in24dB make-up gain stage to compensate for the dB loss during the attenuation and sum-
ming process.
- Passive Output - As all make-up gain devices do have their own unique sound characteristic, the PM8
also features a ‘Passive Output’ pair for those users wishing to make their own make-up gain device
selection instead of ours. Users can choose their preamplifier of choice to make any necessary dB
compensation adjustment prior to connection to their destination device. Typically users would connect
to a high quality 2-channel microphone preamplifier and then to their 2-track mixing device (DAT
machine, back into 2 channels of your DAW, analog recorder, external converters, etc).
* Note: It is important to note that the ‘Master 1’ volume attenuator control on the front panel
attenuates the summed stereo mix to both the ‘Master 1’ and ‘Passive Output’ output pairs.
Configure your channel settings as desired
Channel control could not be any simpler. Each channel offers a volume level attenuator, pan
control knob, and a mute switch. When monitoring the summed stereo signal, simply adjust each
channels level and pan setting to attain the desired result. Mute switches are provided so as to
disable individual channel signal as required.
A simple mix-down process idea/example
Let’s assume you have a digital recording system comprising of a PC, Cubase software, and a
good quality audio interface featuring 8 individual analog D/A outputs. Your current recording
session comprises of 16 tracks of drums, bass, guitars, keyboards, and vocals.
During mix-down of your previous sessions you may have simply mixed down within Cubase to
two additional internal tracks, or even sent the final stereo mix out the 1&2 individual outputs
(or digital output) to your mix-down recording device (DAT, 2-track analog master recorder, etc).
This method relies on your software summing internally to create the final stereo mix. By group-
ing your audio tracks and connecting your audio interfaces analog outputs to the PM8, you can
passively sum your mix externally.
Suggested output routing of your recording session:
- Output 1&2 - Drums
- Output 3&4 - Keyboards
- Output 5&6 - Guitars
- Output 7&8 – Vocals, Bass
All drum tracks should be panned internally within Cubase to the stereo output pair 1&2. Channels
1&2 on the PM8 should be panned hard left and hard right to retain the stereo separation of the
stereo drum track settings of Cubase.
All Keyboard tracks should be panned internally within Cubase to the stereo output pair 3&4.
Channels 3&4 on the PM8 should be panned hard left and hard right to retain the stereo separa-
tion of the stereo keyboard track settings of Cubase.
All guitar tracks should be panned internally within Cubase to the stereo output pair 5&6. Channels
5&6 on the PM8 should be panned hard left and hard right to retain the stereo separation of the
stereo guitar track settings of Cubase.
As vocals and bass are usually mono recordings, they could be panned hard left and right within
Cubase to the 7&8 output pair. This makes them available separately in the PM8 for stereo posi-
tioning via the respective rotary pan control knobs.
9
Application
Summary of Contents for PM8
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