Midas XL8 User manual

XL8 Control Centre
Quick Reference Guide
Midas,
Klark Teknik Building,
Walter Nash Road,
Kidderminster.
Worcestershire.
DY11 7HJ.
England.
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.midasconsoles.com
XL8 Control Centre - Quick Reference Guide
DOC04-XL8 Issue C - February 2007
© Telex Communications (UK) Limited
In line with the company’s policy of continual improvement, specifications and function may be
subject to change without notice. This Quick Reference Guide was correct at the time of writing. E&OE.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol within an equilateral triangle is
intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated “dangerous voltage”
within the product's enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a
risk of electric shock to persons.
The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user
to the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions
in the literature accompanying the product.
1. Read these instructions.
2. Keep these instructions.
3. Heed all warnings.
4. Follow all instructions.
5. Do not use this apparatus near water.
6. Clean only with a dry cloth.
7. Do not block any of the ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s
instructions.
8. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other
apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat.
9. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type plug. A polarized plug
has two blades with one wider than the other. A grounding type plug has two blades and a
third grounding prong. The wide blade or the third prong are provided for your safety. If the
provided plug does not fit into your outlet, consult an electrician for replacement of the
obsolete outlet.
10. Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs, convenience
receptacles and the point where they exit from the apparatus.
11. Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.
12. Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time.
13. Refer all servicing to qualified personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus has been
damaged in any way, such as power-supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or
objects have fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture,
does not operate normally, or has been dropped.
14. Use the mains plug to disconnect the apparatus from the mains.
15. “DO NOT EXPOSE THIS EQUIPMENT TO DRIPPING OR SPLASHING AND ENSURE THAT NO
OBJECTS FILLED WITH LIQUIDS, SUCH AS VASES, ARE PLACED ON THE EQUIPMENT”
16. “THE MAINS PLUG OF THE POWER SUPPLY CORD SHALL REMAIN READILY OPERABLE”
WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK,
DO NOT EXPOSE THIS APPARATUS TO RAIN OR MOISTURE AND
OBJECTS FILLED WITH LIQUIDS, SUCH AS VASES, SHOULD NOT BE
PLACED ON THIS APPARATUS OR EQUIVALENT.
AVIS: RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE. NE PAS OUVRIR
CAUTION
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN

Telex Communications (UK) Limited, Klark Teknik Building,
Walter Nash Road, Kidderminster. Worcs. DY11 7HJ. England.
Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone]
www.midasconsoles.com
EU DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY
We, Telex Communications (UK) Limited of Klark Teknik Building, Walter Nash Road, Kidderminster,
Worcestershire, DY11 7HJ, declare that a sample of the following product:
to which this declaration refers, is in conformity with the following directives and/or standards:
Signed: .................................................. Date: 5th February 2007
Name: Simon Harrison
Authority: Research and Development Director, Telex Communications (UK) Limited
Attention!
Where applicable, the attention of the specifier, purchaser, installer or user is drawn to special limitations of
use which must be observed when these products are taken into service to maintain compliance with the
above directives. Details of these special measures and limitations to use are available on request and are
available in product manuals.
Company registration No. 2414018. A subsidiary of Telex Communications Inc.
Product Type Number Product Description Nominal Voltage(s) Current Freq.
XL8 Control Centre 115V AC
230V AC 12A 6A 50/60Hz
Directive(s) Test Standard(s)
89/336/EEC Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive amended by
92/31/EEC & 93/68/EEC 73/23/EEC,
Low Voltage Directive, amended by 93/68/EEC
Generic Standard Using EN55103 Limits and Methods EN50081/1
Class B Conducted Emissions PAVI EN55103
Class B Radiated Emissions PAVI EN55103
Fast Transient Bursts at 2kV EN61000-4-4
Static Discharge at 4kV EN61000-4-2
Electrical Stress Test EN60204
Electrical Safety EN60065 7th Edition

End-User License Agreement for Midas™ and Klark Teknik™ Software
IMPORTANT - Please read this document carefully before using this Midas™ or
Klark Teknik™ product. This is an agreement governing your use of software or
other machine instructions already installed on the Midas™ or Klark Teknik™
product, as well as other software that we provide for installation on the product.
The Midas™ or Klark Teknik™ product will not operate in accordance with its
documentation without this software.
THIS AGREEMENT ("AGREEMENT" OR "LICENSE") STATES THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS UPON WHICH
TELEX COMMUNICATIONS, INC. ("COMPANY") OFFERS TO LICENSE THE INSTALLED FIRMWARE,
SOFTWARE, AND/OR PROGRAM ("the SOFTWARE") WITH THE MIDAS™ OR KLARK TEKNIK™ CONSOLE
OR SIGNAL PROCESSING PRODUCT ("PRODUCT") IN WHICH IT WAS INSTALLED BY, OR PROVIDED
FOR BY, THE COMPANY. YOU ARE AGREEING TO BECOME BOUND BY THE TERMS OF THIS LICENSE. IF
YOU DO NOT AGREE TO THE TERMS OF THIS LICENSE, DO NOT USE THIS PRODUCT. PROMPTLY
RETURN THE PRODUCT TO THE PLACE WHERE YOU OBTAINED IT FOR A FULL REFUND. You agree to
notify any persons who you permit to operate this Product of the terms of this License, and to expressly
obligate them in writing to comply with these terms.
The installed software as supplied by the Company is licensed, not sold, to you for use only under the
terms of this License, and the Company reserves all rights not expressly granted to you. You own the
Product on or in which the Software has been installed by the Company, but the Company retains
ownership of all copies of the Software itself, including those stored on or in the Product.
1. License: This limited License allows you, and other persons you permit to operate the Product,
to use the Software only on the single Product unit in which it was installed.
2. Restrictions: (a) The Software and the accompanying written materials are copyrighted, and
contain trade secrets and other proprietary matter, including confidential information relating to
the specifications and performance characteristics of Company's products. The Software is
protected by state trade secret laws as well as U.S. and international copyright and intellectual
property laws and treaties. All rights to copyrights, trademarks and trade secrets in the Software
or any modifications to it are owned by Company. Unauthorized copying of the Software or any
portion thereof, or copying of the written materials, is prohibited. (b) You may not create,
market, distribute, or transfer copies of the Software to others or electronically transfer or
duplicate the Software, or rent, lease, or loan the Software, except in conjunction with the sale,
transfer, loan, rent, or lease of the Product on which it is installed, and subject at all times to this
License. YOU MAY NOT REVERSE ENGINEER, DECOMPILE, DISASSEMBLE, MODIFY, ADAPT,
PORT, OR TRANSLATE THE SOFTWARE OR CREATE DERIVATIVE WORKS BASED ON THE
SOFTWARE OR ANY ACCOMPANYING WRITTEN MATERIALS. (c) In the event you violate any term
of this Agreement, all licenses granted herein automatically terminate and you must stop using
the Software and destroy any copies of the Software or remove them from the Product.
3. Limited Warranty: Subject to your installation of any Software updates issued by the Company
as described herein, the Company warrants that the Software shall cause the Product to operate
in compliance with the Product's material specifications and documentation for a period of
90 days from your purchase of the Product. The Company does not warrant that the operation of
the Software will meet your requirements or operate free from error. The Company DISCLAIMS
ALL WARRANTIES AND CONDITIONS EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE
WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND
NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THIRD PARTY RIGHTS. You understand that the Company may update
or revise the Software and in so doing incurs no obligation to furnish such updates to you.
However, the Company may in its discretion make updates available from time to time upon such
terms and conditions as it shall determine. It is a condition of any warranty granted pertaining to
either the Software or the Product, that you install any such Software updates, as may be issued
from time to time by the Company for the Product or the Software, in accordance with
Company's instructions. You may view current Software updates at http://www.klarkteknik.com
and http://www.midasconsoles.com

4. Limited Liability: THE LIABILITY OF THE COMPANY FOR ANY CLAIMS ARISING OUT OF THIS
LICENSE AND/OR BASED UPON THE SOFTWARE, REGARDLESS OF THE FORM OF ACTION, SHALL
NOT EXCEED THE GREATER OF THE LICENSE FEE FOR THE SOFTWARE OR THE COST OF THE
PRODUCT. IN NO EVENT SHALL TELEX BE LIABLE FOR ANY LOSS OF DATA, LOST OPPORTUNITY
OR PROFITS, COST OF COVER, OR SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR INDIRECT
DAMAGES, EVEN IF YOU ADVISE COMPANY OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. THIS IS
AN ESSENTIAL TERM OF THIS AGREEMENT AND YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE AMOUNT YOU
PAID FOR THE PRODUCT AND SOFTWARE REFLECTS THIS ALLOCATION OF RISK.
5. Other Third-Party Computer Programs: As referred to herein, the term "Software" refers
only to proprietary Midas™ or Klark Teknik™ Software, developed by Company, that has been
provided to you for installation on, or already installed in, your Midas™ or Klark Teknik™ Product.
In addition to this Software, you may have also been provided, at no additional charge, a version
of the widely-available Linux software, which is a modular operating system made up of
hundreds of individual software components, each of which were written and copyrighted
individually by various parties (collectively, the "Linux Programs"). Each component has its own
applicable end user license agreement. Many of the Linux Programs are licensed pursuant to a
Linux End User License Agreement ("Linux EULA") that permits you to copy, modify, and
redistribute the Software. However, you must review the on-line documentation that shares a
directory or otherwise accompanies each of the Linux Programs included in this Product, for the
applicable Linux EULA. Nothing in this license agreement limits your rights under, or grants you
rights that supersede, the terms of any applicable Linux EULA. If you wish to receive a
computer-readable copy of the source code for the Linux programs that have been provided with
your Midas™ or Klark Teknik™ product, send a check or money order (no cash accepted), your
address, and $10.00 to cover the cost of optical media, postage and handling, to:
Telex Communications, Inc.
ATTN: Linux Programs CD for Midas™/Klark Teknik™
12000 Portland Ave South
Burnsville, Minnesota 55337.
In your request, indicate your Product's name and model number, serial number, and
version/release information. This offer made pursuant to the Linux EULA may expire according
to the terms of the Linux EULA, in which case your check will be returned to you or destroyed at
our option. Please note that the Linux distribution that may be available to you under this offer
consists of the Linux kernel only and does not contain any application software not
covered by the Linux EULA. Other updated Linux distributions containing application software
are widely available from a variety of Internet sources, and are often available at minimal or no
cost.
6. Termination: This License will terminate immediately if you violate any of the License terms.
Upon termination you must discontinue use of the Software, and either destroy, erase, or return
to Company all copies of the Software in your possession, custody or control, including those in
or on the Product.
7. General: This License constitutes the entire agreement between you and Company with respect
to this Software and supersedes any other communication (including advertising). If any
provision of this License is held unenforceable, that provision shall be enforced to the maximum
extent permissible so as to give effect the intent of this License, and the remainder of this
License shall continue in full force and effect. This License shall be governed by the laws of the
State of Minnesota, and the federal laws of the United States, without reference to conflict of
laws principles. You agree that the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International
Sale of Goods is inapplicable to both this License and to the sale of the Product.

vii
XL8 Control Centre
Quick Reference Guide
Safety Precautions
Before installing, setting up or operating this equipment please ensure that
you have read and fully understand all of this section and the “IMPORTANT
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS” at the front of this guide.
This equipment is supplied by a mains voltage that can cause electric shock injury!
The following special limitations must be observed in order to maintain safety and
electromagnetic compatibility performance.
Safety warnings
This equipment is fitted with two PowerCon® mains power sockets. For safety
reasons the earth leads must not be disconnected.
Signal 0V is connected internally to the chassis.
To completely disconnect this equipment from the AC mains, while observing
full safety precautions (see “Power” on page viii), switch off the five bay
isolator switches (rear of control centre) one at a time and then switch off the
mains at the two mains outlets that the PowerCon® mains leads are connected
to. It is now safe to isolate the control centre by unplugging the two
PowerCon® mains leads from rear of control centre.
Do not expose this equipment to dripping or splashing and ensure that no
objects filled with liquids, such as drinks glasses or cans, are placed on the
equipment.
To prevent shock or fire hazard, do not expose the equipment to rain or
moisture. To avoid electrical shock do not remove covers. Refer servicing to
qualified personnel only.
The power supplies - even the DC ones - have a high current!
General precautions
The following information gives basic safety precautions that should be observed to
reduce the risk of fire, electric shock and personal injury:
• Only properly trained service personnel familiar with this guide and with the
generally applicable safety regulations should service the equipment.
• Safety instructions detailed in the guide should be understood and properly
implemented.
• In the event of ground loop problems, disconnect the signal screen at one end of the
connecting cables. Note that this can only be done when the equipment is used
within a balanced system.
• Never operate damaged equipment and never operate equipment with damaged
cables.
• Any part that is damaged should be properly repaired or replaced. This must be
done by a fully trained and authorised service engineer.
• Observe all warnings, cautions etc. on any part of the equipment.
• Do not remove, hide or deface any warnings or cautions.

viii Safety Precautions
XL8 Control Centre
Quick Reference Guide
Power
THE XL8 SYSTEM COMPONENTS SHOULD NEVER BE OPERATED WITH THE
MAINS EARTH DISCONNECTED!
Please note that the system power supplies contain LETHAL VOLTAGES greatly in
excess of the mains voltage and that its rails can produce extremely large currents that
could burn out equipment and wiring if shorted. All testing and servicing must ONLY be
carried out by approved service engineers.
This apparatus should only be operated with the power supply connected to ground via
the ground in the mains connector.
The internal power supplies are of the switch mode type that automatically sense the
incoming mains voltage and will work where the nominal voltage is in the range
100VAC to 240VAC.
Two PowerCon® mains inlets are provided on the rear panel. The correct leads for
connection in the area to which the unit was shipped are supplied with the unit. The
equipment should only be plugged into the mains outlets using the supplied leads.
We strongly recommend that, for safety and to optimise the life and performance of the
equipment, the mains cable plugs are removed from the power outlets when the
equipment is not to be used for extended periods of time or during electrical storms.
When removing the equipment’s electric plugs from the outlets, always hold the plug
itself and not the cable. Pulling out the plug by the cable can damage it.
Never insert or remove an electric plug with wet hands.
Do not insert or remove a PowerCon® connector into/from the rear of control centre
with mains power and any of the mains bay switches on. You must make sure all mains
bay switches are off and mains is switched off at the power outlet(s) first.
When switching the five bay mains on/off switches on or off please make sure it is done
one at a time. It is important that you don’t switch on or off two or more
simultaneously.
Before switching the XL8 on or off, please make sure that all monitor loudspeaker
power amplifiers are turned off or muted.
Handling the equipment
Completely isolate the equipment electrically and disconnect all cables from the
equipment before moving it.
When lifting or moving the equipment, always take its size and weight into
consideration. If necessary, use suitable lifting equipment or transporting gear, or
sufficient additional personnel.
Do not insert your fingers or hand in any gaps or openings on the equipment, for
example, vents.
Avoid inserting or dropping foreign objects, such as paper, plastic, metal etc., into any
gaps or openings on the equipment, for example, vents. If this happens, immediately
disconnect the equipment from the AC mains; see “Safety warnings” on page vii. Then
have the equipment inspected by the manufacturer's qualified service personnel.
Do not press or rub on the sensitive surface of the GUI screens.
If the glass of the GUI screen is broken, liquid crystals shouldn’t leak through the break
due to the surface tension of the thin layer and the type of construction of the LCD
panel. However, in the unlikely event that you do make contact with this substance,
please wash it out with soap.

Safety Precautions ix
XL8 Control Centre
Quick Reference Guide
Installation
Before installing the equipment:
• Make sure the equipment is correctly connected to the protective earth conductor of
the mains voltage supply of the system installation through the mains leads.
• Power to the equipment must be via a fused spur.
• Power plugs must be inserted in socket outlets provided with protective earth
contacts. The electrical supply at the socket outlets must provide appropriate
over-current protection.
• Both the mains supply and the quality of earthing must be adequate for the
equipment.
• Before connecting up the equipment, check that the mains power supply voltage
rating corresponds with the local mains power supply. The rating of the mains power
supply voltage is printed on the equipment.
Location
• Ideally a cool area is preferred, away from power distribution equipment or other
potential sources of interference.
• Do not install the equipment in places of poor ventilation.
• Do not install this equipment in a location subjected to excessive heat, dust or
mechanical vibration. Allow for adequate ventilation around the equipment, making
sure that its fans and vents are not obstructed. To prevent excessive heating of the
equipment, avoid mounting it directly above power amplifiers or other devices that
radiate significant amounts of heat such as, radiators and heaters. Keep the
equipment out of direct sunlight.
• Do not place the equipment in an unstable condition where it might accidentally fall
over.
• Make sure that the mains voltage and fuse rating information of the equipment will
be visible after installation.
Audio connections
To ensure the correct and reliable operation of your XL8 Control Centre, only high
quality balanced, screened, twisted pair audio cable should be used.
XLR connector shells should be of metal construction so that they provide a screen
when connected to the console and, where appropriate, they should have Pin 1
connected to the cable screen.

xSafety Precautions
XL8 Control Centre
Quick Reference Guide
Radio frequency interference
Class B device
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital
device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide
reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This
equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed
and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a
particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or
television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the
user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following
measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the
receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio TV technician for help.
Electric fields
Caution:
In accordance with Part 15 of the FCC Rules & Regulations, “… changes or
modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance
could void the user's authority to operate the equipment.”
Should this product be used in an electromagnetic field that is amplitude modulated by
an audio frequency signal (20Hz to 20kHz), the signal to noise ratio may be degraded.
Degradation of up to 60dB at a frequency corresponding to the modulation signal may
be experienced under extreme conditions (3V/m, 90% modulation).
Operation
To avoid electrical shock, never operate the equipment with the covers removed.
Safety equipment
Never remove, for example, covers, housings or any other safety guards. Do not
operate the equipment or any of its parts if safety guards are ineffective or their
effectiveness has been reduced.
Optional equipment
Unless advised otherwise, optional equipment must only be installed by service
personnel and in accordance with the appropriate assembly and usage regulations.
Special accessories
To comply with part 15 of the FCC Rules, any special accessories (that is, items that
cannot be readily obtained from multiple retail outlets) supplied with this equipment
must be used with this equipment; do not use any alternatives as they may not fulfil
the RF requirement.

xi
XL8 Control Centre
Quick Reference Guide
Contents
Chapter 1 Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
About this guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
XL8 Live Performance System overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Control centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Bays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Control surface layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
GUI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Input bay GUI display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Mix bay GUI display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Output bay GUI display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Pull-out keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Front and rear connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Chapter 2 Connections, Setting Up And Powering Up . . . . . . . . .7
Description of the XL8 connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Front and rear connector panels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Connecting up the XL8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Cable type and function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Manual set-up of unit IDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Powering the XL8 system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
To power up the XL8 system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
To power down the XL8 system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Switching the XL8 Control Centre on/off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
To switch on the XL8 Control Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
To switch off the XL8 Control Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Booting up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Chapter 3 Getting Started. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Control surface layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Saving your work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Saving a show versus storing a scene . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Working with the controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
To adjust a GUI control knob via glide pad/trackball . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Navigating the inputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
How input channels are displayed on the GUI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
To select a bank of input channels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
To select an input channel by typing in its number . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Setting a mic amplifier’s input gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
To set stage box gain/console gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Setting the high and low pass filters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
To set both high and low pass filters in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Input equalisation (E zone) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
To EQ the input signal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

xii Contents
XL8 Control Centre
Quick Reference Guide
Input dynamics processing (D zone) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
To set up a compressor/limiter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
To set up a gate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
VCA/POP groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
To assign input channels to a VCA/POP group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
To set up the name and colour of a VCA/POP group . . . . . . . . . . . .26
To recall a VCA/POP input group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
Navigating the outputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
To select the output screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
To select a bank of auxes or returns to the mix bay . . . . . . . . . . . .28
To select an output channel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
Setting up a mix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
To set up an aux mix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
To program a mix preset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
Setting up the effects rack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
To add an effect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
Routing an aux to an effect or output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
To route an aux . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
Simple routing to master stereo outputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
Scenes (automation) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
To create a new show . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
To save a show . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
To load a show . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
To store a scene . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
To recall a scene . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
Naming inputs and outputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40
To change the name and colour of an input . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40
To change the name and colour of an output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40
Areas A and B (split surface/dual operation) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41
Saving your show files to USB memory stick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42
To save a show file to a USB memory stick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42
Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43
To check active master controller via the GUI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43

1
XL8 Control Centre
Quick Reference Guide
Chapter 1: Introduction
The XL8 Control Centre is a user-friendly, state-of-the-art, high performance digital
console that forms an integral part of the XL8 Live Performance System, which has
been specifically designed for live use.
The XL8 Control Centre comprises a combined control surface and graphical user
interface (GUI) that provide an array of easy-to-use controls for precise manipulation of
audio. The control surface has been designed to emulate the fast access of an analogue
control surface by presenting things in a familiar, consistent and logical way so that
experienced analogue engineers can migrate easily to the new digital surface. This is
enhanced by visual representations on the GUI at the top of control surface, which also
provides extra functionality.
About this guide
This quick reference guide shows you how to connect up an XL8 Live Performance
System, switch on the XL8 Control Centre and then quickly familiarises you with its
basic operation in order to produce some audio.
For full details on connecting and setting up, operation, servicing etc., please refer to
the XL8 Control Centre Operator Manual, part number DOC02-XL8, which is available at
www.midasconsoles.com.
Front viewSide view
GUI screens
Control surface
Fader tray
GUI screen
Bay Control surface

2Chapter 1: Introduction
XL8 Control Centre
Quick Reference Guide
XL8 Live Performance System overview
The XL8 Live Performance System is a very powerful and flexible audio processing
system that provides a complete solution for any audio mixing and signal distribution
application in a sound environment.
The XL8 Control Centre forms the core of the XL8 Live Performance System, which also
includes a number of 19” rack modules that are interconnected by a networked data
system. The network carries both proprietary control data and open architecture
AES50 digital audio, and uses readily available standard cabling and connectors.
Along with the XL8 Control Centre, there are four mic splitters, five I/O units, 10 DSP
units, two routers and a Klark Teknik DN9331 RAPIDE that, between them, form the
standard XL8 Live Performance System configuration.
The XL8 Live Performance System is tolerant of any single failure of hardware or
software. To achieve this the system employs dual redundancy, where a key
component has a identical redundant spare that is ready to take over should it fail.
Other failure scenarios are managed by the N+1 principle, where redundant
components form an acceptable fraction of the system, for example, one of the DSP
units in the rack is a redundant spare.
Control centre
The XL8 Control Centre is built on a robust Midas steel frame chassis similar to those
used for established Midas analogue products. The frame houses five bays, each of
which is a discrete hardware module that can operate independently of its neighbour.
Collectively, the bays provide the primary mixing needs of the engineer.
Each bay has its own power supply, control surface modules, control surface
processors, GUI processor and GUI screen. The control surface and GUI processors for
each bay are separately connected to the network on duplicated Ethernet links. Also
housed within each bay are dual redundant master control processors and dual
redundant high-speed network routers (eight AES50 connections each).
The control surface of the XL8 Control Centre is populated with instantly recognisable
controls that are logically distributed in major sections, so that all the controls you need
to access most of the time are always on the control surface, while the remainder are
only one action away. All I/O meters are permanently on display, both on the control
surface and the GUI (if configured), to give instant monitoring feedback. The layout
also allows two operators to work on the XL8 Control Centre simultaneously.
The principle of XL8 Control Centre operation is based on the concept of colours and
groups rather than ‘layering’ or ‘paging’, which is the case with most digital consoles on
the market today. With so many channels available it is far easier to remember them
by their group colour and name rather than by their channel number.
Multiple hardware faults are tolerated by the XL8 Control Centre without loss of audio
control due to the dual redundancy and N+1 methods incorporated in the system. This
is further helped by the modular nature of the bays and GUI independence. So if a
whole bay fails, others can take over or be used instead, and any of the GUI screens
can be used to operate the whole XL8 Control Centre, even if none of the control
surface hardware is working.

Bays 3
XL8 Control Centre
Quick Reference Guide
Bays
The XL8 control centre has five bays, of which there are three types:
•Input Bays (3-off): Provide fast access to large numbers of faders and important
input signal processing controls. The bays are numbered 1, 2 and 3, in order from
left to right.
•Mix Bay: Gives fast access to large numbers of creative mix faders.
•Output Bay: Gives access to the matrix/master output mixes and monitor faders,
the automation central control and large quantities of complex signal processing
systems.
Each bay has a GUI screen at the top and a control surface below, which is subdivided
into a control area (shallow rake) and a flat (horizontal) area at the bottom that
contains faders, navigation zones, automation etc.
Figure 1: Bays
GUI screens
Control area
(shallow rake)
Fader tray (flat)
Bays
Mix OutputInput 1 Input 2 Input 3
Input bay
1 2 3
Mix bay Output bay

4Chapter 1: Introduction
XL8 Control Centre
Quick Reference Guide
Control surface layout
The diagram below shows the main control surface areas of the five bays.
•A- input fast zone: contains operator’s ‘must have now’ controls in eight input
fast strips.
•B- input channel strip: provides a more comprehensive control by allowing
detailed adjustments to a single channel’s audio parameters; contains D-zone
(dynamic parameters) and E-zone (EQ parameters).
•C- input navigation zone: for input GUI navigation via glide pad, and input
channel selection using an array of keys.
•D- mix fast zone: auxiliary (aux) mix masters in eight dual-channel mix fast
strips.
•E- output channel strip: provides a more comprehensive control by allowing
detailed adjustments to a single channel’s audio parameters.
•F- VCA and POP groups: VCA and POP group select buttons and VCA faders.
•G- output fast zone: output (matrix) mix masters in eight dual-channel output
fast strips, and also stereo (left and right) and mono masters.
•H- monitors: A and B signal path monitoring, communications and mute groups.
•I- I-zone: operator-assignable effects controls.
•J- automation: scene store/recall and system edit.
•K- primary navigation zone: for mix bay and output bay GUI screen navigation
via trackballs, and screen access panel for quick access to certain GUI screen menu
options.
A A ABB B
DEG
F
Mix OutputInput 1 Input 2 Input 3
CCC
H
K
JI

GUI 5
XL8 Control Centre
Quick Reference Guide
GUI
The XL8 Control Centre has a graphical user interface (GUI) that provides a backdrop to
the control surface. The GUI comprises five screens that have been manufactured to a
high specification to give good definition in areas of strong light. This allows their
displays to be clearly visible in sunlight, which makes the XL8 ideal for outdoor
performances.
The GUI screen displays are designed to pictorially represent the layout of the control
surface, making them easy to follow and quickly understood. Not only do they reflect
what is happening on the control surface, but they also provide extra functionality via a
main GUI menu.
Each type of bay has its own specific GUI display and, generally, each GUI screen will
follow its bay navigation. However, the GUI screens are independent of their ‘home’
bay and can all perform the same tasks. This means that they can access any display
in the system at any time, even if this temporarily detaches it from its default task. So,
you can use any GUI screen to access the GUI menu (click on home at the top
left-hand corner). This menu provides access to all the screens that you will require to
set up, configure, manage and operate the entire XL8 Control Centre, all from a single
drop-down list of easy to follow options.
The following subsections show the standard bay screen displays.
Input bay GUI display
Shows input fast zone containing a bank of eight input
channels, plus input channel strip on the right.
Mix bay GUI display
Option of two displays:
default dashboard screen
(immediate right) showing
all meters, or output
channel screen (far right)
with 16 mix fast strips
(masters have only three).
Both displays have an
output channel strip on the
right.
Mix bay Output bayInput bay 1 Input bay 2 Input bay 3

6Chapter 1: Introduction
XL8 Control Centre
Quick Reference Guide
Output bay GUI display
Default display is the
effects screen (immediate
right), but can be changed
to any of a variety of
screens commonly
required, such as input
channels, groups,
automation (far right),
monitors etc.
Pull-out keyboard
A QWERTY keyboard is situated underneath the output bay. It is fitted on a tray that
runs on sliders, which allow it to be pulled out for use and slid back out of the way when
not required. It is used mainly for inputting text on the output bay GUI screen, such as
during configuration or when using automation.
Front and rear connections
Connector panels on the front and rear of the XL8 Control Centre provide XL8 Live
Performance System interconnections that allow connection of peripheral devices, such
as keyboards, monitors, portable PCs, USB memory keys etc.
Front view of XL8
Pull-out keyboard