Manual Rev 1.0.4 March 7, 2005 OWNER’S MANUAL X.
Digital X Bus Important Safety Instructions 13. Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time. 1. Read these instructions. 2. Keep these instructions. 14. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel.
Introduction................................................................................................................8 Getting Started..........................................................................................................9 Connections................................................................................................................................................ 9 I/O Cards................................................................................................
Digital X Bus The Screens................................................................................................................ 21 Overview ....................................................................................................................................................21 Meters and Switching Banks..........................................................................................................................................21 Accessing Windows..........................
About......................................................................................................................................................................................................................32 Hot Keys ................................................................................................................................................................................................................32 Close All Windows.....................................................
Digital X Bus MIDI and the Digital X Bus.............................................................................................................................................66 MIDI Basics...........................................................................................................................................................................................................66 Word Clock and the Digital X Bus —The Kitchen Sync............................................................
Digital X Bus Software Installation Procedure...............................................................................88 Windows XP Users............................................................................................................................................................88 Windows 2000/ME/98SE Users..................................................................................................................................89 Mac OS X Users.....................................
Digital X Bus Introduction Thank you for choosing a Mackie Digital X Bus for your next-generation digital recording console. The Digital X Bus offers you the flexibility to configure it for virtually any recording application through its extended card cage and I/O routing options. And it was designed with the ability to upgrade as advancements are made in digital recording technology.
Once you’ve unpacked your new Digital X Bus, you’ll want to position it where you can sit comfortably and reach the touchscreens and controls, and have relatively easy access to the rear panel, in case you need to make any changes to the connections. Typically, once you’ve set it up and made the connections, you won’t have to make any changes unless you change your external equipment. Each mic input provides an individual phantom switch (+48 VDC), and a digitally controlled input trim.
Digital X Bus 3. LINE CARD The Line card has two female DB25 connectors. One provides eight balanced line-level inputs, and the other provides eight balanced line-level outputs. They use the TASCAM standard pinout for analog signal connections (the same standard used on the analog cards for the Mackie D8B and Hard Disk Recorder). If you are connecting these to another device using the same DB25 standard, you can use a DB25-to-DB25 audio cable.
At sampling rates of 88.2/96 kHz, two channels of digital audio are transmitted on a single wire (one 3-pin XLR) at twice the normal speed (2x). At sampling rates of 176.4/192 kHz, two channels of digital audio are transmitted on a single wire (one 3-pin XLR) at four times the normal speed (4x). Note: Check the owner’s manual for the device you are connecting to the AES/EBU card, to find out if it supports the double-fast (or single-wire) method.
Digital X Bus nect these outputs to the inputs of a 2-track recorder for mixdown, or to the inputs of a power amplifier to drive a pair of speakers for the studio or whatever. Note: Remember that the level for the Main L/R Mix Out is always controlled by the Master Fader on the console. The Control Room volume knob does not affect this level. 8.
In addition to the cards in the card slots, there are more connections to be made on the rear panel. 9. FOOT SWITCH 1 and 2 These two 1/4" TS jacks are provided for footswitch control of various functions. These functions are assignable in the Windows > Setup window, and include Talkback, Play/Stop, Next Marker, Previous Marker, New Marker, and enabling/disabling the Fader Swap function. 10.
Digital X Bus 15. Power Switch 16. Mouse This one is self-explanatory. When the POWER switch is turned ON, power is supplied to the Digital X Bus and it boots up. When turning off the Digital X Bus, you should select SHUTDOWN from the File menu. At the end of the shutdown procedure, the Digital X Bus lets you know when it is okay to turn off the power switch. This 6-pin miniDIN connector is used to connect a PS/2 style mouse.
Channel Strip The touchscreens are actually an extension of the channel strips, so we'll begin by describing the channel strip controls on the touchscreens. 20. Meters The meters indicate the signal strength at a point in the signal path determined by the meters option setting (Options > Meters).
Digital X Bus When one of the above buttons is selected (lit), all 24 V-Pots control that function for each of the 24 channels in the selected bank. In addition, windows that contain adjustable parameters, like the Dynamics and EQ windows, have their controls situated above the channel V-Pots, which temporarily become controls for the parameters in the window, overriding the V-Pot Assign selection. As soon as the window is closed, V-Pot control returns to whatever is selected in the V-Pot Assign section.
Phones Section The Control Room section is where you define the source for monitoring in your control room. Typically, you would use the Speaker 1 and Speaker 2 outputs on the Mix Card for control room monitoring, giving you the choice of near-field and far-field monitoring through the two stereo line-level speaker outputs. This is configured in the I/O Configuration window (Windows > I/O Configuration).
Digital X Bus • Click Talk to Phones 1 to send the talkback signal to the Phones 1 output, and Talk to Phones to send the talkback signal to the Phones 2 output. • Adjust the talkback signal level with the Level slider in the Talkback Setup window. • Press the TALK button [41] in Talkback section to activate the Talkback function and send the talkback signal to the selected headphone outputs. Press MIXDOWN [42] to activate mixdown soloing.
To set the Edit In and Edit Out points: • Move the timeline cursor in the Mix Editor to the point where you want to start editing. Press STORE and then EDIT START. • Move the timeline cursor in the Mix Editor to the point where you want to stop looping. Press STORE [55] and then STOP [53]. • You can also click and drag the Loop In and Loop Out markers in the time bar in the Mix Editor screen. 56. SNAPSHOT • Move the timeline cursor in the Mix Editor to the point where you want to stop editing.
Digital X Bus 61. STOP 58. SET • To move the timeline cursor to a new position in the Mix Editor, with LOCATE [57] lit, press SET, then enter the time you want to move the cursor to using the number buttons, then press ENTER [49]. • Stops external machines and the time code display at the current position. 62. PLAY • Engages external machine and time code display to play at normal speed from the current location.
Owner's Manual The Screens The touchscreens provide an elegant user interface for accessing and controlling the signals as they are routed through the Digital X Bus. Overview Accessing Windows In addition, specific windows pertaining to a channel can be opened by simply touching that area in the channel strip.
Digital X Bus Channel Layout Reconfiguration The File Menu The channel number provides access to a hidden menu that allows you to move channel strips around and to lock a channel strip so it is visible no matter what fader bank you have selected. • Right-click on the channel number to open the channel assignment menu (or Alt+Touch the number). • Select “Lock Channel” to lock the channel in place so it is visible with any fader bank selected. Select “Lock Channel” again to unlock it.
Use this to open a pre-existing session file. Import D8B Session • As soon as the session is opened, the faders and all other parameters move to their proper settings for the current time code location. • Save Session (Ctrl+S) • Press Ctrl+S on the keyboard, or touch File and then Save Session. • Save the current session to its assigned location on the hard drive. • You can turn on the Digital X Bus Smart Save feature (Windows > Setup), which automatically saves your session every XX minutes.
Digital X Bus Open File Manager Install Packages… • • Opens the Package Installer window. • Scans any attached USB peripheral for a Mackie-packaged installation file. • Reports the status of all installers detected. • Used for all Mackie-approved plug-in and software installations. Gives you direct access to file management features such as copying or moving files and folders, deleting files, and creating new folders. • Rename files.
Contains: Copy Filtered… (Ctrl+Shift+C) • Undo (Ctrl+Z) Redo (Ctrl+Shift+Z) Cut (Ctrl+X) Copy (Ctrl+C) Copy Filtered… (Ctrl+Shift+C) Paste (Ctrl+V) Modify Levels… Insert Global Time… Delete Global Time… Clear Automation History List (Ctrl+H) Clear History Copy Mix To Bus These parameters include: Fader Mute Pan Auxes EQs Undo (Ctrl+Z) • • Reverses an action. If you’ve made a bad automation pass, cut something you didn’t really want to cut, pasted somewhere you didn’t want to paste, etc.
Digital X Bus • Choose the type of parameter from the top pulldown box. • Selecting Insert Global Time in the Edit menu opens a window with settings for the insert start point and length of time inserted. Delete Global Time… • Choose the action from Set, Trim, Min, and Max. • With the Mix Editor open, this feature globally deletes a region of data change at the selected start point (on all channels for all data).
Using this list, it is possible to regress to any point in the mix. If at some point things went in the wrong direction, it is easy to go back to where the mix was on the right track. • Highlight any item in the list to deactivate all forthcoming listed actions. When the mix is played, no actions listed below the selected event will occur. • If an event is selected in the list and then a change is made in the Mix Editor, all events following the selection will be replaced by the new event.
Digital X Bus • Click Save to update the channel preset with the current selected channel’s settings. All the channel parameters (EQ, Dynamics, and DSP Insert patch points) are saved as well. • Highlight the desired preset and click Load to copy the preset settings to the selected channel. • Click the Preview box to observe the channel preset settings on the selected channel before clicking Load.
Select Fader Bank (Alt+A) • Sets the selected channel faders to off. • • Affects faders only (including Master L/R faders). Does not affect any other channel parameters. Adjust Channel Delay… Selects all 24 channels in the currently selected fader bank for clipboard, automation, and other operations pertaining to multiple channel modifications.
Digital X Bus • This is perfect for raising or lowering a complete set of automation moves. For example, if the vocal track is perfectly crafted and structured, yet the entire track needs to come up a couple of dB in the mix, fear not. Select Trim, start time code, enter WRITE mode and, with one move, increase the vocal track fader 2 dB throughout the duration of the pass. Write Flyback • This determines what happens to the parameter levels upon punch-out of automation record.
• When AutoPlay is selected, playback starts automatically when you jump to a locate point. • This is handy when you are jumping from one locate point to another, listening for something in particular. Meters Submenu Dynamics Submenu These three options allow you to change what is being displayed in the VU meter in the dynamics section of the channel strip. These options have no effect on the meter bridge at the top of the screen.
Digital X Bus Generic Mackie Control Emagic Logic Audio DigiDesign Pro Tools HUI MOTU Digital Performer Steinberg Nuendo Steinberg Cubase SX/SL Cakewalk SONAR Adobe Audition/Cool Edit Pro RML Labs SAWStudio Sony Vegas Magix Samplitude/Sequoia Soundscape The Windows Menu The Windows menu contains: About Hot Keys Close All Windows Setup (Ctrl+1) Automation Snapshots (Ctrl+2) Locator (Ctrl+3) Equalizer (Ctrl+4) Dynamics (Ctrl+5) Surround (Ctrl+6) Auxes Assigns Mix Editor (Ctrl+7) Effects Rack (Ctrl+8) MIDI M
• Language selection is a drop-down box used to select your preferred language. English is the default setting. • Smart Save is a function that automatically saves your sessions every five minutes. Check the “Create New Files” box to save the session as a new session without overwriting the previously saved version. Check “Load Last Session at Power-up” to automatically open the last session you were working on when you boot up the Digital X Bus, rather than the default Startup session.
Digital X Bus • All standard surround sound modes are selectable, including Stereo (no surround), Quad, LCRS, 5.1, 7.1 (SDDS), and 7.1 (TP). • Mixing Options Sets the consistent time difference between the record device time code and the Digital X Bus reference time code. • Generally used to “zero reference” a song’s starting point in BBT. It’s easier to jump to measure 1 than 2:01:23 (usually). Several of the Mixing Options are also available under the Options menu.
• Select this option to display all 94 meters (including the L/R mix). • Touch the meter bridge in the display to toggle between showing the 24 meters in the currently selected bank and all meters. Peak Hold • • When Peak Hold is selected, a thin bar appears in the meter bridge display to indicate the level of recent transient peaks in the signal. The Peak Hold bar has a slower decay rate than the normal response of the signal meter. Peak Hold does not affect the meters when in VU mode.
Digital X Bus DAW Ext 2 In • Selects the MIDI interface used to receive MIDI commands for the last eight channels (17-24) when the MIDI fader bank is selected DAW Ext 2 Out • Trim From Unity • When this is checked, selecting Trim or Touch mode causes the faders to jump to unity position. • When Trim From Unity is not checked, the faders remain at their current positions. Moving the fader up or down adds or subtracts the difference from the automation data recorded for that channel.
• This determines the action of overwriting automation data during a pass. • When Latch is selected, automation data for the selected parameter begins to be overwritten as soon as the parameter’s control is adjusted and continues to be overwritten throughout a pass, even if the parameter’s control ceases to change.
Digital X Bus Numeric Transport Position Indicator Store • To update and overwrite an existing snapshot, select the snapshot, then touch the Store button to overwrite the snapshots with the new settings. Menu • The drop-down menu list duplicates the New, Recall, Store, Edit, and Delete buttons in the Snapshot window. • In addition, it allows you to Lock and Unlock a snapshot. When a snapshot is locked, as indicated by the closed lock icon in the snapshot list, it cannot be deleted or overwritten.
• To reassign an existing locate point, select the locate point, then touch the Store button to reassign the locate point to the current time code position. MORPH • Click the MORPH button to smoothly fade from one memory setting to the other (Memory A and B). • The amount of time it takes for this transition is set in the time window next to the MORPH button. • Morph time can be set as low as 0.1 second or as high as 30 seconds.
Digital X Bus This opens the Dynamics window for the selected channel, which contains controls for the Compressor and Gate. ON Button • The compressor and gate each have an On/Off button, located at the top of their respective displays. It works as a bypass switch, so you can easily make an A/B comparison of the sound with and without compressor and gate. Memory A/B • Each memory stores the most recent settings made for the selected channel.
• Determines how fast the compressor turns off once the signal falls below the threshold. It is calibrated in milliseconds, ranging from 10 ms to 1000 ms (1 second). Ratio • • Determines the change in output level as a function of the change in input level, once the threshold has been exceeded. The Ratio control ranges from 1.00:1 to 20.00:1. Thus, if the ratio is 10:1, an increase in input level of 10 dB (assuming the input is above the threshold level) results in a 1 dB increase in output level.
Digital X Bus Range • Surround (Ctrl+6) Determines the amount of gain reduction applied to the signal once the signal level drops below the threshold. It is calibrated in percent, ranging from 0% (no attenuation) to 100% (full attenuation). Key (Trigger) Input • • Uses the signal from another source to trigger the dynamics for a channel. Click the drop-down box to select the key input source.
• The LFE feature makes it possible to handle all your bass management functions right from the channel panning, rather than purchasing an external surround bass management box. • Click the LFE Cutoff ON button to turn on the LFE channel (subwoofer). When the button is off, there is no output to the subwoofer channel (Bus 4) and all the low-frequency information is routed to the main surround speakers. • When the LFE Cutoff button is ON (lit), the lowfrequencies are routed to the subwoofer output.
Digital X Bus Phase Reverse • Click the Phase Reverse button to invert the polarity of the signal by 180º. Digital Trim Floating Insert Send • Click the Floating Insert Send drop-down box to select where to send the channel’s floating insert send. You can use any I/O card’s output. Typically, you would use this to send the signal to an external processor, and return the signal to the channel using the Floating Insert Return.
• The Pre Insert point is located just before the channel DSP section. Note: One or more plug-ins must be installed in the Effects Rack (Ctrl+8) before a Post Insert can be selected or None will appear in the drop-down box. • Used to insert a plug-in effect into the channel, pre-DSP. • • Click the Pre Insert drop-down box to select a plug-in from the available effects in the Effects Rack. If it’s a stereo effect, a channel can be assigned to the left or right input of the effect.
Digital X Bus Mix Editor (Ctrl+7) The MIX EDITOR window contains a graphic representation of automation data. Though automation data is primarily entered through the control surface knobs, buttons, and faders, it can also be altered graphically in the Mix Editor. Precise level and timing information is easily entered and adjusted here. The window supports various selectable views from 1 to 30 channels, or parameters, of data on the Y axis and any length of time region on the X axis (up to 24 hours).
• Click the MENU button to Cut, Copy, and Paste the selected region to and from the clipboard. • The Tool submenu allows you to select one of the editing tools (I-Beam, Pencil, Eraser, or Magnify). These tools can also be selected by clicking their icons in the bottom left corner of the Mix Editor. • The Time Format submenu allows to choose either SMPTE or BBT formats for the time format displayed in the time bar and the time code readout in the upper right corner of the right touchscreen.
Digital X Bus You can select multiple non-contiguous channels or parameters by pressing the Ctrl key on the keyboard (or on the console) while clicking on track names. Pencil Tool (Hand Tool) • Use this tool to enter new data nodes and to alter existing ones. • The Pencil tool can create and move new or current automation nodes while time code is being received (on the fly editing—before or to the left of the current time) or while time code isn’t being received (at any point on the timeline).
The EFFECTS RACK window is where you select the plug-ins you want to use in your session. The Digital X Bus comes with a variety of plug-ins, ready to use. In addition, you can install any VST plug-in, a first for any digital mixing console in this class. You can select multiple plug-ins to use as internal effects processors for inserting into a channel’s pre or post insert point, or to drive with an Aux send (and return via an unused channel).
Digital X Bus Applications for the MIDI Map include remote transport control from MIDI applications that don’t support MMC or the HUI protocol (but do allow their own internal parameter mapping), surround joystick control, or any continuous controller or two-state switch application (lighting, remote mixing, show controls, etc.
Owner's Manual sign the output sources to virtually any signal path in the Digital X Bus, and configure other parameters specifically related to the card. The Mix Card setup allows you to select the output source for AES/EBU, Phones 1 and 2, Mix Out, and Speaker Out 1 and 2. The Sync Card setup has options for Sample Clock, Sample Rate, Time Code Source, Frame Rate, Clock In Adjust, and Clock Out Adjust. Tools Submenu There are two choices in the Tools submenu, Audio Toolbox and System Info.
Digital X Bus are similar. You can also choose from a variety of window types for displaying the spectral readout, including Rectangular, Bartlett, Hamming, and Hanning. Click the Freeze button to catch a particular instance on-screen for closer examination. Applications The three oscillators have identical controls including On/Off, Volume, Frequency, and Waveform Type (Sine, Triangle, Saw, Square, White Noise, Pink Noise). Each of these oscillators can be selected as an input source for any channel.
The Digital X Bus I/O cards come packaged in an anti-static bag for protection against electro-static discharge (ESD). Do not remove the card from the bag until the exact moment you are ready to install it. When the time comes to remove the card from the bag, take great care to hold it by the rear metal plate only. Never touch the circuit board, its electronic components, or input/output connectors. Do this procedure in an area that is not carpeted.
Digital X Bus I/O Cards You can install the optional I/O cards in any of the slots labeled A, B, or C, in any combination to suit your particular application. You can configure the cards in the I/O Configuration window (Windows > I/O Configuration). The connection for ADAT is made with a fiber optic cable, sometimes referred to as “lightpipe.” This connection provides eight channels of digital audio. You can purchase this cable from your Alesis dealer, Monster Cable, Hosa, or other cable manufacturer.
Basic system functionality depends on the accurate selection of a few key items. Work through this checklist to verify console settings. The previous chapters provide an explanation of each item. This checklist simply provides a mental road map to verify proper functionality.
Digital X Bus Setup Window The Setup Window (Windows > Setup) is very important to the functionality of the Digital X Bus. Its settings determine how the console operates within its own architecture as well as how it interfaces with other digital equipment. ❏ MIDI • MIDI File Tempo Map • Default Tempo • MIDI Device ID's • MTC In Follow the checklist below to verify that each Setup Window parameter is intentionally set.
❏ For 24-track recording, install three DIGITAL cards into the Digital X Bus B•SLOTS. ❏ Using fiber-optic lightpipe cables, connect the OPTICAL OUTs A or B on the DIGITAL cards to the ADAT digital input connectors on the multitrack recorder. Multitrack Recording Multitrack recording involves a continuous assessment of signal flow. If you follow a well-planned thought process from the beginning of the signal path to the end, you’ll succeed in each audio task.
Digital X Bus ❏ Open Assign window (Windows > Assign) and assign input sources for each channel used. ❏ Configure Auxes for desired Pre/Post status. ❏ Select Setup (Windows > Setup) and set Mix Options. ❏ Select phantom power button in the Assign window for mic inputs if required. Note: Condenser mics and active DIs use phantom power. Moving coil mics, ribbon mics, and most electronic instruments don’t need phantom power. ❏ Test each instrument and mic to verify sufficient level at console input meter.
❏ Place tape inputs in record/ready to verify signal at machine. It’s typically best to monitor signal from the multitrack rather than from the channel input. dB 10 5 ❏ If levels on the multitrack appear too hot or cold, adjust level with the LEVEL TO TAPE control (Direct Out Level in the ASSIGN window). U 5 10 20 30 CUE 1 CUE 2 9-10 11-12 PAN PAN 40 50 60 ❏ Turn channel faders up to hear instrument or mic.
Digital X Bus Aux 9/10 and 11/12 are perfect for stereo headphone sends. It’s often convenient for the musicians to, at first, monitor the L/R mix in the cue section (CUE 1 and 2). Once the initial L/R mix is established, copy it to the appropriate cue (PHONES SETUP > Copy Mix to Cue), then customize for individual monitoring needs. ❏ Adjust the channel aux levels to route channels to outboard effects. ❏ Adjust headphone monitor volume in the PHONES section.
Owner's Manual Owner's Manual 61
Digital X Bus Sample Tracking and Mixdown Setup This diagram shows a typical hookup for tracking and mixdown. With the signal routing flexibility of the Digital X Bus, you don't need to change your connections when moving from the tracking to the mixdown stage. Tracking Microphones and instruments are connected to the Mic and Line inputs on three Mic/Line 4 cards installed in the A•SLOTS on the Digital X Bus.
WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS EQUIPMENT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE. DO NOT REMOVE COVER. NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL. UTILISE UN FUSIBLE DE RECHANGE DE MÊME TYPE. DEBRANCHER AVANT DE REMPLACER LE FUSIBLE AVIS: RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE — NE PAS OUVRIR SERIAL NUMBER MANUF.
Digital X Bus Effects/Plug-ins Before we look at more setup examples, lets cover some quick tips on efficient use of the Digital X Bus plug-ins. Follow these easy steps to use the Digital X Bus internal plug-ins. 3. You can select the same plug-in multiple times. They appear as consecutively numbered effects in the effect rack (e.g., Reverb 1, Reverb 2, etc.). The Digital X Bus comes with a Stereo Delay and a Reverb.
1. Adjust the Aux Send level on the individual channel(s) you want to send to the internal effect (Windows > Auxes). Use Cue 1 (Aux 9/10) or Cue 2 (Aux 11/12) if you want to use a stereo effect. 2. Open the Effects Rack (Windows > Effects Rack) and, if you haven't done so yet, load the effect into the Effects Rack using the New Plugin button. 3. Select the Aux Send as the input source for the effect.
Digital X Bus MIDI and the Digital X Bus MIDI Basics Your Digital X Bus works very well when incorporated in a MIDI network, using a computer referenced to time code. Be sure to connect the X.200 MIDI jacks to your MIDI interface. Within your computer-based MIDI sequencer, set the MIDI channel connected to the X.200 to transmit MIDI Time Code (MTC). This is necessary to run automation from a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW). You can also use the USB port on the X.200 with a USB MIDI interface.
• • MMC DEVICE ID: Some 8-track digital recorders require that you define the device ID numbers used for each recorder in the MIDI Machine Controller. Typically, tracks 1–8 are device 0, tracks 9–16 are device 1, and tracks 17–24 are device 2, so these are the default settings. ONE BUTTON PUNCH: You can also select whether to press the PLAY and RECORD buttons to enter record mode, or just press the RECORD button (One Button Record).
Digital X Bus • Draw a digital word clock flow chart for your system. This will help you verify a logical connection scheme. One piece of equipment connected incorrectly can mess up your entire system. Rats! Verifying Word Clock Sync Between Devices and the Digital X Bus • The following illustration shows a common sync setup, using the Digital X Bus as the master word clock source and a hub to distribute to other digitally connected devices.
• You hear audio but it cuts in and out at regular intervals. • There is no audio signal at the input of the Digital X Bus even though everything seems to be connected properly. • All meters are full on and you hear a very ugly grating, grinding, static sound. • When the record/playback device transport is engaged, you see the sample rate indicator flashing at the top of the right screen. Troubleshooting Word Clock Problems • Troubleshoot through the system from the master through the slaves.
Digital X Bus Digital Audio Workstation Setup When connecting the Digital X Bus to a Digital Audio Workstation (Digital Performer, Studio Vision Pro, Cakewalk Pro, etc.), word clock synchronization must be addressed; the master and slaves must be established; the clock rate must be consistent throughout; and the audio path into the console must be intelligently configured. Settings Digital X Bus 1. Open the I/O Configuration window. 2. Click the Digital Card to open the TDIF-ADAT Setup window. 3.
WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS EQUIPMENT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE. DO NOT REMOVE COVER. NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL. UTILISE UN FUSIBLE DE RECHANGE DE MÊME TYPE. DEBRANCHER AVANT DE REMPLACER LE FUSIBLE AVIS: RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE — NE PAS OUVRIR SERIAL NUMBER MANUF. DATE To Desktop or Laptop Computer USB MIDI Interface MIDI Interface 115V V 9amp 9 p 60Hz 6 230V 4.5 V 4.
Digital X Bus Post-Production Setup The Digital X Bus is an amazing tool, no matter what the setup. However, the more complex the setup, the more amazing the Digital X Bus becomes. Post-production provides the potential to use any tracks, effects, snapshots, automation moves, and general madness mayhem. 3. Open the I/O Configuration Window, and select Bus 1 and Bus 2 as the Output Source for two unused outputs on an I/O card. Route the two outputs to tracks 7 and 8 inputs on the recording device.
What Type of Data Can Be Automated Virtually all of the Digital X Bus channel parameters are available for automation. However, there are a few exceptions—some obvious and some not so obvious. All Digital X Bus channel parameters can be automated except: • Play the sequence back with the D8B receiving MIDI playback at its MIDI input. • Snapshots will playback in the same time and order that you selected them.
Digital X Bus of Hours, Minutes, Seconds, and Frames. If you see this scrolling time code in the time code display, it’s almost automation time! Save Session As… • • Name your mixes in a manner that is easy to reference consecutive revisions: For example, “BigBadBob Mix 1,” or “BigBadBob rev 1.0.” Using “rev 1.x,” “rev 2.x,” etc. provides an easy way to indicate major conceptual changes (1.0, 2.0, 3.0, etc.) from minor refinements (1.0, 1.1, 1.2, etc.
Safety Net: You can undo any automation pass or series of passes using the History List. You can also redo your undo. Or undo your redo. Or undo your hairdo. Start playback device • Verify MTC in the Locator position display. • Verify selection of desired automation parameters—for now select FADERS, MUTES, PAN, and ALL. • Verify selection of desired channels by making sure their ASSIGN buttons are lit when the WRITE button is lit.
Digital X Bus Appendix A: Service Information Warranty Service Details concerning Warranty Service are spelled out in the Warranty section on page xx. If you think your Digital X Bus has a problem, please do everything you can to confirm it before calling for service. Doing so might save you from the deprivation of your Digital X Bus and the associated suffering.
Service for Mackie products is available at a factoryauthorized service center. Service for Mackie products living outside the United States can be obtained through local dealers or distributors. If your Digital X Bus needs service, follow these instructions: 1. Review the preceding troubleshooting suggestions. Please. 2. Call Tech Support at 1-800-898-3211, 7 am to 5 pm PST, to explain the problem and obtain a Service Request Number. Have your Digital X Bus’ serial number ready.
Digital X Bus Appendix B: Connections XLR Connectors 1/4" TS Phone Plugs and Jacks Mic/Line 4 cards use 3-pin female XLR connectors on the MIC inputs. They are wired as follows, according to standards specified by the AES (Audio Engineering Society). “TS” stands for Tip-Sleeve, the two connection points available on a mono 1/4" phone jack or plug. They are used for unbalanced signals.
Not all DB25 connectors are alike. Some provide analog audio signals and some provide digital audio signals. In addition, there are a variety of digital formats that use the DB25 interface, which are not compatible with each other. So when you are connecting the Digital X Bus I/O cards to other equipment, make sure you know what flavor DB25 connectors you have and that they are compatible with each other.
Digital X Bus Appendix C: Technical Info Specifications (preliminary) (All specifications are subject to change without notice. All measurements were calculated between 44.1 kHz and 96 kHz sampling frequencies. For these preliminary specifications, no measurements were calculated for 192 kHz sampling rate.
Owner's Manual Analog Output Sensitivity Measured with 1 kHz tone @ 200k ohm impedance LINE CARD OUTPUT • 0 dBFS = +24.4 dBu (± 0.2 dB) MIC/LINE 8 CARD OUTPUT • 0 dBFS = +24.4 dBu (± 0.2 dB) MIX OUT CARD OUTPUT • 0 dBFS = +24.4 dBu (± 0.2 dB) Frequency Response Reference signal = 1 kHz @ +4 dBu • Analog (Line Card) Input to Analog (Line Card) Output 44.1 kHz: ± 0.1 dB @ 20 Hz-20 kHz 48 kHz: ± 0.05 dB @ 20 Hz-20 kHz 88.2 kHz: ± 0.15 dB @ 20 Hz-40 kHz 96 kHz: ± 0.
X.
Owner's Manual Digital X Bus X.
Digital X Bus AUX SEND MASTER x 12 CHANNEL INSERT SEND x 72 BUS INSERT SEND x 10 VST EFFECT(S) 84 X.
Input Meter Floating Insert, Send Hardware Output ASSIGNMENT SWITCH Floating Insert, Return Hardware Input Owner's Manual BUS/AUX ASSIGNMENT Pre-DSP Insert Bus DSP Comp/ Lim EQ Gate/ Exp Post-DSP Bus Insert Pre-Fader Meter Bus Mute Bus Fader Post-Fader Meter Hardware Destination x8 Mic/ Line 8 x8 Line Card x8 Digital Card Software Patch x8 AES Card x 24* FireWire Card x 72 x9 Channel Input Bus Assign x 12 Control Room / Phones * running at 44.
Digital X Bus SLOT 1 SLOT 2 SLOT 3 SLOT 4 SLOT 5 SLOT 6 SLOT 7 SLOT 8 SLOT 9 PFL SOLO SOLO L SOLO R MAIN LEFT MAIN RIGHT BUSES 1–8 AUX SEND 1–8 AUX SEND 9 AUX SEND 10 AUX SEND 11 AUX SEND 12 Digital X Bus X.
PRE INSERT RETURN PLUG-INS ONLY KEY INPUT EQ TO DYNAMICS CTRL POST INSERT RETURN CHANNEL METER PLUG-INS ONLY KEY EQ IN CTRL CTRL FROM INPUT TO CHANNEL METER (INPUT) POST INSERT SEND INPUTS CHANNELS BUSES AUXES TALKBACK; OSC; PLUG-IN FROM PRE-FADER PRE INSERT SEND TO PFL SOLO BUS FROM POST-FADER SLOT 1 SLOT 2 SLOT 3 SLOT 4 SLOT 5 SLOT 6 SLOT 7 SLOT 8 SLOT 9 PFL SOLO SOLO L SOLO R MAIN LEFT MAIN RIGHT BUSES 1–8 AUX SEND 1–8 AUX SEND 9 AUX SEND 10 AUX SEND 11 AUX SEND 12 FLOATING INSERT RET
Digital X Bus Appendix D: Software Installation Digital X Bus Software Installation Procedure Windows XP Users USB Flash/Pen Drive Method (recommended) ***Requires a USB Flash/Pen drive*** 1. Download the Software update from www.mackie.com to your local hard drive. 2. Insert a USB Flash Drive into your computer. Make sure that Windows identifies the Flash Drive as a “USB Mass Storage Device” in the pop-up balloon message from the System Tray. 3.
10. Open whatever CD burning software you use to create CDs from your PC, and burn all the contents of the “Digital X Bus Update” folder (or whatever you named it) directly to the CD. Make sure you finalize the CD so it can be read by other computers. 11. Remove the CD from your computer or attached CD drive and insert it into the USB CD ROM drive attached to your Digital X Bus. 12. Select “Install Packages” from the File Menu on the Digital X Bus. 13.
Digital X Bus CD ROM Method ***Requires a CD burner attached to your PC as well as a USB CD ROM drive attached to the Digital X Bus*** 1. Make sure you have a CD Burner and the appropriate software loaded on your computer. 2. Download the Software update from www.mackie.com to your local hard drive. 3. Create a new folder on your desktop and label it “Digital X Bus Update.” 4. Double-click on the file you just downloaded, which should launch the WinZip Utility. 5.
9. Re-boot the console. If it re-boots itself, then move on to Step #10. 10. Once you are back to the main mixer screen, select “About” from the Windows menu and verify you are running the same number build you just downloaded. CD ROM Method ***Requires a CD Burner attached to your Mac, as well as a USB CD ROM Drive attached to your Digital X Bus*** 1. Download the Software update from www.mackie.com to your desktop. 2. Double-click on the .
Digital X Bus 6. Remove the Flash Drive from your computer and insert it into one of the available USB ports on your Digital X Bus. 5. Select “Install Packages” from the File Menu on the Digital X Bus. 6. Select the new build to be installed from the list and select “Run Installer.” Select “OK” when asked to shut down the Digital X Bus application in order to run the Installer. 7. Once you are back to the main mixer screen, re-select the “Install Packages” from the File Menu. 8.
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Digital X Bus Index X.
Owner's Manual Owner's Manual 95
Digital X Bus Acknowledgements ADAT is a registered trademark of Alesis Corporation. TASCAM is a registered trademark of TEAC Corporation. VST is a trademark of Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH. The following are trademarks or registered trademarks of LOUD Technologies Inc.: The Mackie logo, V-Pot, HUI, the “Running Man” figure, and Digital X Bus. All other brand names mentioned are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders, and are hereby acknowledged. ©2004 LOUD Technologies Inc.
Please keep your sales receipt in a safe place. A. LOUD Technologies Inc. warrants all materials, workmanship and proper operation of this product for a period of ONE year from the original date of purchase. If any defects are found in the materials or workmanship or if the product fails to function properly during the applicable warranty period, LOUD Technologies, at its option, will repair or replace the product. This warranty applies only to equipment sold and delivered within the U.S.
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