X.200 Digital Production Console
FAQ
6
Q. What are the synchronization (sync) options for the Digital X Bus?
A. The Digital X Bus supports the following synchronization capabilities:
• MIDI Time Code (MTC) input
• MIDI Machine Control (MMC) output
• SMPTE (LTC) Input
• SMPTE Output (mirrored from the SMPTE input)
• Word Clock Input and Output
• (Model X.400 only) RS-422 Sony® 9-pin Machine Control
SECTION II: Channel DSP and VST Plug-ins
Q. How many channels on the X.200 have full DSP?
A. The X.200 offers a full channel DSP suite for up to 64 channels when running at sampling rates between 44.1 kHz
through 96 kHz. Each channel DSP suite includes a four-band confi gurable Parametric Equalizer, a Compressor/
Limiter with a Soft Knee feature, and a Gate/Expander.
Q. Does the Digital X Bus have DSP on all channels, including the buses, aux sends/returns, and master?
A. The available channel DSP can be used anywhere in the console – channels, aux send masters, aux returns, buses,
or the L/R Mix bus. The amount of DSP available to you depends on how many instances are already running in
the mixer.
There is a small “DSP Pool” usage meter on the top section of the right display that tells you how much chan-
nel processing you have available at any given time. This usage meter is separated into three categories – EQ,
Compressor/Limiter, and Gate/Expander. As you engage more channel DSP, these percentages increase until you
have reached the maximum limit of processing (100%) by the system.
Q. Does the X.200 support third party plug-ins?
A. Yes. You can load, authorize, and operate Windows™ XP compatible VST plug-ins internally. After the loading and
authorization/licensing process (the process for which is different for each VST plug-in manufacturer), any VST
plug-ins shows up as an available plug-in to use in the Effects Rack. A list of compatible plug-ins will be available
from the Mackie website.
Q. How can I load VST plug-ins into the Digital X Bus?
A. If you buy VST plug-ins from a retailer, the software is typically provided on an installation CD. Therefore you need
to have a USB CD ROM drive attached to your Digital X Bus so you can load those plug-ins into the mixer. Once
your USB CD ROM drive is attached and you have inserted your plug-in installer CD into the drive, you can run the
Installer from the File Menu on the Digital X Bus to execute the installation.
If you purchase and download VST plug-ins from the Internet, you will typically receive an installer (.exe) fi le. We
recommend using a USB Flash (Pen) Drive to transfer the plug-in installers into the mixer. Simply copy the down-
loaded installer fi le to your Flash Drive, remove the Flash drive from your computer, insert the Flash drive into one
of the available USB ports on the back of the Digital X Bus, run the Software Installer from the File Menu, browse
to that .exe fi le on your Flash drive, and touch OK.
