Manuale d’uso / di manutenzione del prodotto USB2.0 del fabbricante Alesis
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Table Of Contents 1 Introduction .......................................................... 5 W elcome! ...................................................................................................... 5 About the MultiMix USB2.0 ................
Table Of Contents 2 Chapter Three: Digital Effects Processor ............................................................... 19 Effects Section Components ............................................ 19 Program Selection Knob .........................
Table Of Contents 3 Using the MultiMix USB2.0 with Core Audio on the Macintosh ................................................................ 42 Chapter Six: Troubleshooting: Hardware ............................................................... 43 Chapter Seven: Troubleshooting: Software .
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Introduction 5 W elcome! Thank you for making the Alesis MultiMix USB2.0 a par t of your studio . Since 1984, we've been designing and building creativ e tools for the au dio community . W e believ e in our products , because we've heard the results that creativ e people like you hav e achieved with them.
Introduction 6 About the MultiMix USB2.0 The MultiMix USB2.0 mixers are the latest in the larg e family of Alesis audio mixers and the seco nd series that includes comp uter interfacing (following on the launch of the MultiMix USB mix ers in 2004, the MultiMix FireWire mixers in 2005, and the iMultiMix8 USB-with-iP od mixer in 2007).
Introduction 7 from the computer, all in 24-bit, 44.1/48/88.2/96 kHz digital audio . y ASIO and WDM computer dri ver s – lets you use the MultiMix USB2.0 with the vast ma jority of digital audio w orkstation programs . y Clean and pow erful pr eamps – u p to 50dB of preamp gain fo r capturing quiet sources .
Introduction 8 How to Use This Manual This manual is divided into the following sections describing the vari ous functions and applicati ons of the MultiMix c onsoles .
Introduction 9 A Few Words for Beginners W e realize that some of you who ha ve purc h ased the MultiMix USB2.0 are fairly new to the ar t of mixing and computer recording . W e’ve written this man ual with that in mind. W e designed the MultiMix to be both powerful and easy enough to use that even a beginner can quickly pick up the basics .
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1 Getting Started 11 Important: download the drivers fr om http://www .alesis.com onto a folder on your des ktop or insert th e softw ar e CD into your computer’ s CD drive BEFORE you plug y our MultiMix into your computer for the first time. See page 23 for details.
1 Getting Started 12 Using Proper Cables When conn ecting instr uments and other equipme nt to the MultiMix, it’ s important that y ou use the appropriate ty pes of cables . Here are s ome simple but importan t guidelines: y F or the m ic inputs , use X LR cables .
2 A Tour of the MultiMix USB2.0 13 In this chapter, y ou’ll lear n all about the MultiMix’ s components (except for the digital effects proces sor, whic h is explained in the next chapter). Please re fer to the diagrams as you read each section to see whic h components we’ re talking about.
2 A Tour of the MultiMix USB2.0 14 Line Inputs (Channels 5 – 8) Unlike channels 1 – 4, the line inpu ts on channels 5 – 8 are stereo inputs that ha ve left and ri ght inputs . If y ou’ re using one of these channel s as a mono i nput, plug your instrument into the lef t input.
A Tour of the MultiMix USB2.0 2 15 This output can c arr y seve ral different signals , depending on whic h source you have selected in the master section of the mix er. Channel Strips The eight channel strips are vir tually identical to each other, with the only dif ference being that c hannels 1 – 4 are mono and channels 5 – 8 are stereo .
2 A Tour of the MultiMix USB2.0 16 EQ The MultiMix gives you three bands of EQ per channel. Using these knobs , you c an tailor the c hannel’ s signal by boosti ng some frequencies and cutting o thers . The LO an d HI controls are shelving controls with fixe d frequencies of 75 Hz and 12 kHz respectively .
A Tour of the MultiMix USB2.0 2 17 HDPH / CTRL RM The HDPH / CTRL RM knob controls the lev el of the signal being sent to the CTRL RM OUT and the PHONES output.
2 A Tour of the MultiMix USB2.0 18 Rear of the Mixer Here’ s what you’ll find at the rear of the mixer . P ow er Inpu t Here’ s wh ere you plug in your mix er’ s external power supply . Y ou should always connect your power supply to the mixer before yo u plug the po wer supply i nto an electrical outlet.
3 Digital Effects Processor 19 Onboard you r MultiMi x USB2.0 is a pow erful effects unit that has 100 preset prog rams . W e offer a few tips on where to use these, but don ’t li mit yo urself to our suggestions.
3 Digital Effects Processor 20 CHORUS These create the effect of multip le voices (or instruments) sounding at onc e from a singl e input. FLANGE These create a sweeping, swoosh ing sound effe ct that you will probably rec ognize. DELA Y These effects are bas ed on a discreet repetition or echo of the input.
4 Traditional Mixing 21 Y o ur MultiMix 8 USB2.0 can be used in a wide variety of ways in both li ve and recording applic ations . Y o u ha ve sev eral options for bringing sound into and out of the board.
4 Traditional Mixing 22 Simple Two-Channel Recording Setup (without using a computer) Again, connect y o ur instruments and micr ophones to the mono and stereo channels and set the levels appropriately . T o record directly fr om the mix er to a tape dec k or other device , connect the MultiMix 8 USB2.
5 USB2.0 Recording 23 First-time connection and driver installation instructions Wi n d ow s Before attaching your mix er to your computer , in stall the driv ers either from the website or th e software D VD . D uring the installation proce ss, attac h and re-attach y our mix er as prompted by the install program.
5 USB2.0 Recording 24 Installing the optional applications The software DVD that comes with the MultiMix USB2.0 contain s not only the dri vers (the small com puter prog rams that w ork behind the scenes so that your MultiMix works properly with your computer) but also so me powerful m us ic applications .
USB2.0 Recording 5 25 USB2.0 inputs and outputs Channels sent fr om th e MultiMix t o the comput er The USB2.0 port sends every individual mixer c hannel as well as the MultiMix’ s MAIN OUT/2-TRA CK OUT left and right signals to the computer. T his means that, for th e MultiMix 8 USB2.
5 USB2.0 Recording 26 Sound setup under Windows T o use your MultiMix USB2.0 as your default Windows sound device, follow these steps: 1. From the Wi ndows Start menu, c hoose “Control P anel. ” Depending on your Windows preferences , it will app ear similar to one of the tw o pictures be low: 2.
USB2.0 Recording 5 27 4. Click the “V o ice” tab . Chang e the voice pla yback and voice recording settings to “ Alesis USB Audio .” 5. Click “ Apply” to app ly these changes .
5 USB2.0 Recording 28 Disabling Windows System Sounds Windows Sy stem Sounds—the sounds that Windows pl ays to signal starting up , shutting down, alerts and so for th—can interfere with your au dio recording . W e strongl y suggest that y o u disable these sounds.
USB2.0 Recording 5 29 Connections and settings for USB2.0 recording and monitoring The best way to begin using the Mu ltiMix for USB2.0 recording is to set up y our system this w ay: 1. Hook up y o ur monitori ng system to the Multi Mix’ s CTRL RM OUT jacks .
5 USB2.0 Recording 30 Choosing the MultiMix as your audio device 1. Choose the men u option “Devices” | “De vice Setup…. ” 2. Click the “VST Multitrack” option. This discussion uses Steinberg’s Cubase software, but the principles provided here apply to all ASIO recordin g so f tware.
USB2.0 Recording 5 31 3. From within the ASIO Dr iv er drop-down box, choose the Alesis USB Audio device . 4. Press “OK” to accept this setting . D ifferent ve r s ions of Cubase function similarly, but not exactly, to the exa mples shown here.
5 USB2.0 Recording 32 5. Now that the MultiMix is selected as the audio device, indivi dual c hannels must be activa ted for use . Ag ain, return to the “Devices” menu, and select “VST inputs. ” 6. Click the ac tivation buttons for c hannel pairs that y ou want to use.
USB2.0 Recording 5 33 Cr eating a new audio file Now , you’ re ready to create an audio project. 1. Choose “File” | “New Project…” 2. Y ou can begin with a template or an empty file .
5 USB2.0 Recording 34 3. Cubase needs to know where to place audio. Choose a director y here. 4. Now , you ha ve a blank proj ect. Add an audi o track f or recording by choosing “Project” | “ Add Trac k” | “ Audio .” A n excellent sc heme fo r stor ing y our pr oject s i s to create a di rector y call ed “audio projects.
USB2.0 Recording 5 35 5. Be sure that the “ inspector”—a strip on the lef t-hand side of Cubase that sho ws all sor ts of infor mation about the sele cted track—is acti ve. If your view is similar to that shown bel ow , the Ins pector is active .
5 USB2.0 Recording 36 7. Y ou will do most of y our monito ring through the mixer . Howe ver , if y ou want to monitor with Cubase’ s effects , or if you ju st want to hear what t he computer is hearing, press the direct monitoring button next to the R ecord Enable bu tton.
USB2.0 Recording 5 37 Working with the Alesis USB2.0 control panel A ccessing the contr ol panel In Window s , open the Alesis USB 2.0 control panel from e ither the All Programs menu or wit h in y our audio application. On the Mac , access this panel fro m the “conf igure devi ce” button of Audio/MIDI Setup .
5 USB2.0 Recording 38 Using the MultiMix USB2.0 with Sonar and other WDM applications Choosing the MultiMix as your audio device 1. Choose the men u “Options” | “ Audio…. ” 2. On the “General” tab, select any av ailable Alesis USB Audio channels as the Playbac k and Record timing maste rs.
USB2.0 Recording 5 39 3. Click the “ Advanced” tab . For WDM operation, be sure that the “Driv er Mode” is set to “W DM/ KS.” (I f yo u ch an ge th is setting, you will need to exit and then restart Sonar.
5 USB2.0 Recording 40 4. Mov e to the “Driv ers” tab . Select each input pair and also on the output pai r to mak e them av ailable to Sonar ..
USB2.0 Recording 5 41 Assigning inputs t o audio trac ks Now , you’ re ready to assign the MultiMix’ s inputs to various channels . F or each audio trac k that you w ant to rec ord, clic k on the input section of th e trac k and select the MultiMix channel that you want.
5 USB2.0 Recording 42 Using the MultiMix USB2.0 with CoreAudio on the Macintosh T o co nfigure the MultiMix for use with CoreAudio: 1. Open the Mac’ s “ Audio MIDI Setup” utility . 2. Choose the “ Alesis USB A udio Device” as both inpu t and output device.
6 Troubleshooting: Hardware 43 If you’ re having pro blems operating the MultiMix, this troubleshooting index will help you cor rect them. Sympt oms Cause Solution No sound from the mix er . Mixer is n o t plugged in or turn ed on. Plug in mixer and turn it on.
6 Troubleshooting: Hardware 44 Audi o signal car ries an unwanted hum. T oo much l ow-level noise in the mix. Eng age the channel’ s hi gh-pass filter b y pressing the HP F switch . Interference from appliances such as air conditio ners. Eng age the channel’ s hi gh-pass filter b y pressing the HP F switch .
Troubleshooting: Hardware 6 45 External effects aren’ t wo rk in g. Effect s processor is not plug ged in or tur ned on. Make sure unit is plug ged in and turn ed on. Aux outputs of mixe r aren ’t connec ted to inputs of proces sor or proce ssor’ s outputs aren’ t connected to mixer ’ s inputs (or aux return).
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7 Troubleshooting: Software 47 Computer or audio application does not see the MultiMix USB2.0 Basic tr oub leshooting First, check that the MultiMix is seen by the computer: Op en the Alesis contro l panel and check that Windows sees the device as attached.
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8 Specifications 49 F or the mo re technical-minded, here are some detailed specifications fo r the MultiMix’ s operating levels . Input Channels Mic In Sensiti vity Range: -60dBu to –10dBu nomin .
8 Specifications 50 Computer Requirements Minimum PC Require ments: • Pentium 4, 2.4GHz Processor (or equivalen t) • 512 MB RAM • Available USB2.0 Port • Windows XP (with Se rvice Pack 2 or higher i nstalled) Minimum Macintosh Re quirements: • G4 with native USB2 .
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Glossary 53 Here are the definition s to some ter ms you’ll probably en counter while using your MultiMix USB2.0. Te r m Definition ASIO Audio S tream Inpu t/Output. An audio pr otocol deve loped by Stei nberg and used by multiple audio softw are manufactu rers .
Glossary 54 rectangular rackmount units . EQ (equalizer) T he part of your mi xer (or ot her devi ce) that ma nipulates an au dio sign al by low ering the level of some frequencies and increasing the levels of others . EQ i s used to f ine-tu n e a signal’ s highs a nd lows .
Glossary 55 return A line input whose functi on is to carry back t o the mixer an audio signal that has been sent from the mix er. U s ually used in the app lication of effects . sample rate Digital audio is c hop ped up into tiny time slices . The sample ra te is the number of time slices captured in on e second.
Contact Information 56 Alesis Contact Infor mation Alesis Distribution, LLC Los Angeles , CA USA E-mail: support@alesis .com W eb site: http://www .alesis . com MultiMix USB2.0 Reference Manual Re vision B by Edwin Erdmann, Br ooks Br uner, a n d F red Morgenster n.
Un punto importante, dopo l’acquisto del dispositivo (o anche prima di acquisto) è quello di leggere il manuale. Dobbiamo farlo per diversi motivi semplici:
Se non hai ancora comprato il Alesis USB2.0 è un buon momento per familiarizzare con i dati di base del prodotto. Prime consultare le pagine iniziali del manuale d’uso, che si trova al di sopra. Dovresti trovare lì i dati tecnici più importanti del Alesis USB2.0 - in questo modo è possibile verificare se l’apparecchio soddisfa le tue esigenze. Esplorando le pagine segenti del manuali d’uso Alesis USB2.0 imparerai tutte le caratteristiche del prodotto e le informazioni sul suo funzionamento. Le informazioni sul Alesis USB2.0 ti aiuteranno sicuramente a prendere una decisione relativa all’acquisto.
In una situazione in cui hai già il Alesis USB2.0, ma non hai ancora letto il manuale d’uso, dovresti farlo per le ragioni sopra descritte. Saprai quindi se hai correttamente usato le funzioni disponibili, e se hai commesso errori che possono ridurre la durata di vita del Alesis USB2.0.
Tuttavia, uno dei ruoli più importanti per l’utente svolti dal manuale d’uso è quello di aiutare a risolvere i problemi con il Alesis USB2.0. Quasi sempre, ci troverai Troubleshooting, cioè i guasti più frequenti e malfunzionamenti del dispositivo Alesis USB2.0 insieme con le istruzioni su come risolverli. Anche se non si riesci a risolvere il problema, il manuale d’uso ti mostrerà il percorso di ulteriori procedimenti – il contatto con il centro servizio clienti o il servizio più vicino.
