Sima I-Mix Model IM-120 User’s Manual Digital Audio Recorder with CD Player
Sima Products Corporation 140 Pennsylvania Ave. Bldg. #5 Oakmont, PA 15139 800-345-7462 www.simacorp.
Table of Contents Before Using .................................................................6 Safety Instructions........................................................................................................... 6 Welcome to the I-MIX Digital Audio Recorder ............................................................. 9 Front Panel Diagram .................................................... 10 Names and Functions ................................................................................
Table of Contents Organizing my music archive - How Do I... ................................................................. 33 ... Create a temporary playlist?.............................................................................................. 33 ... Remove songs from a temporary Playlist?........................................................................ 33 ... Create a permanent Playlist?............................................................................................. 33 ...
Table of Contents System Settings .......................................................... 56 Voice Prompt/Messages................................................................................................ 56 Checking the Hard Drive Capacity ............................................................................... 57 Checking the version numbers ...................................................................................... 57 Setting the Recording Compression Rate......................
General Information Before Using Safety Instructions This unit employs a laser. Due to the risk of eye injury, only a qualified service person should remove the cover or attempt to service this device. To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this apparatus to rain or moisture. Never make or change connections when the power is still switched on. Un-insulated dangerous voltages present that may constitute a risk of electric shock..
General Information FCC Rules & Warning This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference; and (2) This device must accept any interference received including interference which may cause undesired operation. Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
General Information Specifications - Model IM-120 Frequency Response (CD to analog) 20 Hz to 20 kHz, +/- 1 db (Record to Play) 20 Hz to 20 kHz, +/- 3 db Signal to noise ratio 90 db (A Weighted) Playback only 85db Record to playback Total Harmonic Distortion <0.1% (CCITT weighted) Inputs Audio (analog), stereo, 1.3v rms, 100K impedance Outputs Audio (analog), stereo, 1.3v rms Optical (TOSLINK), S/PDIF format (IEC 958) 44.
Basic Functions Getting Started Welcome to the I-MIX Digital Audio Recorder Thank you for purchasing the Sima IM-120. Your complete music collection can now be kept in one box. The I-Mix is an innovative digital jukebox that enables you to store, organize and listen to all of your music from one compact central location. You can download MP3 music files from your computer as well as convert all of your cassette tapes, vinyl albums, 8 track tapes and more into digital music files quickly and easily.
Basic Functions Getting Started Front Panel Diagram Names and Functions # 1 2 Button 3 Power IR remote window Up arrow 4 5 Fast Fwd. Down arrow Logo ▲ ▼ Function To start up the I-MIX or to put it into sleep mode. Sends and receives infra-red signals between the remote control and the I-Mix deck. To move the cursor to the previous selection. (The screen will display the previous item in the list.) To scan forward or skip tracks forward. To move the cursor to the next selection.
Basic Functions Getting Started RM-12 Remote Control Names and Functions Button # Button 1 2 3 4 Open Main Rew. Power 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 F. Fwd. Volume down Record Volume up Stop Play/Pause Mark Return Back Space Backlight Keyboard 11 Logo ● + Function To open and close the CD tray. Return to the Main menu immediately or abort current procedure. To scan backward or skip tracks backward To toggle among operation modes: quick access mode; full function mode and power off.
Basic Functions Getting Started RM-12 direction buttons Left arrow Up arrow Right arrow ◄ ▲ ► Down arrow ▼ Go back to the previous menu Moves the cursor up through a current menu list. Go forward to the next menu or play the selected album or song. To move the cursor down through a current menu list. RM-12 Program Buttons The Program buttons on the RM-12 perform advanced functions allowing you to organize your database, navigate through your music collection and create custom playlists.
Basic Functions Getting Started Making Connections Connecting the I-Mix to your stereo system AC power cord 1 Optical cable (optional not supplied) 4 3 1 2 Using standard RCA pin-type connectors 1. Connect the tape or CD input of your amplifier to the audio output of the I-Mix. 2. To record from an analog source such as a tape player or radio, connect the tape or record output on your stereo receiver/amplifier to the audio input of the I-Mix. 3.
Basic Fu Functions nctions Using the remote control Using the RM-12 The RM-12 is a sophisticated, two-way remote control, which uses an infrared light (IR) signal to send and receive information. In order to complete an instruction sequence, the RM-12 must be aimed at the I-Mix unit until all the commands have been executed. When you press a button, the remote sends a signal to the IM-120, which processes the signal.
Basic Functions Mastering the Basics Mastering the basics Mastering the Basics How to Play, Record and Identify your music Getting Started This section of the manual is designed to show how basic functions can be performed using either the I-Mix’s front panel buttons or the remote control. The left-hand page shows a diagram of the IM-120, its LCD display and a numbered set of step-by-step instructions for using the front panel controls.
Basic Functions Play the Introduction Play the Introduction - Using the front panel controls To confirm that the I-Mix is successfully connected to your stereo system, you can play a pre-recorded MP3 introduction by following the steps below. Make sure the IM-120 and the RM12 are off when you begin. No information will appear on the remote screen when using the IM-120’s front panel controls. 1 I-Mix 3, 4 2 1. Press the Power button on the IM-120.
Basic Functions Play the Introduction Play the Introduction - Using the remote control To play the pre-recorded introduction using the remote control, follow the steps below. The IM-120’s display screen is shown in the left-hand column. The RM-12 screen is shown in the right-hand column. The center column has numbered, step-by-step instructions. Make sure the IM-120 and the RM-12 are off when you begin. 2 1 3,5,6 Entering Normal Function Mode PLease Wait 4, I-Mix LCD Display I-Mix CD 1.
Basic Functions Play a CD Play a CD – Using the Front panel controls The I-Mix can play audio CDs like other CD players. It can also play CD-ROMs or CDR/RWs containing MP3 files. To play a CD, follow the step-by-step instructions below: Make sure the I-Mix is off when you begin. 1 I-Mix LCD Display CD 2 3 1. Press the power button on the IM-120. The LCD display will light up green and display “I-Mix” for about 10 seconds. Then “CD” will appear indicating the unit is ready to go. 2.
Basic Functions Play a CD Play a CD - Using the remote control The I-Mix can play audio CDs like other CD players. It can also play CD-ROMs or CD-R/RWs containing MP3 files. To play a CD using the remote control, follow the instructions below. Make sure the IM-120 and the RM-12 are off when you begin. 1 Entering Normal Function Mode Please Wait I-Mix LCD Display I-Mix CD CD Opening Tray 1. Press the Power button twice on the remote control to turn on the I-Mix.
Basic Functions Record a CD Record a CD - Using the front panel controls The I-Mix has three different modes for recording your audio CDs: Rapid Archive, Play and Compress or Compress. The Rapid Archive mode enables you to record a CD at six times normal speed (6X). You cannot listen to a CD being recorded in the Rapid Archive mode. To enable the rapid transfer of a CD to the hard drive, the file will be compressed later, when the IMix is turned off.
Basic Functions Record a CD Record a CD - Using the remote control To record a CD in the Rapid Archive mode, follow the instructions below. Be sure the IM-120 and the RM-12 are turned on and in the Main menu before you begin. 2 3 1 Entering Normal Function Mode Please Wait I-Mix LCD Display 1. Press the OPEN button to Remote Control Screen open the CD tray. Insert a CD. CD 2. Press the Record button (●) to enter the Record menu. CD Opening Tray CD Record Record 128 kpbs ● 1/10 3:56 Track 01...
Basic Functions CD Recognition Naming a CD after recording 1,3,5,9 8 2,6, 10,11 4 You can use Intelligent CD Recognition to identify albums after recording them. To help you identify the album name and song titles, the I-Mix is equipped with an internal database of over 280,000 album names and 3.5 million song titles. The database identifies a CD based on the information you enter and the number of tracks on the CD.
Basic Functions By Title CD Recognition 8. Using the keypad, type in the search word(s), then press the Return button ( ) on the Alphanumeric Keyboard. For this example, we used the word “t ime” to search for “Time Out” by The Dave Brubeck Quartet.
Basic Functions CD Recognition Play from the Hard Drive - Using the front panel controls Be sure the IM-120 and the RM-12 are both turned on and in the Main menu. HDD 2,4 1,3 1. Press the Up/Down Arrow (▲/▼) to select HDD (Album) in the main menu. 2. Press the Play/Pause button (► the album list I-Mix LCD Display HDD (Album) ) to display HDD (Album) !Album 0001 3. Press the Up/Down arrows (▲/▼) to scroll through the Album list. Select the album you want to play.
Basic Functions CD Recognition Play from the Hard Drive - Using the remote control Be sure the IM-120 and the RM-12 are both turned on and in the Main menu. 2 1,3,5 CD HDD (Album) HDD (Artist) Playlist 4,6 I-Mix LCD Display HDD 1. Press the Up/Down arrow (▲/▼) to select HDD (Album) in the main menu. 2. Press the Right arrow (►) to display the Album list. Remote Control Screen CD HDD (Album) HDD (Artist) Playlist Last 20 ▼ 3. Press the Up/Down arrows (▲/▼) to scroll through the Album list.
Basic Functions CD Recognition Basic CD player functions Use the F. Fwd. ( ) Rew. ( ) Stop (■) and Play/Pause ( ) buttons on the front panel and the remote control to operate the basic play functions of the CD player. The Fast Forward button • • Press the F. Fwd. button ( ) once to play the next track. Pressing and holding the F. Fwd. button ( ) will scan forward through a song. The Rewind button • • • Press the Rew. button ( ) once to start playing from the beginning of the current track.
How Do I? Table of Contents for How Do I? The How Do I? section of this manual is a quick reference guide to help you use the key features and functions of the IM-120. How Do I record music... Record a CD into the I-Mix? (page 26) Record selected tracks from a CD? (page 26) Record and listen at the same time? (page 26) Record a tape, record, or radio/TV feed into the I-Mix? (page 27) Record music from the I-Mix? ( page 27) Record at different compression rates? (page 28) How Do I find and play my music...
How Do I? Recording - How Do I... ... Record a CD into the I-Mix? To record a CD using the front panel controls: • Insert the CD and close the tray. • Use the Up/Down arrows (▲/▼)to select “CD” in the main menu and press the Record (●) button on the front panel. • Your CD will be recorded in the Rapid Archive mode. Note: The CD will be recorded at whatever rate compression has been set for CDs. The default rate of compression is 128kbs.
How Do I? ... Record a tape, record, or radio/TV feed into the I-Mix? To record from an analog source such as tape, record or radio be sure the line-in audio connection is properly hooked up. Then: • Press the Up/Down arrows (▲/▼) to select Line-in on the main menu. • Tip: You can listen to the line-in source by pressing Play before recording. • Press the Record button (●) on the front panel when ready to start recording.
How Do I? To create a temporary playlist: • Use any method to select the songs/albums/artists you want to download. • Use the Mark ( ) button to identify the songs you want. • Press the Program button to display the selected tracks. • Press the Record button (●)to enter the Temp List Record menu. • Use the Up/Down arrows (▲/▼) to select Download SMC. • Press the Right arrow (►) button to download the songs to the SmartMediatm card. ...
How Do I? How Do I Find and Play... ... a specific album stored in the I-Mix? Using the front panel controls: • Use the Up/Down arrows (▲/▼) on the front panel to select HDD (Album) in the Main Menu. • Press the Play/Pause button (► ) to display the album list. • Use the Up/Down arrows (▲/▼) to select the album you want. • Press the Play/Pause button (► ) to playing the album. Using the remote control: • Use the Up/Down arrows (▲/▼) to select HDD (Album) in the Main Menu.
How Do I? Using the Album or Artist menu • • • • • • Use the Up/Down arrows (▲/▼) on the remote control to select HDD (Album) or HDD (Artist) Press the Right arrow (►) to enter the album menu. Press the Up/Down arrows (▲/▼) to select the album you want. Press the Right arrow (►) to display the songlist. Press the Up/Down arrows (▲/▼) to select the song you want. Press the Right arrow (►) or Play/Pause (► ) to begin playing. ...
How Do I? Organizing my music archive - How Do I... ... Create a temporary playlist? You must create a temporary playlist to record a selection of tracks from a CD or to transfer music to SmartMediatm cards or make a new playlist. To create a temporary playlist: • Use the Up/Down arrows (▲/▼) to select HDD Album or Artist on the main menu. • Press the Right arrow (►) on the remote control to enter the selected menu. Note: You can use the Mark button ( ), at this point to mark an album or artist.
How Do I? ... Change the name of a Playlist? To change the name of an existing playlist, • Use the Up/Down arrows (▲/▼) to select Playlist on the main menu. • Press the Right arrow (►) on the remote to enter the playlist menu. • Use the Up/Down arrows (▲/▼) to select the Playlist name you want to change. • Press the Info button to enter the Info menu. • Press the Return button on the keypad to begin editing the playlist name.
How Do I? Delete one song from an existing Playlist? • • • • • • Select a playlist from the playlist menu. Press the Right arrow to view the songs in the playlist. Point the cursor at the song you want to delete. Press the Delete button. Press “Y” to confirm deletion. Note: the song will be deleted from the Playlist but not deleted from the hard drive. Songs must be deleted one at a time. ...
How Do I? • • • Press the Return ( ) button on the keypad to edit the name. Use the Left/Right arrows (◄/►) to position the cursor and the Backspace button to erase unwanted letters as needed. Type in the new name. Press Save to save the changes permanently in the I-Mix. ... Change or edit the name of a recorded artist ? You can edit artist titles by following the steps below. • Use the Up/Down arrows (▲/▼) to select HDD (Artist) in the main menu. • Press the Right arrow (►) to enter the Artist menu.
How Do I? To select an existing playlist: • Use the Up/Down arrow (▲/▼) to select Playlist in the Main menu. • Use the Right arrow (►) to select a playlist. • If you wish to download the entire playlist, press the Mark ( ) button. All the songs on the playlist will be marked for downloading. • To select specific songs from the playlist, press the Right arrow (►) to display the song list. • Using the Up/Down arrows (▲/▼) and the Mark ( ) button, select the songs you wish to download.
How Do I? Changing the system settings – How Do I... ... Upgrade my system? Replace the hard drive? The hard drive inside the I-Mix is a proprietary component, configured to meet the specific demands of this technology. It is not interchangeable with other hard drives. Do not attempt to install a hard drive as it could damage the I-Mix and invalidate your warranty. Some software upgrades, such as updating the internal database and obtaining the latest PC Link software revisions are available.
How Do I? Using the I-mix with my computer – How Do I... Transfer MP3 files from my PC Rename music files Print song information, For detailed instructions on the above, please refer to the PC Link User’s Manual included with your unit.
Advanced Features Advanced Features Recording Modes The I-Mix is capable of recording CDs, MP3s, tapes, vinyl albums, radio/TV feeds, and any analog source that plays through your stereo system. The music you record is digitally stored on the I-Mix’s hard drive as either an MP3 file or a full CD-quality Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) file. To allow Rapid Archiving, CDs are transferred to the hard drive in an un-compressed PCM format – regardless of the MP3 compression rate.
Advanced Features Sleep mode flow chart- for songs that need to be compressed Sleep Mode The sleep mode is designed to compress Rapid Archived music files, when the unit is not in use. You can stop the file compression process by pressing the “Power” button on the front panel and the I-Mix will return to the stand-by mode. (See chart below.) However, the I-Mix will continue to complete the file compression in the sleep mode the next time you turn the power off. .
Advanced Features 2. Compress This mode allows you to record and compress a CD simultaneously or compress any Rapid Archived music files that have not yet been compressed in the “sleep” mode. For example, you may use the Compress mode to transfer a song from an album that has been Rapid Archived, but not compressed yet. You can select a track and compress it using the Compress mode, and then download it to the SmartMediatm card. File compression takes place at normal CD play speed.
Advanced Features Music recorded at full CD quality sounds the best, while recording at 128 kbps may compromise the sound quality of some music, particularly for listeners with a critical ear and/or a high-end audio system. If you are unsure which compression rate to use, here’s a simple test you can do. Record the same song three times using a different compression rate each time. Listen carefully as you play the song back.
Advanced Features Find and Play Using the Search Mode The Search mode is a powerful tool to find specific songs, albums or artists within your I-Mix music collection. Use the Search mode to find and play music in your collection. (Use Intelligent CD Recognition to attach names to albums and songs from the database.) You can instruct the I-Mix to search your music collection by artist, album or song. A list of possible matches will be displayed on the remote control screen.
Advanced Features Intelligent CD Recognition The I-Mix’s Intelligent CD Recognition feature allows you to access the unit’s internal database of album titles and song names to identify the CDs you record. (Intelligent CD Recognition cannot be used to identify analog recordings.) The IM-120 is equipped with an internal database which contains over 280,000 album titles and 3.5 million song names (version 2.02). The internal database contains only titles, not the music.
Advanced Features • • Press the Right arrow (►) to view the song list. By looking at the song list, you can confirm whether or not it is the correct album information. Press the Save button to accept the match. Note: Only cds with the same number of tracks will be found. If the title you want is not displayed on the list, try the steps above again using different title or keyword information.
Advanced Features Album Info CD Recognition Manual Input • Use the Up/Down arrows (▲/▼) to select HDD (Album) in the Main menu. Press the Right arrow (►) once to enter the Album selection menu. • • • • • Use the Up/Down arrows (▲/▼) to select the desired album. Press the Info button to enter the Album Info menu. Use the Up/Down arrows (▲/▼) to select Manual Input. Album 0001_ Press the Right arrow (►) button to enter the Manual Input menu. Press the Return button ( ) to enter the editing menu.
Advanced Features Playlists You can easily and quickly create custom groups of songs, albums or artists called playlists. Use the playlist feature to make music genre categories such as Jazz, Classical or Country or to compile a collection of music by a single artist. Create your own original category such as “Workout songs” or “Hits from the 70’s”. This is an ideal feature for weddings, parties or any occasion calling for continuous play music.
Advanced Features Creating a temporary playlist To record a selection of tracks from a CD or to transfer music to SmartMediatm cards, you must create a temporary playlist. To create a temporary playlist: • Use the Up/Down arrows (▲/▼) to select HDD Album or Artist on the main menu. • Press the Right arrow (►) on the remote control to enter the selected menu. Note: You can use the Mark button to mark an album or artist. Marking an album selects all the songs on that album for the playlist.
Advanced Features Using the SmartMediatm card MP3 files can be transferred from the I-Mix to SmartMediatm cards for use in portable MP3 players. Only files that have been compressed can be downloaded. Music recorded at full CD quality cannot be downloaded to SmartMediatm cards.
Advanced Features Formatting the SmartMediaTM card Main Menu Line-In SM Card System • Insert the SM card into the SM slot on the front of the I-Mix, with gold contacts facing down. • Use the Up/Down arrows (▲/▼) to select SM Card in the Main menu. • Press the Delete button once to format the SmartMediaTM card. A prompt will be displayed to confirm your choice. ▲ Format SMC!! Confirm (Y/N)? • Press “y” to confirm and complete formatting. Press “n” to abort formatting and return to the main menu.
Advanced Features SMC Download Download MP3 • Press the Right arrow (►) to download the song. A message will be displayed saying the IM-120 is “Now recording”. When complete, the RM-12 will return to the song list menu. Downloading more than one song to a SmartMediatm card? To download more than one song: you must select either an existing playlist or create a temporary playlist. Make sure the SMC card is inserted in the slot at the front of the I-Mix.
Advanced Features Using the Remote Control (RM –12) The RM-12 remote control is a unique infra-red, two-way remote through which many of the advanced features of the I-Mix are operated. The RM-12 has a three-step power button which allows the unit to save power when not in use. Because the remote sends and receives information, it is important to aim it at the unit while performing all commands. Note: If the signal is not successfully transmitted, the remote will display an “IR Retry” message.
Advanced Features Control and program buttons The RM-12 is equipped with four sets of control buttons: Button Layout on RM-12 Button Functions Alphanumeric keypad – Use these keys to enter song/album/artist information. Contains Shift button for upper and lower case as well as backspace and backlight keys in the lower left hand corner. Tip: Press the shift key once to type upper case and press again to type lower case.
Advanced Features Play/Pause – Play and pause songs. Mark - Use to select songs/albums/artists for playlists. Display screen symbols The remote control screen will display a variety of icons to provide visual keys about various modes and operations. The following chart shows the icons that appear on the remote control display screen.
Advanced Features System Settings The system menu of the IM-120 provides information about the size and amount of space remaining on the hard drive, the software and processor version numbers, compression rates for recording, activating voice messages and prompts and formatting the hard drive. Voice Prompt/Messages The IM-120 has built-in voice prompts.
Advanced Features Checking the Hard Drive Capacity To check the capacity of the hard drive, including the remaining space and an estimate of remaining time follow the instructions below. Main Menu • • Use the Up/Down arrows to select System from the Main menu. Press the Right arrow (►) to enter the System Configuration menu. Voice Prompt Capacity Version Number Record Setting Format HDD • Press the Down arrow to select Capacity Capacity • Total Size: 18.7 GB Remain Size: 18.7 GB After Comp: 16.
Advanced Features Setting the Recording Compression Rate You can set the compression rate for recording CDs and line-in feeds to the IM-120 by following the instructions below. Main Menu Line-In SM Card System • ▲ • Use the Up/Down arrows to select System from the Main menu. Press the Right arrow (►) to enter the System Configuration menu.
Advanced Features Format HDD Confirm (Y/N) ? All the songs will be permanently removed Confirm (Y/N)? 59 • • • • • Press the Right arrow (►) to enter the format menu. A prompt will be displayed asking you to confirm the decision to re-format. Press “n” to abort and return to the system configuration menu. Press “Y” to proceed. As a precaution, another prompt will ask you to confirm the decision to re-format. Press “n” to abort and return to the system configuration menu.
Troubleshooting Troubleshooting The following chart is designed to as a guide to a variety of possible problems that might arise while using the I-Mix, their causes and potential solutions. If you are not able to resolve these or other problems, please call Sima customer support at 1-800-345-7462. Problem Possible Causes Suggestions I-Mix will not turn on using front panel power button. • • Unit is not plugged in. AC power switch on back of unit is not turned on. • • Batteries in remote are dead.
Troubleshooting • Open tray and make sure CD is inserted properly. If not an original music CD, make sure CD has MP3 or PCM music files. Check the capacity by opening the Capacity folder in the System menu Delete songs as needed. To delete music from the I-Mix see page 34 . Make sure your CD has MP3 or PCM music files. Insert new batteries. Will not play a CD • CD may be damaged I-Mix will not archive or compress songs from a CD. • The I-Mix may be full.
