Digital X Bus

Sample Tracking and Mixdown Setup

This diagram shows a typical hookup for tracking and mixdown. With the signal routing flexibility of the Digital X Bus, you don't need to change your connections when moving from the tracking to the mixdown stage.

Tracking

Microphones and instruments are connected to the Mic and Line inputs on three Mic/Line 4 cards installed in the A•SLOTS on the Digital X Bus. If any of the microphones require phantom power, it can be turned on for the applicable channels in the Card Setup window (Windows > I/O Configuration).

Note: During tracking, dynamics control, like compression and limiting, are often used on individual channels. Effects, like reverb, delay, and chorus are best left for adjustment during mixdown, or during tracking for monitor use only.

Each input channel 1-24 is assigned to a tape output via three DIGI cards installed in the B•SLOTS on the Digital X Bus using the Bank to Outputs command (Options > Bank to Outputs > Outputs

25-48), or individually using the Direct Outputs (in the ASSIGNS window). The OPTICAL OUTs on the DIGI cards are connected to the Optical Inputs on the digital multitrack recorder.

Monitoring

Connect the outputs from the recorders to the Optical Inputs on the Digital X Bus. Assign the Optical Inputs to channels 25-48 (Options > Route to Bank

>Inputs 25-48). This allows you to monitor the sig- nal as it’s being recorded (assuming your recorder has that capability).

To do this:

•Assign channels 25–48 to the L-R bus.

•Roll tape to verify signal at Bank 25-48.

•If any track reads excessively hot or cold on the Digital X Bus meter bridge, adjust the Digital Trim (in the ASSIGNS window) for a reading around –15 with no clipping indications on the peaks.

•With channel faders off, set the Master Fader at unity (U).

•The signal at the SPEAKERS A and SPEAK- ERS B output is determined by the Control Room Source selection in the Control Room Section. SPEAKER A is used for the Control Room Monitors.

•Assign L-R as the Control Room Source. Adjust the speaker level to a moderately conservative level (about 9:00).

•You can connect a pair of headphones to the PHONES 1 or 2 jack and monitor the signal there as well. Select CONTROL ROOM as the source in the PHONES 1 or 2 Section.

•Adjust the channel faders for an appropriate monitor mix.

Mixdown

Mixdown setup is very similar to the monitoring setup. The main difference is that you are mixing the signals that have already been recorded rather than monitoring the signals as they are being re- corded. During mixdown, you can use internal and external effects, and automate your mix. There is more about automation to come.

The configuration shown has four external digital effects devices connected to an AES card for monitoring and mixdown. Typically you would use the aux sends to route signals to external effects. Open the AES Card Setup window (Windows > I/O Con- figuration > AES Card) and assign the appropriate aux sends in the Output Source drop-down boxes.

You can also route individual channels to the internal effects in the ASSIGN window via the channels inserts. Effects devices must already be created in the Effects Rack for them to appear in the insert drop-down boxes.

❏The Left and Right MIX OUT jacks are con- nected to the 2-Track recorder for the final mixdown.

❏If you prefer to monitor from the output of the mixdown recorder, simply connect the outputs of the mixdown recorder to a pair of unused in- puts (or the AES/EBU or S/PDIF digital inputs on the MIX OUT card), and choose those inputs for the Control Room Source.

❏Record the mix and enjoy the mind-boggling capabilities of the Mackie Digital X Bus.

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