MIX88 Manual

Introduction

The MIX88 Rack Extension for ReasonStudios Reason is a stereo 8×8 matrix mixer that gives eight fully independent sound balances from eight pre-mixed group outputs from the main console.

It is inspired by the Midas XL88 8×8 Matrix Mixer

It has the following:

Eight identical channel modules, each of which has the following features:

  • Direct stereo outputs with level control and mute button
  • Eight matrix routing switches and level controls
  • Matrix stereo output with level control via a large fader
  • Matrix output mute button
  • 20 segment LED peak-to-peak VU bargraph meter switchable to show the level of the direct output or the matrix output

A stereo Pre-Fade Listen function allows instant access to all inputs and matrix outputs and is available at the rear panel.

Front Panel Functions

Each of the eight channels of the MIX88 has the following features:

  1. Direct Output Level Control. Regardless of the settings of any of the other controls on the unit, apart from the Direct Output Mute, this sets the gain of the Direct Output of the channel from minus infinity up to +10dB. The unity gain position (0dB) is marked.
  2. Direct Output Mute. This cuts the Direct Output of the channel. A red LED indicates when Direct Output Mute is in operation.
  3. Meter Changeover (C/O). The 20-segment LED peak-to-peak VU bargraph meter can measure the level of either the Direct Output or the Matrix Output from the module. When the Meter Changeover button is pressed and the yellow LED glows, the Meter Changeover button is to decide whether the pre-fade listen facility picks up the Direct Output or the Matrix Output from the channel. Whichever signal is being measured by the meter is also available for pre-fade listen.
  4. Matrix Output Mute. This cuts the Matrix Output from the channel. A red LED indicates when Matrix Output Mute is in operation.
  5. VU Meter. A 20 segment peak-to-peak VU LED bargraph meter switchable to show the level of the direct output or the matrix output
  6. Matrix Output Fader. The fader controls the level of the Matrix Output from the channel.
  7. Routing buttons. The eight routing buttons send the input of the channel to any or all of the eight Matrix Outputs. Routing is active when the button is depressed and the yellow LED is glowing
  8. Routing Level Control. Each of the eight Routing Level Controls governs the amount of signal from the channel sent to the respective Matrix Output, from minus infinity dB to +10dB. Note that these controls affect the signal sent FROM the channel to the Matrix Outputs, not signals coming into the channel.
  9. Output PFL buttons. Any input or output to or from the MIX88 can be selected for Pre-Fade Listen. With the Meter Changeover button of any channel unselected, the PFL button will access the INPUT to that channel, before the Direct Output level control. With the Meter Changeover button selected, and the LED glowing, PFL will access the Matrix Output from the channel.
  10. Patch Browser. Save and load MIX88 patches to make it easy to manage your workflows.

Folded Front Panel Functions

The folded front panel of MIX88 contains the following:

  1. Convenient control of the MIX out level of each channel. This corresponds to item “6.Matrix Output Fader” in the previous section
  2. Peak-to-peak VU meter for a qualitative measure of the MIX output of each channel, similar to item “5. VU Meter” in the previous section. NOTE: This meter displays the MIX output of the channel regardless of the position of “3. Meter Changeover (C/O).” in the previous section.
  3. Patch Browser. Save and load MIX88 patches to make it easy to manage your workflows.

Rear Panel Functions

  1. Audio Inputs
  2. Direct Outpts
  3. Matrix Mix Outputs
  4. Pre-fade Listen Output

Using MIX88

Signal Paths
There are four types of signal path through MIX88:

  1. Input to Direct Output
  2. Input to Matrix Output
  3. Input to Pre-Fade Listen
  4. Matrix Output to Pre-Fade Listen

Examples of signal paths:

  1. Input to Direct Output. Using Channel 8 of the MIX88 as an example, the input to the channel takes the following signal path:

Input 8
Direct Output Level Control
Direct Output Mute
Direct Output 8

The Direct Output Level Control can vary the level from no signal to +10dB. The Direct Output Mute cuts the signal and is active when the button is depressed and the red LED glowing.
The level of the Direct Output can be measured on the 20 segment LED bargraph meter by leaving the Meter Changeover button off. Also when this button is off, the input signal to the channel is available for Pre-Fade Listen.

    2.  Input to Matrix Output. Using Channel 1 of the MIX88 as an example, the input to the channel takes the following signal path:

Input 8
Routing buttons, Channel 1
Routing Level Controls, Channel 1
Matrix mixing point, any or all channels
Matrix Output Faders, any or all channels
Matrix Output Mutes, any or all channels
Matrix Outputs, any or all channels

The eight Routing buttons on the input channel are used to select which outputs the signal will be routed to. The eight Routing Level Controls adjust how much level is sent to each Matrix mixing point. Please note that these controls adjust the OUTGOING signal from the channel.

The Matrix Output Fader on each channel controls the level of the mixed signal from the corresponding Matrix Output and the Matrix Output Mute button cuts that output.
The MIX88 has an output for Pre-Fade Listen which can be used for monitoring.

Please note that none of the Mute buttons affect PFL.

   3. Input to Pre-Fade Listen. Using Channel 1 of the MIX88 as an example, the input to the channel takes the following signal path:

Input 8
Meter Changeover button, Channel 8
Output PFL button 8
PFL output 

To Pre-Fade Listen to any input, leave the appropriate meter change over switch off and press the corresponding output PFL button whose number is the same as the Channel (in this case 8)

Any combination of inputs and outputs may be selected for PFL at the same time except that it is not possible to PFL the input and matrix output of any one channel simultaneously

   4. Matrix Output to Pre-Fade Listen. Using as an example Channel 1 of the MIX88 routed to Matrix Output 8, the signal takes the following path

Input 1
Routing buttons, Channel 1
Routing Level Controls, Channel 1
Matrix mixing point, Channel 8
Meter Changeover button, Channel 8
Output PFL button 8
PFL Output 

To Pre-Fade Listen any output, leave the Meter Changeover switch on the corresponding channel on, the LED will be on, and press the Output PFL button whose associated green LED will light.
Any combination of inputs and outputs may be selected for PFL at the same time except that it is not possible to PFL the input and matrix output of any one channel simultaneously.

Using the Direct Outputs

The Direct Outputs are simple to use. The input signal to each channel channel is directed through a level control and a muting button, and is presented on an output connector directly below the input.

The level of the Direct Output may be measured on the 20 segment bargraph meter by pressing the Meter Changeover button so that the yellow LED is off.

It is also possible to Pre-Fade Listen to any input by pressing the Meter Changeover button and the corresponding Output PFL button. The signal will be taken from before the level control and muting switch and directed to the PFL output.

Using the Matrix Outputs

It is important to note that the Routing Level Controls affect the OUTGOING signals from each channel, therefore to mix eight signals to Matrix Output 8, for instance, the highlighted controls are used:

The upper row of Mute buttons mute the eight INPUTS to the MIX88 through to the DIRECT OUTPUTS. The lower row of Mute buttons mute the eight MATRIX OUTPUTS.

The level of the Matrix Output may be measured on the 20 segment bargraph meter by leaving the Meter Changeover button out so that the LED is on.
It is possible to pre-fade listen any Matrix Output by leaving the appropriate Meter Changeover button on and pressing the corresponding Output PFL button. The signal will be taken from after the fader and muting switch and directed to the PFL output.

Using Pre-Fade Listen

It is possible to pre-fade listen any combination of inputs and matrix outputs at the same time, except that it is not possible to PFL the input and output of any one channel simultaneously.

To pre-fade listen any input, press the Meter Changeover button (yellow LED off) and the corresponding Output PFL button (green LED on). The signal will be taken from before the level control and muting switch and directed to the PFL output

To pre-fade listen any Matrix Output, leave the appropriate Meter Changeover button out (LED on) and press the corresponding Output PFL button (green LED on). The signal will be taken from after the fader and muting switch and directed to the PFL output

END