find that the Info Button, located to the top right of each jog wheel, will become an indispensable part of using the Dmix-300. Despite the Dmix-300 being able to display an adequate amount of information on the LCD, not every attribute of each track can be displayed all at once.
Using the Dmix-300 Play Mode and Single Auto Cue Section Five: Play Mode The Play Mode is the heart of the Cortex Dmix-300. Just like conventional CD players, the Dmix-300 allows you to select multiple pitch ranges, memorize cue points, and frame accurate searching. The Dmix300 excels over traditional CD players, as it is much faster at loading and starting playback, it has a more informative LCD display, and it can memorize cue points for future performances.
Using the Dmix-300 Options Menu and Shuffle Mode Section Six: Edit Mode The Edit Mode on the Dmix-300 is the command center for the unit. In Edit Mode, the user can edit options for how the unit functions, playlists and choose the active device. Options Menu This mode is probably the one you will use the most in the Edit menu.
Using the Dmix-300 Time Display and Pitch Control Section Eight: Time Display Modes Changing the Time Display Mode is as simple as pressing the Time button to toggle between elapsed and remaining time. Elapsed Time shows how much time has past since the beginning of the track, and Remaining Time shows how much time is left before the track is over. You may press Time to change the Time Display Mode for both sides. If you wish to change the Time Display Mode on both sides press Shift+Time.
Using the Dmix-300 Jog Mode, Scratch and Playlist Section Nine: Jog Mode When the Jog Mode LED is unlit, the Jog Wheel (when in Play Mode) will perform as a Pitch Bend. When the Jog Mode button is pressed, the LED indicator will illuminate, and the Jog Wheel will then allow you to search (FF/REW) through each track. The faster the Jog Wheel is moved, the faster the unit will search through the playing track. In order to use the Jog Mode, the unit must be in the process of playing, not paused.
Using the Dmix-300 Cue Points & Memorization Section 10: Setting and Memorizing Cue Points With the Dmix-300, creating and memorizing cue points is quick and easy. By default, when there is no Cue Point set (or memorized), pressing the Cue button returns the unit to the beginning of the track (0:00.00) and pauses. To set a Cue Point during playback at a time of your choice, simply press Pause, and then use the Navigation keypad left & right buttons or Jog Wheel to make any adjustments by frame.
Using the Dmix-300 Device Menu Section 11: Changing, Adding, and Ejecting USB Storage Devices To access the Device Menu from any screen, press Shift+Power. From this menu, you can choose to Change or Eject Devices. Since USB is hot-swappable, you can connect (but not disconnect) a USB device at any time, regardless of whether the unit is powered On or not and regardless of what mode the unit is in. - To Change devices: 1. Select Change device from the Device Menu. 2.
Dmix 300 Manual Mixer Section DMIX 300 MIXER SECTION The integrated mixer section in the Dmix 300 is split into 5 sections-the Input/Output section, Gain/EQ, Faders Microphone and Cue. Over the next few pages we will go over the basics of each section and how to use your Dmix 300 to both play songs internally as well as hook up external equipment. OUTPUT SECTION The Dmix 300 has the ability to output to 3 sperate devices as well as accept 2 stereo devices (Line or Phono level).
Dmix 300 Manual Mixer Section (Cont.) Line and Cross Faders The next piece of your Dmix 300’s mixer section are the Line and Cross Faders. The Line fader is the Volume Control of your channel-use it to adjust output volume of each individual channel. The Crossfader on the other hand can be used to fade between each channel. The speed in which the volume comes in on each side of the Cross Fader can be controlled by the Fader Curve Switch, located above the Cross Fader.
Dmix 300 Manual Firmware Updates Section Five: Firmware Updates One of the most powerful features of the Dmix-300 is the capability to upgrade the internal software. This lends itself to the addition of new features and support, the optimization of current processes, and the capability to fix bugs as they arise. Firmware updates will be issued periodically at http://www.cortexpro.com.
Dmix 300 Manual Troubleshooting Section Six: Troubleshooting Error Messages If you experience an error message while navigating the unit, here are a few explanations of those errors and how they can be corrected. For a more complete troubleshooting guide, consult our website at http://www.cortex-pro.com.
Other (Specifications) Specifications 1. General Type of unit.................................................Streaming Digital Audio Controller Format compatibility.......................................................MP3, WAV, CD-Audio MP3 format......................................8 kbps ~ 320 kbps, CBR/VBR, 44.1 kHz WAV format....................................................................44.1 kHz, 16 bit stereo Instant Start........................................................................
USA Warranty Info Cortex products are designed and manufactured to the highest standards in professional audio. With proper care and maintenance, your product will provide years of reliable service. Please register your product online at http://www.cortex-pro.com Limited Warranty: In the USA, Cortex guarantees its products against defects in workmanship for the period of One (1) year* from the original date of purchase.
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