Mixer Conﬁguration, Why a Digital Mixer? | Fostex VM200 guide

Introducing the VM200

Mixer Conﬁguration

The VM200 is equipped with a total of 20 analog and digital inputs: eight analog mono input channels (1-8), four internal effects returns, and an eight-channel ADAT digital input. A two-channel S/P DIF digital input signal can be routed to any of 20 channels, and a two-track analog input (2TRK IN) is also provided.

External effects signals can be returned to the VM200 via four INSERT phone jacks.

Input channels 1 through 8 feature trim control attenuators and TRS phone jack connectors. Input channels 1 through 4 can also be switched to +48V phantom-powered balanced XLR-type connectors.

Two effects busses send signals to the two on-board effects proces- sors. An Effects Library contains 50 high-quality preset effects pro- grams. The effects can be modiﬁed and stored in the Effects Library for future recall. The VM200 returns the effects signals via channels 17-20.

The VM200 features 18 outputs.

A stereo buss outputs the stereo buss signal; a record buss outputs the record buss signal.

There are two ﬁxed AUX Sends, and two more can be added through the use of an ADD AUX function (although the record buss is unavail- able when the ADD AUX parameter is on).

Digital outputs include a 20-bit digital two-channel output (S/P DIF OUT), a 20-bit digital ADAT eight-channel output (ADAT OUT).

Monitor and headphone outputs facilitate stereo monitoring via speakers or headphones.

A four-band parametric equalizer is available for each input channel. EQ programs can be stored in and recalled from an on-board EQ Library.

You can cascade multiple VM200s together to increase the number of input channels.

Why a Digital Mixer?

One of the best things about a digital audio mixer is that it is able to combine audio signals from various sources without introducing vir- tually any signal degradation, distortion, crosstalk, or noise.

Digital recording to tape or hard disk-based systems is increasingly popular. However, many of these small studios use 4-, 8-, or 16-chan- nel analog mixers.

The VM200 Digital Recording Mixer enables you to keep your audio signals in the digital domain for both mixing and recording, resulting in new levels clarity and quality in your recordings.

14	VM200 User’s Guide

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Fostex VM200 manual Mixer Conﬁguration, Why a Digital Mixer?

Contents

VM200 Safety Instructions VM200 Getting Started Monitoring Signals Scene Memory Initializing the VM200 VM200 User’s Guide VM200 About This Chapter Using this Guide Welcome to the VM200 Installing the VM200 Inputs and Outputs Feature SummaryAudio Speciﬁcations Mixer Functions Midi functions Why a Digital Mixer? Mixer Conﬁguration Digital I/O Four-band Parametric EQ & EQ LibraryDual On-board Effects Processors About the Display and Graphic User Interface Faders Scene Memory Touring Top Panel Control Surface VM200 Analog Control Section PAD 26dB switches2TRK in switch Input selectors LCD Display Enter and Exit Keys Data Wheel and Neighboring Keys+1/ Keys Function Keys Midi Key Setup SectionSystem Key Current Scene Status Key Mode SectionROUTING/PHASE Key PAIR/GROUP Key CH View Key CHANNEL/METER Key EFF1 and EFF2 Keys Fader Mode SectionAUX1, AUX2, AUX3, and AUX4 Keys Channel Key Recall Key EQ LibraryEQ on Key Store Key Eff Edit Section Effect Library Rec Buss Section Scene Memory Section Solo Key Channel Control Section Fader function On key function ON, SOLO, & EQ Edit KeysOn Keys Solo Keys Solo key function EQ Edit key function EQ Edit KeysEQ Section Rotary Controls Select Keys Rear Panel 2TRK Inputs 5 8 Phone Connectors Inputs 1 4 XLR or Phone Connectors a or B+48 Phantom Power Inserts 1-4 Phone Connectors Power Switch 75Ω On, Off Switch Diagram Block VM200 User’s Guide Started VM200 System Example Phones Connecting the Power Cord Turning the VM200 On and Off Few Tips on Using the VM200 Channel Layers Analog Stopless Rotary Controls Keeping It DigitalAn Important Note About Word Clock Information Channel Edit Function Lower and Raise Faders to Initiate SendsReading the Display Examples of Other Function Pages Function Page Parameter Matrix Lit & Flashing LED Keys Lit & Flashing LED Keys Connect the ST Buss OUT to the analog inputs of a recorder Finally...Let’s Get StartedMaking Connections Lower all faders and Gain and Trim knobs on the VM200 Powering OnAdjusting the Channel Input Adjusting the EQ Press the channel 1 EQ Edit key Adjusting the EQ Press the Recall key in the Eff Library section Audition Some EffectsPress the EFF2 key in the Eff Edit section Storing a Mix Scene Press the EFF2 key in the Fader Mode sectionRecording Press the 17-20 EFF RTN Page Select key VM200 User’s Guide Channels Input Channels Phantom Power for Input Channels Insert Channels Pad Switches Input channels Trim Controls Inverting the Input Phase Press the Exit key or the CHANNEL/METER key Muting Channels Setting Channel LevelsInput Channel EQ Panning Input Channels Routing Input Channels REC Buss Out Monitoring and Soloing Input ChannelsFeeding Outputs ST Buss Out Digital Outs Pairing ChannelsGrouping Mute Channels Press the PAIR/GROUP key to display the 1CH Pair function Grouping Faders Viewing Input Channel Settings Press the CH View key to display the 1CH View function Press the EQ Edit key for the target channel Copying Channel Settings Press the Enter key to execute the copy operation VM200 User’s Guide Chapter Contents Equalizers EQ Adjusting the EQ Press the EQ on key in the Selected EQ section to turn it on Lo-Mid Hi-Mid Gain G Press the Enter key to conﬁrm your selection EQ Enabling ChannelsBypassing the EQ Press the EQ on key in the Selected EQ section Resetting the EQ While pressing and holding down the Enter key, press VM200 User’s Guide EQ Preset Library List Name Recalling EQ Programs Press the Enter key to recall the desired EQ Program Recalling EQ Programs Storing EQ Programs Press the Enter key Storing EQ Programs Editing EQ Program Titles EQ Library Name Edit function pages Copying EQ Settings Copying EQ Settings EQ Preset Library Parameters Name Parameter Description Lo-Mid Hi-Mid Gain Distortion of popular Description Lo-Mid Hi-Mid Gain VM200 User’s Guide Monitoring Signals MON SEL Parameter Solo Mode ParameterMonitoring and Soloing Monitor Outs and Phones Two Track Input 2TRK Press the Setup System key Monitoring Soloing Solo KEY Parameter Options Latch Selected Solo keys light up Press the Setup System key four times from start of cycle Solo Safe Function Press the CHANNEL/METER key or the Exit key in most modes Metering Signal LevelsViewing Input/Output Level Meters LED Display Meter L/R or ST BUSS/SOLO Press the CH View key Chapter Contents Outputs Overview Adat OUT & S/P DIF OUT Viewing the ST Buss OUT Meters Using the ST Buss OUTMonitoring the ST Buss OUT Muting the ST Buss OUT Setting the ST Buss OUT LevelSoloing the ST Buss OUT Viewing the REC Buss OUT Meters Using the REC Buss OUTMonitoring the REC Buss OUT Setting the REC Buss OUT Level Soloing the REC Buss OUT 114 VM200 UserÕs Guide Using the AUX Sends Enabling AUX Sends 3 & 4 ADD. AUX Parameter Viewing the AUX Send and Master Setting Monitoring AUX Sends Sending Channel Signals to AUX Sends Pre-fader/Post-fader AUX Sends Muting AUX Sends Use the Master on button to turn the AUX Send on and off Pairing AUX Sends Press the Exit key to return to Channel Edit mode Press the Enter key to conﬁrm the setting Smoothing Function Viewing Buss Routing for Each Channel 122 Effects VM200 Effects Reverb effects Effect Preset Library ListEffects Library Modulation effects DelaysEarly Reﬂection-type Reverbs Pitch Changer Multi-effects Selecting an Effects Processor Setting Effects ReturnApplying Effects Press the CHANNEL/METER key Sending Signal to Effects Processor Routing Effects Returns Pre-fader/Post-fader Effect Sends Controlling the Sends SignalsViewing and Adjusting the Effect Send Level Viewing and Adjusting the Effect Send Master Level Raise the fader for the corresponding channel Muting Effect Sends Controlling the Return SignalsSetting the Effect Return Level Monitoring Effects Sends Editing Effects Recalling Effects Programs Storing Effects Programs Press the Store key in the Eff Library section EFF Library Name Edit function pages Editing Effect Program Titles Press the Enter key to recall the desired Effect program 138 Early Reﬂection-type Effects Effects ParametersReverb-type Effects Monodelay Dualdelay 3CHDELAY Chorus 3DCHORUS Monopitch Delay-Reverb-type Effects CHORUS-REVERB REVERB-CHORUS REVERB-FLANGE Memory What is Scene Memory? Scene Edit Indicator What Can You Store in a Scene? Preset Scene Memory AUX Recalling a Scene Automatically at Start-up Recalling Mix ScenesRecalling a Scene Manually Assign Program Change messages to scene memories Recalling Mix Scenes Using Midi Program Change MessagesPress the System key ﬁve times Motorized Faders Storing Mix Scenes Press the Scene Memory Store key When you’ve ﬁnished naming the scene, press the Enter key Specifying Recall Safe Channels Editing Scene Memory TitlesRecall Safe Function Press the System key three times Press the CHANNEL/METER key to return to Channel Edit mode Specifying Recall Safe Parameters 158 Connections Digital Connections, Word Clocks, and Sample Rates 161 Setting the Master Word Clock Word Clock SetupWord IN/OUT Connectors Press the System key Setting the VM200 as Master or Slave Recording to a Digital Multitrack Recorder or DAT Multitrack Recording and Mastering to a DAT VM200 is word clock Slave Using Adat Digital I/Os Using Adat OUT Assigning Channels to Adat Direct SENDs 167 Using S/P DIF OUT Press the ROUTING/PHASE key twice Using S/P DIFAssigning S/P DIF Signals to Channels Press the CHANNEL/METER key or Exit key Cascading the VM200 172 VM200 Using the VM200 with Midi Midi Ports Connecting Midi devices Cascading Two VM200s RX CH Receive Channel Midi Transmit and Receive ChannelsTX CH Transmit Channel Program Change RX Program Change MessagesProgram Change TX Program Change Table Control Change RX Control Change MessagesControl Change TX Control Change Table System Exclusive TX & RX System Exclusive Messages Fostex ExclusiveBulk Dump System Exclusive DevID Set the TX CH and/or RX CH parameters to on Using Program Change Messages to Recall ScenesPress the Midi key Select a Program Change number Editing the User Program Change Assign TablePress the Midi key twice Select a Scene number Program Change Assign Table Notes Viewing the Preset Program Change Assign TablePress the Midi key three times Examples Using Program Change Messages Using Control Change Messages Select a Control Change number Editing the Control Change Assign TablePress the Midi key four times Control Change Assign Table Notes Viewing the Preset Control Change Assign TablePress the Midi key ﬁve times Examples Using Control Change Messages Controlling Parameters Using Fostex Exclusive Messages Automatic transmission in response to Bulk Dump Request Bulk DumpTransmitting Midi Bulk Dump Messages Manual transmission of Bulk Dump Messages Specifying the data you want to transfer Receiving Bulk Dump Requests Receiving Bulk Dump Requests MMC Midi Machine Control Send Setting the Device ID NumberEntering MMC Send Mode Select an ID number for the DevID parameter 193 Press the CHANNEL/METER key or the Exit key Frame ModeMMC Send and Timecode Checking the Locate Points Transmitting the Locate CommandsStoring Locate Points 196 Initializing the VM200 Initializing the VM200 199 Default Setup Parameters System Parameters Value Data Chapter C ontents EQ 1-8 Invalid! EQ Enable Display Warning Messages Outputs SpeciﬁcationsInputs General Midi IN/OUT/THRU Maintenance Maintenance Tables & Data Channel Fader Gain Table Master Fader Gain Pan Gain Left Right Pan EQ Frequency Range 20.3Hz 20.2kHz 240 steps per 1/24 octave Program Change Assign User Program Change AssignTable 2 PresetProgram Change To Scene Memory Assignment Tables Control Change To Control Parameters Assignment Tables Control Change Assign User Control Change Assign Preset Preset Scene Parameters P0 InitMix P1 Recording P2 MixDown Motion Control Process MCP MMC Locate target Midi In/Out Data FormatControl Change Bn Program Change Bn Command List Fostex Exclusive Message Remote Command Command Details Setup Commands Channel/Buss Commands 221 Effects Commands Bulk Dump & Request Bulk Dump Request Midi Device Inquiry Message Midi Implementation Chart Model VM200 Version1.0 Fostex Distributors List In Europe Declaration of EC DirectiveAffect of Immunity on This Equipment 227 228 Index 230 VM200 User’s Guide VM200 User’s Guide 231 Symbols Numerics Page Fostex Corporation