Aeta Audio Systems 4MinX User manual

Getting started
www.aeta-audio.com
4MinX characteristics may change without any prior notice for improvement purpose
55 000 071-A © 2012

Front panel & controls
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2
3
4 5 1516 14
6 7 8 9 10 11
12
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1. -/+ Keys: These 4 keys control the Mic/Line inputs 1 to
4. Their action is defined by the selection made by F1-
F4 keys. When F1 gain mode is set by default they
enable to adjust the input gain by 10dB step ; Press F2
to switch to Filter mode to control the digital high-pass
filter frequency on each channel, and more if you like (cf
7).
2. Level controls: Faders for Mic 1 to 4 inputs.
3. Level status indicators: The 4 mic inputs have a 4
segment Post Fader indicator (2xgreen/Orange/Red),
one led «high level» (Threshold -12dBFs) and another
one to indicate limitors “on” (green) and “activated”
(red). By default, the levels which change the led colors
for the level indicators (and the bargraphs) are -50, -40, -
18 et -3 dBFS. To modify them, go on Menu > Settings
> Display settings > Metering thresholds.
4. Px Potentiometers: By default these 4 small
potentiometers are not assigned. You can use them as
per your needs via Menu > Audio >P1-P4 function
choosing for example to activate the Pan L-R for
Mic/Line 1 and 2 inputs, or one fader for AES inputs or
Line.

5. Master: This potentiometer controls the level sent to
the Mixdown [Bus] (and thus the general level of the
Mixdown file created by default). The 4 LED segment
indicator. You can also increase the Master gain by 6 or
9 dB via Menu > Audio > Master gain.
6. Battery level indicator: The LED turns into red when the
battery is getting charged by an external power supply
and green when it is fully charged. It turns off when
4MinX is running on NP-F battery.
7. F1 to F4 short-cuts: The function assigned to these
keys may vary depending on the context. When on the
main screen, F1 to F3 are linked to +and –keys to
control the input gain, the filter frequency and to
activate the limier, while the F4 activates the Slate mic.
Go to Menu > Settings > Functions keys to create your
own settings and define up to 8 short-cuts by playing
with the Shift key and combinations.
8. 3" VGA LCD Screen (see below)
9. Power/Esc key: The Esc key enables to power on
4MinX (hold on for >2seconds) or to get in or out of the
menu. Should you press this key while the unit is on
during 10s, this will power it down without saving the
settings. Please only use in emergency case.
10. OK key: Used at Enter key for the menus or to validate
confirmation messages.
11. Shift key: Used in combination with other keys, it gives
access to other functions. On 4MinX, it only lasts 30s.
12. Rotary encoder: Used to navigate, to scroll up and
down the menus. Press the encoder to validate the
choice (Enter) and thus is a quick alternative to the OK
key.
13. Slate Microphone: The mic is active when the Slate
mode is on. It can be used as a return channel or
intercom mic or by using the Aux for example.
14. Headphone level: It handles with the level of the
headphone connected on the right side panel of 4MinX
15. Headphone menu key: The headphone has its own
menu key to define the source and the monitoring
mode (mono/stereo/MS, etc.). By pressing twice on the
headphone key you switch from one menu to the other.
Press Esc to leave the menu.
16. Recording keys: Play, Stop, Rec, Forward and Fast
Rewind Buttons. To record, press twice Rec. To make it
secure, the record is going ahead even when pressing
Stop. To really end the record, press twice on Stop. By
pressing once on Play you access the “reading” screen
where the F1 to F4 keys enable you to navigate into the
list of previous takes. Pressing twice on Play, you play
back the last file. Forward and fast Rewind keys help
you to navigate into the file by step of 5 second
(1minute is the Shift key is on). Press F4 to leave the
reading menu to make other records.

LCD Screen
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2 3 4 5 67 8
9
10
12
13
14
11
1. Function keys–These 4 zones show the assigned
functions to F1 to F4. By combining with Shift key, you
get 8 short-cuts for Gain, Phase, Limiter, Solo, Tone,
Slate etc...To personalize go to Menu > Settings >
Function Keys.
2. Record –Status of the recording: Stop, Record or Play.
3. Synchronisation –Mode and sample rate frequency
4. Clock –Time of clock system or Time Code.
5. Project Information –Displays regularly the actual
project name, the Workday , Scene name…
6. Scene/Take number–please see Menu > Recording >
Project management. The take number are self-
incremented
7. Powering –shows the external powering tension (if
connected) and the NP-F battery tension.
8. Time left –shows the time left on the SD card taking
into account the card memory size, the sample
frequency, resolution and file numbers validated during
the recording and their content.
9. BWF Status –These 4 small squares display the status
of the BWF files previously defined in the Recording
menu. The square turns into red when the file is
validated for recording and turns into green if not
recorded. For more information, please consult the
paragraph "Arm" BWF files in this guide.
10. 1 to 4 channel parameters–displays the corresponding
settings to the activated key. According to the situation,
these keys can show gain, filter, limiter parameters
etc…
11. Headphone source –Indicates the selected source for
the headphone.
12. Reference level –Above this level (fixed by default at -
18dB) the bargraphs turns to yellow and the 4 LED into
orange. This threshold can be modified by Menu >
Settings > Display settings > Metering thresholds >
Yellow LEDs.
13. 4/8 channel bargraphs –level indicators assignable for
4/8 channel (scale and ballistic peak or vu, sources)
from Menu > Settings > Display settings : Bargraph
Count to go from 4 to 8 channel bargraphs, Bargraph
sources for sources selection
14. Monitoring bargraphs –Display the selected source
level for the headphone monitoring.

INTRODUCTION
To design 4MinX, we did not fear to go off the beaten
tracks to offer you more power and flexibility. We
advise you to read this quick getting started guide to
start using it in very short time. For more detailed
information on each step, do not hesitate to consult
the full user manual on our web site:
www.aeta-audio.com
In this guide, we started assuming that most of the
main basics are known and that you already have an
SD card, one headphone and optional cables (see
accessories in the full user manual.)
SETTING IT UP
Powering
Before switching on 4MinX, select one of these 3
potential powering mode:
NP-F battery
A compliant NP-F 970 battery, similar to the one used
for Sony Z1 or Z7 cameras would give you 7 hours
autonomy. The battery case is located on the rear
panel as per the image shows:
Main
AC PSU main connector is on HIROSE 4 points
interface. Should you connect an NP-F battery, the
adaptor will recharge it while powering the 4MinX at
the same time.
External power supply
You can have an external DC. 4MinX needs 12 V DC
but is able to work with tension from 8 to 18V / 800
mA minimum (10 V for the charger). Consult the full
manual for the DC HIROSE cabling.

Scrolling up/ down/ across the menus
To set up 4MinX press the Esc button for around 3
seconds. The display will then invite you to create a
workday. To validate, press OK.Before going further
Let’s us tell you more about the menus structure:
Menus can be reached vie Esc key
You turn the rotary encoder to scroll up and down
in the menu depending left or right movement.
To validate you can either press OK or directly
press the rotary encoder. To make it simple, we
use the word “Enter” for validation.
To leave a menu and come back to the previous
one, you can either select the line with ‘<’ sign or
press on Shift
You can also use the Esc. In this case you leave
directly any menu.
About our conventions in navigating
All along this guide, the instructions on how to
navigate are indicated in a different format. The ‘>’
sign means that you have to press Enter to go to next
level.
For example, to set up the mic inputs powering, you
can go to: Menu > Audio > Audio inputs > Input 2 >
Power
It means that:
Press Esc to get the menu list
Select Audio (By scrolling down with the rotary
encoder) the press Enter,
Select Audio inputs in the list and press Enter,
Select input 2 in the list and then press Enter,
Select Power in the list and then press Enter,
You reach the parameters section and can select the
powering mode you like for the mic connected on the
mic input 2…
It really looks more complicated and long to describe
than to do!
Esc Key
Rot
Encoder/Esc
OK key
Shift key

Switching on / and off 4MinX
• To switch 4MinX on, press Esc for > 3 seconds
• To turn it off, go to Menu > Tools > Power down.This
method saves all the settings. Please find below the
navigating menu structure
To switch 4MinX off, in case of emergency, press Esc
during around 10 seconds. Take care, this method
does not save the parameters changed while
operating.
4MinX philosophy
4MinX : File oriented recorder
Available in 2, 4, 6 and 8 tracks, its management is
quite different from conventional units.
When you record with 4MinX, you don’t record directly
on tracks but create directly files which will contain
themselves one, two or various tracks depending on
the selected configuration.
Thus, the 8 small squares on the screen do not
represent the tracks but the BWF files (in red when
armed).
It is up to you to determine their content and their type
(mono, stereo ou polyphonic) as per your needs and
« workflow » of chosen postproduction.
For more information, please read the paragraph on
« Selection of BWF files sources”

An extremely powerful routing
Apart from the sources that you include in each file,
4MinX offers a strong and detailed routing enabling to
define what you send to buses, to analog and digital
outputs. For more information, please read the « point
on routing » paragraph.
Files identification
In order to have an easy identification of your files in
directories on the SD card, you can create Project.
Each Project can contain one or various WorkDay. In
each WorkDay you have several Scenes each of them
containing "Takes". Takes can be automatically named
according to date, name of the project and the Scene
etc… For more information, please consult in this
guide the paragraph « How to use the projects » as
well as 3.5.1 and following from the user manual. In
the below example, the project named Test-studio has
3 Workdays.
AUDIO
Inputs
6 analog inputs:
4 Mic/line inputs on XLR3. Inputs 1 et 2 have a
PAD, 3 and 4 can also be reached on MiniCon
Neutrik 12 pins
2 line inputs onXLR 5 points
4 digital inputs:
2 digital pair on XLR3, AES 3 or AES 42 with 10V
powering for digital microphones.
Outputs
8 analog outputs:
2 pair of analog outputs on 2 XLR5 on the right
side panel (Line Out 1/2, 3/4).
2 outputs on Mini jack stereo 3,5mm (idem Line
1/2 at -6dB).
2 outputs on MiniCon 12 pins (Ext I/O) located on
the left side panel.
6 digital outputs:
3 pair of AES3 on TA3 located on the left side
panel (Dig. Out 1-2, 3-4, 5-6).
Note: Any symmetrical inputs or outputs can be set as
asymmetrical.

Routing
You can change what you send to Mixdown [Bus], in
Auxiliary [Aux] or to analog or digital outputs. By
default, the signal on the mixer of the Mixdown [Bus]
is duplicated on all the outputs (analog and digital) with
for example Bus L on odd output, and Bus R on even
outputs.
Should you like to change the default routing,
please go to Menu > Audio > Routing
To change the sources assigned by default to
Bus, choose > Mixdown [Bus]
To change the sources assigned by default to
Aux, choose > Auxiliary [Aux]
To change the sources assigned by default to
4MinX physical outputs, choose > Output sources
TO SET UP INPUT 1 TO 4
Microphones powering
The default position is « OFF ».
Phantom 48V and Tonnadder 12V can be activated
separately on each input via Menu > Audio > Audio
Inputs > Input (1 to 4) > Power.
Use the rotary encoder to select 48V orT12.
Pad
A 20db attenuator is available on input 1 and 2 which
can be activated via Menu >Audio > Audio inputs >
Input 1 (ou 2) > Pad.

Hi-Pass Filter (HPF)
The 4 channels have two different HPF: one analog
with 50 Hz frequency and one adjustable analog (50-
80-120-160-200-300 Hz). The analog filter can be
activated via
Menu > Audio > Audio Inputs > Input (1 to 4) >
Filter Ana 50Hz.
On the other hand, the digital filter can be reached
directly from the main screen. By simply pressing F2
the +/- keys are assigned to HPF settings with display
of the frequency for the 4 channels.
Press on +/- buttons to select the ad hoc frequency.
You can adjust the filter parameters via Menu > Audio
> Audio Inputs > Input (1to 4) > Digital filter.
Input gain
The input gain (or Trim) can be adjusted by 10dB step
using F1 and same as for filters, the +/- buttons.
You can also adjust the gain via Menu > Audio >
Audio Inputs > Input (1to 4) >Gain

Fader
Use the small knobs to adjust the level sent to the
mixer. « 0dB » position is reached when having a
12.00 position.
Routing
Please go to Menu > Audio > Routing > Mixdown. To
change the stereo balance and assign the channels in
the Mixdown, you can either chose the BUS L&R for
centrer, Bus Left, Bus Right. Select no should you
don’t want to have the source in the mix.
Pan
To get more spatial shades, you can switch to
« panoramic », but in this case you need first to assign
the multi-functions buttons P1-P4 to this function as
shown: Menu > Audio > P1-P4 functions.
Output levels
The max output level on each outputs can be adjusted
from -10 to+22 dBu via Menu > Audio > Audio
Outputs > Line out (1 to 4). A 40 dB pad is available
in this menu to get similar output level to mic level, for
example to connect wireless transceivers which don’t
have line inputs.

Ext I/O port
The Neutrik MiniCON 12 pins connector located on the
right side panel offers two additional line outputs to
connect wireless transmission to camera, to
earphone…Please consult the user manual for cabling.
By default the mixdown is assigned there but you can
change the setting via Menu > Audio > Routing >
Output sources.
TO CONFIGURE BWF FILES
As mentioned in the introduction, with 4MinX, you
don’t record directly on tracks but in files including the
tracks. For each BWF file you have a small square
displayed by default on screen in red meaning that it is
armed for recording.
By default, 4MinX record a single stereo file. You can
transform it into a polyphonic file including for example
the pre-mix (Mixdown) as well as the different pre-
fader inputs. For actual postproduction workflow
requests, it might be clever to deliver each source as a
single mono BWF file.
To create and configure the BWF files, go to Menu
>Recording > File management.
When reaching the page it appears like this:
Define the file type
A BWF file on 4MinX can be Mono, Stereo or
Polyphonic. In the « Type » zone, select ‘M’ for Mono,
'S’ for Stereo or ‘P’ for Poly and press Enter. The
number of channel you can have depends on the
version of your 4MinX (from 2 to 8 tracks).
Choose the source for the BWF files
To choose the source of an existing file, press first the
rotary encoder to select the line on the file, then
navigate and select Sources. You get a bold text when
selected.

Press Enter to get the menu showing the available
sources. As all the sources are MONO, if the file is
stereo (S), you need to select two sources which will
be then compiled into one BWF file.
Use the rotary encoder to select the source to be
recorded, and then press Enter to select it, repeat this
action for the next source: the scrolling list will
automatically shut down as long as the two sources
are selected.
Source
Description
BUS L & R
Stereo bus Left-Right of the mixer
Post 1 à 4
1 to 4 Mic/line inputs Post Fader
signal
Line 1 & 2
1 et 2 Line inputs Post Fader signal
AES 1 à 4
AES 1 to 4 inputs Post Fader signal
Pre 1 à 4
1 to 4 Mic/Line input Pre Fader
signal
Pre Line 1& 2
1 to 2 Line input Pre Fader signal
Pre AES 1 à 4
1 to 4 AES inputs Pre Fader signal
Create a new bwf file
To add a new BWF file, press on F1 (Add new file) in
File management menu. This will create a new line
as shown:
On this new line, you need again to define the type of
the file, as well as the sources by using the rotary
encoder in the scrolling lists, and validate by pressing
Enter. Once all sources defined, press Esc to leave
the menu.
Please consider that you can assign each source only
one time. After being selected, the source is no more
available for other settings.
Please be careful that the new configuration has to be
downloaded to become active by pressing F4 (Load)
and confirm by pressing OK.

Armed or unarmed BWF files
On the main screen, the 8 squares above the
bargraphs indicate the status of the BWF files:
Grey : no file being defined
Red : the file is armed. It will be taken into
account for the next records.
Green : The file is unarmed. It won’t be taken into
account for the next records.
From the main screen, you car arm or unarm the BWF
files before recording as you would do with "Rec
Ready" on a multi-tracks tape recorder.
To do so, press on Shift then on OK. The file content
will appear as:
The rotary encoder enables to navigate from one file to
the other and see respective contents.
To change the status from « armed” to « unarmed »,
simply press on OK.
The square corresponding to the file turns from red to
green.
MEMORY CARDS AND BACK UP
Insert an SD card
Before starting recording, insert an SD card or SDHC,
(contacts on the lower side) in the appropriate interface
located on the right side panel. 4MinX records audio on
memory card SD or SDHC type in FAT 16 or 32 format.
Actually the maximum size available is 4 Go (SD) and
128 Go (SDHC). We highly recommend high speed
supports class.10 or similar.

Eject a SD card
Please be careful before ejecting your SD card, as you
would do with a PC, you need to do it properly and go
on Menu > Tools > Eject media
Confirm by pressing OK
Back up
Backup copies can be done on FAT 32 memory
support ( e.g. portable USB hard disk to be connected
on the USB 2.0 micro port. Attention, USB A port is of
type 1, thus it might be preferably used for connecting
a keyboard).
PLAY-REC
Record
To start recording, press twice on Rec. Should you
want to listen on the headphone, you would hear a
confirmation beep.
To stop recording, press twice on Stop. Before any
action from your side, 4MinX arranges all the files
(indicated by Flushing and then Finalizing).
Play the records
To listen what is recorded, press on Play. 4MinX goes
to « reading » menu and displays the specific page
where you can:
•Start playing the last recorded by pressing again
on Play.
•Forward and Rewind by step of 5 seconds (1
minute if Shift is activated).
•Navigate in the list of recorded takes with F1
(Next Take) and F2 (Previous Take)
•Enter in Player Management with F3
Please do not forget to press F4 (Exit) to leave the
« reading » mode and come back to the main screen to
start new records.
HEADPHONE MONITORING
Solo
To listen the inputs 1 to 4 as solo, you need to assign a
short-cut to the solo mode via Menu > Setting >
Functions keys > and choose the available short-cut,
for example Shift+F1. Then - and + keys will enable
you to listen respectively the Pre signal or the Post
Fader
Select the sources
The default source is the Mixdown, but it can be
modified via Monitor menu. To reach this menu, press
on the headphone button. Press again to select the
sources in the scrolling list and press Esc to leave.

In this menu you can also define short-cuts. Once you
have selected the source, press F1-F4 to save it.
Confirm by pressing on OK
TO USE THE PROJECTS
To ease your work you can use the projects. As
mentioned in the introduction, each project “may
contain one or various WorkDay ». Each WorkDay
itself gathers a number of "Scene" containing "Take"
which number is incremented automatically. Going
further than a tree structure, the project saves also the
BWF file configuration. Once created, one can upload
the project at any time.
Create a new project
To create a new project, select from menu Recording
> Project management
Press on F1 (Project) to access the page to create the
project, then press again on F1 (New project) to name
the new project:

You can use the rotary encoder to select the character
and validate by pressing on the encoder or alternatively
plug a USB keyboard (for more information on this
point, please have a look at the manual). Press on F4
(Enter) to validate. Then you can create a new scene
name. The Workday field may show the date.
The Scene No. is set as 1 and Take No. at 0. To name
the scene you can also press F3 (Scene)….
Press F4 (Load), and OK in the validation window to
open a new project. The display comes back to the
main screen.
Important: be aware that the project also saves the
BWF file configuration. Therefore, if you download a
new project, the previous BWF file configuration will
be erased.

Left side panel
Mic/Line IN 1 to 4 : symmetrical, analog adjustable gain from 0
to 50 dB by10dB steps.
20 dB Pad available only on input 1 & 2 .
max acceptable level : +39 dB on inputs 1 & 2,+19 dB on inputs
3 & 4.
Independent control mic powering on the 4 inputs
Ext I/O : Neutrik MiniCon 12 pins connector including 9V
powering for HF transceivers and receivers.
Receivers are assigned on inputs 3-4, transmitters receive
by default the Bus L -R. To change this configuration, please
go to menu Routing (Consult our manual in technical chapter
for cabling)
Digital IN 1/2 et 3/4 : AES3 format, AES-42 compatible
( 10V/250mA).SRC available on the 2 inputs; adjustable
gains from 0 to 36 dB by 6 dB steps.
Digital OUT 1/2, 3/4 and 5/6 : Digital outputs 1/2,
3/4 and 5/6 AES3 format on TA3 interface (mini
XLR). The Mixdown [Bus] set at default source can
be modified via menu Routing.

Right side panel
Line OUT 1 to 4 : Two 5 pins XLR each of them
including one pair of symmetrical outputs with line level
(1 & 2, 3 & 4). The defined default source is Mixdown
(Bus] but any output can be differently set up via menu
Routing. Level adjustment and 40dB pad activated via
Menu > Audio > Audio Outputs. Y cable (XLR 5 to 2
x XLR 3 pins male) available as accessories.
Line In 1/ 2 : 2 analog inputs with line level on a
XLR 5 pins. Max adjustable accepted level from-
10 to +22 dBu via Menu>Audio>Audio Inputs.
Y cablee (XLR 5 to 2 XLR 3 pins female)
available as accessories.
Headphone:
Stereo Jack
Compatible
Headph. ≥16 Ω.
Minijack stereo
Output :
asymmetric signal
on Line Out 1/ 2
reduced by 6 dB.
Sync In : BNC for
synchro word clock
on external clock
option
Micro USB A :
USB2 480 Mbit/s interface
for backup. Once the
storage mean connected,
go tor Menu > Recording >
Backup to USB to start the
backup
USB A : USB1.1 interface for
keypad. To define your keyboard,
please go to Menu>Setting> USB
keyboard and select
« CompactFrench». Some keyboards
(Apple Alu) are not compatibles.
SD card : Slot for
SD/SDHC.
Ethernet :RJ45
for remote
(to come)
Time code
I/O : Lemo
5pins for TC
option
Ext. DC IN : HiRose
4pins for external
additional supply
powering DC 8 -18 V.
Can also be used for
connecting an AC/DC
adaptor charger
Direct I/O :
SubD 9
rassemblant
les sorties
OutPre 1 à 4

0...50dB
(10dB steps)
Pre 3
Pre 4
Ovl
Ovl
Sample
rate
converter
Sample
rate
converter
AES Pre 1&2
Synchro
Outpre4
Ext I/O
P48
T12
Off
Mic
power
Input 1
P48
T12
Off
P48
T12
Off
AES42
( Ph 10V )
Ext 3
Ext 4
Line1&2
PAD
20dB
PAD
12dB
AES 1 & 2
AES 3& 4
P48
T12
Off PAD
20dB
Input 2
Input 3
Input 4

HPF
50Hz to
300Hz

Line Pre 1&2
AES Pre 3&4
Post 3
Post 4
M/S
L/R/C
PanPot
AES Post 1&2
AES Post 3&4
Line Post 1&2
+4
Outpre3 +14+4
Phase
HPF
-/50Hz Pre 1
Pre 2
Ovl
Ovl
Limiter
Outpre2 +4

HPF
50Hz to
300Hz

Post 1
Post 2
M/S
L/R/C
PanPot
Outpre1 +14+4
-100 to
+20dB
Coupling
Stereo/ MS Coupling
Stereo/ MS
Balance
or Swidth
Balance
or Swidth
-100 to
+20dB
Mixdown
(BUS)
L/R/C
L/R/C
Auxiliary
(AUX )
-6...+24dB
(1dB steps)
L/R/C
L/R/C
L/R/C Master
-90...+36dB
-90...+36dB
-90...0dB
Slate
Tone
-40dB
PAD
6.35mm
Line out 3&4
Line out 1&2
3.5mm
Ext I/O
I/O 1
I/O 2
AES 1&2
SubD 9pts
Out Pre4
Out Pre3
Out Pre1
Out Pre2
-40dB
PAD
AES 3&4
AES 5&6
Routing
L/R, L+R,..
MS,M+S,...
Double M/S
Format A
Format B
Pre 1
Pre 2
Pre 3
Pre 4
Line Pre 1&2
AES Pre 1&2
AES Pre 3&4
Post 1
Post 2
Post 3
Post 4
Line Post 1&2
AES Post 1&2
AES Post 3&4
Aux R
Aux L
Up to 8 sources
Recorder
SD
L R L R
Bus R
Bus L
1000&400Hz
AES42
( Ph 10V )
Slate
Tone
generator
Play1 to 8
Level
metering
Bargraph
www.aeta-audio.com