User Manual

16
Crimson
Analog Inputs
The Crimson allows the simultaneous recording of up to four analog inputs. To determine
which signal you want to hear use the switches underneath the Analog Inputs as follows:
Switch 1|2 engaged: you hear Mic or Line inputs 1 and 2.
Switch 3|4 engaged: you hear Instrument or Line inputs 3 and 4.
When recording a mono vocal track it makes sense to hear it in the center of the stereo image
(rather than hard left or hard right), so you should engage the Mono switch as well. When you
record a single instrument, we recommend you to use input 3, in order to hear it right away in
the center (refer to page 10, Monitoring Mono and Stereo Signals).
DAW Returns
The Crimson has four DA converters that allow you to monitor two stereo signals (four chan-
nels) from the DAW.
Switch 1|2 engaged: you hear the Mix from DAW outputs 1/2.
Switch 3|4 engaged: you hear, for example, an AUX mix from DAW outputs 3/4.
Sources | Talk
As a true monitor controller, you can also use the Crimson as a preamp for three stereo
sources. Use the three switches under Sources | Talk to manage the three source inputs,
which are named after their connector format. For more information on the connectors refer to
„Sources 1, 2 and 3“ on page 11.
JACK = balanced 1/4“ input (for a professional CD player or a converter, for example)
RCA= unbalanced RCA input (Hi-Fi CD player, AV receiver or similar)
Mini-J = unbalanced minijack input (MP3 player, tablets, smartphones, etc)
Note: the level of both unbalanced inputs is automatically converted to professional level in
order for them to be directly comparable according to the Crimson‘s standard level. You can
also deactivate this preamplification (refer to „Level Increase for Source Inputs 2 and 3“ on
page 11).
Digital In
It is good practice to compare your own mixes with reference CDs to gain perspective. The
Crimson makes such comparisons easy and meaningful, since it uses the exact same high-
quality converters for the SPDIF and DAW 1|2 inputs in order to avoid any sound differences.
Use the SPDIF switch to toggle between your Mix and the reference.
You can also use the digital inputs to record two additional tracks. Good SPL channel strips
are an excellent choice, since they can be fitted with an optional AD converter.
Speakers | Mode
You can connect two stereo speaker sets. Use the A to B switch to select the speaker set you
want to listen to. If the switch is not engaged, you hear Speakers A. If A to B is engaged you
hear Speakers B (the other set being automatically deactivated).
The DIM switch reduces the monitoring level -20dB.
In Artist Mode, you can also connect an external headphone amplifier to the Speakers B
output in order to get a specific headphones mix. Another alternative is the use of this input
as an AD converter output (the amplification factor is 1 or unity gain).
Switches
Control Elements