User`s guide

User’s Guide HDSP System Multiface © RME
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15.2 Tour de TotalMix
In the following chapters we will explain all functions of the surface step by step. Starting up
TotalMix, the last settings are recalled automatically. When executing the application for the
first time, a default file is loaded, sending all playback tracks 1:1 to the corresponding hardware
outputs with 0 dB gain. The faders in the upper row are set to maximum attenuation (called
m.a. in the following), so there is no monitoring of the input channels.
We will now create a small submix for the analog headphone output. Please start a multitrack
playback and connect your headphones to the headphone output. In playback channel 1
(labeled 'Out 1'), click onto the routing window below the label. A list pops up, showing a
checkmark in front of 'AN 1+2'. Click onto 'Analog'. The list disappears, the routing window no
longer shows 'AN 1+2', but 'Analog'. Now move the fader with the mouse. As soon as the fader
value is unequal m.a., the present state is being stored and routing is activated. Move the fader
button to around 0 dB. The present gain value is displayed below the fader in green letters.
In the lower row, on channels 27 and 28 (AN.L. and AN.R.), you can
also see the level of what you are hearing in the phones. The level
meter of the hardware output shows the outgoing level. Click into the
area above the fader and drag the mouse in order to set the
panorama, in this case the routing between channels 27 and 28. The
present pan value is also being displayed below the fader.
Please carry out the same steps for 'Out 2' now, in order to route it to
the headphone output as well.
Often signals are stereo, i. e. a pair of two channels. It is therefore
helpful to be able to make the routing settings for two channels at
once. Press the Ctrl-key and click into the routing window of 'Out 3'
with the key pressed. The routing list pops up with a checkmark at 'AN
3+4'. Click onto 'Analog'. Now, channel 4 has already been set to
'Analog' as well.
When you want to set the fader to exactly 0 dB, this can be difficult,
depending on the mouse configuration. Move the fader close to the 0
position and now press the Shift-key. This activates the fine-mode,
which stretches the mouse movements by a factor of 8. In this mode,
a gain setting accurate to 0.1 dB is no problem at all.
Please set 'Out 4' to a gain of around -20 dB and the pan close to
center. Now click onto the routing window. You'll now see two
checkmarks, one at 'AN 3+4', the other one at 'Analog'. Click onto
'SPDIF'. The window disappears, fader and panpot jump to their initial
values, the signal can now be routed to the SPDIF output. You can
continue, until all entries have got a checkmark, i. e. you can send the
signal to all outputs simultaneously. This is one of several differences
to the Cubase mixer, which does not allow for multiple selections.
You will certainly have noticed that the headphone mix has not changed, while you were
routing the channel to other outputs and setting different gain values. With all analogue and
most digital mixing desks, the fader setting would affect the level for every routed bus - not so
for TotalMix. TotalMix allows for setting all fader values individually. Therefore the faders and
the panpots jump to the appropriate setting as soon as another routing is chosen.
The checkmarks are un-checked by moving the fader to m.a. This setting deactivates the
routing...why route if there is no level? Click onto 'AN 3+4' in the routing window, pull the fader
down, open the routing window again - the checkmark is gone.