User manual ALESIS STUDIO32

[. . . ] ALESIS Studio 32 Reference Manual Contents CONTENTS Important Safety Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Safety symbols used in this product. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Please follow these precautions when using this product:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 How to use this manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 For beginners. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 For the experienced: a quick overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 About the Studio 32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Basic Principles of Mixing & Multitrack Recording. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 The stages of multitrack recording . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 The different mixes and what they're needed for . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Multitrack Mix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Monitor (Control Room) Mix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Aux Sends and Returns: Effects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Guided Tour. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Recorder Mix/Monitor Mix System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Starting at the source: input and TRIM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 The equalizer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Fader and assignment section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Monitor 1/2 section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Aux Send/Return System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Aux sends. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Stereo Aux Returns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Control Room System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Control Room source. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Solo/PFL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Meters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Hooking It Up. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [. . . ] Place the track you want to record into the "source" or "input" mode (usually by arming the track for recording). At this point, you may see the channel meter of the recorder respond to the microphone or instrument. To monitor (listen to) the signal through the multitrack tape machine, make sure the TAPE/ML switch of MONITOR 1/2 is up and raise the Monitor 1/2 LEVEL of the track being recorded. Note that this Monitor control may be in a different channel strip, if you're recording onto a different-numbered track. 5 To hear MONITOR 1/2 in the control room, raise the MONITOR 1/2 MASTER control, select MON 1/2 as the control room source (by making sure all other Control Room Select switches are up), and raise the control room level. To hear it in the headphones, you may select MON 1/2 directly as the headphone source. 2 3 4 7 7 Be sure the L/R and Group Assign buttons of the Channel being recorded are in the "Off" position (up). Otherwise, this will cause the monitoring to be false since the signal will be heard from two sources: the Channel (source) and the Tape Monitor (return). NEVER select tape as the source of the channel (by pushing the upper FADER SOURCE switch down) when the tape recorder is in input or record mode and the DIRECT OUT is connected to the track input. This will cause feedback, since the tape will be trying to record its own output. Studio 32 Reference Manual 47 Recording Recording Multiple Sources to One Track When more than one Channel is to be recorded onto the same track of a multitrack recorder, it is necessary to assign all desired Channels to a Group, and connect the Group Output jack to the input of the multitrack. If you're recording no more than 4 tracks at a time, you may find it easier to use the Groups even if you're recording one source per track, since you won't have to repatch as you would if you use the Direct Outs. To record two or more sources to a single track: 1 With microphones or instruments connected to the desired input channels, set the input level correctly (see page 45, Setting Levels). Assign each of the Channels you wish to record onto the same track to GROUPS 1 and 2 by pressing the 1/2 button situated next to the Channel FADERs. If you want to record effects or other devices from a Stereo Aux Return, you may also press the ASSIGN keys in the Stereo Aux Return section. Use the PAN control on each of the assigned Channels to position the signals either fully to the left or fully to the right. To check the level of the group on the Studio 32's meter, press the GRP 1/2 switch in the control room section. Be sure that the Group's TO L/R switch is in the "Off" position (up). Otherwise the signal will be assigned to the Main L/R Output directly, instead of monitoring what's coming back from the multitrack via the MONITOR 1/2 section. To monitor the track through the multitrack tape machine, place the tape machine track you are recording on into record or "input" mode, and raise the MONITOR 1/2 control the track's output is connected to. 2 3 4 5 6 7 Be sure the L/R buttons are in the "Off" position (up) for the Channels being recorded. Otherwise, this will cause the monitoring to be false since the signals will be heard from two sources: the Channels and MONITOR 1/2. Studio 32 Reference Manual 48 Recording Recording Multiple Sources to Two Tracks (Stereo) Recording multiple sources onto two tape tracks is simple--you just use two Groups. Pan hard left all channels going to the odd-number Group, and pan hard right all channels going to the even-number Group. You can pan each channel to obtain the proper stereo positioning between left and right. To record multiple sources to two tracks in stereo: 1 With microphones or instruments connected to the desired input channels, set the input level correctly (see page 45, Setting Levels). [. . . ] The one place where contact cleaner is useful is on the rear panel jacks and cables. Periodically disconnect the mixer from AC power and all cables, and clean the 1/4" and XLR cable ends with rubbing alchohol or electronic contact cleaner, then work the plug into the jack repeatedly. It's better to use a damp plug to clean the jacks, or use a cotton or foam swab (but be careful not to get cotton or foam stuck in the mixer). While Alesis does not endorse the use of any specific product, certain contact enhancers (such as Cramolin) may be used to keep the connections from corroding in the future. · · · Warranty Information This product is warranted by Alesis to the original purchaser against defects in material and workmanship for a period of 1 year for parts and labor from the date of purchase. [. . . ]