Antex electronic DMX-4 Adjusting the Recording Level, Recording Mix Matrix, Monitor Mix Matrix

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DMX-4 USB Mixer User Manual

Adjusting the Recording Level

Having the proper recording level is essential to making good, intelligible recordings. If the level is too low, the recording will contain a lot of hiss when it is played back loud enough to hear. If the level is set too high, loud sounds or speech will “clip” and the sound will be distorted. Clipping occurs when the level of the signal being digitized exceeds the maximum level of the analog to digital converter. In cases of severe overload, the recording of the second channel in a stereo pair may be affected. Channels 1 and 2, and channels 3 and 4 are paired.

The VU meters in the Antex Mixer Program are used to adjust the recording level. Note that the meters are only active when a recording program is monitoring or recording. As a rule of thumb, speak at a normal level into the microphone. Adjust the Input Slider on the Antex Mixer Program until the VU meter peaks are in the –15 to –20dB range. This should give adequate “headroom” for loud sounds.

Recording Mix Matrix

The recording mix matrix can be used to route any combination of inputs to any of the 4 record channels. This is done by clicking on the record channel number buttons associated with each input, using the Antex Mixer Program. Each input has 4 buttons for record channels 1 through 4. Click on the button with the mouse to toggle it on or off; blue means on, gray means off.

DMX-4 USB Mixer User Manual

Monitor Mix Matrix

Any input may be routed to either or both of the monitor outputs. This is done by clicking on the monitor number buttons associated with each input, using the Antex Mixer Program. Each input has a button for monitor 1 and monitor 2. Click on the button with the mouse to toggle it on or off; blue means on, gray means off.

Phantom Power

Phantom power is required for condenser microphones. It is not required for dynamic microphones and should be turned off when using dynamic microphones, although it will usually not harm them. Phantom power must be turned off when using line level devices and can cause damage. For this reason, the Antex Mixer Program will automatically switch off Phantom Power when “Line” is selected. Click on the “Phantom Power” button with the mouse to toggle it on or off; blue means on, gray means off.

Line and Microphone

The “Line” and “Microphone” buttons select the type of input you are connecting to the DMX-4. The difference is the signal level and the amount of gain required.

Microphones have a low signal level and require higher gain. When “Microphone” is selected, the gain can be adjusted from +10dB to +85dB with the slider control. (See the section “Adjusting the Recording Level”.) The slider control will affect the level of the audio in the recording and in the monitor output, if the particular input is routed to that monitor. Note however, that the monitor output level will stop increasing once the slider is up past +65dB. This is because the gain above 65dB

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Contents DMX-4 Important Safety Instructions Page General description What’s a dB and why should I care? Installing the Software XPPage Page Page Installing the Software Vista Page Not use above 240 VAC Power AdapterConnections Monitor Connections USB ConnectionInput Connections Using the Antex Mixer Program Recording Mix Matrix Adjusting the Recording LevelPhantom Power Monitor Mix MatrixSample Rate Input and Monitor LabelsOpening and Saving Scenes Monitor Outputs SpecificationsInputs Converters PowerMonth Limited Warranty Physical