XTRAMIXcxi ~ Version 5b ~ Ultra Compact Studio Line Mixer Reference Manual speck electronics
ii Notice Speck Electronics makes no warranty of any kind with regard to this material, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. Speck Electronics shall not be liable for errors contained herein or for incidental consequential damages in connection with the furnishing, performance, or use of this material. This document contains proprietary information which is protected by copyright. All rights are reserved.
iii Contents Contents Chapter 1 Introduction General ...................................................................................... Operator Safety Summary ......................................................... Power Source ...................................................................... Grounding the product ........................................................ Use the proper power cord .................................................. Use the proper fuse ...........................
Contents iv Configuring the AC Mounting location ............................................................... AC wiring chart ................................................................... Fuse chart ............................................................................ Connecting the Power Supply ................................................... Power Supply DC pin assignment ....................................... Rack Mount Adapters ......................................................
Contents v Chapter 5 Wiring and Other General ...................................................................................... Start simple ......................................................................... Audio Cable ............................................................................... Multipair wire harnesses ..................................................... Connectors ................................................................................. Proper AC Grounding ......
Chapter 1 1 Introduction Section Introduction General Thank you for purchasing our Xtramix Ultra Compact Line Mixer. The Xtramix was designed from the ground up as a high performance mixer dedicated to the project studio owner, recording studio, touring, or professional keyboard player. The Xtramix has operational features that are unique to our products and are somewhat technical in nature. We hope this manual is easy to understand.
Chapter 1 Introduction Section 2 XTRAMIXcxi Figure 1a. Front Panel Layout XTRAMIX cxi Figure 1b.
Chapter 1 Introduction Section 3 Do not remove covers or panels To avoid personal injury, do not remove the top cover from the power supply, or the rear panel of the Xtramix and never operate the external power supply without the cover properly installed. If it becomes necessary to remove the rear panel of the Xtramix for service, always unplug the AC power and disconnect the DC interface cable before proceeding.
Chapter 1 Introduction Section 4 Master section The master section provides the Xtramix with many choices for routing and controlling the line signals from the input section and effects devices from the effects section. The master section includes 8 discrete subgroup level controls, a stereo program, stereo monitor, and stereo headphone controls. A stereo cue and stereo aux return allow a variety of signals to be mixed with the synth signals to the monitor and headphone outputs.
Chapter 1 Introduction Section CAUTION! IMPORTANT! Rack mount adapters 5 ALWAYS CHECK THE PROPER OPERATING VOLTAGE BEFORE OPERATING THE XTRAMIX. USE ONLY THE POWER SUPPLY THAT IS SPECIFIED FOR YOUR PRODUCT. The Xtramix is supplied with a set of rack mount adapters. If the intention is to mount the Xtramix in a standard 19" equipment rack, these adapters must be mounted to the left and right sides of the mixer.
Chapter 1 6 Introduction Section Specifications (Cont.) Maximum Normal Subgroup Feed Output Level Subgroup Insert Send Output Level Program Feed Output Level Monitor Feed Output Level Effects Send Output Level Tuner Feed Output Level Headphone Output Level Output Distortion(THD+n) 22Hz to 22KHz Frequency Response (Any primary line In to Program Out) +4 dBu=0VU +4 dBu +4 dBu=0VU +4dBu +4dBu +4dBu +28dbu +20dBu +28dBu +21.5dBu +21.5dBu +20dBu 4 Watts Unweighted A-weighted .0067% .
Chapter 2 Initial Preparation 8 Initial Preparation Unpacking and Inspection The Xtramix is delivered in a special, protective container and was carefully inspected both mechanically and electrically before shipment. It should be physically free of mars and scratches and in perfect electrical order upon receipt. To confirm this, the product should be inspected for physical damage that may have occurred in transit. Any damage should be reported to your dealer and delivery company as soon as possible.
Chapter 2 Initial Preparation 8 Rack grounding Merely affixing the Xtramix into an equipment rack is no guarantee that the product is making a reliable ground connection. The mounting rails in the equipment rack should never be depended upon for a ground connection. Repacking For Shipment The following information is provided as a general guide for repackaging your Xtramix for shipment. If you have any questions, contact Speck Electronics direct. Our phone number is +760-723-4281.
Chapter 3 Installation Section 9 Installation General The following information should give you the basics on how to install the Xtramix and Power Supply. The proper installation of the Xtramix as a part of a larger system requires a clear understanding of audio wiring, AC distribution, grounding, and shielding techniques. When the Xtramix is being installed into a larger system it may be necessary to retain the services of someone experienced in these matters.
Chapter 3 Installation Section 10 One of the primary reasons that the power supply of the Xtramix is external is to insure that the power transformer enclosed within the power supply chassis maintains a safe distance from the active electronics of the Xtramix. For that matter, any power supply (especially the small wall mount supplies), power amplifiers, or any strong power field device should be kept at a reasonable distance from the Xtramix.
Chapter 3 Installation Section AC wiring chart Fuse chart 11 The following chart represents the proper AC terminal configuration for the Model PS3-1.5 power supply. FOR USE AT: 100 VAC 120 VAC 220 VAC 230 VAC 240 VAC JUMPER AT: 1&3 2&4 1&3 2&4 2&3 2&3 2&3 APPLY A.C. AT: 5&1 4&1 1&5 4&1 4&1 The following chart represents the proper fuse rating for the Model PS3-1.5 power supply. All fuses are 5 x 20mm Slow-Blow type.
Chapter 3 12 Installation Section Power supply DC pin assignment The following chart represents the DC voltages available at the 6 pin connector on the Model PS3-1.5 Power Supply. 1 2 3 4 5 6 PIN 1 - DC COMMON PIN 2 - MINUS 16.25 VOLTS DC PIN 3 - N/C PIN 4 - N/C PIN 5 - N/C PIN 6 - PLUS 16.25 VOLTS DC Rack Mount Adapters In order to install the Xtramix in a 19" equipment rack, it will be necessary to attach the two rack mount adapters to the main chassis of the Xtramix.
Chapter 3 13 Installation Section Cleaning The front and rear panels are a high quality painted surface and the panel lettering is applied using a silkscreen printing technique. To clean the front or rear panel, wipe the surface gently using a soft lintfree cloth to avoid scratching the panel or markings. Paper towels are not recommended.
Chapter 3 Installation Section ~This page intentionally left blank~ 14
Chapter 4 15 Operation Section Operation General We hope to give you basic information on the operation of the Xtramix and adequately describe its controls, switches, and connectors. It is assumed that you have a working knowledge of audio and signal flow. If this is your first mixer it is suggested that you purchase a book on the basic operation of audio mixers. Speck Electronics will be happy to suggest some publications on this subject.
Chapter 4 Operation Section 16 Figure 2.
Chapter 4 Operation Section 17 Refer to Figure 2 for location of items 1 thru 15. 1. Input Level Control 2. Input Balance/Pan Control The smaller (inner) knob of the gray capped concentric is a dual rotary potentiometer that simultaneously and equally adjusts both the left and right channel levels.
Chapter 4 Operation Section 18 There are two types of In-Place solo incorporated into the Xtramix: Absolute and True. All input channel solos are Absolute In-place. This means that a soloed signal will be perceived in the same stereo or mono perspective being produced by the instrument itself. The solos on the effects returns and the monitor channels are True In-Place and follow the position of the channels pan/balance control.
Chapter 4 Operation Section 6. 3-4/7-8 Subgroup Assign/ Mute Switch 7. Assign Changeover Switch 8. Presence of Signal LED 9. Mono LED Effects Send Section 19 When the Subgroup Assign Changeover Switch (see below) is in the up position, pressing the 3-4/7-8 Assign Switch routes the input channel signal to the 3-4 subgroup pair. When the Subgroup Assign Changeover Switch is in the down position, pressing the 3-4/7-8 Assign button routes the input channel signal to the 7-8 subgroup pair.
Chapter 4 Operation Section 20 Odd Effects Sends 10. Odd Level Control The smaller (inner) knob of the black capped concentric adjusts the level being sent to the selected "Odd" effects bus. This control is used in conjunction with the Odd Effects Assign Switch and Odd Assign Changeover Switch. 11. Odd Effects Assign Switch When this button and the Odd Effects Changeover Switch (see below) are both in the up position, then effects send #1 is selected.
Chapter 4 Operation Section 21 Figure 3.
Chapter 4 22 Operation Section Stereo Effects Return Section There are eight stereo effects returns incorporated into the Xtramix. Each of the effects returns are individually assignable, in stereo or mono, to the eight subgroups. Each return channel also incorporates a stereo return level control, pan/balance control, stereo/mono select switch and in-place solo switch. When not being used for an effects device, it is perfectly acceptable to connect a synth or sampler to an available effects return.
Chapter 4 23 Operation Section 19. Stereo Effects Return Mono Switch 20. 1-2/5-6 Subgroup Assign/ Mute Switch Depressing this switch sums the left and right effects inputs creating a mono composite. This feature will prove useful if a stereo effect is to be assigned to a single subgroup or specifically placed somewhere in the left to right perspective of a stereo subgroup.
Chapter 4 Operation Section 24 Figure 4.
Chapter 4 Operation Section Monitor Section 25 This is the theoretical heart of the Xtramix. Here is where a stereo mix of all the subgroups is created, independent of the Bus/Subgroup Masters. The adjustment of the monitor section's Level and Pan controls create the stereo mix for the Program outputs, Monitor outputs and Headphone outputs. There are three selectable modes of operation for each of the eight monitor positions: A.
Chapter 4 Operation Section 27. Monitor Pan/Balance Control 26 When the Bus/Line Switch on the monitor channel is selected to the Bus (subgroup) position, this control acts as a traditional left/right pan for the stereo Program, Monitor, and Headphone outputs. When the Bus/Line Switch is selected to the Line position, the Pan/Balance Control acts as a left/right balance control for an incoming stereo line signal. 28.
Chapter 4 Operation Section 27 XTRAMIXcxi Figure 5.
Chapter 4 28 Operation Section Master Section Refer to Figure 5 for location of items 31 thru 48. 31. Bus/Subgroup Masters 1-8 These are the individual master level controls for the eight subgroup outputs. Metering for the bus/subgroup outputs is provided by two LED VU meters in selectable pairs (1/2, 3/4, 5/6, 7/8 ). The optimum starting point for a Bus/Subgroup Master is the three o'clock position.
Chapter 4 Operation Section 36. Stereo Program Master 29 This pot acts as the master volume to the stereo program feed. It should be pointed out that the Left/Right program meters follow this master control, hence any adjustment to the Program Master Control is displayed at the program meters. A typical starting point for the Program Master Control is the three o'clock position.
Chapter 4 Operation Section 40. Stereo Headphone Jack 30 This standard 1/4" stereo phone jack will accommodate most popular stereo headphones. The tip of the stereo jack is the left headphone signal, and the ring of the jack is the right headphone signal. Stereo Cue Return Section This feature of the Xtramix allows an external Stereo Cue (otherwise known as headphone or foldback) mix to be integrated into the Xtramix's monitor and/or headphone feeds (see Solo to Monitor Switch, rear panel).
Chapter 4 31 Operation Section Stereo Aux Return Section This section allows an external stereo auxiliary source such as a DAT recorder, CD player/recorder or any stereo audio signal to be routed to the Monitor and/or Headphone outputs of the Xtramix. The Stereo Aux Return Section includes the return level control, and the return mute switch. The Aux Return may be operated in mono when a single signal is plugged into the left input jack. 44. Aux Return Level Control 45.
Chapter 4 Operation Section Figure 6.
Chapter 4 33 Operation Section Input Channel Connections and Switches REAR PANEL CONTROLS Refer to Figure 6 for location of items 1 thru 4 1. Left/Mono Channel Input Jack Typically, this input is used to connect one side of a stereo or dual voice source. When a channel is operated in the stereo mode, the left input is assignable via the Input Channel Level and Balance/Pan Controls to the four odd subgroups; 1,3,5,7. 2.
Chapter 4 Operation Section Figure 8.
Chapter 4 Operation Section 4. Low/ High Select Switch 35 Low/High refers to the output operating level of the signal source. It should be pointed out that the term Low/High has different meanings from one manufacturer to another. For the Xtramix, the term low and high refers to a medium strength line signal (-20dbu to 0dbu), and a high strength signal (0dbu to+28dbu) respectively.
Chapter 4 Operation Section 36 Simply connect an Effects or Auxiliary send from the external mixer to the Sum In Jack of any of the eight Xtramix send channels. While it makes sense, for the sake of continuity, to keep the Effects Send numbers matched (#1 of the external mixer to the Sum In point of #1 on the Xtramix, etc.) it is certainly not necessary. Once the Sum In connection is made, then connect the input of any effects device to the Xtramix Effects Send Jack.
Chapter 4 37 Operation Section 11. Assign Subgroup Insert Jack Each Bus/Subgroup channel provides a 1/4" T.R.S. (tip, ring, sleeve) insert jack. The Insert Jack provides line level interstage access to the assign subgroup bus before (pre) the Subgroup Master Level Control. This means that any device interfaced to this jack will be processed before its respective Subgroup Master Control, and will not be affected by any adjustments of the Subgroup Master Control.
Chapter 4 Operation Section 38 23 Figure 10.
Chapter 4 Operation Section Tuner Section Connection and 39 Refer to Figure 10 for location of items 14 thru 24. 14. Tuner Feed Jack This 1/4" TRS phone type connector provides a dedicated feed to an external tuning device. The source for the output is either the sum of all signals feeding the program master or any signal(s) that is soloed. 15. Tuner Level Control This control adjusts the output volume to a dedicated tuning device.
Chapter 4 Operation Section 40 Each of the left and right program insert jacks employ a T.R.S. (tip, ring, sleeve) type jack. The ring of the 1/4" jack is the unbalanced insert send (pre the Program Master Level Control), the tip is the unbalanced insert return, and the sleeve is the signal ground. Any stereo 1/4" plug interfaced to this jack should be wired accordingly. (See figure 11b) Fig 11a "Y" Cable Fig 11b "Y" Cable schematic 17.
Chapter 4 Operation Section 41 Connections to the balanced program feed jacks should be made with a 1/4" stereo tip, ring and sleeve (TRS) plug as shown below in figure 12 . Fig 12. Stereo (TRS) plug When connecting the balanced program outputs to an unbalanced input, it will be necessary to configure your cables in order to unbalance the signal. 18.
Chapter 4 Operation Section 42 When set to the "pre" (factory default) position, level adjustments to the program level will not affect the monitor or headphone levels. This switch is recessed behind the rear panel to prevent inadvertent actuation while plugging or unplugging connectors. The switch may be depressed by inserting a thin pointed object into the hole (such as a very small screwdriver). 20. Monitor Feed Jacks 21.
Chapter 4 Operation Section 43 If required, the VU meters may be calibrated to indicate -10dbV. An AC voltmeter and signal generator will be required to perform this adjustment. 23. Power Supply Connector This 4 pin connector will accommodate the connector from the power supply cable. The connectors are keyed so they will only fit in one direction. For installation instructions refer to the Installation Section in Chapter 3 of this manual.
Chapter 4 Operation Section 44 ~This page intentionally left blank~
Chapter 5 Wiring and Other 45 Wiring and Other General It is assumed that in addition to the Xtramix, a considerable investment has been made in electronic equipment such as synthesizers, samplers, effects, and computers. We believe that the overall performance of the Xtramix and your mixing system is dependent on the condition and quality of this equipment. A general discussion about AC, AC grounding, audio grounding, EMI, and quality wiring is discussed in this section.
Chapter 5 Wiring and Other Connectors 46 All wire and cable interfaced to the Xtramix and Speck products should be terminated with high quality connectors. A 1/4" plug or XL connector should make a positive connection to its respective mating jack and provide adequate strain relief to its cable. All connectors should also have a metal shell to provide 100% shield for exposed conductors. Feel free to check with Speck Electronics for assistance when selecting cable and connectors.
Chapter 5 Wiring and Other 47 Clock Noise and AC Clock noise is one of the greatest enemies of the audio racks AC system. If a synth or any microprocessor based device emits or somehow couples its clock signal with the neutral or earth of its own power cable, it will contaminate your AC system and carry the clock noise into other equipment; almost always with undesirable results.
Chapter 5 Wiring and Other 48 If a patchbay is utilized in your mixing system, the rules for shielding may change. With a patchbay, normally all shields are connected at the patchbay jacks, and not connected at the mixer or external audio equipment. EMI and RFI The occurrence of EMI (Electro Magnetic Interference) and RFI (Radio Frequency Interference) in a synth and sampler based system should be of great concern and not overlooked when installing the Xtramix.
Appendix A Signal Flow Diagram (Part A) 49
Appendix A 50 Signal Flow Diagram (Part B)
Appendix B 51 Connector Matrix for XTRAMIXcxi - Version 5 Input / Output Connection Synth/Line Inputs 1-20 Effects Returns 1-8 Line Returns 1-8 Aux Return L & R Cue Return L & R Subgroup Outputs 1-8 Subgroup inserts 1-8 Program Outputs L & R Program Inserts L & R Monitor Outputs L & R Effects Sends 1-8 Effects Sum 1-8 Tuner Output Headphone Output Connector Type Recommend Connector Connector Matrix for XTRAMIXc xi ¼” T.R.S. Switchcraft #297 ¼” T.R.S. Switchcraft #297 ¼” T.RS. Switchcraft #297 ¼” T.
