Midas Venice F16 Operator'S Manual Download Page 1

Operator Manual

Midas Klark Teknik Ltd.,

Klark Industrial Park,

Walter Nash Road,

Kidderminster.

Worcestershire.

DY11 7HJ.

England.

Tel: +44 1562 741515

Fax: +44 1562 745371

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.midasconsoles.com

Venice

F

 — Operator Manual

DOC02-VENICEF Issue A — December 2010

© Red Chip Company Ltd.

In line with the company’s policy of continual improvement, specifications and function may be

subject to change without notice.  This document was correct at the time of writing.  E&OE.

F

16, 

F

24 and 

F

32

Professional Audio Mixing 

Consoles

Summary of Contents for Venice F16

Page 1: ...info midasklarkteknik com Website www midasconsoles com VeniceF Operator Manual DOC02 VENICEF Issue A December 2010 Red Chip Company Ltd In line with the company s policy of continual improvement spec...

Page 2: ......

Page 3: ...afety If the provided plug does not fit into your outlet consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet 10 Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs c...

Page 4: ...obsol te 10 Prot gez le cordon secteur afin que l on ne marche pas dessus et qu il ne soit pas pinc surtout au niveau des prises ou l endroit o il sort de l appareil 11 Utilisez exclusivement des fixa...

Page 5: ...3 Connecting to balanced unbalanced equipment 14 Other connections 15 Setting up 16 Switching the VeniceF on off 16 Chapter 3 Using The VeniceF With FireWire 17 Installing FireWire on a PC 17 Step A I...

Page 6: ...inputs 46 FireWire 46 Stereo line inputs 47 EQ 48 Monitors 49 Auxes 49 Pan routing mute and solo 50 Group sends 51 Fader and meter 52 Chapter 7 Output Section 53 Rear panel 54 Overview of the outputs...

Page 7: ...Dual FOH MON Mode 95 Appendix D Crib Sheets 97 Mono input channels 98 Dual stereo input channels 99 Appendix E Best Grounding Practice 101 Safety first 101 Ground loops 101 Noise sources 102 Noise sol...

Page 8: ...viii Contents VeniceF Operator Manual...

Page 9: ...the registration card or by registering on our website at www midasconsoles com So to obtain the best results with a minimum of effort please read this Operator Manual and finally enjoy your Midas Ve...

Page 10: ...e master buses and three solo buses two after fader listen AFL and one pre fader listen PFL All major inputs and outputs are on balanced XLR connectors The following table gives a quick stats comparis...

Page 11: ...channel FireWire interface that provides I O connectivity which defaults to input channels but can be switched to access buses FireWire socket 6 pin and sample rate and clock source LEDs Mono input c...

Page 12: ...sockets for playback and recording Warranty standard Midas 3 year warranty Control surface The surface of the VeniceF can be divided into the following main vertical sections Control surfaces of the V...

Page 13: ...e 63 Groups on page 57 Matrices on page 61 Monitors on page 64 and Auxes on page 65 3 See Chapter 6 Dual Stereo Input Channel on page 43 4 See Lamps on page 71 5 Ventilation grills Do not obstruct 6 S...

Page 14: ...monitor outputs F Aux group matrix and monitor outputs G Stereo and mono master inserts and outputs External connections The following table details all of the external connections on the VeniceF Con...

Page 15: ...0R source nominal 10dB Rear panel FireWire connections FireWire FW 4000 6 pin connector to IEEE1394 Rear panel Power connections IEC mains inlet 4 pin XLR lamp power outlets Rear panel Under top edge...

Page 16: ...oup output balanced XLR and optional FireWire connection in place of stereo input channel Aux Bus Insert Jack monitor output balanced XLR and optional FireWire connection in place of stereo input chan...

Page 17: ...w how to install set up configure and operate the VeniceF This manual uses the following conventions The exclamation mark shown right is intended to alert the user to important operating instructions...

Page 18: ...e symbol are trademarks of Apple Inc registered in the U S and other countries The FireWire logo is a trademark of Apple Inc Mac and the Mac logo are trademarks of Apple Inc registered in the U S and...

Page 19: ...r example from a balcony The console should be located in a convenient space commensurate with the use to which the console is being put Ideally a cool area is preferred away from power distribution e...

Page 20: ...e to radio communications Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference in which case the user will be required to correct the interference at his own expen...

Page 21: ...een All Jack connector shells should be connected to the cable screen Audio connections This section gives details of the audio connections of the VeniceF Table 1 Connector pinouts Connector on rear p...

Page 22: ...owing wiring is recommended for best results Figure 2 Connecting to unbalanced equipment Important If you have any audio problems see Appendix E Best Grounding Practice on page 101 3 Female XLR Male X...

Page 23: ...3 ground 4 12V 1 off socket in the FireWire section of the rear panel for connecting a 6 pin FireWire 400 connector Important If you have any audio problems these may be due to ground loops see Append...

Page 24: ...ever if you want to use FireWire you will need to set up you PC first see Chapter 3 Using The VeniceF With FireWire on page 17 Switching the VeniceF on off Switch the VeniceF on off via the mains swit...

Page 25: ...driver on your PC Do not connect the FireWire cable to the PC before installing the device driver Important Before installing the FireWire device driver from the VeniceF USB memory stick we recommend...

Page 26: ...using the browse facility 5 In the Select Additional Tasks window click Next You can choose to create a desktop icon by selecting the Create a desktop icon option 6 If the installer s release notes a...

Page 27: ...rs click Continue Anyway 9 To complete the installation select the Yes restart the computer now option and then click Finish You must restart your PC before using the VeniceF driver you have just inst...

Page 28: ...ted Step A see Step A Installing the device driver on your PC on page 17 1 Switch on the VeniceF 2 Connect the VeniceF to the PC using the appropriate FireWire cable while observing the following prec...

Page 29: ...t the Install the software automatically Recommended option and then click Next 5 The wizard will perform a search for the correct driver When it has finished click Next 6 When the Windows Logo testin...

Page 30: ...ng the default FireWire settings However you can change the settings if desired for example if you have audio problems which is done in the Midas FW FireWire settings window Configuration of the Venic...

Page 31: ...he recording software application etc The setting you may want to adjust may be available for change in the recording software application itself Mains elements of a typical Midas FW screen PC version...

Page 32: ...drop down list This drop down list lets you select another operating mode if you are having problems with the audio Default normal 7 Venice icon This icon shows you that the PC Mac recognises the conn...

Page 33: ...eniceF USB memory stick we recommend that you make sure it is the latest version by checking the www midasconsoles com website This is important as you may not be able to use FireWire properly with an...

Page 34: ...o the next step 7 At the Installation Type stage click Install If a password window appears enter your password and continue 8 At the Installation stage click Continue Your Mac will start installing t...

Page 35: ...ou should be able to use your recording software application quite successfully using the default FireWire settings However you can change the settings if you want for example if you have audio proble...

Page 36: ...gs see Step C Configuring the FireWire settings for the VeniceF on page 22 No devices found Important The VeniceF must be switched on before the FireWire cable is connected to it If you see a no devic...

Page 37: ...er 6 Dual Stereo Input Channel on page 43 Chapter 7 Output Section on page 53 Before using FireWire read Chapter 3 Using The VeniceF With FireWire Ground loop problems In the event of ground loop prob...

Page 38: ...30 Chapter 4 Working With The Console VeniceF Operator Manual...

Page 39: ...the VeniceF It describes the sections of each channel on the control surface and the related connectors on the rear panel Mono input channels on the control surface F32 shown Although the actual numb...

Page 40: ...line input gives 10dB of permanent attenuation to the input signal which allows the connection of extremely high line level signals of up to 42dBu with the pad engaged Item Section 1 Gain see Gain on...

Page 41: ...d XLR and Jack inputs are conventionally wired see Table 1 Connector pinouts on page 13 Item Description 1 insert connector Insert point on a single 1 4 TRS Jack socket This is unbalanced and requires...

Page 42: ...too high 3 80Hz switch The hi pass switch inserts the 80Hz hi pass filter in the input channel signal path before the insert point and EQ This is commonly used to remove handling noise from a mic bas...

Page 43: ...nal processors or effects with the console The yellow LED illuminates to show when the insert is enabled Insert section of the mono input channels Item Description 1 input switch and green LED The gre...

Page 44: ...The bottom control knob adjusts the centre frequency of the treble band which is continuously variable from 2kHz to 20kHz 2 Hi mid gain freq control knob This dual concentric control knob adjusts the...

Page 45: ...the centre frequency of the lo mid band which is continuously variable from 100Hz to 2kHz 6 Bass gain freq control knob This dual concentric control knob adjusts the gain frequency of the bass EQ gain...

Page 46: ...l level sent to the aux bus is proportional to the aux send control and the channel fader Pre fade aux sends are sourced after the channel insert mute and EQ but before the channel fader As a result t...

Page 47: ...ted to the stereo bus or when group sends are configured to be stereo The pan control allows continuous adjustment of the image from hard left to hard right with a centre detent and obeys a constant p...

Page 48: ...us and the right signal to the even numbered bus Selecting groups 1 2 and 3 with pan hard left will result in the signal being routed to groups 1 and 3 only Similarly with pan hard right the signal wi...

Page 49: ...igital clipping that may be masked by attenuation in the EQ stages 12 yellow 12dB high level 0 green 0dB normal level 18 green 18dB shows that a signal is present Note The meter and direct output whic...

Page 50: ...42 Chapter 5 Mono Input Channel VeniceF Operator Manual...

Page 51: ...the dual stereo input channels of the VeniceF It describes the sections of each dual stereo channel on the control surface and the related connectors on the rear panel Dual stereo input channels on th...

Page 52: ...against accidental 48 volt connection The line inputs accept signals up to 28dBu and have 20dB of gain available Item Section 1 Stereo mic input gain see Gain stereo mic inputs on page 46 2 FireWire s...

Page 53: ...l stereo input channel connectors Item Description 1 line in left Line in on a single balanced 1 4 TRS Jack socket 2 line in right Line in on a single balanced 1 4 TRS Jack socket 3 mic l Mic input on...

Page 54: ...this switch has no effect upon the left and right line inputs left switch On dual stereo channels this microphone phase switch causes a 180 degree phase change with respect to the input signal in the...

Page 55: ...an be used for example when operating from within a booth to hear selected solos and not the whole FOH mix The solo LED illuminates to show when the SOLO switch is on 4 channel masters switch With thi...

Page 56: ...15dB with the shelf frequency set to 12kHz 2 Hi mid control knob The hi mid gain is continuously variable from 15dB to 15dB around 3kHz 3 Lo mid control knob The lo mid gain is continuously variable f...

Page 57: ...o a mono signal to be routed to the monitor buses by the channel monitor sends Monitor section of the dual stereo input channels Auxes The aux sends of the dual stereo input channels have similar func...

Page 58: ...s this control retains constant power 4 MUTE switch and red LED The MUTE switch mutes the channel signal The signal will still be sent to the FireWire output The mute LED illuminates to show when the...

Page 59: ...ave as if they were stereo groups The relative odd and even numbered send level is controlled by the bal control knob mono sum switch in mono The stereo signals are sent to the group buses as a mono s...

Page 60: ...red 18dB overload peak 12 yellow 12dB high level 0 green 0dB normal level 18 green 18dB shows signal is present Item Description 1 LED meter These LEDs comprise the dual stereo input channel meter whi...

Page 61: ...lowing main areas Group see Groups on page 57 Matrix see Matrices on page 61 Stereo return see Stereo returns on page 63 Monitor see Monitors on page 64 Aux see Auxes on page 65 Mono master see Master...

Page 62: ...54 Chapter 7 Output Section VeniceF Operator Manual Rear panel The main outputs of the VeniceF are located on the rear of the console Output connections on rear panel...

Page 63: ...e 61 5 See Monitors on page 64 6 See Auxes on page 65 7 See Groups on page 57 8 Faders the four blue faders adjust their current assignment for example groups and the red and yellow ones are for the m...

Page 64: ...mind The real flexibility of the VeniceF is in the speed in which the changeover can be made and also the ability to create a console that can be used for FOH and monitors in a smaller venue where yo...

Page 65: ...iding dual stereo input channels For more information see FireWire on page 58 Each group output has fader level adjustment and metering Group output sections on the control surface Item Description 1...

Page 66: ...outed to the stereo master bus The pan control allows continuous adjustment of the image from hard left to hard right with a centre detent and obeys a constant power law that is 3dB at the centre 6 MU...

Page 67: ...lect section override their respective stereo channel FireWire output Although the above example uses a VeniceF32 this applies to the equivalent stereo channels on all VeniceF consoles A Stereo input...

Page 68: ...to the default condition Using the override buttons in the firewire output select section The example uses stereo channel 25 26 of an F32 console Stereo input channel 25 26 With firewire out selected...

Page 69: ...input channel 29 30 For more information see FireWire on page 58 The VeniceF provides another two outputs from the console which can be contributions from a combination of the console s other outputs...

Page 70: ...riable from 4 infinity off to 6dB Unity 0dB is also marked on the scale allowing the signal to be routed to the matrix without any attenuation or gain 3 stereo master control knobs The single stereo m...

Page 71: ...infinity off to 20dB 2 MUTE switch and red LED These switches mute the stereo returns The LEDs illuminate to show that the mute is on 3 SOLO switch and yellow LED These switches route the stereo retur...

Page 72: ...l surface which can be monitored on the first two group meters Monitor channels 1 and 2 Item Description 1 Meter LEDs These LEDs comprise the monitor meter when the monitor switch immediately below is...

Page 73: ...ch and yellow LED The SOLO switch routes the monitor send signal to the mono PFL bus and stereo AFL buses When the SOLO switch is on the master meters are automatically used for solo metering The solo...

Page 74: ...ls Master outputs on the rear panel 4 pre switch This is the aux global control bus master pre fader switch which determines whether the aux contribution from the input channel is pre fader or post fa...

Page 75: ...ereo line inputs on page 47 The LED illuminates to show that the switch is on 2 stereo to mono switch When this switch is on a sum of the stereo left and right signals are routed to the mono signal bu...

Page 76: ...the peak signal levels of the master outputs post fader Item Description 1 talk mic input socket This socket is a conventionally wired XLR male and is permanently supplied with 48V phantom power allo...

Page 77: ...material via the console playback to masters section on the control surface 6 matrix switch This is a routing button that routes the talk bus signal generator signal to both matrix buses 7 aux switch...

Page 78: ...djust their signal level and also the signal level of the local monitor outputs Local monitor section on the control surface and the position of the addition headphones socket on the front panel of th...

Page 79: ...t socket The local monitor section has a 1 4 TRS Jack socket for headphones There is an additional socket under the armrest of the console 4 pfl switch and yellow LED When this solo switch is on LED i...

Page 80: ...72 Chapter 7 Output Section VeniceF Operator Manual...

Page 81: ...73 VeniceF Operator Manual Appendix A Functional Block Diagrams This chapter contains the VeniceF signal path diagrams...

Page 82: ...74 Appendix A Functional Block Diagrams VeniceF Operator Manual Overview...

Page 83: ...Mono input module 75 VeniceF Operator Manual Mono input module...

Page 84: ...76 Appendix A Functional Block Diagrams VeniceF Operator Manual Stereo input module...

Page 85: ...Stereo return 77 VeniceF Operator Manual Stereo return...

Page 86: ...78 Appendix A Functional Block Diagrams VeniceF Operator Manual Group...

Page 87: ...Aux 79 VeniceF Operator Manual Aux...

Page 88: ...80 Appendix A Functional Block Diagrams VeniceF Operator Manual Monitor...

Page 89: ...Stereo master 81 VeniceF Operator Manual Stereo master...

Page 90: ...82 Appendix A Functional Block Diagrams VeniceF Operator Manual Mono master...

Page 91: ...Matrix 83 VeniceF Operator Manual Matrix...

Page 92: ...84 Appendix A Functional Block Diagrams VeniceF Operator Manual Solo and comms...

Page 93: ...Digital 85 VeniceF Operator Manual Digital...

Page 94: ...86 Appendix A Functional Block Diagrams VeniceF Operator Manual...

Page 95: ...Solos 18 4 2 4 3 2 3 18 4 2 4 3 2 3 18 4 2 4 3 2 3 Outputs Groups with inserts Monitors with inserts Auxes Matrices Masters left right and mono with inserts Playback Direct outputs mono input channel...

Page 96: ...pically 75dB CMR at 1kHz Mic gain 40dB Mic pad gain 40dB Line mono channel 0dB Line stereo channel 0dB Line mono channel pad 80dB 60dB 50dB 30dB 50dB Frequency response Mic to mix gain 60dB 0dB to 1dB...

Page 97: ...u 0dBu Equaliser mono channel Treble shelf Treble frequency Hi mid Hi mid frequency Hi mid bandwidth Lo mid bandwidth Lo mid Lo mid frequency Bass shelf Bass frequency 15dB boost cut 2kHz to 20kHz 15d...

Page 98: ...llowing shows the external dimensions of the VeniceF series consoles Dimensions are in millimetres with the equivalent in inches enclosed in brackets 669 26 3 R50 2 0 R15 0 6 278 11 0 286 11 3 286 11...

Page 99: ...rmal operating level 12dB high signal level 18dB 3dB before channel overload clipping The input gain of the channel can be used to obtain the best operating level for the console Too small a signal le...

Page 100: ...usted on the channel fader You can monitor the level pre EQ and post EQ using the LED meter by switching the EQ in and out during sound check Dynamic processing When working with signals that are cons...

Page 101: ...world signals 32 channels summed together will give around 6dB to 9dB gain because it is unlikely that all 32 channels will receive the same signal at the same time Instead signals will occur at diffe...

Page 102: ...he flexible routing of the VeniceF allows the console to operate as both a FOH and monitor console or as a combination of both For operators that haven t got a great deal of experience here are a few...

Page 103: ...processing for example delay EQ etc The levels are now individually controllable MON mode The group aux changeover switch on each group see Group aux changeover on page 56 should be depressed in the o...

Page 104: ...96 Appendix C Application Notes VeniceF Operator Manual...

Page 105: ...s This appendix provides you with a template each for the mono and dual stereo input channels These will help you keep a record of your most important settings and make notes If necessary you can make...

Page 106: ...98 Appendix D Crib Sheets VeniceF Operator Manual Mono input channels Notes...

Page 107: ...Dual stereo input channels 99 VeniceF Operator Manual Dual stereo input channels Notes...

Page 108: ...100 Appendix D Crib Sheets VeniceF Operator Manual...

Page 109: ...he law it is important that none of these earth connections are tampered with in any way Ground loops When connecting audio signals or data between devices within an audio system a signal ground conne...

Page 110: ...e of this The high speed nature of the connection necessitates a good screen ground to bond the computer to the VeniceF However if the computer is grounded via its power cable a ground loop will exist...

Page 111: ...loop is present Midas VeniceF console Power distribution unit PDU Power supply unit PSU with internal isolation FireWire connection Broken ground loop Power connection Laptop PC Mac Power connection...

Page 112: ...one This will provide a degree of isolation from other ground noise inducing apparatus such as fans lighting etc Cable runs Plan power cabling as far as is practical so that it follows the same physic...

Page 113: ...ny induced noise is rejected because it is common to both conductors The process of eliminating noise like this is called common mode rejection CMR which is often measured as a ratio common mode rejec...

Page 114: ...f cables are to be hot plugged Then any cables that are plugged first that is only into an input will have a screen and thus will not be a source of severe electromagnetic interference which would be...

Page 115: ...ed unit while the other conductor carries the ground as a reference from the unbalanced device to the cold connection on the balanced unit The screen is connected at the unbalanced end only This refer...

Page 116: ...s a class 1 device very often the internal signal ground can be isolated from the safety ground This is normally achieved by setting an external ground lift switch or breaking an internal link Refer t...

Page 117: ...unlikely to cause major problems Signal ground bonding If an unbalanced connection is required to external equipment with signal grounds that cannot be isolated from safety earth it will be difficult...

Page 118: ...bond connection between console and 19 rack Power distribution unit PDU Power connection Power supply unit PSU without internal isolation barrier Laptop PC Mac Power connection Midas VeniceF console F...

Page 119: ...ning the console Switch off the console and electrically isolate it from the mains before cleaning Clean the console using a dry lint free cloth Do not use harsh abrasives or solvents When cleaning th...

Page 120: ...ment during their life times and when they become waste The WEEE directive addresses the disposal of products when they have reached the end of their life and contributes to the reduction of wasteful...

Page 121: ...ank you for reading through this Operator Manual We hope you found it useful Please feel free to send us your comments Our contact details and website address can be found at the front of this documen...

Page 122: ...Ltd Klark Industrial Park Walter Nash Road Kidderminster Worcestershire DY11 7HJ England Tel 44 1562 741515 Fax 44 1562 745371 Email info midasklarkteknik com Website www midasconsoles com 2010 Midas...

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