Phonic HELIX BOARD 12, User Manual

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4 HELIX BOARD 12 UNIVERSAL
INTRODUCTION
Thank you purchasing the Helix Board 12 Universal, one of
Phonic’s newest mixers that sounds great and works hard both
in and out of the studio. The mixer features USB 2.0 and FireWire
400 interfaces that can stream up to 10 independent channels
of audio to the computer and return two tracks for monitoring,
all at screaming fast transfer rates of up to 24-bit/96 kHz. An
onboard 40-bit digital multi-effect processor provides 100 popular
programs plus tap delay, test-tones and foot switch jacks.
There are 4 extremely low noise Mic preamps, each with
phantom power, spread across four mono channels and two
stereo channels, each featuring a 3-band EQ. Additional features
include two AUX sends, two stereo AUX returns, an extra ALT
3-4 stereo mixing bus, Steinberg Cubase LE 4 digital audio
workstation software and an optional rack mounting kit.
We know how eager you are to get started – wanting to get
the mixer out and hook it up to your computer is probably your
number one priority right now – but before you do, we strongly
urge you to take a look through this manual. Inside, you will
find important instructions and warnings on the set up, use and
applications of your brand new mixer. If you do happen to be one
of the many people who flatly refuse to read user manuals, then
we just urge you to at least glance at the Instant Setup section.
After glancing at or reading through the manual (we applaud you
if you do read the manual in its entirety), please store it in a
place that is easy for you to find, because chances are there’s
something you missed the first time around.
FEATURES
● 12-input small-format analog mixer with extremely low noise
circuitry
● Onboard USB 2.0 and FireWire interfaces for sending up to
10 independent channels of audio to computer with near-zero
latency
● Sampling rate selectable up to 96 kHz in 24-bit resolution
● A pre/post switch is available on each channel for swapping
channel sends to computer from pre-low cut, -EQ to post-EQ,
post-fader signals
● DFX, our 32/40-bit digital multi-effect processor with 100
programs plus tap delay, tone generator and foot switch
jacks
● Two channels of monitoring from computer via USB or
FireWire interface
● Channel 9/10 routed to computer can be selected from main
mix, ALT 3/4 and AUX 1/2
● Four mono Mic/Line channels
● Two stereo channels, two stereo AUX returns, two AUX
sends
● 3-band EQ on each channel
● 75 Hz low-cut filter on mono channel
●
Inserts on channel 1 & 2
● +48V phantom power on Mic channels
● Stereo AUX send 1 cue for monitoring individual channel
● Master AUX section with EFX to Monitor
● Extra ALT 3-4 stereo bus
● Control room/Phones source matrix
● Balanced master output with 60 mm fader control
● High-volume headphone output
● Compatible with Mac OS X and Windows XP & Vista
● Steinberg’s Cubase LE 4 workstation software included
PACKAGE INCLUDES
1 x Helix Board 12 Universal mixer
1 x USB cable
1 x FireWire cable
1 x DVD with drivers & Steinberg Cubase LE 4
1 x Power supply and cable
Optional: ER-12MUX rack mounting kit
If any items are missing from your package, please contact your
nearest Phonic dealer.
INSTANT SETUP
Getting Started
1. Ensure all power is turned off on your mixer. To totally ensure
this, the power adapter should not be connected to the unit.
2. All faders and level controls should be set at the lowest level
and all channels muted to ensure no sound is inadvertently
sent through the outputs when the device is switched on. All
levels can be altered to acceptable degrees after the device
is turned on using the channel setup instructions.
3. Plug any necessary equipment into the device’s various inputs
and outputs. This could include amplifiers and speakers,
monitors, signal processors, recording devices, guitars,
keyboards, microphones, and so on.
4. Plug the supplied power adapter into the power inlet on the
back of the device and then into a power outlet of a suitable
voltage.
5. Turn the power switch on and follow the channel setup
instructions to get the most out of your equipment.
Channel Setup
1. To ensure the correct audio level of the input channel is
selected, each of the level input controls of the Mixer should
be turned counter-clockwise or down as far as they will go
and the mute buttons should all be engaged.
2. No input other than the one being set should have any device
plugged in. This will ensure the purest signal is used when
setting channels.
3. Adjust the LEVEL and AUX 1 volume controls of the channel
you are setting to around the 2 o’clock mark. Also set the Main
L-R fader to the 0 dB mark.
4. Press the AUX 1 button on the Control Room Source section
down (making sure all others are released), allowing the level
meter to display the level of the channel being set.
5. Ensure the channel has a signal sent to it similar to the signal
that will be sent when in common use. For example, if the
channel is using a microphone, then you should speak or
sing at the same level the performer normally would during
a performance; if a guitar is plugged into the channel, then
the guitar should also be strummed as it normally would be
(and so on). This ensures levels are completely accurate and
avoids having to reset them later.
6. Set the channel’s gain so that the Level Meter indicates the
audio level is around 0 dB, ensuring the level never reaches
+5 dB.
7. This channel is now ready to be used; you can stop making
the audio signal.
8. You can now select another channel and repeat the same
process.