MIXDOWN
Mixdown is the last stage in
the
recording process at which time you can blend and polish the sounds to create the final
product.
A “MIX” is created by finely balancing the four tracks to achieve just the right sound. This final balance is achieved using
MT120’s mixer section and is re-recorded onto a conventional stereo tape deck. Tracks can be faded in or out as required,
and refinements such as overall reverberation or equalization can be added using external signal processing equipment and
MT120’s 5-band on-board GRAPHIC EQUALIZER. The mixer’s PAN controls can be used to position each track at their
appropriate location in the stereo image, and you may even want to move or PAN a sound from one channel to the other to
create a dramatic effect.
Here’s how your system should be set up:
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INPUT SELECT Switches
Make sure that all four INPUT SELECT switches are set
to TAPE.
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Input Faders
Set all channels to “0” (minimum).
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REC SELECT Switches
Set all REC SELECT Switches to OFF.
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AUX SEND Controls
Set all four AUX SEND controls to MIN for the time
being.
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GRAPHIC EQUALIZER Switch
Switch this OFF for the time being.
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PAN Controls
Start with all PAN controls set to center.
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MASTER Fader
Set to about “7” or “8” on the scale.
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AUX RETURN Control
Set to MIN for the time being.
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MONITOR SELECT Switch
You will want to monitor the same signal which appears
at the STEREO OUT jacks, so set this switch to STEREO.
We recommend using an external sound system or a
pair of powered monitor speakers (such as the YAMAHA
MS101 Monitor Speaker) for mixdown.
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MONITOR Controls
Set all MONITOR controls fully counter-clockwise.
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METER Switch
ST.
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dbx Switch
If you started recording with the dbx switch set to ON,
leave it there. If OFF, it should stay OFF.
1. Sit in a comfortable, central position in front of your
monitor speakers.
2. Listen to, evaluate, and adjust the sound of each track
individually. This simply means raising the fader of a
single track, adding effects or other signal processing
as required, then repeating the process on the next
track until all tracks have been carefully checked. MT120’s
5-band GRAPHIC EQUALIZER can be used to add or
subtract high, mid, and low frequency components from
the overall mix, creating a more exciting and coherent
marriage of the tracks. If you have an external signal
processing device such as the YAMAHA EMP 100 Multi-
effect Processor connected into the MT120’s AUX SEND/
RETURN loop as described in the following section
(“USING THE AUX SEND/RETURN LOOP), it’s a simple
matter to select the desired effect on your signal processor
and add the required amount of effect to each track
using the AUX SEND controls. The AUX RETURN con-
trol must also be set to an appropriate level.
3. When all tracks have been individually checked, bring
all input faders up to about “7” or “8” on the scale and
play back the tape. Adjust the faders for the best overall
balance. Now adjust the PAN controls to place each
track at the desired location in the stereo sound field.
Now listen carefully — too much or too little reverb on
any track? Readjust the AUX SEND controls to achieve
the desired effect. Balance not quite right? Keep readjusting
until you are satisfied. You should also rehearse any
fades or pans you plan to do while actually recording
the mix.
4. When you’re sure everything is ready, prepare to actu-
ally record the mix. Connect the MT120 STEREO OUT
jacks to the
inputs of a stereo cassette recorder. Plug
your monitor headphones into the stereo cassette deck
phones jack if you want to listen as you record the mix,
or simply leave them connected to the MT120 PHONES
jack and listen with the MONITOR SELECT switch set
to STEREO. Use the stereo cassette deck record level
control(s) and, if necessary, the MT120 MASTER fader
to set the optimum record level, then go ahead and
record. The MT120 MASTER fader can also be used to
add a slow fade at the end of the piece.
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