Helix Board 18 FireWire User's Manual PHONIC CORPORATION
page 6
Making Connections
Inputs and Outputs
1. XLR Microphone Jacks
These jacks accept typical 3-
pin XLR inputs for balanced and
unbalanced signals. They can be
used in conjunction with microphones
– such as professional condenser, dynamic or ribbon
microphones – with standard XLR male connectors,
and feature low noise preamplifiers, serving for crystal
clear sound replication. The Helix Board 18 FireWire
features a total of eight Microphone inputs.
NB.
When these inputs are used with condenser microphones, the
Phantom Power should be activated. However, when Phantom Power
is engaged, single ended (unbalanced) microphones and instruments
should not be used on the Mic inputs.
2. Line Inputs
This input accepts typical 1/4" TRS (balanced) or
TS (unbalanced) inputs, for balanced or unbalanced
signals. They can be used in conjunction with a wide
range of line level devices, such as keyboards, drum
machines, electric guitars, and a variety of other
electric instruments.
3. Stereo Channels
The Helix Board 18 FireWire also
features a few stereo channels,
thrown in for maximum flexibility. Each
of these stereo channels features two
1/4" phone jacks, for the addition of
various line level input devices, such as electronic
keyboards, guitars and external signal processors or
mixers, as well as XLR Microphone jacks on channels
7/8 and 9/10, allowing users to option of using the
channel as a microphone input channel. If you wish
to use a monaural device on a stereo input, simply
plug the device’s 1/4" phone jack into the left (mono)
input and leave the right input bare. The signal will
be duplicated to the right due to the miracle of jack
normalizing.
4. AUX Returns
These 1/4" TS inputs are for the return
of audio to the Helix Board 18 FireWire
mixer, processed by an external signal
processor. If really needed, they can
also be used as additional inputs. The
feed from these inputs can be adjusted
using the AUX Return controls on the face of the
mixer. When connecting a monaural device to the AUX
Return 1 and 2 inputs, simply plug a 1/4" phone jack
into the left (mono) input, and the signal will appear in
the right as well.
NB.
When any device is plugged into the mixer’s AUX Return 2, the
mixer’s internal digital effect engine is then disabled.
5. AUX Sends
These 1/4" TRS outputs may be used to
connect to an external signal processor,
or even to an amplifier and speakers
(depending on your desired settings)
from the mixer. The signal from the AUX
Sends is controlled by the AUX master
controls (on the face of the mixer), which obtain their
signal from the AUX controls located on each channel
strip. The Helix Board 18 FireWire features a total of 3
AUX Sends. When using the FireWire interface, AUX
Send 1 can be elected to receive the audio signal
sent from the Computer, for monitoring or recording
purposes.
6. Foot Switch Jacks
These ports are for the inclusion of an
unlatched foot switch, used to remotely
adjust properties of the built-in Digital
Effect processor. The uppermost jack is
used to turn the Digital Effects on and off,
where the lower jack is used for adjusting
tap delay properties.
7. Phones
This stereo output port is suited for use with
headphones, allowing monitoring of the mix. The
audio level of this output is controlled using the Control
Room / Phones control.
8. Record Out
These outputs will accommodate
RCA cables, able to be fed to a
variety of recording devices. Also
included is a mini stereo jack for
the addition of recording devices
such as MD players, and even
laptop computers. The Trim
Control allows you to adjust the output level of the
record out and the Main Left and Right mix sent to the
FireWire interface, between –10 to +10 dB, making
level matching in recording much easier.
9. 2T Return
These RCA inputs are used to connect the mixer with
parallel external devices, such as sub mixers or CD,
Tape and Cassette Players. Also included are mini
stereo jacks, for receiving signals from audio devices
like portable CD, MD and MP3 players.
10. Main Out
These two balanced 1/4" TRS phone jacks will output
the final stereo line level signal sent from the main
mixing bus. The primary purpose of these jacks is
to send the main output to external devices, which
may include power amplifiers (and in-turn, a pair of
speakers), other mixers, as well as a wide range
of other possible signal processors (Equalizers,
Crossovers, etcetera).
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