X2 X2 manual Mute Automation

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Applications

7Raise the Toms Channel FADERS. Set them so that the LED meter indicates “0.” Mute the Toms Channels.

8Bring up the Bass Guitar Channel FADER so that the LED meter reads “-6.” Mute the Bass Channel.

9Raise the Channel FADERS with the rhythm guitar and/or keyboards so that the LED meters read “-10,” unless percussion instruments are involved (such as cowbell, triangle or shaker), in which case the meters should read “-15.” Mute these Channels.

10Raise the Channel FADERS with the keyboard pads, strings and/or organ so that the LED meters read “-30.” Mute these Channels.

11Raise the Channel FADERS with the melody and solo instruments (such as lead vocal, solo guitar, etc.) so that the LED meters read “-8.” Mute these Channels.

12Raise the Channel FADERS with the background vocals and/or incidental instruments so that the LED meters read “10.”

13Unmute all Channels and make balance adjustments as necessary.

The above process can be accomplished very quickly once you get the hang of it. Usually, it is done at least twice when “getting up” a mix. The first time is without effects or EQ to see what (if anything) the mix needs. The second time is after all the effects and EQ have been added.

Mute Automation

One of the most creative elements of mixing is the art of muting. By turning channels on and off, you can create a different performance of what is being fed to the channel. Example: A lead vocal track may have wound up with some unwanted sounds. By muting and unmuting the channel, you can omit the unwanted portions. Or, you can use muting to change the rhythm of a drum part; or to remove a previously unnoticed mistake on one of the other tracks. While this is a powerful technique, without a mute automation system it can be difficult to keep track of which channels to mute, when and for how long. Obviously, mute automation is the only reliable way of applying the technique of muting during mix-down on a large console like the X2.

You can automate the muting and unmuting of any channel either by recording these “mute events” into the X2’s Dynamic Mute Automation sequencer, or by using an external MIDI sequencer. When using the built-in sequencer, a synchronization source is required to drive it. If you are using one or more ADATs, the best way to use the X2 is by synchronizing its built-in Mute Automation sequencer to the ADAT’s time code reference. This provides an extremely accurate method of managing the many tracks that are used in post-production applications, where muting and unmuting tracks is frequent and the timing crucial.

If you don’t use ADAT, you can synchronize the X2’s sequencer to MIDI Time Code

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X2 Reference Manual

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Page 50 Page 52
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 IntroductionBasic Principles of Mixing & Multitrack Recording Recording/TrackingMonitoring Mixdown Introduction X2 Reference Manual Recorder/Mix Systems Guided TourPage Aux Send/Return Systems Control Room Systems Muting AutomationMeter Bridge Page Page Unpacking and Inspection PowerPower Supply ConnectionsTo connect the power supply to To Eliminate HUM if the Above has Failed Avoiding Ground LoopsChannel Inputs and Outputs Balanced Mic InputsUnbalanced Line 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 Headphones Adat SyncTo synchronize the X2 to an Adat system 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 Interfacing the Inserts Interfacing with a Midi SequencerTo interface a Midi sequencer with 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 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 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 PerformanceVideo Post-Production Stage Monitor MixTo create two different stage monitor mixes Applications X2 Reference Manual Overview Mute AutomationTo enable destructive solo mode Destructive SoloMute Groups 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 SongMidi Channel Selecting Songs via MidiTo set the Midi channel 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 Midi Maps Index MapsMute Midi Note Number 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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