X2 X2 manual Basic Principles of Mixing & Multitrack Recording, Recording/Tracking, Monitoring

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Introduction

in the console (each channel, monitor, effect return, aux send, and group output). It features its own ADAT Synchronization Interface jack, plus MIDI in/out jacks, so that its built-in 10,000-event sequencer can be synchronized directly to the ADAT system or to a MIDI system. The mutes may be externally controlled by a MIDI sequencer, or, in live applications, by using 100 sets of four mute groups.

Control room monitoring is made simpler by stereo-in-place Solo on each main channel, monitor channel, and aux return. Each aux master and group may be previewed in the control room while leaving the rest of the signal path undisturbed. Studio outputs, a built-in talkback mic and three-frequency oscillator provide the necessary facilities for complete communication between engineer and artist.

Basic Principles of Mixing & Multitrack Recording

The function of the X2 Mixer, or any recording console for that matter, is to provide control of volume, tone and spatial positioning of signals from microphones, electronic instruments, and tape machines, and then to route these signals to a monitor system and tape recorder so they can be recorded and heard. Before the introduction of multitrack tape recorders, these signals had to be mixed together as a live performance. If the desired performance wasn’t correct because of a musical mistake or mixing problem, the performance had to be recorded again and again until the performance was deemed satisfactory.

The introduction of multitrack tape machines has changed this recording method forever. Most recording today has evolved into a multi-step process, including:

Recording/Tracking

Instead of needing an entire musical group to come together in order to capture a live performance, recordings can be made one instrument at a time and pieced together in a building block fashion. With the advent of drum machines and sequencers (such as the Alesis HR-16, HR-16:B, SR-16 and MMT-8), it is possible to build an entire song using “virtual” tracks before ever having to record onto tape.

Using this method of recording an instrument at a time allows for fixing mistakes (normally called “punching in”) of an incorrectly played part. By “punching in,” or replacing, the misplayed part, you can record a performance over and over again until it’s perfect.

Monitoring

In order to properly record a performance, both the engineer, producer and all of the players must be able to hear the performance. When listening to the speakers in a control room (where the mixer is), this is called monitoring; when the musicians are listening to headphones while overdubbing, this is called cueing. Adjustments to monitor or cue mixes should not affect the mix going to the recorder, so that recording levels remain at the optimum, even if the performer requires less of a particular instrument in the headphones.

Monitoring is a more complex operation than it might seem at first, since there are many mixes that occur simultaneously. Often there are 3 separate mixes (sometimes

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X2 Reference Manual

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Contents Alesis Description of Controls. a dictionary of each control How To Use This ManualIntroduction ConventionsX2 Reference Manual Contents Applications Description of Controls Trouble-Shooting Midi Implementation Chart Page About IntroductionMonitoring Basic Principles of Mixing & Multitrack RecordingRecording/Tracking Mixdown Introduction X2 Reference Manual Recorder/Mix Systems Guided TourPage Aux Send/Return Systems Meter Bridge Control Room SystemsMuting Automation Page Page Unpacking and Inspection PowerPower Supply ConnectionsTo connect the power supply to To Eliminate HUM if the Above has Failed Avoiding Ground LoopsUnbalanced Line Inputs Channel Inputs and OutputsBalanced Mic Inputs Page Insert +4/-10 SwitchTape Input Tape Send Direct OutputTo connect an Elco cable to Balanced Tape I/OAux a & B Returns Stereo Returns and GroupsGroup Outputs Group InsertsControl Room Outputs Master Inputs and OutputsMaster Outputs Master InsertsPage To synchronize the X2 to an Adat system HeadphonesAdat Sync Examples of Connections Input Connector TypeTo interface with a typical unbalanced multitrack recorder Interfacing to an Unbalanced -10 dBV Multitrack RecorderInterfacing to a Professional +4 dBu Multitrack Recorder To connect the mixdown deck to Interfacing to Adat Using Elco ConnectorsInterfacing to a Multitrack Recorder via a Patchbay Interfacing to the Mixdown DeckInterfacing Aux Sends and Returns to Outboard Effects Interfacing to the Control RoomInterfacing to the Studio Interfacing to the Headphone AmpConnecting Simultaneously, if desired To interface a Midi sequencer with Interfacing the InsertsInterfacing with a Midi Sequencer II. Maintain Proper Fader Levels Setting LevelsApplications RecordingTo record a single source to a single track Recording a Single Source to One TrackTo record two or more sources to a single track Recording Multiple Sources to One TrackTo record multiple sources to two tracks stereo Recording Multiple Sources to Two Tracks StereoAbout Metering To select the meter bridge modeRecording Tips To listen to tape tracks on the Channel faders OverdubbingTo listen to tape tracks on the Monitor faders Applications Previous section X2 Reference Manual To route the mix to a headphone amp Getting the Mix to the HeadphonesMonitoring Midi Virtual Tracks To set the level going to the effects device Adding EffectsSelecting an Aux Send To record effects onto the multitrack To hear effects in the monitorsTo hear effects in the headphone/cue mix To bounce multiple tracks to two tracks stereo Bouncing TracksTo record effects onto the mixdown deck To bounce one or more tracks to another track monoHere is a simplified step-by-step way to establish a mix Playback/Mix-DownMixdown Basics Getting the Mix to the Tape DeckTo create a dependable mix Creating a Dependable MixMute Automation Page Creating a Monitor Mix Using Group Faders as SubgroupsTo configure the X2 mixer in order to achieve a mono mix Live PerformanceTo create two different stage monitor mixes Video Post-ProductionStage Monitor Mix Applications X2 Reference Manual Overview Mute AutomationMute Groups To enable destructive solo modeDestructive Solo Page To define Mute Groups Defining Mute GroupsTo return the console to its previous mute status Recalling Mute GroupsOverlay Button To recall a Mute GroupGetting On-line/Locking Display ModeSynchronization Selecting a Sync SourceOverdubbing Mute EventsRecording and Playing Back Mute Events Undoing Mute EventsPage Erasing Editing SongsTo erase a Song including its mute events and 4 Mute Groups Erase All MemoryTo erase all events on one or more channels To erase all events on all channelsTo copy mute events from one channel to another CopyingCopy Mute Events Copy SongTo set the Midi channel Midi ChannelSelecting Songs via Midi Midi Map Remaining Memory Memory BackupTransmitting System Exclusive Receiving System ExclusiveInput Channel Controls Description of ControlsHi Mid and Lo Mid EQ HPF SwitchTo MON Switch Hi and Lo EQAUX 1-2, AUX 1-2 PAN EQ in SwitchSwitch Aux 3/4 AUX Source SwitchMonitor Solo Button Switch Aux 5/6Monitor PAN Monitor Peak LEDChannel Peak LED DIR SwitchGroup Assign Switches 1-2, 3-4, 5-6 Channel PANStereo Aux Return Controls Aux Master ControlsBalance AUX a Assign Switches Aux a OnlyGroup Masters Switch Aux B Only Stereo SeparationMute Button Group Master ControlsButton Solo ButtonGroup 1-8 Master Faders Studio Level and Assignment Master ControlsOscillator Frequency and Level Solo LED and LevelMeter Bridge PhonesControl Room Level and Source Master FadersPage Display Mute Automation ControlsMute Groups Online Memory Remaining Erase FWD and Erase BWD ButtonsMute Solo Erasing MemoryDescription of Controls X2 Reference Manual Re-initializing TROUBLE-SHOOTINGTrouble-Shooting Index Checking the Software VersionObtaining Repair Service Maintenance/ServiceCleaning and Maintenance Warranty InformationCustomers outside the USA Trouble-Shooting X2 Reference Manual Mute Midi Note Number Midi Maps IndexMaps Mute Midi Controller Number MapMap Number Interval Midi Implementation Chart Specifications Group Module Power SupplyMaximum Gain Input ModuleDimensional Drawings DimensionsWeight Total Shipping WeightInternal Connector Pinouts Block Diagram Solo IndexSong LED 102
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