X2 X2 manual Mixdown

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Introduction

more) happening simultaneously in order to complete the task of overdubbing. The comprehensive systems and logical layout of the X2 Mixer will make it relatively easy for you to accommodate even the most complex monitoring requirements. The following are a few of the typical mixes that may occur during a session:

•Multitrack Mix: The first mix would be the mix that is being recorded onto tape. This mix is derived from the Channel Faders and the Tape Outs or the Group Outs. These levels are nominally adjusted so that the optimum signal level reaches tape in order to ensure the least amount of noise or distortion. This level averages about 0 VU on the meters of an analog multitrack tape machine, or -15 dB on the inserts of a digital multitrack tape machine, such as the Alesis ADAT. However, the transient peaks of instruments such as percussion may exceed this average level by 10 to 15 dB. One of the key factors in setting the proper mix for the recorder is being aware of the headroom available on the tape, and making sure it isn’t exceeded.

•Monitor Speaker (Control Room) Mix: If you were to listen only to the multitrack mix, you would probably find that it would be terribly out of balance since the optimum recording level (the primary concern of a multitrack mix) is not necessarily the best listening level. Therefore, a second mix is required called the monitor mix, which provides the engineer with a useful instrument balance and enables him or her to make changes and adjustments to the mix (such as muting or soloing channels) without disturbing the signals being recorded on tape.

•Cue Mix: Many times a third separate mix is required which is sent to the musicians’ headphones for overdubbing. This is called the cue mix. This mix can be radically different from what the engineer is listening to (the monitor mix), since the musicians may need certain instruments either played louder or removed from the mix in order to hear their cues (hence the name “cue mix”). This mix is derived from the Pre-Fader Sends, so that the headphone mix will not change if the engineer makes fader adjustments to the monitor mix. Since the X2 Mixer has two Pre-Fader Aux Sends (Aux 1-2), either 2 separate mono cue mixes or 1 stereo cue mix may be created.

Mixdown

After all the desired musical parts have been performed and recorded satisfactorily, the mixdown stage takes place. During this stage, the musical parts are blended together, tonally enhanced with EQ and effects, positioned in the desired stereo spectrum with the PAN controls, and finally recorded onto a mixdown tape deck (such as a DAT machine, 2-Track reel-to-reel or cassette recorder, or 2 tracks of an ADAT). During mixdown, the engineer should be hearing the exact same mix the recorder is receiving. For this purpose, the Control Room section of the X2 provides two independent pairs of stereo External Inputs for listening to the playback from the mixdown tape deck.

X2 Reference Manual

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Contents Alesis How To Use This Manual IntroductionConventions Description of Controls. a dictionary of each controlX2 Reference Manual Contents Applications Description of Controls Trouble-Shooting Midi Implementation Chart Page Introduction AboutBasic Principles of Mixing & Multitrack Recording Recording/TrackingMonitoring Mixdown Introduction X2 Reference Manual Guided Tour Recorder/Mix SystemsPage Aux Send/Return Systems Control Room Systems Muting AutomationMeter Bridge Page Page Power Power SupplyConnections Unpacking and InspectionTo connect the power supply to Avoiding Ground Loops To Eliminate HUM if the Above has FailedChannel Inputs and Outputs Balanced Mic InputsUnbalanced Line Inputs Page +4/-10 Switch Tape InputTape Send Direct Output InsertBalanced Tape I/O To connect an Elco cable toStereo Returns and Groups Group OutputsGroup Inserts Aux a & B ReturnsMaster Inputs and Outputs Master OutputsMaster Inserts Control Room OutputsPage Headphones Adat SyncTo synchronize the X2 to an Adat system Input Connector Type Examples of ConnectionsInterfacing to an Unbalanced -10 dBV Multitrack Recorder To interface with a typical unbalanced multitrack recorderInterfacing to a Professional +4 dBu Multitrack Recorder Interfacing to Adat Using Elco Connectors Interfacing to a Multitrack Recorder via a PatchbayInterfacing to the Mixdown Deck To connect the mixdown deck toInterfacing to the Control Room Interfacing to the StudioInterfacing to the Headphone Amp Interfacing Aux Sends and Returns to Outboard EffectsConnecting Simultaneously, if desired Interfacing the Inserts Interfacing with a Midi SequencerTo interface a Midi sequencer with Setting Levels ApplicationsRecording II. Maintain Proper Fader LevelsRecording a Single Source to One Track To record a single source to a single trackRecording Multiple Sources to One Track To record two or more sources to a single trackRecording Multiple Sources to Two Tracks Stereo To record multiple sources to two tracks stereoTo select the meter bridge mode Recording TipsAbout Metering Overdubbing To listen to tape tracks on the Monitor fadersTo listen to tape tracks on the Channel faders Applications Previous section X2 Reference Manual Getting the Mix to the Headphones Monitoring Midi Virtual TracksTo route the mix to a headphone amp Adding Effects Selecting an Aux SendTo set the level going to the effects device To hear effects in the monitors To hear effects in the headphone/cue mixTo record effects onto the multitrack Bouncing Tracks To record effects onto the mixdown deckTo bounce one or more tracks to another track mono To bounce multiple tracks to two tracks stereoPlayback/Mix-Down Mixdown BasicsGetting the Mix to the Tape Deck Here is a simplified step-by-step way to establish a mixCreating a Dependable Mix To create a dependable mixMute Automation Page Using Group Faders as Subgroups To configure the X2 mixer in order to achieve a mono mixLive Performance Creating a Monitor MixVideo Post-Production Stage Monitor MixTo create two different stage monitor mixes Applications X2 Reference Manual Mute Automation OverviewTo enable destructive solo mode Destructive SoloMute Groups Page Defining Mute Groups To define Mute GroupsRecalling Mute Groups Overlay ButtonTo recall a Mute Group To return the console to its previous mute statusDisplay Mode SynchronizationSelecting a Sync Source Getting On-line/LockingMute Events Recording and Playing Back Mute EventsUndoing Mute Events OverdubbingPage Editing Songs ErasingErase All Memory To erase all events on one or more channelsTo erase all events on all channels To erase a Song including its mute events and 4 Mute GroupsCopying Copy Mute EventsCopy Song To copy mute events from one channel to anotherMidi Channel Selecting Songs via MidiTo set the Midi channel Midi Map Memory Backup Transmitting System ExclusiveReceiving System Exclusive Remaining MemoryDescription of Controls Input Channel ControlsHPF Switch To MON SwitchHi and Lo EQ Hi Mid and Lo Mid EQEQ in Switch Switch Aux 3/4AUX Source Switch AUX 1-2, AUX 1-2 PANSwitch Aux 5/6 Monitor PANMonitor Peak LED Monitor Solo ButtonDIR Switch Group Assign Switches 1-2, 3-4, 5-6Channel PAN Channel Peak LEDAux Master Controls Stereo Aux Return ControlsAUX a Assign Switches Aux a Only Group Masters Switch Aux B OnlyStereo Separation BalanceGroup Master Controls ButtonSolo Button Mute ButtonGroup 1-8 Master Faders Master Controls Oscillator Frequency and LevelSolo LED and Level Studio Level and AssignmentPhones Control Room Level and SourceMaster Faders Meter BridgePage Mute Automation Controls DisplayMute Groups Online Erase FWD and Erase BWD Buttons Memory RemainingErasing Memory Mute SoloDescription of Controls X2 Reference Manual TROUBLE-SHOOTING Trouble-Shooting IndexChecking the Software Version Re-initializingMaintenance/Service Cleaning and MaintenanceWarranty Information Obtaining Repair ServiceCustomers outside the USA Trouble-Shooting X2 Reference Manual Midi Maps Index MapsMute Midi Note Number Map Mute Midi Controller NumberMap Number Interval Midi Implementation Chart Specifications Power Supply Maximum GainInput Module Group ModuleDimensions WeightTotal Shipping Weight Dimensional DrawingsInternal Connector Pinouts Block Diagram Index SoloSong LED 102
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