User’s Guide HDSP System Digiface
© RME
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14.2 Tour de TotalMix
In the following chapters we will explain all functions of the surface step by step. Starting up
TotalMix, the last settings are recalled automatically. When executing the application for the
first time, a default file is loaded, sending all playback tracks 1:1 to the corresponding hardware
outputs with 0 dB gain. The faders in the upper row are set to maximum attenuation (called
m.a. in the following), so there is no monitoring of the input channels.
We will now create a submix for the analogue headphone output. Please start a multitrack
playback and connect your headphones to the analogue output. In playback channel 1 (labeled
'Out 1'), click onto the routing window below the label. A list pops up, showing a checkmark in
front of 'A1 1+2'. Click onto 'Analog'. The list disappears, the routing window no longer shows
'A1 1+2', but 'Analog'. Now move the fader with the mouse. As soon as the fader value is
unequal m.a., the present state is being stored and routing is activated. Move the fader button
to around 0 dB. The present gain value is displayed below the fader in green letters. In the
lower row, on channels 27 and 28 (AN.L. and AN.R.), you can also see the level of what you
are hearing in the phones. The level meter of the hardware output shows the outgoing level.
Click into the area above the fader and drag the mouse in order to set the panorama, in this
case the routing between channels 27 and 28. The present pan value is also being displayed
below the fader.
Please carry out the same steps for 'Out 2' now, in order to route it
to the analog output as well.
Often signals are stereo, i. e. a pair of two channels. It is therefore
helpful to be able to make the routing settings for two channels at
once. Press the Ctrl-key and click into the routing window of 'Out 3'
with the key pressed. The routing list pops up with a checkmark at
'A1 3+4'. Click onto 'Analog'. Now, channel 4 has already been set
to 'Analog' as well.
When you want to set the fader to exactly 0 dB, this can be
difficult, depending on the mouse configuration. Move the fader
close to the 0 position and now press the Shift-key. This activates
the fine-mode, which stretches the mouse movements by a factor
of 8. In this mode, a gain setting accurate to 0.1 dB is no problem
at all.
Please set 'Out 4' to a gain of around -20 dB and the pan close to
center. Now click onto the routing window. You'll now see two
checkmarks, one at 'A1 3+4', the other one at 'Analog'. Click onto
'SPDIF'. The window disappears, fader and panpot jump to their
initial values, the signal can now be routed to the SPDIF output.
You can continue, until all entries have got a checkmark, i. e. you
can send the signal to all outputs simultaneously. This is one of
several differences to the Cubase mixer, which does not allow for
multiple selections.
You will certainly have noticed that the headphone mix has not
changed, while you were routing the channel to other outputs and
setting different gain values. With all analogue and most digital
mixing desks, the fader setting would affect the level for every
routed bus - not so for TotalMix. TotalMix allows for setting all
fader values individually. Therefore the faders and the panpots jump to the appropriate setting
as soon as another routing is chosen.
The checkmarks are un-checked by moving the fader to m.a. This setting deactivates the
routing...why route if there is no level? Click onto 'A1 3+4' in the routing window, pull the fader
down, open the routing window again - the checkmark is gone.
