X2 X2 manual Applications, Recording, Setting Levels, II. Maintain Proper Fader Levels

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Applications

CHAPTER 4:

APPLICATIONS

Recording

Setting Levels

In order to ensure the cleanest signal with the least amount of background noise (hiss or hum), it is extremely important that proper level settings be maintained not only within the X2 itself, but throughout the entire audio system. Therefore, it’s best to observe the following guidelines when using the X2.

I. Maintain Proper Input Levels.

To set proper input levels on either a mic or line level signal:

1With the mic or line level signal flowing through the Channel, depress the Channel’s SOLO button.

2Set the CHANNEL FADER to 0 (about 2/3 up).

3Observe the SOLO level on the MASTER LED Meter. Adjust the MIC/LINE GAIN knob until the first red LED lights during the loudest peaks. If you ever see the CHANNEL PEAK LED (or, if the CHAN/MON REVERSE switch is down, the MONITOR PEAK LED) flash, you are within 3 dB of signal overload. Turn down the MIC/LINE GAIN knob until the PEAK LED stops flashing.

II. Maintain Proper Fader Levels.

Ideally, both the Channel, Group and Master FADERS should be run at about the “0” position (about 3/4 of the way up the fader travel) if possible. This position gives the greatest amount of headroom and lowest noise. It also allows for any additional increase or decrease in level that might be required during mixing. Ultimately, the fader levels are dependent on the requirements of the mix; the 3/4 level is only a starting point.

III. Maintain Proper System Levels.

As a good rule of thumb, it is always best to try to run most volume level controls of your other equipment at 3/4 or 75% of full, as well. This will decrease the possibility of overload distortion and keep the amount of background noise to a minimum.

If a large amount of EQ is used, it may become necessary to decrease either the MIC/LINE GAIN control, or the Channel FADER, or both. The EQ is capable of adding quite a bit of gain and is a frequent cause of overload distortion problems.

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Contents Alesis Conventions How To Use This ManualIntroduction Description of Controls. a dictionary of each controlX2 Reference Manual Contents Applications Description of Controls Trouble-Shooting Midi Implementation Chart Page Introduction AboutMonitoring Basic Principles of Mixing & Multitrack RecordingRecording/Tracking Mixdown Introduction X2 Reference Manual Guided Tour Recorder/Mix SystemsPage Aux Send/Return Systems Meter Bridge Control Room SystemsMuting Automation Page Page Connections PowerPower Supply Unpacking and InspectionTo connect the power supply to Avoiding Ground Loops To Eliminate HUM if the Above has FailedUnbalanced Line Inputs Channel Inputs and OutputsBalanced Mic Inputs Page Tape Send Direct Output +4/-10 SwitchTape Input InsertBalanced Tape I/O To connect an Elco cable toGroup Inserts Stereo Returns and GroupsGroup Outputs Aux a & B ReturnsMaster Inserts Master Inputs and OutputsMaster Outputs Control Room OutputsPage To synchronize the X2 to an Adat system HeadphonesAdat Sync 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 the Mixdown Deck Interfacing to Adat Using Elco ConnectorsInterfacing to a Multitrack Recorder via a Patchbay To connect the mixdown deck toInterfacing to the Headphone Amp Interfacing to the Control RoomInterfacing to the Studio Interfacing Aux Sends and Returns to Outboard EffectsConnecting Simultaneously, if desired To interface a Midi sequencer with Interfacing the InsertsInterfacing with a Midi Sequencer Recording Setting LevelsApplications 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 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 one or more tracks to another track mono Bouncing TracksTo record effects onto the mixdown deck To bounce multiple tracks to two tracks stereoGetting the Mix to the Tape Deck Playback/Mix-DownMixdown Basics Here is a simplified step-by-step way to establish a mixCreating a Dependable Mix To create a dependable mixMute Automation Page Live Performance Using Group Faders as SubgroupsTo configure the X2 mixer in order to achieve a mono mix Creating a Monitor MixTo create two different stage monitor mixes Video Post-ProductionStage Monitor Mix Applications X2 Reference Manual Mute Automation OverviewMute Groups To enable destructive solo modeDestructive Solo Page Defining Mute Groups To define Mute GroupsTo recall a Mute Group Recalling Mute GroupsOverlay Button To return the console to its previous mute statusSelecting a Sync Source Display ModeSynchronization Getting On-line/LockingUndoing Mute Events Mute EventsRecording and Playing Back Mute Events OverdubbingPage Editing Songs ErasingTo erase all events on all channels Erase All MemoryTo erase all events on one or more channels To erase a Song including its mute events and 4 Mute GroupsCopy Song CopyingCopy Mute Events To copy mute events from one channel to anotherTo set the Midi channel Midi ChannelSelecting Songs via Midi Midi Map Receiving System Exclusive Memory BackupTransmitting System Exclusive Remaining MemoryDescription of Controls Input Channel ControlsHi and Lo EQ HPF SwitchTo MON Switch Hi Mid and Lo Mid EQAUX Source Switch EQ in SwitchSwitch Aux 3/4 AUX 1-2, AUX 1-2 PANMonitor Peak LED Switch Aux 5/6Monitor PAN Monitor Solo ButtonChannel PAN DIR SwitchGroup Assign Switches 1-2, 3-4, 5-6 Channel Peak LEDAux Master Controls Stereo Aux Return ControlsStereo Separation AUX a Assign Switches Aux a OnlyGroup Masters Switch Aux B Only BalanceSolo Button Group Master ControlsButton Mute ButtonGroup 1-8 Master Faders Solo LED and Level Master ControlsOscillator Frequency and Level Studio Level and AssignmentMaster Faders PhonesControl Room Level and Source Meter BridgePage Mute Automation Controls DisplayMute Groups Online Erase FWD and Erase BWD Buttons Memory RemainingErasing Memory Mute SoloDescription of Controls X2 Reference Manual Checking the Software Version TROUBLE-SHOOTINGTrouble-Shooting Index Re-initializingWarranty Information Maintenance/ServiceCleaning and Maintenance Obtaining Repair ServiceCustomers outside the USA Trouble-Shooting X2 Reference Manual Mute Midi Note Number Midi Maps IndexMaps Map Mute Midi Controller NumberMap Number Interval Midi Implementation Chart Specifications Input Module Power SupplyMaximum Gain Group ModuleTotal Shipping Weight DimensionsWeight Dimensional DrawingsInternal Connector Pinouts Block Diagram Index SoloSong LED 102