Page 9
Initial Setting Up
You will probably use your
SPIRIT
Pro
Tracker with a wide range of different types of
sound source, and these will be at varying signal levels. It is important to set the GAIN of
the inputs correctly to give the best performance.
Set up the individual channel inputs as follows:
o
Plug in the chosen source (usually the MIC socket for mics and the LINE jack for any-
thing else). Plug in phantom powered mics before switching the phantom power on
using the rear panel switch.
Keep all faders down when switching on phantom power.
o
Set the Mix Master Faders fully down and press the I/P TO MIX button on the Master
section to route the channel signals to the monitor path.
o
Provide the chosen source with a typical signal level and press the latching PFL button
by the fader. The level of signal will be shown on the Bargraph Meters and can be
monitored on Headphones or the Monitor outputs.
o
Adjust the input GAIN until the meter is just reaching the amber LED (0dB) at a typical
maximum source level with a steady signal. Since the internal LED meters have a true
peak-reading response, when the source signal is rich in high-level transients (e.g.
drums) a rather higher meter reading of +6/+9 will be needed to achieve an equiva-
lent average level. This leaves enough headroom to cope with peaks in the signal with-
out distortion for live work or analogue recording. If you are using the mixer to record
to a DAT machine, remember that, unlike analogue tape machines, they will not toler-
ate any overload whatsoever before distortion occurs. It is therefore advisable to set a
working level of -6 or -12 dB to allow a margin of safety, or preferably to set the level
using the meters on the digital multitrack.
o
Adjust each input channel in the same way.
If you find that you cannot set a reasonable level within the range of the GAIN control
when using a MIC input, try the LINE input instead.
The Stereo Return does not have a GAIN control, since the typical source for these inputs
will be external keyboards or effects units which have a much more predictable signal
level. The signal may be checked with the PFL switch as described above.
o
Once all channels have been adjusted, release the I/P TO MIX button.
SETTING UP FOR RECORDING
Following the procedure above will ensure that the input channels are correctly adjusted
for particular source signals. Multitrack Recording makes additional demands because
the mixer is not only required to mix down input signals but also to provide a monitor mix
for artists to hear previously recorded tracks when overdubbing new parts. A typical set-
up is as follows:
o
Connect input sources and set gain as described above. Connect channel Tape Sends
to as many tape inputs as required. A switch on each channel, above the Tape Send
and Return jacks, allows the Tape Send and Return to be matched to either -10dBV
signal levels (switch OUT) or +4dBu (switch IN). This enables the mixer to be used with
both professional and semi-professional machines.
o
If a compressor or effects processor is to be used, connect this to the insert points and
switch the Insert to INPUT.
While it is often useful to add a little compression to vocals to keep the level as even as
possible, it should only be used sparingly during recording, because it cannot be
undone later. You can always add more during mixing if necessary.
o
Connect the tape outputs to the Tape Returns. This brings the tape outputs up on the
faders to create a monitor mix if required.
o
Connect a monitor amplifier and speakers to the MIX OUTPUTS and set the amplifier
volume to a normal listening level.
o
Use the FADERS to set up a monitor mix. Select MIX as the Monitor/Phones source.
o
Connect any effects required using the Aux Send, and return them to the mixer on the
STEREO RETURN to allow the effect to be balanced with the original source. Set Aux 1
PRE to select pre-fade sources if the send is being used for foldback.
o
The built-in limiter may be used on any channel by pressing the local LIMITER button,
with the threshold set globally across the mixer by the LIMIT THRESHOLD control.
