GROUND CONTROL SYSTEM SYSTEM MIX Owner's Manual DIGITAL MUSIC CORPORATION
Please visit our web site at: www.voodoolab.com Copyright 1996 by Digital Music Corporation. This publication is protected by copyright and all rights are reserved. No part of it may be reproduced or transmitted by any means or in any form without the express prior consent in writing from Digital Music Corporation. Ground Control, System Mix, GCX, and Ground Link are trademarks of Digital Music Corp.
1 Table of Contents ________________________________________________________ 1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1.1 Overview 1.2 Unpacking 2. Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2.1 Front Panel 2.2 Rear Panel 3. Mixer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 3.1 Mix 1 3.2 Mix 2 3.3 Setting Levels 4. Putting Your System Together . . . . . . . . . 7 4.1 Two Typical Systems 4.2 Using With a Switching System Appendix A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2 1. Introduction ______________________________________________________ 1.1 Overview System Mix is a dual stereo line level audio mixer designed specifically for electric guitar systems. With System Mix, you can combine the line level outputs of your rack effects with the pure tone of your amp or preamp. This results in lower noise and better tone.
3 2. Operation ________________________________________________________ 2.1 Front Panel 1. Power LED: Lights when power is supplied to System Mix. 2. MIX LEVEL CONTROLS: Stereo output volume for MIX 1 and MIX 2. Unity gain is set with the knob at 12 o'clock. 2.2 Rear Panel [Note: All of the 1/4 inch jacks on the rear panel are for mono plugs. The top row is for the Left channel of your stereo signal and the bottom is for the Right.
4 3. Mixer ________________________________________________________ 3.1 Mix 1 0 IMPORTANT: Do not connect speaker outputs of an amplifier to the System Mix. Doing so may cause serious damage to your mixer and your amplifier. The System Mix inputs are intended for line level signals only. General Mix 1 consists of three pairs of Left and Right inputs, two Passive Split outputs, and two pairs of MIX 1 outs. All of these jacks are for mono plugs, and are intended for line level signals.
5 3.2 Mix 2 General Mix 2 consists of three pairs of Left and Right inputs, and one pair of MIX 2 outs. After the three inputs are combined, their overall volume is controlled by the MIX 2 knob on the front panel, and the resulting signal is passed to the Mix 2 Out jacks. Mix 2 In 1 If the Mix 2 In 1 jacks are empty, the stereo output of Mix 1 will be fed into Mix 2. Inserting a plug into them will break this normal connection between the two mixers.
6 4. Effects Outputs One by one, raise the output level of each of your effects devices until the desired effect level is reached. 5. Wet/Dry Balance You may reduce the output level of the effects devices if you want less effects in your final mix. If you want still more effects, lower the output of your preamp or effect send, and repeat steps 3 and 4. Tip: The wet/dry mix may also be altered by programming the preset output level in your effects device.
7 4. Putting Your System Together ________________________________________________________ The System Mix is a very flexible and versatile mixer. It can be used in many different ways. The following examples demonstrate some typical systems. Your needs may require different connections. These systems are simply meant to be starting points. Remember, all connections are intended for line level signals only, NOT speaker connections. 4.
8 1. The guitar is connected to the amp or preamp input. The preamp output or amp effect send is connected to the Left input of Mix 1 In 1. The passive split sends copies of the preamp signal to the mono inputs of the effects devices. 2. The stereo outputs of the effects are brought back to the mixer to be blended with the original preamp tone. For FX 1 and 2, we will use In 2 and In 3 of Mix 1. Remember, Mix 2 In 1 is being used by the internal connection with Mix 1.
9 4.2 Using With a Switching System Switching systems, such as the Digital Music GCX Guitar Audio Switcher, can be used to connect/disconnect the amp signal from the input of the effects. By muting the input of the effect, not the output, effects like delays and reverbs will trail off gradually. This means the last delayed notes of your solo can linger on as you start to play rhythm again. There are many benefits and uses of this type of smooth transition.
10 System #2 + GCX Loops This example uses six loops to switch the inputs of the effects. It is important to note that although FX 1 and 2 are stereo, they begin with a mono signal and therefore need only one loop each to switch them. FX 3 and 4 are shown using two loops each for switching. 1. The guitar is connected to the amp or preamp input. The preamp output or amp effect send is connected to the Left volume control input. 2.
11 connection and the stereo outputs of FX 3 and 4 are brought back to the mixer (In 2 and In 3 of Mix 2) to be blended with it. 5. Mix 2 Outs are connected to the power amp input or the amp effect return. In this example, the Mix 1 knob controls the level of the preamp and FX 1 and 2. The Mix 2 knob controls the level of the entire mix. The GCX loops allow muting of the signal sent to the effects devices. Please refer to Section 3.3 to correctly set levels.
12 Appendix A ________________________________________________________ Technical Specifications Mix 1 and Mix 2 Input Impedance Left and Right channels Left only, used as mono input Maximum Input Level Maximum Voltage Gain Output Drive 44kΩ 22kΩ 7 V RMS or +19dBu +6 dBu 7 V RMS across 5kΩ DIGITAL MUSIC CORPORATION
13 Warranty Information ______________________________________________________ Digital Music Corp. warrants this product against any defects that are due to faulty material or workmanship for a period of five years from the date of original retail purchase. This warranty does not include damage to the product resulting from accident or misuse. This warranty is given to the original retail purchaser only and it is not assignable to any other person.
