Bus

Save Session As…

 

 

• Name your mixes in a manner that is easy to

X

reference consecutive revisions: For example,

“BigBadBob Mix 1,” or “BigBadBob rev 1.0.”

Digital

• Using “rev 1.x,” “rev 2.x,” etc. provides an easy

 

 

way to indicate major conceptual changes (1.0,

 

2.0, 3.0, etc.) from minor refinements (1.0, 1.1,

 

1.2, etc.)

Setup Rough Mix

• Build the basic sound of the mix. Include fundamental EQ, Pan, Surround, Dynamics, Groups, etc.

• Save frequently, or set the Digital X Bus for Smart Saves (Windows > Setup > General) at regular intervals.

Save Snapshot For Safety

As you build the mix, save snapshots as soon as the music begins to reveal itself. Label the snapshots for your own reference. Sometimes these basic mixes, which are derived from your initial “gut” reaction to the music, are the most powerful.

Basic dynamic automation does not require these snapshot saves, but they’re often useful as the mix comes together, even if only as a cross-reference. If you develop a string of snapshots that are very pow- erful, they can be strung together during automa- tion. However, the procedure we’re outlining here highlights dynamic automation.

Time Code From Playback Device

Route MTC

The Digital X Bus requires MIDI Time Code (MTC) at the MIDI input to operate automation along with the record/playback device.

• Connect the MIDI output of your computer, sequencers, MIDI interface, or transport control to the MIDI input of the Digital X Bus.

• Most sequencers or other record/playback devices that transmit MTC need to be config- ured to route to a specific MIDI channel, cable, or device. Consult your MTC source operator’s manual to confirm accurate and verifiable routing to the Digital X Bus.

 

 

Verify MTC at Digital X Bus Locator Position

 

 

Display

 

 

• When your sequencer or other record/playback

 

 

device is running and MTC is transmitted, the

 

 

Digital X Bus control surface position readout

 

 

window (upper-right corner of screen) will

 

 

scroll MTC. You will see a continuous increase

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

74

X.200

 

 

 

of Hours, Minutes, Seconds, and Frames. If you see this scrolling time code in the time code display, it’s almost automation time!

•MTC also displays in the Locator window.

Start Automation

Once your ducks are in a row, you’re ready to begin the automation process! Automation can be written from the beginning of time code (00:00:00: 00) to the end (23:59:59:30).

Save Default Levels

Saving the Digital X Bus settings to a default state determines the starting point for the entire mix. You may have already created one or more default states and saved them as templates.

•Determine that your mix is solid enough that you’d like to have all parameters written as defaults. Don’t get too freaked out about this— you’ll be tweaking the mix to perfection anyway.

•Select “Save As Template...” from the File Menu.

•Enter a name for your new template and click OK.

•If you need to recall your static mix at any point, you can save or update snapshots at any time.

Exit Bypass Mode

Once the default levels have been set, it’s time to exit BYPASS mode (turn the BYPASS button off). From this point on, any parameter change can be written into automation.

Select Parameters

Choose the parameters you’d like to record as automation data on the first pass. This is typically a great time to ride basic fader, mute, and pan set- tings. However, there is no problem with selecting Faders, Mutes, Pan, and ALL so no matter what moves you make, they can be recorded and recalled by the automation processor.

Any Combination of Faders, Mutes, and Pans on First Pass

•Choose automation parameters by selecting them in the control surface AUTOMATION sec- tion or in the Automation window (Windows > Automation).

•Assign the channels you want to automate by pressing the WRITE button in the ASSIGN BUTTON SETUP section on the control surface, and pressing the ASSIGN button on the chan- nels you want to automate.