ForTheRecord DMX8 User manual

DMX8 USB Mixer
Installation Guide
for use with
FTR Touch

ii
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FTR-I ns ta lla t io nG uid e-Touch-DMX8.docx 20100618

iii
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Safety Notices
Please read the following instructions and safety notices before installing this equipment.
Voltage Selection
Depending on the equipment you purchased it may be necessary to change the operating voltage for
your region. The power connector on the rear panel of the equipment may have a voltage selection
switch. Check the voltage setting and change if required. If no voltage selection switch is
available then the power supply is auto-sensing and you do not need to select an operating voltage.
Warning This equipment is designed to operate while connected to a
grounded wall outlet. Always use a power cable with a properly grounded plug such
as the one provided with this equipment. To reduce the risk of electric shock, never
disable this important safety feature.
Canadian Deviations clause 1.1.1
All equipment installations are required to be in accordance with the Canadian Electrical Code
(CEC), Part 1, CAN/CSA C22.1
US Deviations clause 1.1.1
All equipment installations are required to be in accordance with the National Electrical Code
(NEC) ANSI/NFPA 70, and, unless marked or otherwise identified, the Standard for the Protection
of Electronic Computer/Data-Processing Equipment, ANSI/NFPA 75.
Warning Only qualified technical service personnel should open the case of
this equipment. All user accessible connections and controls are located on the front
or rear panels of the equipment. Opening the case may also void your warranty. If
you need to make changes that require the case to be opened, contact your authorized
FTR service center.

iv
Table of Contents
Safety Notices.........................................................................................................................................iii
Voltage Selection ................................................................................................................................iii
DMX8 USB Mixer................................................................................................................................... 1
Product Outline .................................................................................................................................... 1
Installing the DMX8 USB Mixer......................................................................................................... 1
Voltage Selection ............................................................................................................................ 1
Location........................................................................................................................................... 2
Environment .................................................................................................................................... 2
Software .......................................................................................................................................... 2
Connections..................................................................................................................................... 2
Testing............................................................................................................................................. 3
Configuring FTR Touch Recording Settings........................................................................................ 4
DMX8 Configuration Panel................................................................................................................. 5
Settings............................................................................................................................................ 6
Adjusting Levels .................................................................................................................................. 7
Troubleshooting ...................................................................................................................................... 8
Specifications........................................................................................................................................... 9
Appendix A............................................................................................................................................ 11

Page 1
DMX8 USB Mixer
This guide provides general information for the installation and configuration of the DMX8 USB
Mixer when used with FTR Touch.
Product Outline
The DMX8 USB Mixer is a general purpose automatic audio mixer allowing eight microphone or
line inputs to be connected and mixed to one to four digital recording outputs. The recording
outputs are delivered to FTRTouch through a USB port connection. Additionally, the DMX8 USB
Mixer has four monitor outputs allowing the inputs to be routed to the outputs in any combination
required. A further Mono output provides a mix down of all eight inputs.
Installing the DMX8 USB Mixer
Before commencing an installation make sure you have the following:
DMX8 USB Mixer
DMX8 USB Mixer Installation Guide for FTR Touch (this guide)
Hi-Speed rated USB cable to connect DMX8 USB Mixer to computer (supplied)
Power cable suitable for your region (supplied)
Microphones or other input sources as required
Microphone cables wired correctly for the DMX8 XLR connectors
Note: DMX 8 drivers are pre-installed on FTR Touch. The standard installation guide and installation CD are not
required when using the DMX 8 with FTR Touch.
Voltage Selection
Before connecting the equipment to mains power, be sure to select the correct operating voltage for
your region.
1. Remove the power cable from the equipment.
2. Slide the voltage selector switch located under the power inlet socket to the correct setting.
3. Check that the required voltage is now visible on the voltage selector switch.
4. Re-insert the power cable.

Page 2
Location
The DMX8 USB Mixer can be mounted on a tray in a 19” rack or placed on a shelf or table. All
connections are from the rear panel (see Appendix A Diagram 1).
Ideally the DMX8 USB Mixer should be located inside the room where recording will take place
however it can be located outside if due consideration is given to microphone and output cable
lengths and electrical interference.
The DMX8 USB Mixer must be located close to the FTR Touch unit as the USB connection length
limit is 16 feet (5 meters).
Environment
The DMX8 USB Mixer should be installed in a clean, dust free, location that will allow free air to
circulate around it for cooling purposes.
Software
The DMX8 USB Mixer is supplied wi t h a n installation CD, an installation guide that supports other
FTR Recorders and this guide. The installation CD is not required for FTR Touch as all drivers are
pre-installed. The following pages detail the procedures for installing the hardware and
configuring the pre-installed device drivers on the FTR Touch unit.
Connections
Connecting the equipment involves the placement and connection of microphones or other input
devices and cables, connection to FTR Touch and any monitoring equipment and the testing of the
complete system.
Microphones
Place microphones as close as practical to the users but avoid restricting their view of the room. Be
aware of the need for space to place papers and books without knocking or covering the
microphone.
Ensure microphones are a minimum of 3 feet (1 meter) from sources of electronic interference such
as the DMX8 USB Mixer, FTR Touch, computers and lighting.
Microphone Cables
Connect the cabling between the microphones and the DMX8 USB Mixer. If possible conceal and
secure the cables to prevent them from being damaged or entangled by users. Avoid placing cables
near possible sources of interference such as power cables, lights, monitors and computers. When
connecting microphone cables to the DMX8 USB Mixer, be sure to run them directly away from
the unit.

Page 3
Recording Equipment
Connect the USB output of the DMX8 USB Mixer directly to USB 1on the rear panel of the FTR
Touch unit - using the supplied USB cable.
Monitoring Equipment
The Monitor outputs on the DMX8 USB Mixer may be used for a range of different purposes
including telephone and/or video conferencing, public address via an amplifier and/or powered
speakers or for an analog audio feed for backup or other archival requirements.
Testing
Have another person speak into each microphone at normal toloud levels. Watch the
corresponding Input Level LED on the front panel of the DMX8 USB Mixer. As each microphone
is tested the LED should flash green. It is acceptable for the LED to flash red occasionally with
loud speech. If the microphones are placed close together the voice test should be accompanied by
a “scratch” test. Before speaking, lightly scratch each microphone and observe which LED on the
front panel lights. This ensures the correct microphone is being tested. If devices other than
microphones are connected to the inputs of the DMX8 USB Mixer, perform a similar test on these
devices.
The DMX 8 drivers are preinstalled on FTR Touch. However, the driver may need to be
configured in FTR Touch settings. See the Configuring FTR Touch Recording Settings in the next
section of this guide.

Page 4
Configuring FTR Touch Recording Settings
To configure the DM8 from the FTR Touch unit:
1. Fro m the Mode Dial, touch the Settings icon for 5 seconds.
2. Fro m the Audio Capture Device box, touch Setup.
3. Fro m the DMX8 Configuration panel, make the required changes. See DMX8
Configuration Panel in the following section for details.
4. When all required changes are made, touch the close button in the top right corner of the
configuration panel.
Note: Scene controls are not available from FTR Touch. If you touch the scene controls your current
settings aresaved and the configuration panel is closed.
5. If all other settings are satisfactory, touch Exit.

Page 5
DMX8 Configuration Panel
When configuring the DMX8 for use with FTR Touch you can:
Choose an input type for each device connected to an input
Switch phantom power on or off as required
Set input levels to suit the connected input device
Assign the eight inputs to any combinationof four recording channels which are
captured by FTR Touch
Set recording channel levels
Assign the eight inputs to any combination of 4 monitoring channels which are
accessed from the rear panel of the DMX8.
Set monitor output levels

Page 6
Settings
Input Select
For each input select the type of input device. The options available are:
Line - for equipment that works at nominal line level
Dynamic - for dynamic microphones
Condenser - for condenser microphones
Phantom Power
Can be selected if a condenser microphone is connected to the input.
Recording Channel
For 2 channel recording switch inputs to Recording Channel 1 or 2 as required.
For 4 channel recording switch inputs to Recording Channels 1-4 as required.
Monitor Channel
Select the Monitor channels that the inputs will be mixed to.
Input Level
Adjust the level of each input.
Recording Channel Level
Adjust the level of each Recording channel using the level meter as a guide.
Monitor Channel Level
Adjust the level of each Monitor channel.
Scenes
Scenes are not supported with FTR Touch. Any attempt to open or save scenes will close the
DMX8 Configuration Panel (any changes you make to channel assignments or levels are saved as
default settings)

Page 7
Adjusting Levels
Use the following steps to adjust the input and recording levels. The input levels must be adjusted
before adjusting the recording channel levels or the monitor channel levels.
Adjusting Input Levels (before recording channel levels are adjusted):
1. Connect microphones or line sources to the DMX8 USB Mixer inputs.
2. For each input select the appropriate input type (Line, D y n a m i c , or Condenser) using the
Input Select buttons. If Condenser is selected and phantom power is required by the
microphone click the Phantom Power button for the input to turn phantom power on.
3. Start with all the Input Level sliders set to 0dB.
4. For each microphone input talk loudly into the microphone at a distance of 12 inches, or
for each line input provide a line level signal of nominal level. View the front panel
indicator LED for the appropriate input, and adjust the Input Level slider such that the
LED lights green constantly and occasionally turns red. If you are unable to achieve this
condition then check you have the correct input selection for the input type being used.
Adjusting Recording Channel Levels (after inputs are adjusted):
1. Use the Recording Channel buttons to select the recording channels that each input will
be mixed to. Each input can be mixed to any of the 4 recording channels.
2. For each recording channel adjust the Recording Channel Level slider. It is important to
adjust these sliders so that an adequate signal level well above any background noise but
below the clipping threshold is obtained. To adjust the recording channel levels:
3. Start with all the Recording Channel Level sliders set to 0dB.
4. Adjust these sliders so that when talking loudly into a microphone at a distance of 12
inches or providing a line level signal of peak amplitude, the meters light all bars
including the occasional red bar at the top of the scale. It is important to get this setting as
high as possible with only occasional indications of the red bar lighting.
Adjusting Monitor Channel Levels (after inputs are adjusted):
1. Use the Monitor Channel buttons to select the monitor outputs for each input. Each input
can be mixed to any of the 4 monitor channel outputs.
2. For each monitoring channel adjust the Monitor Channel Level slider. Care should be
taken not to overdrive external equipment with these signals. Start by setting these sliders
10dB lower than the average Recording Channel Level setting, and connect to external
equipment such as speakers, teleconferencing system, or other devices. Adjust these
sliders for each output to provide appropriate volume levels at the external equipment.

Page 8
Troubleshooting
The following information is a guide to solving simple problems that you may encounter during the
installation, testing and normal operation of the DMX8 USB Mixer and associated equipment. If
you cannot solve the problem using this information contact your vendor.
Issue
Steps to Correct
The power LED on the
front panel is not lit.
Check the power cable is firmly plugged into the power socket.
Check the cable is plugged into the power outlet and that power is
switched on.
Input Level LED does not
illuminate when a
microphone is tested.
Check that the relevant microphones and cables are correctly
plugged in. Ensure the cables are wired to correct standards.
Check the input level settings on the DMX8 Configuration are set
to the correct values (Dynamic/Condenser and Phantom Power).
If the problempersists swap the microphone for a known good
one.
If the problempersists swap the cable for a known good one.
If the problem persists contact your vendor.
Sound is distorted in your
FTR Touch.
Check and adjust the input and recording channel levels using the
DMX8 Configuration.
Distortion is usually caused when the input or recording level is
set too high.
Ensure the input type is correct for the type of microphone you are
using.
Hum or buzz in the
recording.
Usually caused by electrical interference to the microphones or
cables. Ensure all cables and microphones are moved away from
possible sources of interference such as computers, monitors,
mixers and lighting.
If the problem persists disconnect all microphone cables. Re-
connect each microphone cable until the buzz returns. Replace the
cable and/or microphone that introduces the buzz.
Low recording level on
one channel.
Check and adjust the input and recording levels using the DMX8
Configuration. Check microphone placement.
Swap for a known good microphone. If the problem persists swa p
for a known good cable. If the problem persists contact your
vendor.
Low recording level on all
channels.
Check and adjust the input and recording levels using the DMX8
Configuration.
Recording stops and the
record time display on
FTR Touch no longer
increments.
Check the USB cable is connected securely. If it has become
disconnected, FTR Touch will need to be restarted.

Page 9
Specifications
Analog Inputs
Quantity
8
Connector
XLR-F
Input Levels
-60 to +10 dBu (0.775mv to 2.5VRMS)
Input Impedance
1k ohms
Phantom Power
Software enabled by channel, +12V
THD+N
0.025% condition: -30dBu input (25mV RMS)
CMRR
80dB
Frequency Response
20 to 20kHz ± 3dB
DR Compression
Available
Noise Gating
Available
Trim Control
Software controllable, >90dB range, 0.5dB steps
Mixer
Recording Device Source Selection
Any combination of the 8 inputs for each of 4
Recording outputs to USB
Monitor Source Selection (1 to 4)
Any combination of the 8 inputs for each of the
Monitor outputs 1 to 4
Monitor Source Selection (All)
All 8 inputs mixed down to 1 output
A/D and D/A Conversion
Conversion
16 bits
Sa mple Rates
8,11.025,12,16,22.05,24,32,44.1,48 KHz
Physical Recording Devices
4

Page 10
Audio Monitor Outputs
Monitor (All)
Balanced +20dBu nominal full scale output level, ¼” TRS
Monitor 1
Unbalanced RCA, 2VRMS nominal full scale output level
Monitor 2
Unbalanced RCA, 2VRMS nominal full scale output level
Monitor 3
Unbalanced RCA, 2VRMS nominal full scale output level
Monitor 4
Unbalanced RCA, 2VRMS nominal full scale output level
Trim Control
Software controllable, >90dB range, 0.5dB steps
Indicator LEDs
P o w e r
Green LED indicator for power “on”
One LED per input channel
Green indicates audio activity
Red indicates compression threshold is reached
Computer Interface
Operating System Support
W i n d o w s XP Home SP1, W i n d o w s XPProfessional SP1
USB
Hi-Speed USB (USB 2.0) required for full functionality
Audio Wave Devices
2 or 4 mono recording devices (1 or 2 stereo)
Mixer Control
Full function software control running on host computer
General
P o w e r
85-240VAC, 50-60Hz switchable
AC Input
Removable IEC plug
Certifications
cUL 1409 or equiv., CE/FCC Part 15 Class A
Size
15” x 11” x 1.5” (395 mm x 270 mm x 65 mm)
Weight
approx 5 lbs (2.3 kg)
Operating Environment
0-40C, 0-95% RH non-condensing

Page 11
Appendix A
Diagram1 – DMX8 Front and Rear Panels
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
POWER
DMX8 USB Mixer Input Levels
ForTheRecord
FTR Pty Ltd
Front Panel
Rear Panel
87654321
MONITOR
All USB
Ch 1
Ch 2
Ch 3
Ch 4
ANTEX ELECTRONICS
UN2468-3
INPUTS
115/230V
50-60Hz
25 WATTS

Page 12
Index
Audio Level LED............................................ 3
Installation ...................................................... 1
Cables......................................................... 2
Connections ................................................ 2
Environment................................................ 2
Location ...................................................... 1
Microphones.............................................. 2
Monitoring Equipment............................. 3
Recording Equipment............................... 2
Testing ........................................................ 3
Levels
Input............................................................ 7
Monitor Channel ......................................... 7
Recording Channel...................................... 7
Mode Dial....................................................... 4
Safety Notices................................................iii
Voltage Selection.......................................iii
Warning .....................................................iii
Scenes............................................................. 6
Settings........................................................... 4
Specifications............................................ 9, 11
Troubleshooting.............................................. 8