1. THE MANUAL
1.1 Nomenclature
Most specialist subjects are not really all that difficult provided you understand the language used, and the vocabulary of mixing is pretty straightforward. Nevertheless, it is as well to be clear about what certain terms mean. A “slot” in a recorder will always be referred to as a TRACK, while that in a mixer will invariably be a CHANNEL. A GROUP will always refer to a submix of channels, never a collection of musicians. Similarly the term BAND will be mentioned only in conjunction with FREQUENCY. We will attempt to be as unambiguous as possible with terms, since much confusion can arise from sloppy definitions.
Some terms can have a plurality of meanings. TRACK, in mixing parlance, refers to a tape recorder. In electronic circuits, components on a PCB (printed circuit board) are linked by flat conductors called TRACKS. Hopefully, where terms have different meanings the contexts will be sufficiently diverse so as to avoid any possible confusion.
1.2 An un-holstic approach
It is virtually impossible to fully explain one aspect of a mixing console (e.g. CHANNEL ROUTING) without also making it clear what those routes are, where they go, are they migratory, etc. That’s why we have compartmentalized the EURODESK manual into sections, making it easy to find problem solving information and advice. You might find that several
If we keep repeating ourselves concerning the use of
1.3 Key
All DESK functions will be numbered consistently throughout the manual, whether they be in the text or in an illustration. In addition the following prefixes will be used to denote the various types of function control in any illustrations/text respectively:
Prefix | Meaning |
S | Switch |
L | LED |
P | Potentiometer |
F | Fader |
Tab. 1.1: Meaning of the used prefixes
After every prefix you will find the FUNCTION NUMBER. Numbering starts at the top of a CHANNEL, works its way through a stereo GROUP, and finally through the MASTER SECTION. The phantom power and tape operating level switches are not included in the numbering system.
2. EURODESK OVERVIEW
2.1 Architecture
The EURODESK MX9000 is a hybrid SPLIT/INLINE console. Input channels cover most of the surface from the left, while the outputs to tape are to the right. Tape monitor returns, however, are housed within the channel strips, not next to the tape outputs, as would be the case in a conventional “split” design. This architecture
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