ONYX 1620

Control Room Matrix, Metering, and Phones

Typically, the engineer sends the MAIN MIX to an audi-

I have the CD player plugged into the TAPE inputs, and

ence (if live) or to a mixdown deck (if recording). But

that never gets to the MAIN OUTPUTS!” Oh, but it does.

what if the engineer needs to hear something other than

Simply engage this switch and your SOURCE matrix se-

the MAIN MIX in the control room or headphones? With

lection, after going through the CONTROL ROOM level

the Onyx 1620, the engineer has several choices of what

control, will feed into the MAIN MIX, just as if it were

to listen to. This is one of those tricky parts, so buckle up.

another stereo channel.

20. CONTROL ROOM/PHONES SOURCE

Using the SOURCE switches, you can choose to listen to any combination of MAIN MIX, ALT 3-4, TAPE, and FIREWIRE (optional). By now, you probably know what the MAIN MIX is. ALT 3-4 is that additional stereo mix bus. TAPE is the stereo signal coming in from the TAPE IN RCA jacks. FIREWIRE is a 2-track feed coming in through the optional FireWire card from your computer.

What if you have a playlist of MP3 files on your laptop you want to play during the break? Get the optional FireWire card and engage the FIREWIRE button to play your MP3s directly from your computer, through the SOURCE matrix, and into the MAIN MIX.

Another handy use for this switch is to enable the ALT 3-4 mix to become a submix of the MAIN MIX, using the CONTROL ROOM level control.

Side effects: 1) Engaging this switch also feeds any so-

PREMIUM ANALOG MIXER

w/ PERKINS EQ & FIREWIRE OPTION

 

PHONES

CONTROL

LEFT RIGHT

ROOM/

 

 

 

PHONES

 

0dB=0dBu

 

SOURCE

CLIP

20

 

 

 

 

 

10

 

MAIN MIX

 

7

 

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

FIREWIRE

 

0

 

(OPTION)

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LEVEL

 

 

4

SET

 

 

 

ALT 3-4

 

7

 

 

 

 

 

 

10

 

TAPE

 

20

 

 

30

 

 

 

 

ASSIGN TO

 

RUDE

 

 

SOLO

 

MAIN MIX

 

 

 

OO MAX

OO MAX

PFL

AFL

CONTROL

PHONES

SOLO

ROOM

 

MODE

14

ONYX 1620

 

Selections made in the SOURCE matrix deliver stereo signals to the CONTROL ROOM, PHONES, and Meters. With no switches engaged, there will be no signal at these outputs and no meter indication.

The exception to that is the SOLO function. Regardless of the SOURCE matrix selection, engaging a channel’s SOLO switch will replace that selection with the SOLO signal, also sent

to the CONTROL ROOM, PHONES, and Meters.

21.ASSIGN TO MAIN MIX

Let’s say you’re doing a live show. Intermission is nearing and you want

to play a soothing CD for the crowd to prevent them from becoming antsy. Then you think, “But

loed channels into the MAIN MIX, which may be the last thing you want. 2) If you have MAIN MIX as your SOURCE matrix selection and then engage ASSIGN TO MAIN MIX, the MAIN MIX lines to the SOURCE matrix will be disconnected from the CONTROL ROOM and PHONES outputs, to prevent feedback. Then again, why on earth would anyone want to assign the MAIN MIX to the MAIN MIX?

WARNING: Pushing in both the TAPE

button (in the SOURCE matrix) and

ASSIGN TO MAIN MIX (21) can create

a feedback path between TAPE IN and TAPE OUT. Make sure your tape deck

is not in record, record-pause, or input monitor mode when you engage these switches, or make sure the CONTROL ROOM knob (22) is turned all the way down (off).

22. CONTROL ROOM Knob

This controls the volume at the CONTROL ROOM outputs, from off (∞) to maximum gain (MAX). It also controls the level of the control room signal going to the MAIN OUTS when ASSIGN TO MAIN MIX is selected in the CONTROL ROOM/PHONES SOURCE matrix.

23. PHONES Knob

This controls the volume at the PHONES output, from off (∞) to maximum gain (MAX).

24. PHONES

This is where you plug in your stereo headphones. It is a 1/4" TRS stereo jack and provides the same signal that is routed to the CONTROL ROOM outputs (40), as determined by the CONTROL ROOM/PHONES SOURCE matrix (20). The volume is controlled with the PHONES knob (23) (right next to the CONTROL ROOM knob).