Cables to Go 8

4 Applications

Your MultiMix 8 USB can be used in a wide variety of ways in

both live and recording applications. You have several options for

bringing sound into and out of the board. And when it’s brought

in, you can route it to various parts of the mixer for certain desired

effects, or even send it to an external processor or tape deck and

back. To give you some ideas for different mixing scenarios, here

are descriptions of a few common applications for the MultiMix 8

USB.

Simple Recording Setup

In this setup, you connect your instruments and microphones to

the mono and stereo channels, making sure to properly set the

level of each channel. To record directly from the mixer to a tape

deck or other device, connect the device via the 2-TRACK OUT

jack. To record to a multitrack recorder, connect the MAIN MIX

OUT to the recorder’s inputs.

You can select one on-board effect and control its level with the

AUX B knob for each channel. Or you can use an external effects

processor by sending a signal to the external unit via the AUX

SEND A and returning it via AUX RETURN A.

For monitoring you can connect the CTRL RM OUT jacks to a

speaker or headphone amplifier, or just simply plug headphones

into the PHONES jack.

Simple Live Setup

This is similar to the recording setup. In a live setup, you most

likely will connect the MAIN MIX OUT to a PA system amplifier

and the CTRL RM OUT to a headphone amplifier for monitoring

purposes. Try connecting an external effects processor to the

MultiMix’s send and receive. Your headphones will allow you to

audition a channel before you bring it into the mix, making sure

the levels are OK before the audience hears it.

Using Additional External Audio

Sources

The MultiMix 8 USB gives you 8 audio inputs in all. If you want to

bring external audio sources into a recording or live mix, you can

do it in several different ways. Using the 2-TRACK IN, you can

add a tape deck, ADAT, CD player or other source to the mix. The

2-TRACK IN also can be used to entertain the audience with a

CD as the band is setting up for a live show. The AUX RETURNS

can be used as additional audio inputs when you are not using

them for effects.

Digital output to a digital recorder

Connect the S/PDIF DIGITAL OUTPUT of your Multimix

console to the DIGITAL IN on your external digital recorder.

(12-channel and 16-channel models only)

4 Applications

Using the Multimix USB with a

Computer

Your Alesis Multimix mixer comes with a Full Speed USB port

which you can connect to a computer. This USB connection

allows you to send CD-quality (stereo, 16-bit, 44.1 kHz) audio

between the computer and your Multimix mixer.

This feature allows you to use the Multimix USB as a highly

flexible external soundcard. Use the computer’s built in audio

recorder—or use dedicated Digital Audio Workstation software—

to record and play back CD-quality audio within your computer.

A 2-meter USB cable is included. If you need to connect the

Multimix across a longer distance, we recommend that you

purchase a longer USB cable, as using hubs and other extenders

with USB audio often causes glitches and other problems.

Sending and Receiving Audio Data

The USB port sends the Multimix’s MAIN OUT/TAPE OUT left

and right signals to the computer.

The USB port receives a stereo audio stream from the computer

and assigns it to the TAPE IN left and right channels of your

Multimix mixer. Note that, if a device is connected to the

Multimix’s TAPE IN inputs, the signal from this device is merged

with the signal from the computer.

Precautions when using the USB connection

To ensure that the Multimix is recognized correctly by your

computer, always turn the Multimix on a few seconds before

inserting the USB cable into the computer. When powering up

both your computer and the Multimix, turn on the Multimix first

and the computer second. When powering down your computer

and the Multimix, turn off the computer first. Wait to turn off the

Multimix until the computer has shut down.

Connection instructions for Windows (XP,

2000, ME, and 98 Second Edition)

Upon first sensing the Multimix’s USB input, Windows XP and

Windows 2000 automatically recognize the Multimix and proceed

to install “USB audio codec” drivers. Windows ME and Windows

98 Second Edition may require you to insert your Windows disc,

after which the drivers should load correctly. [verify this]

After the Multimix has been recognized and its drivers have been

installed, open the Control Panel. Select Sounds and Audio

Devices (or Multimedia), go to the Audio tab, and select the “USB

audio codec” as your default sound recording and sound playback

device.