Yamaha AW2400 User manual

Recording 101
Yamaha Corporation of America
6600 Orangethorpe Ave.
Buena Park, CA 90620 USA
Customer Support: 714-522-9000
Yamaha Solutions Network
http://solutionsnetwork.yamaha.com

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AW2400 Recording 101 - Table of Contents
Introduction 1
AW2400 Features 1
Setting up the AW2400 2
Connecting the Monitor System 2
Connecting the Instruments and/or Microphones 3
Turning the Equipment on 5
Recording 6
Creating a New Song 6
Setting the Input Level 7
Assigning the Input Signal to a Track 8-9
Recording the First Track 10
Punching In and Punching Out 11
Overdubbing 11-14
Mixdown 15
Setting Basic Levels 15-16
Adjusting the Panning 17
Panning Guidelines 17
Adjusting the EQ 18

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Using the EQ Library 18
Adjusting the Dynamic Processors 19
Using the Dynamics Library 20
Using the Internal Effects 21
Recording the Stereo Track 22
Creating an Audio CD 24
Glossary 26

Introduction
Congratulations on your purchase of the AW2400!
The AW2400 is a very powerful and easy to use digital audio workstation
that will allow you to take your musical ideas from concept to completion. By
combining all of the necessary tools into an affordable all-in-one unit, the
AW2400 makes it extremely easy for the home recording musician to achieve
high-quality results.
This guide is written with the recording novice in mind. It is written to take
you, the user, from start to finish in the easiest possible way. Many advanced
recording principles have been purposely left out. The idea is to get you up and
running as quickly and easily as possible.
At the end of this guide there is a glossary. Words in this document that
have been included in the glossary are underlined.
AW2400 Features
¾24-Track Hard Disk Recorder – The AW2400 records onto an internal 40
Gigabyte (GB) desktop style hard drive. There are 24 mono tracks for a total
of 24 recording tracks.
¾16-Input Channel Mixing Console with a 24 Track Recorder – This
includes 24 channels for playback of the recorded tracks, 16 input channels, 2
bus channels, 4 aux channels and 4 stereo effects return channels. Every
mixer channel has a 4 band parametric EQ and a dynamics processor.
¾4 Internal Effects Processors– There are four built-in effects processors
that have a wide variety of effects. Some examples would be reverb, delay,
pitch-shift, chorus, phaser, tremolo, and amp simulation.
¾I/O Expansion Slot For Optional Slot Cards – Expanded inputs and outputs
can be provided via ADAT, TDIF (Tascam), AES/EBU, and other formats.
Optional DSP can also be used to provide extra signal processing capability
via the I/O slot.
¾Built in CD-RW – The internal CD-RW drive can be used to make audio CDs
of your songs, to store song data, and to import or export audio.
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Setting up the AW2400
Before you begin recording it is necessary to connect the AW2400 with
the equipment that it is to be used with.
Step 1: Connect the Monitoring System
If powered monitors are to be used with the AW2400, connect the Monitor
Outs of the AW2400 to the inputs of the monitors using balanced instrument
cable. The monitor outputs of the AW2400 are balanced 1/ 4-inch jacks so it is
not recommended to use unbalanced cable.
Do not use speaker cable to connect the AW2400 to powered monitors.
With Powered Monitors
If un-powered monitors are to be used with the AW2400, first connect the
Monitor Outs of the AW2400 to the inputs of the power amp using balanced
instrument cable. Next, connect the speaker outputs of the power amp to the
inputs of the un-powered monitors using speaker cable. For best results 10-16
gauge speaker cable should be used to connect the power amp to the monitors.
The lower the gauge of speaker cable, the better the sound quality will be. For
shorter distances (less than 10-20 ft.), this will be less noticeable but it is still
important to use lower gauge quality speaker cables.
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Do not use speaker cable to connect the AW2400 to the power amp.
If no monitors are available, or if you prefer, headphones can be used for
monitoring. The headphones would be connected to the PHONES jack of the
AW2400.
With Headphones
Step 2: Connect the instruments or microphones.
The next step would be to connect the instruments or the microphones to
the AW2400. Typically, it is best to start by recording the rhythm instruments first
(drums and bass guitar) and then record the other instruments. The final thing to
be recorded is usually the vocals. However, if you are more comfortable
recording other instruments first and then adding the drums later on this will work
as long as you record with a metronome. This ensures that the drummer and
other rhythm instruments can follow the tempo of the song. For more info on
using the internal metronome of the AW2400 see page 62 of the manual.
The AW2400 has eight combo XLR/TRS input jacks. Either XLR or 1/4-
inch cables can be used in these jacks. All eight inputs supply phantom power to
condenser microphones thru the XLR connection. The ¼ TRS will not get
phantom .
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Either microphones or devices such as keyboards or drum machines can
be connected to inputs 1-8.
If a condenser microphone is to be connected, the phantom power must
be turned on. There are two phantom power switches. One is for channels 1-4
and one is for channels 5-8. Only turn on the switch for the channels that require
phantom power.
Improper use of phantom power can cause damage. If in doubt, do not
connect a device to any of the XLR inputs that have the phantom power switch
turned on.
If an electric guitar or bass with passive electronics is going to be
connected to the AW2400 it is suggested to use a direct box inline to an input. If
the guitar or bass has active electronics, or is going through an effects device
before being connected to the AW2400, then one of the regular 1/4-inch inputs
should be used.
Step 3: Turn the Equipment on.
Before you can begin recording you will need to turn all of the equipment
on. When turning the equipment on the following order should be used:
1. Turn on external devices such as audio sources and effects processors
connected to the AW2400.
2. Turn on the AW2400.
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3. Turn on the monitoring system connected to the AW2400s Monitor
Outputs.

This will prevent damage to the speakers. If the monitoring
system is turned on first, then when the AW2400 and the other
equipment is turned on a loud ‘pop’ will be produced which may
damage the speakers.
When turning the equipment off the reverse order should be used:
5. Turn off the monitoring system connected to the AW2400s Monitor
Outputs.
5. Turn off the AW2400. To access the AW2400s shutdown screen press
the [SONG] key until the Song List page is displayed then cursor to
SHUTDOWN and press the [ENTER] key.
5. Turn off external devices such as audio sources and effects processors
connected to the AW2400.
Recording
When everything is set up and connected properly, you can begin
recording. The first step in the recording process is to create a new song.
When you start the AW2400 for the first time, an empty song will be loaded
automatically. If you use this automatically loaded song, then there is no need to create a new
song.
Creating a New Song
1. In the Work Navigate Section press the [SONG]
key until the Song List page is displayed.
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2. Move the cursor to the NEW button and press
the [ENTER] key next to the jog wheel.
A popup window will ask you if you want to save the current song.
3. Move the cursor to either YES (if you want to save the current song) or
NO (if you do not want to save the current song) and press the [ENTER]
key.
Another popup window will appear, allowing you to choose 16 bit /24 bit 44.1kHz/48kHz
recording.
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4. Move the cursor to either to 16 bit /24 bit and 44.1kHz/48kHz, press the
[ENTER] key, then cursor to OK and press the [ENTER] key again.
Another popup window will appear, allowing you to choose any settings that will
carried over from the current song.

5. Cursor to OK and press the [ENTER] key.
The TITLE EDIT popup window will appear, allowing you to name your song.
6. Assign a name to your song using the cursor arrows and the Jog Wheel.
7. After naming the song cursor to OK and press the [ENTER] key.
Setting the Input Level
After creating a new song the next step is to set the input level for the
instrument or other sound source that you will be recording.
1. Raise the Stereo Fader (the red
fader) to the 0 position. This is all
of the way up.
If the Stereo Fader is already up,
first lower it and then raise it back up to
the 0 position.
4. Make sure the input fader for the input you connected to is set to the 0
position. To select the input layers press [INPUT SEL] key for the input
that you are going to record from.
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The IN 1-8 is for input 1-8 and IN 9-16 is for input 9-16.
4. Select the meter section to show the input meter screen by pressing the
[METER] key.
4. While playing the instrument, turn the [GAIN] knob up to adjust the input
level. The meter on the right hand side of the Input Setting screen should
be around the –12 to -6 dB mark when the instrument is at its maximum
level.
Once you reach the 0 dB mark the signal will become distorted. Setting the input level at
around -12 to -6 allows for changes in dynamics during live performance.
4. Turn the [PHONES] knob up to the desired listening level.
Assigning the Input Signal to a Track
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3. In the Quick Navigate section press the
[RECORD] key until the DIRECT page of the
RECORD screen is displayed.
The [INPUT SEL] keys and the [TRACK SEL] keys will now be red and blinking.
2. Press the [INPUT SEL] key for the input channel that you are going to
record from.
The [INPUT SEL] that was pushed will now be solid red, and the remaining [INPUT SEL]
keys will no longer be blinking.
3. Press the [TRACK SEL] key of the track that you want to record on.
The selected input channel will now be connected to the selected track. Both the
selected [INPUT SEL] key and the selected [TRACK SEL] key will be blinking red and
there will be a line connecting the two on the screen.
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4. Raise the fader of the track that you are recording on to the 0 mark and
check the level being input into the track with the meter section. To get to
the meter section press the [METER] key until you see the track meter
section. (F1 for input meters and F2 for track meters.)
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Recording the First Track
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You are now ready to record. To begin
recording, simultaneously press the [PLAY]
and [REC] keys in the transport section. The
lights above the [PLAY] and [REC] keys will
light up, and the AW2400 will begin recording.

Punch In/Out
If you make a mistake while recording, you can punch-in at the spot that
the mistake was made. To punch-in simply means to start recording again at the
point where the mistake was made. To perform a punch-in, first rewind the
AW2400 to a few seconds before the mistake. Next, press the [PLAY] key in the
transport section and when you get to the point where the mistake was made
simultaneously press the [PLAY] and [REC] keys and record over the mistake.
If the mistake is only a short one and you just need to fix the mistake and
not erase the rest of the track you can first punch-in at the point where the
mistake was and then punch-out when you have fixed the mistake. To perform a
punch-out, first punch-in at the point where the mistake was made then press the
[PLAY] key by itself to ‘punch-out’ of recording after you have fixed the mistake.
Overdubbing
After you have successfully recorded the first track or tracks, you
can then record additional tracks while listening to your previously recorded
tracks. This is referred to as ‘overdubbing' tracks.
Before you begin overdubbing you must disengage the previously
recorded tracks from being record-enabled. If you don't, you will erase the tracks
that you just recorded.
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Disengaging a track from being record-enabled
1. In the Quick Navigate section press the [RECORD]
key until the DIRECT page of the RECORD screen is
displayed.
There will be a line connecting the input channel from which you assigned to the
track that was recorded.
2. Press the [INPUT SEL] key for the input channel that you recorded from.
3. Press the [TRACK SEL] key of the track that you recorded on.
The line that connected the input channel to the track will now disappear and the
[TRACK SEL] key will no longer be blinking red, indicating that it is no longer record-
enabled.
Overdubbing Additional Tracks
1. Press and hold the [INPUT SEL] key for the input that you are going to
record from.
The [INPUT SEL] that was pushed will now be solid red, and the remaining [INPUT SEL] keys
will no longer be blinking.
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2. While playing the instrument, turn the GAIN knob up
to adjust the input level. The meter on the right side
of the Input Setting screen should be between the –6
to 0dB mark when the instrument is at its maximum
level.
3. In the Quick Navigate section press the [RECORD] key
until the DIRECT page of the RECORD screen is
displayed.
The [INPUT SEL] keys and the [TRACK SEL] keys will now be red and blinking.
4. Press the [INPUT SEL] key for the input channel that you are going to
record from.
The [INPUT SEL] that was pushed will now be solid red, and the remaining
[INPUT SEL] keys will no longer be blinking.
5. Press the [TRACK SEL] key of the track that you want to record on.
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The selected input channel will now be connected to the selected track. Both the
selected [INPUT SEL] key and the selected [TRACK SEL] key will be blinking red and
there will be a line connecting the two on the screen.
6. Raise the fader of the track that you are recording on to the 0 mark.
7. To begin recording, simultaneously press the [PLAY] and [REC] keys in
the transport section. The lights above the [PLAY] and [REC] keys will
light up, and the AW2400 will begin recording the next track.
Continue this procedure until you have all of the tracks recorded. After
you have recorded all of the tracks now proceed to the next step, which is
mixdown.
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Mixdown
Once all of the tracks are recorded it is time to begin the mixdown
process. Mixdown is the process of mixing the individual recorded tracks down to
a stereo track so that it can then be recorded onto an audio CD. The AW2400
has a dedicated stereo track for this process that is separate from the other
tracks. It is not necessary to keep any tracks open for the mixdown process.
The mixdown process can be a very difficult and time consuming process,
sometimes even more so than the actual time spent recording the tracks. The
following information is meant only is a general guideline for mixing and the use
of other resources is highly encouraged. There are many good books on mixing
as well as articles in recording magazines that will cover the process in much
more detail.
Setting the Basic Levels
A basic starting point in the mixdown process is to first set the levels for all
of the individual tracks.
1. Lower all of the faders to infinity (all of the way down).
2. Raise the stereo fader to the 0 position (all of the way up).
3. Press the [METER] key until the METER page is displayed.
This will aid in setting the individual levels.
Tip: Setting the meters to be post instead of pre will allow you to view the levels after the
fader, the EQ, and dynamics processors. This is a better setting for mixdown than pre.
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4. Start with the drum tracks (or rhythm tracks) and raise the faders until the
L R meters read around -12 to -6 dB. When you are finished, the overall
mix should be as close to 0 dB as possible without going over. By setting
the drums to read around -12 to -6 dB you are allowing headroom. As you
bring up the level of the other tracks, the level of the L R meters will
increase.
5. Next, raise the fader of the bass tracks until you achieve a good balance
between the bass and drum tracks.
6. After raising the fader for the bass track, raise the faders of the rhythm
instruments. This would include guitars, keyboards, percussion, etc.
Raise the faders to the position that give you a good balance between all
of the instruments.
7. Finally, raise the faders of any vocal tracks to the desired listening level.
The L R meters should now read around the 0 dB mark. If the meters are
consistently going above the 0 dB mark or you hear distortion lower each
individual fader until the L R meters read close to 0 dB. It is better to
lower the individual faders than to lower the stereo fader.
There are many different approaches to setting the levels in the mixdown
process. Some people prefer to start with the vocals and then work their way
backward, while others may start with the guitar. Neither one of these
approaches is wrong. The idea is to just get a good overall balance between all
of the instruments and if starting with the vocal works for you and then start with
the vocal.
After setting basic levels, you should pan the instruments between the left
and right outputs to create a stereo image.

Adjusting the Panning
1. Press the [TRACK SEL] key of the track that you wish to adjust the
panning for.
2. Press the [PAN/EQ SEL] key until the TRACK PAN
screen is displayed.
3. Turn the [PAN] knob to adjust the panning of the selected track.
4. To adjust the panning for additional tracks first press the [TRACK SEL]
key of the desired track and then turn the [PAN] knob to the desired pan
position.
Panning Guidelines
There are no rules for setting the panning when doing a mixdown but here
are some general guidelines.
Drums: The kick drum (bass drum) and the snare drum are usually panned
up the center. The rest of the instruments would be panned
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