Fredenstein MixCube User manual

MixCube
Operating Manual

Fredenstein MixCube
The Fredenstein MixCube is a digital controlled stereo analog mixer that may be configured as 8
channel, 16 channel, 24 channel or 32 channel Each channel has gain control in ½ dB steps, pan
control in 19 steps, mute and solo The final mix also has gain control in ½ dB steps, balance (pan)
control in 19 steps and mute Plus there are 4 “fader groups” that can control user assigned sets of
channels that has gain, mute and solo functions
The Fredenstein MixCube is only 16cm (6 5”) x 16cm x 16cm in size The front panel includes a
11cm (4 3”) 480 x 272 pixel color TFT display to show settings There are 3 rotary encoders and 3
buttons on the front panel One encoder is used to select the channel to be adjusted while the other
two are used to adjust LEVEL and PAN, and buttons provide instant MUTE and SOLO functions
The third button is used to select the final MIX output which can then be adjusted for LEVEL,
BALANCE (PAN) and MUTE The graphics display also has a high resolution output level meter
The MixCube features fully balanced summing amps This helps achieve the unusually high +28
dBu maximum input and output levels and helps minimize noise and distortion There are 4 discrete
high quality op-amps used as line drivers (one for each phase x two channels) There are only
effectively 2 capacitors in the signal path and no transformers
Input connectors are DSUB 25 with 8 balanced signals on each connector They follow the AES59
standard as used originally used by Tascam and Digidesign Output connectors are XLR3 male
The MixCube can be remote controlled with MIDI or USB This allows the MixCube to be
controlled with standard MIDI Fader Controllers, including some low cost controllers with moving
faders that shift the faders in response to changes in MixCube settings For example an 8 channel
controller can be used with a 32 channel MixCube and as you access different sets of 8 channels,
the controller will shift the fader positions to represent this set of channels
Installation:
Electrical Safety Warnings:
Do not open the enclosure, ha ardous voltages are present inside!
There are no user serviceable parts inside.
Refer servicing to qualified personnel.
Do not expose this appliance to rain and moisture.
Do not block any ventilation openings. Do not install near heat sources.
Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched. Do not defeat the safety purpose of
the polari ed or grounding plug and connect to a properly grounded mains socket.
According to WEEE Directive (2012/19/EU) this product must not be disposed with household
waste. This product should be taken to a licensed EEE collection center for recycling.
If you need to replace the mains fuse, make sure the replacement has the same rating, 2AT (2
2 Amp) 250V, slow blow).
Up to 32 channels can be installed in the MixCube in groups of 8 Only qualified Fredenstein
distributors can perform the necessary procedures to add addition boards if required Please contact
your Fredenstein dealer or distributor to arrange that upgrade, if desired
Fredenstein Mixcube Manual V1 0 Feb 5, 2016 Page 1

Fredenstein MixCube
The main purpose of the MixCube is to facilitate mixing “outside-the box” This often seems to
provide audible benefits including clearer stereo imaging and depth and sometimes extended lows
and highs The MixCube is ideal for this purpose because it provides both precision level (and pan)
control and provides exact recall This is a significant benefit of digital controlled analog and it
represents a distinct advantage over conventional summing boxes
The outstanding audio performance of the MixCube can be an perceptible advantage compared to
small mixers and the majority of summing boxes with lesser measurable performance
The MixCube is also designed to work with moving fader MIDI controllers Most low cost
controllers can integrate easily with the mix cube and DAW to provide a compact ergonomic
mixing experience With desk space often being limited, the small size of the MixCube and the
portability of a small footprint MIDI controller can make a lot of sense
Similarly the MixCube can be used with the DAW automation Fader moves in the digital domain
can now be substituted to happen in the analog domain You may prefer to have some tracks
automated within the DAW and some tracks fed directly to the MixCube and then control those
channels from spare faders in the DAW You also may like to mix various channels to sub-groups
and send those subgroups or “stems” to an outboard analog compressor and then to the MixCube,
where you can continue to control that group's level with the DAW automation This provides a way
to present the analog compressor with a consistent level while still being able to creative automated
level changes within the mix
And this brings up another of the real benefits of the MixCube You can insert any of your outboard
gear between your DAC and the MixCube's inputs while still being able to control levels, pans, and
mutes from the DAW post processing Of course, you can also insert your 2 buss processing
between the MixCube's outputs and ADC or stereo recording device, which may sport a premium
converter set to a higher sample rate
The MixCube includes several features intended to make life easier for the engineer
1) You can store and recall settings into one of 9 presets This can help when you change songs
frequently, for example during overdubs You can return to a previous mix and make some
final tweaks after getting comments from the client Presets are maintained if power is shut
off as well as the last settings that you were using
2) You can increment or decrement all fader levels at once by 3 dB or 10 dB This can help for
those of us who have experienced “fader creep” on a long mix It is also a great feature to
help find the “sweet spot” driving the mix buss or when driving an outboard compressor or
processor used for adding a bit of color
3) While a FADER BAR is selected, pushing the LEVEL knob sets that channel to zero dB of
gain This can be useful for setting up calibrated levels when a mix is migrated from in-the-
box to out-of-the-box It may also be useful
4) Pressing the PAN (or Balance) knob cycles that channel through Left then Center then Right
which is intended as a time saver to quickly set up channel positions without using the
encoder to adjust in finer resolution
5) The active fader also has a numerical display at the bottom of the screen, for when you just
need to set up some gains to exact 0 5 dB values
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Fredenstein MixCube
Fredenstein Mixcube Manual V1 0 Feb 5, 2016 Page 3

Fredenstein MixCube
Adjusting a Channel
1) Use the CHANNEL knob to select the channel that you want to adjust which is indicated on
the display with the channel FADER BAR changing color to light blue or turquoise If the
MixCube is loaded with more than 8 channels, as you rotate past “8”, the numbers below the
FADER BARS will change to indicate the next group of eight channels
2) Use the LEVEL knob to adjust the level The FADER BAR will change length The highest
level is +10 dB of gain (indicated at the left side of the display) and gain is adjustable in ½
dB steps through most of the range, with some larger steps towards the bottom There are
127 gain steps
3) You can also push the LEVEL knob to set that channel to “zero” or unity gain This is a fast
way to set up calibrated levels
4) Use the PAN knob to adjust the Left – Right position of that channel This is displayed with
a TRIANGLE at the right of that channels FADER BAR Turn the knob counter-clockwise
to move the sound to the left and the TRIANGLE moves up At the right of the display,
there are 3 characters; L, C and R If a TRIANGLE is along the same line a the “C” then it is
panned center The MixCube uses the industry standard “3 dB law” which implies that a
channel at unity gain and panned left or right will be unity gain at that output and if panned
center will be -3 dB to both left and right
5) Use the MUTE button to cut that channel It is a soft mute with no pops or clicks
6) Use the SOLO button to cut all other channels
Adjusting the Output Mix (Master Buss) or Fader Groups
1) Press the MIX button
2) Use the CHANNEL knob to select the MIX or one of the Groups The selection turns blue if
it is not muted or purple if muted
3) Adjust the LEVEL KNOB or MUTE or SOLO (you can not solo the Mix)
4) Press the MIX button to return to the normal mode where any of the individual channels can
be adjusted
Setting Up Groups
1) Use the CHANNEL knob to select the channel that you want to adjust which is indicated on
the display with the channel FADER BAR changing color to light blue or turquoise
2) Press the CHANNEL knob On the display a box will form around the group LEVEL BARS
indicating that the MixCube is in Group mode Use the CHANNEL knob to assign that
channel to a group or no group The FADER BAR will change color to the corresponding
color of that group and below the FADER BAR the text will indicate G1, G2, G3 or G4 or
not if no group is assigned Press the CHANNEL knob again to return to regular channel
select mode Below the CHANNEL knob there is text that reads “JOIN, (push)”
Other Mix Screen Features
1) Stereo Peak Meter with Peak Hold This is an accurate output meter with a range from
below -40 dBu to +20 dBu along with a pair of dots to indicate overload at +28 dBu
2) 4 dots in the lower right corner that indicate how many channels are fitted Each blue dot
represents 8 channels, so 4 dots would show that this MixCube is fitted with 32 channels Of
Fredenstein Mixcube Manual V1 0 Feb 5, 2016 Page 4

Fredenstein MixCube
course, you could look on the back panel to see how many DB25's are occupied
3) Colors galore The MixCube uses color to indicate several functions Normally individual
channel and mix LEVEL BARS are yellow when not muted, grey when muted and blue
when selected for level and pan changes
4) Colors are also used for 0 dB and -10 dB reference lines on the LEVEL BARS and the 0
dBu lines on the meter
5) There are 3 additional indicators at the bottom left corner; a red dot that turns on if there is a
MIDI or USB invalid message which stays red for a few seconds, then turns grey to show
there had been an invalid message There is a green dot that blinks when the MixCube stores
the current settings in local memory related to bringing back settings after powering down
There is also a blue dot that indicates any MIDI or USB messages
MENU Functions
1) Press the PAN knob The display changes to MENU mode Use the PAN knob to cycle
through the list of functions Select one and push the PAN knob (MENU) again to engage
that function
2) AUDIO MENU There are 4 items that are designed as mixing conveniences You can raise
or lower the level all of the channels by 3 dB or 10 dB This can be useful when used in
combination with the Mix level to set the optimum output and possibly the best “sweet spot”
that can be the result of individual channel levels hitting the buss
3) STORE/RECALL MENU To store a Setup, press the PAN knob (MENU) again The
display changes to highlight the number in blue Rotate the PAN knob to select a location to
store into and press the PAN knob (MENU) again The display will indicate “DONE !” then
go back to the STORE/RECALL menu To exit, rotate the PAN knob to highlight the
“EXIT” text and press the knob again, which brings you back to the Main Menu, rotate the
knob to highlight the EXIT there and press the knob again to return to the Mix screen
4) SETUP MENU Enable USB Interface or Enable MIDI Interface Select one or the other
depending on which cables you want to control the MixCube, push the knob and the display
changes to “Disable USB Interface” or ” Disable MIDI Interface” so you can change back if
and when you want
5) To exit the MENU mode use the PAN knob to select “EXIT” and press the PAN knob to
return to the normal mix screen
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Fredenstein MixCube
Fredenstein Mixcube Manual V1 0 Feb 5, 2016 Page 6

Fredenstein MixCube
Pictured below are some of the ways one can connect the MixCube with a Behringer X-Touch
Compact and a computer Just pick one of the ways
This requires the MixCube GUI and some
setting up the DAW with the Controller This is perhaps the easiest method
This requires a MIDI Interface and some
setting up the DAW with the Interface Well, you could go “wireless”
Fredenstein Mixcube Manual V1 0 Feb 5, 2016 Page 7
COMPUTER
USB MI DI
TO COMPU TER TO DEVI CES
USB H UB
PAN PAN PAN PAN PAN PAN PAN PAN
B AL
MI X
TRIM
ALL
SOLO SOLO SOLO SOLO SOLO SOLO SOLO SOLO
CUT CUT CUT CUT CUT CUT CUT CUT
PAGE DOWN
US E A !
PAGE UP
PAG E 1
1-8 9-16
17-24
PAGE 3 PAGE 4
PAG E 2
1
9
17
25
8
16
24
32
M IX
GRO UP
SOL O SOLO SO LO SOL O
1
GRP 1 GRP 1 GRP 1 GRP 1
JOIN JOIN
JOIN
JOIN JOIN JOIN JO IN JOIN
GRO UP GROUP GROUP GROUP GROUP GROUP GROUP
PUSH TO MUTE
PUSH TO ERO
PUSH L-C-R STEP PUSH L-C-R STEP
GROUP
2
GRO UP
3
GROUP
4
CUT
GROUP
1
GROUP
2
GROUP
3
GROUP
4
2
10
18
26
3
11
19
27
4
12
20
28
5
13
21
29
6
14
22
30
7
15
23
31
JOIN
GROUP
MIDI IN MIDI OUT
l
O
PAN PAN PAN PAN PAN PAN PAN PAN
BAL
MIX TR IM
ALL
SOLO SOLO SOLO SOLO SOLO SOLO SOLO SOLO
CUT CUT CUT CUT CUT CUT CUT CUT
PAGE DOW N
USE A !
PAGE UP
PAGE 1
1-8 9-16
17-24
PAGE 3 PAGE 4
PAGE 2
1
9
17
25
8
16
24
32
MIX
GROUP
SOLO SOLO SO LO SOLO
1
GRP 1 GRP 1 GR P 1 GRP 1
JOIN JOIN
JOIN
JOIN JOIN JOIN JOIN JOIN
GROUP GROUP GROUP GROUP GROUP GROUP GROUP
PUSH TO M UTE
PUSH TO E ROPUSH L-C-R STEP PUSH L-C-R STEP
COMPUTER
GROUP
2
GROUP
3
GROUP
4
CUT
GROUP
1
GROUP
2
GROUP
3
GROUP
4
2
10
18
26
3
11
19
27
4
12
20
28
5
13
21
29
6
14
22
30
7
15
23
31
JOIN
GROUP
USB MIDI
TO COMPUTER
MIDI 1 MIDI 2
USB
OUT OUTIN IN
USB HUB
MIDI IN MIDI OUT
PAN PAN PAN PAN PAN PAN PAN PAN
BAL
MIX TR IM
ALL
SOLO SOLO SOLO SOLO SO LO SOLO SOLO SOLO
CUT CUT CUT CUT CUT CUT CUT CUT
PAGE DOWN
USE A !
PAGE UP
PAGE 1
1-8 9-16
17-24
PAGE 3 PAGE 4
PAGE 2
1
9
17
25
8
16
24
32
MIX
GROUP
SOLO SO LO SOLO SOLO
1
GRP 1 GRP 1 G RP 1 G RP 1
JOIN JOIN
JOIN
JOIN JOIN JOIN JOIN JOIN
GROUP GROUP GROUP GROUP GROUP GROUP GROUP
PUSH TO M UTE
PUSH TO E ROPUSH L-C-R STEP PUSH L-C-R STEP
COMPUTER
GROUP
2
GROUP
3
GROUP
4
CUT
GROUP
1
GROUP
2
GROUP
3
GROUP
4
2
10
18
26
3
11
19
27
4
12
20
28
5
13
21
29
6
14
22
30
7
15
23
31
JOIN
GROUP
US B MI DI
TO C OM PUT ER TO D EV IC ES
US B HU B
W IRE L E SS MIDI I NT E R FAC E S
(for e xamp le, C M E-PR O W I D I-X8 )
l
O
MIDI IN MIDI OUT
l
O
PAN PAN PAN PAN PAN PAN PAN PAN
BAL
MIX TRIM
ALL
SOLO SOLO SOLO SOLO SOLO SOLO SOLO SO LO
CUT CUT CUT CUT CUT CUT CUT CUT
PAGE DOWN
USE A !
PAGE UP
PAGE 1
1-8 9-16
17-24
PAGE 3 PAGE 4
PAGE 2
1
9
17
25
8
16
24
32
MIX
GROUP
SOLO SOL O SOLO SOL O
1
GRP 1 GRP 1 GRP 1 GRP 1
JOIN JOIN
JOIN
JOIN JOIN JOIN JOIN JOIN
GROUP GROUP GRO UP GROUP GROUP GROUP GROUP
PUSH TO MUTE
PUSH TO ERO PUSH L-C-R STEP
PUSH L-C-R STEP
GROUP
2
GROUP
3
GROUP
4
CUT
GROUP
1
GROUP
2
GROUP
3
GROUP
4
2
10
18
26
3
11
19
27
4
12
20
28
5
13
21
29
6
14
22
30
7
15
23
31
JOIN
GROUP
USB M IDI
TO COM PUTER TO DEVIC ES
USB HU B

Fredenstein MixCube
Basic connections for 32 channels using a 32 output DAC
Showing some signal processing ideas
Fredenstein Mixcube Manual V1 0 Feb 5, 2016 Page 8
AN ALOG TO D IGITAL CONV ERTER
TO MONI TORS
DIGI TAL INT ER FACE D AC OUTPU TS
l
O
l
O
MON ITO R CONT ROLL ER
DIGITAL INTERFACE DA C O UTP UTS
ADC INP UTS
A INPUTS MONITOR OU TPU TS
TO PO WERED SP EAK ERS
HEADPHONES
INPUTS 1-8
OUTPU TS 1-8
500 SERIE S RACK
B INPUT S
“Y” CAB LES
STEREO BUS S
COM PRESSOR INPU TS
OUT BO ARD REVERB
OUTBOA RD COMPRESSOR
INPUTS
INPUTS
OUT PU TS
OU TPU TS
OUT PUT S

Fredenstein MixCube
Technical Data:
Frequency Response : 2 Hz – 80,000 Hz, - 0 5 dB
250,000 Hz, - 3 dB
Distortion (THD&N): < 0 0009% at +20 dBu Output Level
(THD) < 0 0003% at +20 dBu Output Level
(SMPTE IMD 60/7K) < 0 0009% at +20 dBu Output Level
Signal to Noise (S/N): (Channels muted) < -100 dB at +25 dBu Output Level
(32 Channels @ unity gain) < -99 dB at +25 dBu Output Level
Cross-talk (1 kHz) < -102 dB at +20 dBu Output Level
(10 kHz) < -98 dB at +20 dBu Output Level
Max Input Level : + 28 dBu
Max Output Level : + 28 dBu
Input Impedance : 20 kOhms (2 x 10Kohms)
Output Impedance : 44 Ohms (2 x 22 Ohms)
MIDI jacks on the MixCube are 3 5 mm Tip-Ring-Sleeve (TRS)
Din Pin 2 = TRS Tip
Din Pin 3 = TRS Sleeve
Din Pin 4 = TRS Ring
DB25 Inputs (D-Sub 25)
DB25 Function Function DB25
1 In 8+ In 1 + 24
2 In 8 Gnd In 1 - 12
3 In 7 - In 1 Gnd 25
4 In 6 + In 2 + 10
5 In 6 GND In 2 - 23
6 In 5 - In 2 Gnd 11
7 In 4 + In 3 + 21
8 In 4 Gnd In 3 - 9
9 In 3 - In 3 Gnd 22
10 In 2 + In 4 + 7
11 In 2 Gnd In 4 - 20
12 In 1 - In 4 Gnd 8
13 n/c In 5 + 18
14 In 8 - In 5 - 6
15 In 7 + In 5 Gnd 19
16 In 7 Gnd In 6 + 4
17 In 6 - In 6 - 17
18 In 5 + In 6 Gnd 5
19 In 5 Gnd In 7 + 15
20 In 4 - In 7 - 3
21 In 3 + In 7 Gnd 16
22 In 3 Gnd In 8 + 1
23 In 2 - In 8 - 14
24 In 1 + In 8 Gnd 2
25 In 1 Gnd
Fredenstein Mixcube Manual V1 0 Feb 5, 2016 Page 9

Fredenstein MixCube
MIDI IMPLEMENTATION
Channel 1(9,17,25) Level CC1
Channel 2 Level CC2
Channel 3 Level CC3
Channel 4 Level CC4
Channel 5 Level CC5
Channel 6 Level CC6
Channel 7 Level CC7
Channel 8 Level CC8
MIX Level CC9
Channel 1(9,17,25) Touch CC101 (can be used to select a channel)
Channel 2 Touch CC102
Channel 3 Touch CC103
Channel 4 Touch CC104
Channel 5 Touch CC105
Channel 6 Touch CC106
Channel 7 Touch CC107
Channel 8 Touch CC108
MIX Fader Touch CC109
Channel 1 (9,17,25) Pan CC10
Channel 2 Pan CC11
Channel 3 Pan CC12
Channel 4 Pan CC13
Channel 5 Pan CC14
Channel 6 Pan CC15
Channel 7 Pan CC16
Channel 8 Pan CC17
MIX Balance CC18
Channel 1 (etc) Pan Preset 0 (C-2) (cycles or steps through Left-Center-Right)
Channel 2 Pan Preset 1
Channel 3 Pan Preset 2
Channel 4 Pan Preset 3
Channel 5 Pan Preset 4
Channel 6 Pan Preset 5
Channel 7 Pan Preset 6
Channel 8 Pan Preset 7
MIX Balance Preset 8 (G#2) (returns Balance to equal Left & Right)
Group 1 Level CC22
Group 2 Level CC23
Group 3 Level CC24
Group 4 Level CC25
Group 1 Cut 12 (C-1)
Group 2 Cut 13
Group 3 Cut 14
Group 4 Cut 15 (D#-1)
Channel 1 (9,17,25) Cut (Mute) 32 (G#0)
Channel 2 Cut 33
Channel 3 Cut 34
Channel 4 Cut 35
Channel 5 Cut 36
Channel 6 Cut 37
Channel 7 Cut 38
Channel 8 Cut 39
Mix Cut 48 (C2)
Channel 1 (9,17,25) Solo 40 (E1)
Channel 2 Solo 41
Fredenstein Mixcube Manual V1 0 Feb 5, 2016 Page 10

Fredenstein MixCube
Channel 3 Solo 42
Channel 4 Solo 43
Channel 5 Solo 44
Channel 6 Solo 45
Channel 7 Solo 46
Channel 8 Solo 47 (B#2)
Page 1 49 (C#2) (channels 1-8)
Page 2 50 (channels 9-16)
Page 3 51 (channels 17-24)
Page 4 52 (channels 25-32)
Page Up 53
Page Down 54 (F#2)
Join Group 1 16 (E-1)
Join Group 2 17
Join Group 3 18
Join Group 4 19
Solo Group 1 20
Solo Group 2 21
Solo Group 3 22
Solo Group 4 23 (B-1)
Assign Ch 1 to Group 24 (C0)
Assign Ch 2 to Group 25
Assign Ch 3 to Group 26
Assign Ch 4 to Group 27
Assign Ch 5 to Group 28
Assign Ch 6 to Group 29
Assign Ch 7 to Group 30
Assign Ch 8 to Group 31 (G0)
Adjust all channel levels CC19 (increments and decrements all channels by 3 dB)
NOTE: If you are using the Behringer X-Touch Compact with the MixCube, power up the
Behringer X-Touch Compact first, then turn on the MixCube This allows the MixCube to send the
Behringer X-Touch Compact some instructions when the MixCube boots up It needs to be hooked
up with MIDI cables to the MixCube before hand for all this to happen sweetly The X-Touch
Compact can communicate to a computer with either USB or MIDI It will not communicate with
the MixCube directly through USB (both are slave devices, not hosts)
NOTE: This MIDI mapping works well with the Behringer X-Touch Compact Other motorized
programmable fader controllers with MIDI LEARN functionality may also work fine depending on
the number of faders or rotary controls and buttons available For those that map the MixCube to
other controllers or interfaces, please take pictures and let us know about it Maybe you want to
share and be credited on our site Its nice to have friends and admirers
MIDI Note On and Note Off commands are used for buttons and LEDs For example, if Channel 1
is Muted using the MixCube's Mute button, it will send a MIDI Note On with the value of 32
message Ideally the receiving device sets the appropriate Channel 1 Mute LED on
Another scenario; If on the MIDI controller, we push a Mute Channel 2 button, it should send a
MIDI Note On (33) while the button is pushed, which toggles the mute on the MixCube channel 2
Then as the Mute button is released the controller sends a Note Off (33) command, which triggers
the MixCube to send the mute status of that channel to turn on or turn off the LED on the
Fredenstein Mixcube Manual V1 0 Feb 5, 2016 Page 11

Fredenstein MixCube
controller's channel 2 mute button
Remote controlled PAN; There are 19 PAN positions MIDI controllers increment or decrement the
current position The MixCube will send CC messages to the controller mapped to the 1-127 range
for the benefit of the ring-of LEDs USB control is similar with 0 corresponding to hard left, 64
corresponding to center and 127 corresponding to hard right so that DAW based panning can be
easily translated to the MixCube
Need Dip Switch settings for:
1-8,
9-16
17-24
25-32
Fredenstein Mixcube Manual V1 0 Feb 5, 2016 Page 12
13
2
1
3
4
5R
S
T
1
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
1XLR F
MIDI
DS UB25 TO X LRF
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
3
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
2
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
14
1
25

Contact Info:
Fredenstein Professional Audio
by Orion Communication
7F-1, No 582, Ruei Guang Rd
Neihu District
Taipei 114
Taiwan
Phone : + 886-2-2657-2618
Email : info@fredenstein com
Web : www fredenstein com