Voodoo Lab SYSTEM MIX PLUS Manuale utente

SYSTEM MIX PLUS
Owner's Manual
DIGITAL MUSIC CORPORATION

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DIGITAL MUSIC CORPORATION
Table of Contents
________________________________________________________
1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1.1 Overview
1.2 Unpacking
2. Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2.1 Front Panel
2.2 Rear Panel
3. Mixer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
3.1 Mix 1
3.2 Mix 2
3.3 Setting Levels
4. MIDI Volume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
4.1 Connections for the Volume Control
4.2 Using the Volume Control with Ground Control
4.3 Using the Volume Control without Ground Control
5. Recording & PA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
5.1 Cabinet Simulator
5.2 Headphone System
6. Putting Your System Together . . . . . . . . . 11
6.1 Two Typical Systems
6.2 Using With a Switching System
Appendix A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Technical Specifications
Appendix B . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Block Diagram
Warranty Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

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1. Introduction
______________________________________________________
1.1 Overview
System Mix Plus is a dual stereo line level audio mixer designed specifically for electric guitar
systems. With System Mix Plus, you can combine the line level outputs of your rack effects with
the pure tone of your amp or preamp. This results in lower noise and better tone.
Additional features have been built in to System Mix Plus to facilitate recording directly into a
studio mixing console or connecting directly to a PA system for live use. These include:
•Speaker cabinet simulation circuitry, switchable for either "2x12 open" or "4x12 closed"
cabinet sounds.
•Balanced XLR outputs.
•A versatile headphone monitoring system with separate volume controls for your signal
and an external feed.
System Mix Plus also features a MIDI controlled stereo volume control, also referred to as a
VCA (Voltage Controlled Amplifier). The volume control, which can be inserted anywhere in
your line level signal path, responds to the Ground Control or any device which can send MIDI
control change messages. This allows you to control your volume without having to run audio
cables out to your volume pedals.
Front-to-back passive feedthrus are provided for four audio feeds and MIDI.
1.2 Unpacking
Your factory carton should contain:
1. This manual
2. System Mix Plus
3. Power supply
4. Warranty card
Please fill out the enclosed warranty card and return it to Digital Music Corp. By
registering, you enable us to send you important information about related products, updates
and accessories.

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2. Operation
________________________________________________________
2.1 Front Panel
1. Power Switch: Applies power to System Mix Plus.
2. MIDI FEED: Direct passive feed thru to the MIDI FEED on the rear panel.
3. Level LEDs: Indicate output level of Mix 1 and Mix 2, not left and right. The thresholds
are:
+10 dBu (Red)
0 dBu (Yellow)
- 10 dBu (Green)
- 20 dBu (Green) (Note: 0 dBu = 0.775 volt RMS)
When setting levels, the signal peaks should barely light the yellow LEDs. You should
NEVER see the red LEDs. See section 3.3 for more information.
4. MIX LEVEL CONTROLS: Stereo volume for MIX 1 and MIX 2. Unity gain is set with
the knob at 12 o'clock.
5. CABINET SIMULATOR In/Out: Switches the speaker cabinet simulator on and off.
Simulator is on when the button is pushed in.
6. CABINET SIMULATOR Open/Closed: Selects between two different speaker cabinet
types for the sound of the cabinet simulator.
7. BALANCED OUT Ground Lift: Disconnects pin 1 of the BALANCED OUT jacks from
ground when pushed in.
8. BALANCED OUT Phase Invert: Reverses the phase relationship between pins 2 and 3 of
the BALANCED OUT jacks. With the button out, pin 2 is "+" and pin 3 is "-". With the
button pushed in, pin 3 is "+".
9. L - BALANCED OUT - R: Left and Right balanced outputs from Mix 2 or from the cabinet
simulator if it's switched in.

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10. MONITOR Ground Lift: Disconnects the sleeve of the MONITOR IN jack from ground
with the button pushed in.
11. MONITOR Phase Invert: With the button pushed in, the phase of the MONITOR IN signal
is inverted.
12. HEADPHONE LEVEL Direct: Adjusts the headphone volume of your mixer signal.
13. HEADPHONE LEVEL Monitor: Adjusts the headphone volume of the MONITOR IN
signal.
14. MONITOR IN: Accepts a stereo (TRS) plug for headphone monitoring of external signals
(monitor mixes, etc.)
15. HEADPHONE: Stereo headphone output. The impedance of the headphones should be 30
Ωor greater.
16. FEED THRU 1-4: These four separate, passive mono feeds connect directly to the four
FEED THRUs on the rear panel.
2.2 Rear Panel
[Note: All of the 1/4 inch jacks on the rear panel are for mono plugs. Except for the four FEED
THRUs, the top row is for the Left channel of your stereo signal and the bottom is for the Right.
Any mono signals should be plugged into the Left inputs (except for Mix 2 In 1). They will
automatically feed both the Left and Right channels.]
1. POWER: Requires 9 VAC at 1.0 amp.
2. MIDI FEED: Direct passive feed thru to the MIDI FEED on the front panel.
3. MIDI IN: Standard 5 pin MIDI connector. Accepts commands for MIDI controlled volume,
and passes all data to the MIDI THRU jack.
4. MIDI THRU: Standard 5 pin MIDI connector. Outputs all MIDI data that comes in through
the MIDI IN jack.
5. Passive Split: These outputs carry the same signals coming in the "Mix 1 In 1" inputs.
Enables you to feed these signals somewhere else without having to use Y-cables.
6. Mix 1 Inputs: Four stereo, line level inputs to Mix 1.
7. Mix 1 Out: Two identical sets of Left and Right line level outputs from Mix 1.

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8. Mix 2 Inputs: Four stereo, line level inputs to Mix 2.
Note: Mix 2 In 1 controls the internal connection (normal) from Mix 1 to Mix 2. If nothing is
plugged in to these inputs, the outputs from Mix 1 feed through to Mix 2.
If something is plugged in to these inputs, the internal Mix 1/Mix 2 connection is broken.
9. Mix 2 Out: Left and Right line level outputs from Mix 2.
10. Direct Out: Line level outputs from Mix 2. If the Cabinet Simulator is switched in, these
outputs are affected.
11. Volume - In: Stereo line level inputs to the MIDI controlled volume control. As with the
other inputs, a single cable plugged into the Left input will appear at both output jacks.
12. Volume - Out: Stereo line level outputs from the MIDI controlled volume control.
13. FEED THRU 1-4: These four separate, passive mono feeds connect directly to the four
FEED THRUs on the front panel.

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3. Mixer
________________________________________________________
3.1 Mix 1
General
Mix 1 consists of four pairs of Left and Right
inputs, two Passive Split outputs, and two pairs of MIX 1 outs. All of these jacks are for mono
plugs, and are intended for line level signals.
For mono signals, use only the Left input and the signal will feed into both the Left and Right
channels.
After the four inputs are combined, their overall volume is controlled by the MIX 1 knob on the
front panel, and the resulting signal is passed to the two sets of Mix 1 Out jacks.
Mix 1 In 1 and the Passive Split
You will blend the outputs of your effects with the pure tone of your preamp. In most cases, the
output of your preamp (or your amp's effect send) will be connected to Mix 1 In 1. The Passive
Split outputs are copies of the signal coming in Mix 1 In 1. These outputs are used to drive the
inputs of your effects devices.
Mix 1 Outputs
There are two identical stereo pairs of outputs for Mix 1. Mix 1 is also internally connected to
Mix 2. These outputs can be used to drive the inputs of more stereo effects devices for a second
"stage" of processing. The outputs of these effects can then be connected to Mix 2 inputs. In this
way you can have two stages of parallel effects, one cascading into another. In Section 6 you will
see how it all comes together in a system.
3.2 Mix 2
General
Mix 2 consists of four pairs of Left and Right inputs, and one pair of MIX 2 outs. After the four
inputs are combined, their overall volume is controlled by the MIX 2 knob on the front panel, and
the resulting signal is passed to the Mix 2 Out jacks, and to the Cabinet Simulator circuitry
(which feeds the rear panel Direct Outs and the front panel Balanced Outs).
Mix 2 In 1
If the Mix 2 In 1 jacks are empty, the stereo output of Mix 1 will be fed into Mix 2. Inserting a
plug into them will break this normal connection between the two mixers.
Mix 2 Outputs

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The Mix 2 Outs carry the sum of all the Mix 2 inputs. This is the output to connect to your power
amp, or to your amp's effect return jacks. If you need an output with the Cabinet Simulator, then
use the Direct or the Balanced Outs instead.
3.3 Setting Levels
[Note: This section assumes you have already connected your system together properly. You
may want to come back to this section later if you are not ready to set levels now.]
The System Mix Plus inputs are set to unity gain. The relative levels of all of your inputs are
therefore determined by the output levels of your devices. Setting levels is a critical part of your
guitar system. Proper levels allow you to minimize noise, maximize your tone, and control the
overall effect balance.
1. Setting up
•Set both Mix Level knobs at unity gain (12 o'clock).
•Turn the input and output levels of your effects all the way OFF.
•Set each effects device to 100% effects, by turning the wet/dry mix to wet or the "direct"
signal off.
•If you are using the System Mix Plus volume control, set the volume to its maximum.
2. Amp signal
Play the guitar and adjust the preamp output level or the amp's effect send level until the yellow
level LED just barely lights during signal peaks. The red LEDs indicate clipping. Lower the
level if you see them light up.
3. Effects Inputs
One by one, raise the input level of each of your effects devices to the maximum level
recommended by the manufacturer.
4. Effects Outputs
One by one, raise the output level of each of your effects devices, always checking the System
Mix Plus LEDs. Set the levels as high as you can without overloading.
5. Wet/Dry Balance
You may reduce the output level of the effects devices if you want less effects in your final mix.
If you want more effects, lower the output of your preamp or effect send, and repeat steps 3 and
4.
6. Final Output Level
The Mix 2 knob typically acts as the master volume control for the entire system. This knob can
control your stage volume, or direct signal volume. The Mix 2 level control does provide up to 6
dB of gain, so be careful to avoid overloading the inputs to your power amp. Unity gain (straight
up) or less is typical.

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4. MIDI Volume Control
________________________________________________________
4.1 Connections for the Volume Control
To use the volume control, you must "patch" it into your signal path. There are no internal audio
connections to or from the MIDI volume control. The volume control can be used for stereo
volume, panning, or two separate mono volumes depending on your connections and the type of
MIDI commands sent to it.
•Stereo volume control: Connect the left and right outputs of your source to the left and
right inputs of the volume control. The two volume control outputs are then connected to
the next device in the system.
•Mono volume control: Using the left inputs and outputs, connect the volume control
just like a normal volume pedal.
•Dual mono volume control: Connect the left and right volume control input/output
jacks independently.
•Stereo pan control: Connect the mono output of your source to the left volume control
input. Then connect the left and right volume control outputs to the next device in the
system.
To use the MIDI volume control in your System Mix Plus, you also need to plug something into
the MIDI IN jack on the rear panel that can send the appropriate MIDI commands. You have two
choices: 1) Digital Music Corporation's Ground Control or 2) something other than Ground
Control.
4.2 Using the Volume Control with Ground Control
See the Ground Control 2.1 manual or the Ground Control VCA (Volume Control) Addendum
for specific information on controlling volume from Ground Control.
4.3 Using the Volume Control without Ground Control
The System Mix Plus Volume Control responds to Continuous Controller messages on MIDI
Channel 16. The VCA responds to the following Continuous Controller commands:
007 - Stereo Volume
010 - Pan
012 - Left Volume
013 - Right Volume

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5. Recording & PA
________________________________________________________
5.1 Cabinet Simulator
The System Mix Plus Cabinet Simulator processes your line level signal to make it sound like it
was amplified through a speaker cabinet and miked. This allows you to connect your guitar
directly and still sound like a carefully miked, high quality cabinet.
For Recording:
Connect the System Mix Plus to your mixer or recorder for quick and easy direct recording.
For Live Performance:
Connect the System Mix Plus directly to the PA to avoid the hassle of miking, feedback or
isolation problems, or when low stage volume is required.
You can choose between two sounds:
•Open - The sparkly, punchy sound of an open back 2x12 combo speaker
•Closed - The deep, powerful sound of a closed back 4x12 cabinet
The output of Mix 2 is internally sent to the Cabinet Simulator. When the Cabinet Simulator
switch is out, the simulator is bypassed. When the switch is pushed in, the simulator is on. When
turned on, the Cabinet Simulator affects three different audio outputs:
•The two Direct Out unbalanced ¼ inch jacks on the rear panel
•The two BALANCED OUT jacks on the front panel
•The Headphone System
The rear panel Mix 2 Out jacks are not affected by the Cabinet Simulator. Use these to connect to
your power amp (or amp effects return).
0IMPORTANT:
Do not connect speaker outputs of an amplifier to the System Mix Plus. Doing so may cause
serious damage to your mixer and your amplifier. The System Mix Plus inputs are intended for
line level signals only.
5.2 Headphone System
The Headphone System allows you to listen to the output of Mix 2 and any external signal
coming in the stereo MONITOR IN jack.
•Direct Knob: Controls the headphone volume of your guitar system. (If the Cabinet
Simulator switch is pushed in, the simulator will affect the guitar signal in the
headphones.)
•MONITOR Knob: Controls the volume of the incoming monitor signal.
•Ground Lift Button: Disconnects the sleeve of the MONITOR IN jack from ground
when pushed in. This solves ground hum problems in certain situations.
Indice
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