JLCooper Electronics MixMate User manual

Mix
Mate
eight track automation system
owners manual
first edition
(c) 1988
J.L.Cooper Electronics

Thank you for purchasing MixMate, the
world's first self-contained mixdown automa-
tion system for the eight-track studio. The
J.L.Cooper MixMate is an integrated system
combining professional quality audio with in-
ternal computer control, including the most
comprehensive array of synchronization op-
tions ever made available. When you mix-
down with MixMate, you will be using the
same read/write/update utilities found on con-
sole automation systems that typically cost
$25,000 to $500,000. All in one single user
friendly package. With the MixMate PLUS op-
tion,you also get an attractive graphic display
of fader position, expanded memory, and disk
archiving. Please fill out your warranty card
and mail it soon, (no postage necessary in the
U.S.) so we can keep you abreast of any soft-
ware updates as they become available. If
you have purchased MixMate without the
PLUS option, it may be added at a later time.
Contact your dealer or J.L.Cooper Electronics
for details.
Greetings

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Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chap-
ter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
GETTING STARTED......................................................
THE FRONT AND REAR PANEL...............................
HOOKUP...AUDIO..........................................................
SETTING UP FOR SYNC.............................................
Choosing Sync Type
Hookup For Sync
Striping Sync
Selecting Sync In and Out
MixMate (NORMAL MODE)........................................
Fader and Mute Controls
Clearing Memory
Mixing
Editing
End of Session
MixMate (PLUS MODE)..............................................
Introduction
The Screen
Fader and Mute Controls
Clearing Memory
Mixing
Editing
End of Session
MixMate(LOBO MODES)............................................
MIDI IMPLEMENTATION (INCLUDING SYSEX).....
TROUBLESHOOTING AND SERVICE.......................
SPECS............................................................................
QUICK REFERENCE: MixMate(NORMAL).........
QUICK REFERENCE MixMate(PLUS)...............
1

2

Chapter 1 GETTING STARTED
Chapter 1 GETTING STARTED
MixMate from J.L.Cooper has an amazing number of possible and improba-
ble uses. Please do not be overwhelmed by the sheer number of options.
Rather, be comforted by the fact that once you've completed your set-up,
MixMate's "user transparent" design approach makes operation quite
simple.There are really only three principle ways to run MixMate:
In NORMAL MODE, the "control smarts" reside within MixMate, a "stand
alone " automation system. (Chapter 5)
In PLUS MODE, the "control smarts" reside within an external
computer, using a special software package and circuit card option. (Chap-
ter 6)
In the two LOBO MODES, MixMate has no intelligent control of its own
VCAs, however its synchronization functions still operate. (Chapter 7)
MixMate will default to NORMAL on power up. If you have the PLUS option
installed, MixMate will shift to PLUS mode upon first receipt of commands
from the attached computer. You may also select modes manually.
PRINCIPLE MODE SELECTION IS MADE BY HOLDING THE SHIFT KEY
AND PRESSING EITHER NORMAL, PLUS, LOBO 1, OR LOBO 2.
The LEDs indicate your selection.
If you plan on using MixMate (NORMAL), we recommend that after you
do your audio hook-up, and then make a decision regarding sync, go on
ahead to chapter (5) and start mixing, skip chapter (7), and then read the
remainder of the manual so you will know where to find things when you
need them.
If you own a MixMate with the PLUS OPTION, skip chapter (5) and read
chapter (6) to start mixing. Then read the remainder of the manual.
If you only plan on using MixMate as a brainless box of MIDI-controllable
VCA's, mercilessly slaved to some computer-based event controller
such as DigiDesign's Q-Sheet™ program, chapter (7) "LOBO Modes" will
deal with your kind.
At the very end of the manual you will find two QUICK REFERENCE
summaries.
3

Chapter 2 The Front and Rear Panel
12 456783
Mix
Mate
MUTE MODE
SHIFT SYNC
ENABLE
NULL
Norm Plus Lobo1 Lobo2 F1 MTC CPF F2
[3, 13]
[2, 14]
[4, 12]
[6] [7] [8] [8] [9] [11] [9] [10] [5]
88
88 77 77 66 66 55 55 44 44 33 33 22 22 11 11
IIIINN
NN PP PPOO OOWW WWEE EERR RR OO OOUU UUTT TT
PP
PPLL LLUU UUSS SS PP PPOO OORR RRTT TTSS SS
MM
MMIIIIDD DDIIII SS
SSYY YYNN NNCC CC
TT
TTOO OO TT TTAA AAPP PPEE EE FF FFRR RROO OOMM MM TT TTAA AAPP PPEE EE
[[
[[11 1177 77]] ]] [[ [[11 1188 88]] ]] [[ [[22 2211 11]] ]] [[ [[22 2222 22]] ]] [[ [[11 1166 66]] ]]
[[
[[11 1199 99]] ]] [[ [[22 2200 00]] ]] [[ [[22 2233 33]] ]]
[16]
[1]
[17]

ENABLES: Makes fader "live". Toggles fader from READ to either WRITE or UP-
DATE modes. In MUTE MODE, activates mute on specific audio channel.
MODE: Selects Fader and Mute Edit Modes.
SYNC: Selects SMPTE or FSK operation. While holding this button down, pressing
button #1 or #2 will select either the FSK Fast or Slow mode.
MUTE: Selects MUTE mode.
SHIFT: Enables access to SHIFT functions
SHIFT functions:
NORMAL: This puts MixMate into the standard self-contained mode. The unit will de-
fault to NORMAL when power is switched on.
PLUS: This is used with the PLUS OPTION circuit card installed for graphic dis-
play and expanded memory.
LOBO 1 and LOBO 2 : Allow the MixMate to send and respond to MIDI Controller
or Note Commands in any range on a selected MIDI channel to allow an external se-
quencer or event controller to store fader/mute moves.
F1 and CPF: Future modes to be determined, your suggestions are welcome!
ECHO (Labeled F2 on some units): Enables MIDI echo on.
MTC: Enables output of MIDI Time Code when receiving SMPTE.
ERASE: Clears memory.
STRIPE: Initiates striping of selected sync tone to tape. While holding these two but-
tons down, you may select a SMPTE Frame Rate by pressing on keys #1 through
#4.
CHAN: Display and select MIDI channel (LOBO modes only).
DUMP: Pressing SHIFT: SYNC: MODE will cause MixMate to perform a Systems
Exclusive Dump of its memory.
ENABLE: These generally either show the write enable status of a given channel's
fader, or (in mute mode) show if a channel's mute is ON.
NULL: These show the agreement between the physical position of the fader and the
actual level of the VCA. In Update Mode, the Null Leds show agreement between the
fader and its "punch-in" position.
WRITE ON : WRITE MODE
UPDATE ON : UPDATE MODE
Both On : MANUAL MODE
Both Off : READ ALL MODE
FSK ON : "smart" FSK Mode or external MIDI Sync
SMPTE ON : SMPTE Mode
While holding SHIFT: SYNC, ENABLE LEDs #1 through #4 display the selected
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
(8)
(9)
(10)
(11)
(12)
(13)
(14)
(15)
switches
switches
leds
leds
5

SMPTE Frame Rate.
While holding the SYNC key, Enable LEDs #1 and #2 display the selected FSK Fast/Slow
mode.
Power Connector... Insert the DIN plug of the power pack into this jack, not
the MIDI connectors!
MIDI IN... This connects to the Midi Out of an attached sequencer
which is either controlling (Lobo Mode) or supplying syn-
chronization to the MixMate.
MIDI OUT This connects to the Midi In of an attached device which
is relying upon MixMate for MTC or MIDI Clock data.
When Echo function is enabled, data going into Midi In
will echo out this port.
PLUS PORT IN This would attach to the Midi Out of the Atari St or Macin-
tosh computer running the Plus Option software.
PLUS PORT OUT This would attach to the Midi In of the Atari ST or Macin-
tosh computer running the Plus Option software.
TO TAPE When striping FSK or SMPTE tone to tape, this jack pro-
vides the signal.
FROM TAPE The sync signal from the tape recorder attaches to this
connector.
IN and OUT (1-8) These are the audio signal jacks that either attach to the
Insert points of the mixer board, or are attached between
the tape deck and the mixer board.
(16)
(17)
(18)
(19)
(20)
(21)
(22)
(23)
leds
rear panel
6

Chapter 3 Hookup Audio
The MixMate uses standard RCA connectors for both audio and sync.
Each channel of audio is to be routed through a dbx VCA, which acts as
an attenuator. This means that when the MixMate's fader is "full on", the
signal level coming out of the MixMate will be equal to the signal level
coming in ("unity gain"). The MixMate operates at -10dBm (that is,0 VU)
so the Mix Mate may be either inserted into the signal path between your
transport and your console, or into the console's individual channel insert
points. Channel send goes into an IN, and OUT goes to the channel re-
turn.
Alternately, you may use your MixMate to automate the output level of
synths, tone generators, or practically anything you wish! (Provided that
the signal level is approximately -10dBm)
You'll notice that if you are automating tape tracks that you will only need
to hook-up seven tracks, because one track will have a sync tone record-
ed on it. That will free up an extra VCA for you to find some interesting
use for ( an AUX send, perhaps).
The power supply uses a five-pin DIN plug. Just be sure that you plug it
into the jack marked POWER.
Turn power on by pushing the switch marked POWER. TRY OUT Mix-
Mate NOW TO VERIFY YOUR AUDIO HOOK UP. To use MixMate as
a gain controller without sync, you may have MixMate in any mode. You
can now control the level of each audio channel by moving the faders.
(Leave the faders on your mixing console at 0 dB . Pressing the MUTE
key puts MixMate into MUTE MODE [MUTE LED on]. Use the ENABLE
keys above each fader to mute channels.)
If you have the MixMate PLUS option, you'll need to use two MIDI cables
to hook up the PLUS PORT OUT to your computer's MIDI IN. Hook up
PLUS PORT IN to computer's MIDI OUT. ( And vice versa.)
power
verify
plus
audio
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