REFERENCE MANUAL
©2000 Alesis
™
Page 1: ...REFERENCE MANUAL 2000 Alesis ...
Page 2: ... Alesis Studio Electronics All rights reserved Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited airFX and Axyz are trademarks of Alesis Studio Electronics Inc Axyz technology is patent pending ALESIS CONTACT INFORMATION E Mail support alesis com Website http www alesis com ...
Page 3: ...lect a Program 13 Step 3 Have fun 13 Connections 15 Unpacking and Inspection 15 Basic Connections 15 Connecting between a CD Player and a Stereo Receiver 16 Connecting into a DJ System 17 Mounting on a Microphone Stand 18 Connecting to a Synthesizer 19 Connecting to a Studio Mixer 20 Mono Operation 20 Performance 21 Selecting a Program 21 Using the Axyz Controller 22 Effect Hold 23 Effect Bypass 2...
Page 4: ...of contents to look up specific functions Chapter 1 Quick Start If you want to start using the airFX right away here s a one page guide to hooking it up and trying it out with a CD player Chapter 2 Connections This chapter gives detailed instructions for connecting the airFX to a variety of typical sound systems Chapter 3 Performance This section explains how to select programs use the Axyz Contro...
Page 5: ...tors contain voltages that can cause dangerous electrical shock Please follow these precautions when using this product 1 Read these instructions 2 Keep these instructions 3 Heed all warnings 4 Follow all instructions 5 Do not use this apparatus near water 6 Clean only with a damp cloth Do not spray any liquid cleaner onto the faceplate as this may damage the front panel controls or cause a danger...
Page 6: ...the apparatus and its mounting If a cart is used use caution when moving the cart apparatus combination to avoid injury from tip over 13 Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time 14 Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel Servicing is required when the apparatus has been damaged in any way such as when the power supply cord or plug is damaged ...
Page 7: ...l 1 Lisez ces instructions 2 Gardez ces instructions 3 Tenez compte de tous les avertissements 4 Suivez toutes les instructions 5 N utilisez pas cet allareil à proximité de l eau 6 Ne nettoyez qu avec un chiffon humide Il est potentiellement dangereux d utiliser des pulvérisateurs ou nettoyants liquides sur cet appareil 7 Installez selon les recommandations du constructeur 8 Ne pas installer à pro...
Page 8: ...cessaire lorsque l appareil a été endommagé de quelque sorte que ce soit par exemple losrque le cordon secteur ou la prise sont endommagés si du liquide a coulé ou des objets se sont introduits dans l appareil si celui ci a été exposé à la pluie ou à l humidité ne fonctionne pas normalement ou est tombé 15 Puisque son fonctionement normale génère de la chaleur placez cet appareil au moins 15cm des...
Page 9: ...igen Geräte sicher installiert sind um Schäden und Verletzungen zu vermeiden Wenn Sie einen Rollwagen benutzen achten Sie darauf das dieser nicht umkippt um Verletzungen auszuschließen 12 Ziehen Sie während eines Gewitters oder wenn Sie das Gerät über einen längeren Zeitraum nicht benutzen den Netzstecher aus der Steckdose 13 Die Wartung sollte nur durch qualifiziertes Fachpersonal erfolgen Die Wa...
Page 10: ...Introduction Safety Instructions 10 AIRFX REFERENCE MANUAL CE Declaration of Conformity See our website at http www alesis com ...
Page 11: ... be determined by turning the equipment off and on the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected Consult the dealer or an experienced radio ...
Page 12: ...Introduction Safety Instructions 12 AIRFX REFERENCE MANUAL FRONT PANEL REAR PANEL Axyz Controller LED Display Program Knob RCA Outputs RCA Inputs Power Jack ...
Page 13: ...nto the Left and Right inputs of the airFX Connect the Left and Right outputs of the airFX into the Left and Right CD Inputs of a stereo receiver Select CD as the input on the receiver NOTE If your system looks different from this one skip ahead to Chapter 2 Connections Step 2 Select a Program Turn the Program Select knob and select a Program between 00 and 49 When you ve found one you like press ...
Page 14: ...Quick Start Guide Chapter 1 14 AIRFX REFERENCE MANUAL ...
Page 15: ...ster your purchase if you have not already filled out your warranty card and mailed it back to Alesis please take the time to do so now Basic Connections The airFX is designed to function with a wide range of equipment from CD players to musical instruments The only requirement is that the input and output be line level for the technically minded unbalanced 10 dBu This means that you never want to...
Page 16: ...e level RCA outputs The instructions above are fine for home or professional CD Players However most portable CD players don t have a pair of RCA outputs like component CD players do Instead they have a 1 8 Mini jack This is usually labeled Line Out If your CD Player doesn t have a Line Out then use the Headphone output and set the Volume to about 80 or less to avoid distorting the airFX Many port...
Page 17: ...king sure that these are not speaker level outputs Next plug the Left and Right outputs of the airFX into the Left and Right inputs of your power amplifier If your amplifier is built into the mixer make sure you don t plug those speaker level outputs into the inputs of the airFX The voltage levels needed to drive large DJ speakers will distort and possibly damage the airFX If the amplifier is buil...
Page 18: ...o the uneffected source on another Mounting on a Microphone Stand The bottom of the airFX features a threaded socket for a standard microphone stand This allows the unit to be mounted away from the area where the other equipment is so that unintended movements won t be picked up by the Axyz controller When mounting on a stand avoid tipover by Using a stand with a heavy base Tying the input output ...
Page 19: ...he synthesizer are connected to the inputs of the airFX then the stereo outputs of the airFX are connected to two inputs of a mixer The outputs of a synthesizer are usually 1 4 jacks which means that you ll need to purchase an adapter cable to use the airFX The best choice is a cable with RCA phono jacks on one side and 1 4 jacks on the other Your Alesis dealer will almost certainly carry these ca...
Page 20: ...airFX on the entire mix or on a group insert if you want to effect multiple channels at once but not the entire mix Aux send return Note that in most cases you won t connect the airFX to an effects send and return of a mixer the way that many reverbs or other effect devices are This is because when the effect is off the airFX still sends the dry signal to its outputs This may cause phase cancellat...
Page 21: ...th the unit that describes each program Selecting a new program is simple 1 Turn the program knob on the bottom left side of the airFX to select a program number The new program will not load right away allowing you to keep using one program while you find another 12 Notice that there is a decimal point after the program number to indicate that it hasn t been loaded yet 2 Briefly press the Program...
Page 22: ...s The X axis sensor reads your hand position from left to right The Y axis sensor reads your hand position from the front to the back of the unit The Z axis sensor reads how close your hand is to the sensor up and down Tip When playing the airFX make sure to move your hand in all three directions Some of the programs don t use the Y axis but most use all three You should hear an effect when your h...
Page 23: ...und the Axyz controller stopping your hand position when you find an effect that you want to freeze 3 Press and hold the Program knob for about one second A decimal point should appear in the display between the first and second number of the program 1 2 A decimal point has appeared between the first and second digits of the program number showing that the Hold function is set 4 Move your hand awa...
Page 24: ... away from the Axyz controller making sure that the airFX isn t affecting the sound 3 Press and hold the Program knob for one second A decimal point should appear in the display between the first and second number of the program 1 2 A decimal point has appeared between the first and second digits of the program number showing that the Bypass Hold function is set 4 The Axyz controller should now ha...
Page 25: ...e input 42 49 or check the source Bad cables Replace the cables Destination is turned down Check the connections and the level of the mixer or amp that the airFX is connected to Power is not connected Time for a coffee break Buzz from outputs Cables are crossing a power cable Make sure that the airFX and its audio cables are kept away from power cables other power transformers and wall warts Bad c...
Page 26: ... surfaces For heavy dirt use a non abrasive household cleaner such as Formula 409 or Fantastik DO NOT SPRAY THE CLEANER DIRECTLY ONTO THE FRONT OF THE UNIT AS IT MAY DESTROY THE LUBRICANTS USED IN THE SWITCHES AND CONTROLS Spray onto a cloth then use cloth to clean the unit Refer All Servicing to Alesis We believe that the airFX is one of the best processors that can be made using current technolo...
Page 27: ... if necessary as well as instructions on where you want the product returned Alesis will pay for standard one way shipping back to you on any repair covered under the terms of this warranty Next day service is available for a surcharge Field repairs are not authorized during the warranty period and repair attempts by unqualified personnel may invalidate the warranty Customers outside the USA and C...
Page 28: ... experiment Pitch Range Speed Mix 5 Overdrive Makes your CD player sound like it s been thrown out of a moving bus High Cut Filter Low Cut Filter Distortion Amount 6 Kenneth s Frequency Like it s being beamed from the killer satellites that follow you around Ring Mod Speed Mix 7 Horror Show Ultra fast vibrato for creepy effects FM Speed FM Depth Mix 8 Decimator Digital distortion that sounds like ...
Page 29: ...Frequency Resonance LFO Rate 14 Smoke Like 13 but with a highpass filter for a thinner sound Frequency Resonance LFO Rate 15 AutoWah This wah is triggered by the music level Frequency Adds tempo control Mix 16 Formented Sounds like the music is coming out of someone s mouth great on a full mix Mouth position Mouth position Mix 17 Streetsweeper Crazy filters that change frequency and panning when y...
Page 30: ...hat plays in time with the music LFO Tempo Feedback Mix 24 Psychofaze Trippy stereo phasor makes you see helicopters Resonance Mix 25 AutoFaze Phase pulsates based on the level of the music give it a heavy beat to play with Depth Feedback Mix 26 Ghost Flange Deep flanger kicks you back to the 70s Depth Feedback Delay 27 Satellite Oscillating flanger cool on pads and drums Rate Feedback Width 28 Fa...
Page 31: ...ith a wave of the hand try it with applause for an ego boost Cut 35 Freq It Pitch shifter to change your voice or someone else s Pitch up down 36 Pitch Transporter Pitch transposer goes up or down an octave Munchkin power Pitch up down 37 Gender Bender Another pitch transposer this one goes up or down 4 steps Pitch up down 38 Waterbed Vibrato effect for everything from a subtle shake to a sickenin...
Page 32: ...your hand down faster for a louder sound Pitch Decay Volume 45 Beatbox Boombox kick on the right and clap on the left Keep away from breakdancers Kick Clap Decay Volume 46 Slap Synth Synth tone move hand faster for a louder sound Pitch Decay Cutoff 47 Jungle Rip Bass synth slide faster hit gets a higher pitch Waveshape Decay Pitch 48 War Noise synth watch the bullets fly Lowpass Frequency Decay Vo...
Page 33: ...102 8 dB A weighted Signal to Noise Ratio 102 4dB A weighted THD N 0 0065 Frequency Response 20 20000Hz 0 2 0 dB Sampling Frequency 44 1KHz Converter Resolution 24bit ADC and DAC Processor Resolution 28bit All measurements done over a 20Hz 22 000Hz range with 1KHz sine wave at Full Scale except for the dynamic range which was done with a 60dBFS 1KHz sine wave ...
Page 34: ...rized personnel and is limited to failures arising during normal use that are due to defects in material or workmanship in the product THE ABOVE WARRANTIES ARE IN LIEU OF ANY OTHER WARRANTIES OR REPRESENTATIONS WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED OR OTHERWISE WITH RESPECT TO THE PRODUCT AND SPECIFICALLY EXCLUDE ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR MERCHANTABILITY OR OTHER IMPLIED W...
