FTR DMX8 User manual

DMX8 USB Mixer
Installation Guide

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FTR-InstallationGuide-DMX8.doc 20051222
ii

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.
iii

Table of Contents
Safety Notices .........................................................................................................................................iii
DMX8 USB Mixer................................................................................................................................... 1
Product Outline .................................................................................................................................... 1
System Requirements........................................................................................................................... 1
Installing the DMX8 USB Mixer ........................................................................................................... 2
Voltage Selection................................................................................................................................. 2
Location ............................................................................................................................................... 2
Environment......................................................................................................................................... 3
Connections.......................................................................................................................................... 3
Installing the DMX8 USB Mixer ........................................................................................................... 5
Installation............................................................................................................................................ 5
Configuring Windows® Multimedia Settings .................................................................................... 10
Completing the Installation.................................................................................................................. 11
TheRecord Recorder .......................................................................................................................... 11
FTR Reporter ..................................................................................................................................... 11
Configuring the DMX8 USB Mixer..................................................................................................... 13
Controls.............................................................................................................................................. 13
Adjusting Levels ................................................................................................................................15
Scenes ................................................................................................................................................ 17
About DMX8 Configuration................................................................................................................ 19
DMX8 Meter ......................................................................................................................................... 21
Troubleshooting.................................................................................................................................... 22
Specifications......................................................................................................................................... 24
Appendix A............................................................................................................................................ 26
Diagram 1 – DMX8 Front and Rear Panels....................................................................................... 26
iv

DMX8 USB Mixer
This guide provides general information for the installation and configuration of the
DMX8 USB Mixer.
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 a computer through a Hi-Speed 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 mixdown of all eight inputs.
The simplicity of the USB connection mechanism and the excellent audio performance of
the DMX8 USB Mixer ensure it is compatible with a wide variety of digital recording
environments.
System Requirements
Windows® 2000 SP4 -or-
Windows® XP Home SP1 or greater, -or-
Windows® XP Professional SP1 or greater
Computer with Hi-Speed USB (USB 2.0) Interface
Page 1

Installing the DMX8 USB Mixer
Before commencing an installation make sure you have the following:
DMX8 USB Mixer
DMX8 USB Mixer CD or Software downloaded from www.fortherecord.com
DMX8 USB Mixer Installation Guide (this guide)
Hi-Speed rated USB cable to connect DMX8 USB Mixer to computer (supplied)
Power cable suitable for your region (supplied)
Microphones
Microphone cables wired correctly for the DMX8 XLR connectors
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.
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 computer it is connected to. Hi-
Speed USB has a connection length limit of 16 feet (5 meters).
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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. Overly hot, closely enclosed, humid,
dirty or dusty environments should be avoided. Having decided on a suitable location for
the DMX8 USB Mixer, read the following section when installing and connecting
equipment.
Connections
Connecting the equipment involves the placement and connection of microphones or other
input devices and cables, connection to a computer 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, computer 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 do not lay the cables under
or over the DMX8 USB Mixer. They must lead directly away.
Recording Equipment
Connect the USB output of the DMX8 USB Mixer directly to an available Hi-Speed USB
interface on your computer. Do not connect the DMX8 USB Mixer to the computer via a
hub or repeater. You will require a Hi-Speed rated USB cable like the one supplied with
the DMX8 USB Mixer to make this connection.
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
Page 3

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 to loud 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.
After the drivers and the DMX8 Configuration are installed use the configuration program
to adjust the recording and monitoring levels. See the Configuring the DMX8 USB Mixer
section later in this guide.
Page 4

Installing the DMX8 USB Mixer
Note:
!When you insert the DMX8 USB Mixer CD, the Setup program will determine if
your system meets the minimum software requirements for this product.
If your system does not meet these requirements, the Setup program will provide onscreen
instructions advising which software or upgrades are required. Make sure to print out the
instructions, as you may need to use these as a reference during the installation procedure.
Installation
The DMX8 USB Mixer is supplied with a CD containing drivers, a configuration
program, a meter program and an electronic version of this guide. The following steps
detail the procedures for installing the software.
Please Note: It is important to turn the mixer off before commencing
installation.
Installing the DMX8 USB Mixer software
1. Insert the installation CD into your CD-ROM drive. If the autorun does not start,
double-click DMX8Setup.exe
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From the Welcome to the InstallShield Wizard dialog box click Next.
2. From the Destination Folder dialog box click Next to continue, or click Change
to install to a different folder.
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3. From the Ready to Install the Program dialog box click Install.
Note: An installation progress box will appear briefly.
4. From the InstallShield Wizard Completed dialog box click Finish.
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5. From the DMX8 Configuration Access dialog box select Yes to permit access to
the current user only or No to permit access to all users.
6. To continue with the installation of the DMX8 USB Mixer:
a. Ensure the DMX8 is switched off at the power outlet.
b. Click OK when the power is off.
7. To complete the installation of the DMX8 USB Mixer:
a. Ensure the DMX8 is connected to the computer via a USB cable.
b. Power up the DMX8 by switching it on at the power outlet.
c. Click OK when the power is on.
Page 8

Note: The installation is not complete. Wait for the Found New Hardware
Wizard dialog box for the Antex Electronics USB FTR Mixer Device and
other hardware to be displayed.
8. Windows XP detects the Antex Electronics USB FTR Mixer Device and other
hardware.
9. From the System Settings Change dialog box click Yes to restart your computer.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO RESTART YOUR COMPUTER NOW, EVEN IF
YOU ARE NOT PROMPTED TO DO SO.
Page 9

Configuring Windows® Multimedia Settings
During the installation of the DMX8 USB Mixer, Windows multimedia settings may be
configured in a way that is unsuitable for use with FTR Reporter or TheRecord Recorder.
It is good practice to check the multimedia settings and make adjustments as required.
These settings need to be checked for each user account that is to use FTR Reporter or
TheRecord Recorder.
Ensure that your stereo sound card and drivers for playback are installed and functioning
properly. Refer to the vendor documentation for installation instructions.
To check and adjust Windows multimedia settings:
1. Click Start then click Control Panel.
2. Click Sounds, Speech and Audio Devices.
3. Click Sounds and Audio Devices and select the Audio tab.
4. In the Sound playback section select the standard stereo sound card of your
computer as the playback device from the Default device list. Do not select any
of the Antex USB FTR Wave devices for this playback setting.
5. Click OK.
6. Proceed to the Completing the Installation section of this guide.
7. Repeat these steps for each user account that is to use FTR Reporter or TheRecord
Recorder.
Page 10

Completing the Installation
To complete the installation follow the instructions relevant to your recording software,
FTR Reporter or TheRecord Recorder.
TheRecord Recorder
To complete the installation of the DMX8 USB Mixer:
1. Ensure that the DMX8 USB Mixer is connected to the computer using the
supplied Hi-Speed USB cable.
2. Install the TheRecord Recorder software. Start TheRecord Recorder, and from the
Tools menu click Options. Click the Multimedia tab and select from the
following settings:
a. For 1 or 2 channel recording select 1-Antex USB FTR/1 Wave.
b. For 4 channel recording select DMX8 USB Mixer.
Note: See the TheRecord Recorder User’s Guide for further details.
FTR Reporter
To complete the installation of the DMX8 USB Mixer:
1. Ensure that the DMX8 USB Mixer is connected to the computer using the
supplied Hi-Speed USB cable.
2. Install the FTR Reporter software and run the Settings Wizard. See the
FTR Reporter User’s Guide, and the Running the FTR Reporter Settings Wizard
section below, for details.
Running the FTR Reporter Settings Wizard
Run the Settings Wizard to configure FTR Reporter to record with the DMX8 USB Mixer.
To run the Settings Wizard:
1. Click Start, point to Programs, then FTR Gold then click Settings Wizard.
2. Follow the prompts and the FTR Reporter User’s Guide instructions for running
the Settings Wizard. After selecting the Number of Recording Channels and
Format, the following message is displayed.
Page 11

3. Click OK and complete the Settings Wizard.
Page 12

Configuring the DMX8 USB Mixer
To open the DMX8 Configuration:
•Click Start, point to All Programs, navigate to the DMX8 USB Mixer folder and click
DMX8 Configuration.
Tip: You can create a shortcut on your desktop to open the DMX8 Configuration.
Controls
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
Page 13

Phantom Power
Can be selected if a condenser microphone is connected to the input.
Recording Channel
For 1 channel recording switch all inputs to Recording Channel 1.
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 channel that the input will be mixed to.
Input Level
Adjust the level of each input.
Recording Channel Level
Adjust the level of each Recording channel.
Monitor Channel Level
Adjust the level of each Monitor channel.
Page 14

Adjusting Levels
It is important to adjust the DMX8 USB Mixer inputs and outputs to achieve optimum
audio recording levels. The steps below describe the process that should be used for all
inputs and outputs to achieve this. The Input Levels must be adjusted before adjusting the
Recording Channel Levels or the Monitor Channel Levels.
Adjusting Input Levels:
1. Connect microphones or line sources to the DMX8 USB Mixer inputs.
2. For each input select the appropriate input type (Line, Dynamic, 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:
The recording channel level is the signal level being converted to digital format and is
recorded by the computer.
Note: Recording Channel Levels must be adjusted after the Input Levels 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. If you are recording 1 or 2 channels only, select recording channel 1
and/or 2 as appropriate for each input.
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:
a. Use your recording software to start a recording.
b. Start with all the Recording Channel Level sliders set to 0dB.
Page 15

c. 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:
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. The
configuration of the Monitor Channel output may differ from the configuration of
the Recording Channels if required. This is useful in cases where teleconferencing
is required or where a public address system is in place and feedback needs to be
avoided.
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 16