Bus

are similar. You can also choose from a variety of

window types for displaying the spectral readout,

including Rectangular, Bartlett, Hamming, and Han-

X

ning. Click the Freeze button to catch a particular

instance on-screen for closer examination.

Digital

The three oscillators have identical controls

 

 

including On/Off, Volume, Frequency, and Waveform

 

Type (Sine, Triangle, Saw, Square, White Noise,

 

Pink Noise). Each of these oscillators can be se-

 

lected as an input source for any channel.

 

System Info

 

The System Info window gives you an overview

 

of system resources in real time. DSP CPU Usage

 

and DMA Load are displayed in percentages, along

 

with other esoteric numbers including the measured

 

sample rate and I/O latency.

52

X.200

Applications

Setting Up For a Session

This section of the X.200 Owner's Manual provides very application-specific descriptions of some common usages. As your skills and knowledge increase, try new techniques. Build a system that's optimized for your specific application.

Listening Environment

In any serious recording situation, the listening environment is one of the most important consid- erations. Be sure the Digital X Bus is connected to excellent reference monitors, like the Mackie HR824s. In addition, set up the system in an acoustically controlled and balanced environment. Avoid a control room with identical dimensions in any direction and set it up with a good mixture of absorption and reflection.

When mixing in stereo or surround, select the best location—typically called the “sweet spot”—to critically assess the entire mix. Eliminate guess work. Maximize efficiency.

Channel Configuration/Planning

This actually has a lot to do with how well any audio experience unfolds. If you know where you’re headed with track expectations and instrumenta- tion, you’ll be able to make better choices along the way. Plan; plan again; think about it; then, plan some more.

Devise a mock-up of the final track sheet to plan your session before you begin recording. You’ll know more about how to get where you want to be.

Installation and Connection of Optional I/O Cards

The Input/Output cards are an essential part of the Digital X Bus multitrack system. There are several optional cards available for the X.200, which you can install into the card cage in the rear panel of the console. These cards provide up to 72 inputs and outputs for use with any common analog and digital formats.

Since the I/O cards are optional and interchangeable, you need to install them before you begin creating hit recordings. Refer to “Connections” on page 9 for an in- depth review of the various I/O cards available.