Alesis 12 FireWire, 16 FireWire - Manual

Introduction 8 How to Use This Manual This manual is divided into the following sections describing the various functions and applications of the MultiMix consoles. While it's a good idea to read through the entire manual once carefully, those having general knowledge about mixing should use the tab...

Introduction 9 A Few Words for Beginners We realize that some of you who have purchased the MultiMix FireWire are fairly new to the art of mixing and computer recording. We’ve written this manual with that in mind. We designed the MultiMix to be both powerful and easy enough to use that even a begin...

1 Getting Started 11 Important: download the drivers from http://www.alesis.com onto a folder on your desktop or insert the software CD into your computer’s CD drive BEFORE you plug your MultiMix into your computer for the first time. See page 25 for details. Hooking up the MultiMix FireWire This di...

1 Getting Started 12 Using Proper Cables When connecting instruments and other equipment to the MultiMix, it’s important that you use the appropriate types of cables. Here are some simple but important guidelines: y For the mic inputs, use XLR cables. y For the line inputs and all other 1/4” connect...

2 A Tour of the MultiMix FireWire 13 In this chapter, you’ll learn all about the MultiMix’s components (except for the digital effects processor, which is explained in the next chapter). Please refer to the diagrams as you read each section to see which components we’re talking about. Patchbay At th...

2 A Tour of the MultiMix FireWire 14 Line Inputs (Channels 5 – 12) Unlike channels 1 – 4, the line inputs on channels 5 – 12 are stereo inputs that have left and right inputs. If you’re using one of these channels as a mono input, plug your instrument into the left input. Channels 5 – 12 don’t have ...

A Tour of the MultiMix FireWire 2 15 even added to the main mix via the 2TK TO MIX switch in the master section of the mixer. The 2-TRACK INPUT is blended with any signal coming back from a computer over the Firewire connection. MAIN MIX OUT These 1/4” jacks are where the signal on the main mix bus ...

2 A Tour of the MultiMix FireWire 16 this switch lets you hear the signal before it is affected by the fader. This switch is post-EQ. PAN or BAL This control—labeled PAN on the mono channels and BAL on the stereo channels—lets you assign the channel to a particular spot within the stereo spectrum. I...

A Tour of the MultiMix FireWire 2 17 Master Section The Master Section is the heart of the mixer, where the channel inputs and aux returns all are mixed together and routed in various ways. Main Mix Fader The signals from all channels and aux sends—excluding those that are muted—are sent to the main...

2 A Tour of the MultiMix FireWire 18 HDPH / CTRL RM The HDPH / CTRL RM knob controls the level of the signal being sent to the CTRL RM OUT and the PHONES output. The level of this signal is represented by the LED meters. The switches to the right of the HDPH / CTRL RM knob determine the source of th...

2 A Tour of the MultiMix FireWire 20 Rear of the Mixer Here’s what you’ll find at the rear of the mixer. Power Input Here’s where you plug in your mixer’s external power supply. You should always connect your power supply to the mixer before you plug the power supply into an electrical outlet. Power...

3 Digital Effects Processor 21 Onboard your MultiMix FireWire is a powerful effects unit that has 100 preset programs. We offer a few tips on where to use these, but don’t limit yourself to our suggestions. We recommend that you experiment with these effects to get a good feel for how they can impro...

3 Digital Effects Processor 22 CHORUS These create the effect of multiple voices (or instruments) sounding at once from a single input. FLANGE These create a sweeping, swooshing sound effect that you will probably recognize. DELAY These effects are based on a discreet repetition or echo of the input...

4 Traditional Mixing 23 Simple Live Setup Connect your instruments and microphones to the mono and stereo channels, making sure to properly set the level of each channel. You can select one on-board effect and control its level with the AUX B knob for each channel. You can also use an external effec...

5 Firewire Recording 25 First-time connection instructions and driver installation Important: Follow these steps BEFORE you plug in your MultiMix FireWire mixer for the first time. If your computer has access to the Internet, point your browser to the Support > Downloads section of http://www.ale...

5 Firewire Recording 26 new hardware is installed and ready to use.” Do not cancel any of the installations, as they are all required for proper operation. Macintosh Mac driver installation is more straightforward, as only CoreAudio drivers are installed. Simply double-click the installer program to...

Firewire Recording 5 27 Firewire inputs and outputs Channels sent from the MultiMix to the computer The Firewire port sends every individual mixer channel as well as the MultiMix’s MAIN OUT/2-TRACK OUT left and right signals to the computer. This means that, for the MultiMix 12 FireWire, 12 individu...

5 Firewire Recording 28 Sound setup under Windows To use your MultiMix FireWire as your default Windows sound device, follow these steps: 1. From the Windows Start menu, choose “Control Panel.” Depending on your Windows preferences, it will appear similar to one of the two pictures below: 2. Choose ...

5 Firewire Recording 30 Disabling Windows System Sounds Windows System Sounds—the sounds that Windows plays to signal starting up, shutting down, alerts and so forth—can interfere with your audio recording. We strongly suggest that you disable these sounds. 1. Click the “Sounds” tab of “Sounds and A...

Firewire Recording 5 31 Connections and settings for Firewire recording and monitoring The best way to begin using the MultiMix for Firewire recording is to set up your system this way: 1. Hook up your monitoring system to the MultiMix’s CTRL RM OUT jacks. 2. Apply the MASTER section’s buttons as fo...

5 Firewire Recording 32 Choosing the MultiMix as your audio device 1. Choose the menu option “Devices” | “Device Setup….” 2. Click the “VST Multitrack” option. This discussion uses Steinberg’s Cubase software, but the principles provided here apply to all ASIO recording software.

5 Firewire Recording 36 Creating a new audio file Now, you’re ready to create an audio project. 1. Choose “File” | “New Project…” 2. You can begin with a template or an empty file. For now, begin with an empty file.

5 Firewire Recording 40 Working with the ASIO control panel Accessing the ASIO control panel From within Cubase, select “Devices” | “Device Setup….” | “VST MultiTrack.” Then, click the “Control Panel” button to access the MultiMix’s ASIO control panel. Setting the mixer nickname You can change the n...

Firewire Recording 5 41 Adjusting latency by changing the buffer size “Latency” refers to the amount of time it takes for audio to get into and out of the computer. In the best of all possible worlds, there would be no such thing as latency—we would hear audio the moment it was created. However, com...

Firewire Recording 5 45 Assigning inputs to audio tracks Now, you’re ready to assign the MultiMix’s inputs to various channels. For each audio track that you want to record, click on the input section of the track and select the MultiMix channel that you want. Record-enable the tracks to be recorded...

7 Troubleshooting: Firewire 51 Computer or audio application does not see the MultiMix FireWire Basic troubleshooting First, check that the MultiMix is seen by the computer: Under “Sounds and Audio Devices” (Windows) or “Audio MIDI Setup” (Mac), look for the MultiMix FireWire to be listed as an avai...

7 Troubleshooting: Firewire 52 3. The active tab at the top of this window is now the “General” tab. Click the “Hardware” tab. Then, click the “Device Manager” button. 4. Finally, expand the “Sound, video and game controllers” section. “MultiMix Audio” should appear.

Troubleshooting: Firewire 7 53 No connection If “MultiMix Audio” does not appear, Windows does not see the mixer as being connected to the computer. Check your Firewire cable and try powering the mixer off and on again. Expand the “IEEE 1394 Bus host controllers” section. Check that your Firewire ca...

8 Specifications 55 For the more technical-minded, here are some detailed specifications for the MultiMix’s operating levels. Input Channels Mic In Sensitivity Range: -60dBu to –10dBu nominal, +5dBu maximum Line In Sensitivity Range: -40dBu to -+10dBu nominal, +25dBu maximum Mic/Line Gain Range: +10...

Glossary 59 Here are the definitions to some terms you’ll probably encounter while using your MultiMix FireWire. Term Definition ASIO Audio Stream Input/Output. An audio protocol developed by Steinberg and used by multiple audio software manufacturers. aux (auxiliary) An additional set of outputs an...

Contact Information 60 rectangular rackmount units. EQ (equalizer) The part of your mixer (or other device) that manipulates an audio signal by lowering the level of some frequencies and increasing the levels of others. EQ is used to fine-tune a signal’s highs and lows. fader A device that allows yo...

Contact Information 62 Alesis Contact Information Alesis Distribution, LLC Los Angeles, CA USA E-mail: [email protected] Web site: http://www.alesis.com MultiMix FireWire Reference Manual Revision 1.0 by Edwin Erdmann, Brooks Bruner, and Fred Morgenstern. Copyright 2005, Alesis Distribution, LLC. A...