Control Surface with Motorized Faders and 18 x 14 Audio Interface User Guide English
English To access the multi-language version of this manual, please refer to the Driver CD, or visit the Support section of www.m-audio.com to download the latest edition. Français Pour accéder à la version multi-languages de ce manuel, veuillez vous référer au CD des pilotes ou visiter la section Assistance de notre site internet www.m-audio.fr pour télécharger la dernière version.
Table of Contents Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 What's in the Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 About ProjectMix I/O. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Features and Technical Features . . . . . . . . . . . .
ProjectMix I/O User Guide Introduction Congratulations on your purchase of the M-Audio® ProjectMix I/O FireWire audio interface and control surface. The ProjectMix I/O is designed to be a complete all-in-one recording and mixing interface for your computer-based digital audio workstation. Its integrated design features a high-resolution, multi-channel interface based on M-Audio’s popular FireWire audio technology combined with a versatile, ergonomically designed control surface.
Features and Technical Features < Eight low-noise mic/instrument preamps with gain controls, signal and peak LED metering, phantom power and 66dB of available gain < Eight XLR inputs < Eight analog inputs and four analog outputs on 1/4" TRS jacks < S/PDIF I/O on TOSLink optical or RCA coaxial connectors < Supports sampling rates from 44.
ProjectMix I/O User Guide Controls and Connectors Overview Controls and Connectors Overview 5
Controls and Connectors Descriptions 1. Instrument Input Selector Switch (INST): The INST switch enables the front-panel instrument input (50) and allows you to connect an instrument-level input (guitar, bass, etc.) to this jack. The front-panel instrument jack shares its input with the rear-panel Channel 1 Line Input (52) which means that the ProjectMix I/O can receive a signal from only one of these input jacks at a time. To enable the frontpanel jack, press the INST switch to the down position.
ProjectMix I/O User Guide 18. Scrub Button (SCRUB): The SCRUB button is typically used in conjunction with the jog wheel (19) to scrub selected audio tracks for editing and auditioning purposes. Refer to the Application Notes section describing your audio software for details. 19. Jog Wheel: The jog wheel is used for various purposes specific to the DAW application, including shuttle and scrubbing functions. Refer to the Application Notes section describing your audio software for details. 20.
35. Flip Button (FLIP): The FLIP button will switch the control parameters of the channel faders (13) and their associated encoder knobs (8). (Example: if the encoder knob is set to Aux Send function, pressing the FLIP button will cause the encoder knob to control the channel level, while the channel fader will control the Aux Send function.) 36: Channel Info Button (CHAN INFO): The CHAN INFO button is normally mapped to a specific function within the DAW software.
ProjectMix I/O User Guide 53. Line Inputs (LINE INPUTS): Balanced line-level (+4 dBu) 1⁄4" analog inputs. These inputs are wired in parallel with their associated MIC INPUTS, and selected with the channel MIC/LINE switches (3). To use the Line Input jack as the input source for a channel, the corresponding MIC/LINE switch (3) must be in the down position. 54. Line Outputs (LINE OUT 1 – 4): Balanced +4dBu line-level outputs on 1⁄4" jacks.
The FireWire Audio Interface The ProjectMix I/O audio interface is capable of several different audio configurations, which are all selectable on the hardware page of the Control Panel software. (We introduce the full range of functions in the Control Panel in the following section.) Inputs: < Analog inputs (XLR / LINE INPUTS 1 – 8) will always appear as audio streams 1– 8. < When spdif input is selected on the hardware page, the left and right S/PDIF inputs will appear as audio streams 9 and 10.
ProjectMix I/O User Guide The Control Panel Now we will begin working with the ProjectMix I/O Control Panel software that was installed on your computer as part of the driver installation. The Control Panel is a powerful tool that allows you to configure a number of the audio interface settings. To access the Control Panel: < In Windows XP, double click on the red M-Audio icon in the system tray to open the Control Panel.
Analog and Digital Inputs To the right of the software returns section on the mixer page are the ProjectMix I/O analog and digital inputs. Analog inputs are labeled with the prefix "ana," for example ana 1/2 in, ana 3/4 in, etc. Digital inputs are labeled with the "adt" prefix for ADAT lightpipe inputs, or "spdif" for the S/PDIF inputs. As with the software return channels, you will find output select buttons at the bottom of each input channel.
ProjectMix I/O User Guide You can create two separate headphone mixes by assigning one of the headphone channels to monitor a different source, such as the 3/4 bus or the aux bus, using the small buttons under "mon" in these channels. You'll also notice that you have direct control of the headphone volume faders using the two headphone level knobs on the ProjectMix I/O control surface. Below the output channels are miniature meters for the software return and input buses.
Digital Port Selection Sub-Window (digital port selection) This section selects the active digital inputs and outputs, as well as the formats for each: < Input Settings (input adat or spdif): When adat is selected, the digital input channels on the mixer page will appear as ADAT inputs 1 through 8. When spdif input is selected, the digital input channels on the mixer page will appear as spdif inputs L and R.
ProjectMix I/O User Guide The following radio buttons determine the function of the level knob on the ProjectMix I/O control surface: < sw return bus: The level knob controls the level of the sw return bus, comprising the audio streams returning from your audio software. < output bus: The level knob controls the level of the output bus. This is the most common setting.
The Control Surface While the ProjectMix I/O looks and functions much the same as a typical mixing console, it is important to note that it is most definitely not a mixing console. Although it is equipped with audio inputs and outputs, it will not handle any audio unless it is connected to a host computer.
ProjectMix I/O User Guide How the ProjectMix I/O Control Surface Works with Pro Tools Channel Faders The channel faders are used for level control of disk tracks, master faders, auxiliary inputs, and MIDI tracks. Gain calibration ranges from infinity (bottom of fader travel) to +6dB (top of fader travel). The ProjectMix I/O channel fader tapering scheme provides resolution of 8.8dB per MIDI value in the –60 to –70dB range, and 2.5dB per MIDI value in the –70 to –100dB range.
Solo and Mute Buttons (SOLO / MUTE) When the MUTE and SOLO buttons are enabled, their LEDs light. Soloed channels flash the MUTE button LEDs on all other channels that are not explicitly muted. The MUTE button LEDs on channels that are explicitly muted when others are soloed are lit continuously. < To enable solo or mute on multiple channels: • SHIFT+SOLO: Enables or clears solos on all channels. • SHIFT+MUTE: Enables or clears mutes on all channels.
ProjectMix I/O User Guide Set Up Button (SET UP) Press the SET UP button to access utility functions of the ProjectMix I/O like LCD Contrast. The SET UP button will light solid red. After pressing SET UP, press the SEL key below the function you wish to edit on the LCD, then follow the instructions on the LCD to access parameters and edit values. Hold down the SET UP key for one second and the key will blink red. This will turn off the motorized faders on the ProjectMix I/O.
To exit Scrub mode, do any of the following: • Press STOP or SCRUB on ProjectMix I/O. • Press the spacebar. • Press escape (F8/ESC). • Press any other transport button (RWD, FF, STOP, PLAY, REC). Shift Button (SHIFT) The SHIFT button functions as an OPTION button in Pro Tools. Transport Buttons (RWD, FF, STOP, PLAY, REC) When the Audio During Fast Forward/Rewind option is selected in the Operation Preferences of Pro Tools, you will hear scanned audio (as on a CD player) during rewind and fast forward.
ProjectMix I/O User Guide Page 2 and above: Encoders control parameters specific to individual plug-ins Aux 3 Button (AUX 3): VST Instruments Page 1: Encoder 1 scrolls through VST instruments 1 – 8 Encoder 2 turns selected VST instruments off/on Encoder 3 selects a different VST instrument Page 2 and above: Encoders control parameters specific to individual VST instruments Aux 4 Button (AUX 4): Master FX Edit Page 1: Encoder 1 scrolls thorough master FX 1 – 8 Encoder 2 turns selected master effect off/on En
Meter Button (MTR) This key will activate the ProjectMix I/O channel meters, which show up as horizontal bar meters in the LCD display. Flip Button (FLIP) Pressing the FLIP button will switch the parameter assignment between the faders and the encoders (i.e., the parameter assigned to the encoder is now controlled by the fader, and vice-versa). As the faders are touch-sensitive and the encoders are not, assigning the encoder functions to the faders allows you to write smoother automation to these values.
ProjectMix I/O User Guide Zoom Button (ZOOM) When the ZOOM button is lit, the keys are used to change the view of the edit screen. The left arrow decreases the horizontal view, the right arrow increases the horizontal view, the up arrow increases vertical zoom and the down arrow decreases vertical zoom. Scrub Button (SCRUB) Pressing the SCRUB button will allow the jog wheel to scrub the currently selected audio part.
The display variants for different modes toggle the same way in all Multi Channel Strip views. The following exemplifies how they toggle in Value mode. However, their behavior will be virtually the same in other modes as well. < Encoder knob 1 or Channel Fader—edits volume. The lower row of the LCD shows the current track volumes, either in dB or numeric format, depending on the settings of the environment objects. Confirm the edited value by pressing the SEL 1 button for one second.
ProjectMix I/O User Guide Aux 3 Button (AUX 3): Built-In Channel EQ Functions EQ Assignment Modes Press the AUX 3 button to toggle between the EQ Multi Channel view and EQ Channel Strip view. Pressing AUX 3 will automatically bring up the channel EQ in the channel strip even if another EQ is present in the channel strip. Multi Channel View EQ Multi Channel view allows you to edit one equalizer parameter for all tracks: Frequency, Gain, Q or EQ bypass.
Instrument Edit View < The mode display will show "In ." < Dependent on the CHAN INFO button, the LCD changes in the following ways: < CHAN INFO (LED blinking on)—The upper LCD row shows the track's name, instrument name, current parameter page and total number of parameter pages. The lower LCD row shows the name of the parameter edited with the encoder knob below it. < CHAN INFO (LED off)—The upper LCD row shows the name of the parameter edited with the encoder knob below it.
ProjectMix I/O User Guide Plug-In Edit View < The mode display shows "P1" to "P8," depending on the number of the selected plug-in insert slots. < The LCD display will change in the following ways between the two modes: < CHAN INFO (LED blinking on)—The upper LCD row shows the track's name, insert number, plug-in name, current parameter page and total number of parameter pages. The lower LCD row shows the name of the parameter, which is edited via the encoder knob below.
MIDI Button (MIDI): MIDI Mode The MIDI button activates MIDI mode on the ProjectMix I/O and opens the built-in MIDI application (see the section of this manual on MIDI Application). Pressing the MIDI button again puts the ProjectMix I/O back in to DAW Mode. This application allows you to assign specific MIDI values to buttons and faders on the ProjectMix I/O. This allows you to control stand-alone software applications as well as external MIDI devices from the ProjectMix I/O control surface.
ProjectMix I/O User Guide SONAR Mode To enter SONAR mode: Hold down the AUX 4 button while powering on the unit. SONAR mode is confirmed on the LCD display when the ProjectMix I/O has initialized. Setup: With the ProjectMix I/O in SONAR mode, launch the application on your computer and choose Control Surfaces from the Options menu. Click the “Add New Control Surface” icon and select Mackie Control from the list. Select “ProjectMix Control Surface MIDI” for the Input and Output ports, then click Okay.
When pressing and holding the ALT button: Encoder Knob 1 controls EQ Band 1 On/Off on Channel 1 Encoder Knob 2 controls EQ Band 1 On/Off on Channel 2 Encoder Knob 3 controls EQ Band 1 On/Off on Channel 3 Encoder Knob 4 controls EQ Band 1 On/Off on Channel 4 Encoder Knob 5 controls EQ Band 1 On/Off on Channel 5 Encoder Knob 6 controls EQ Band 1 On/Off on Channel 6 Encoder Knob 7 controls EQ Band 1 On/Off on Channel 7 Encoder Knob 8 controls EQ Band 1 On/Off on Channel 8 Page 2 and 3: Encoder Knob 1 controls
ProjectMix I/O User Guide Flip Button (FLIP) Press the FLIP button to switch the parameter assignment between the faders and the encoder knobs (i.e., the parameter assigned to the encoder knob is now controlled by the fader, and vice-versa). As the faders are touch-sensitive and the encoder knobs are not, assigning the encoder knob functions to the faders allows you to write smoother automation.
Live 5 Mode To enter Live mode: Hold down the AUX 5 button while powering on the unit. Live mode is confirmed on the LCD display when the ProjectMix I/O has initialized. PC/Mac Setup: With the ProjectMix I/O in Live mode, launch the application on your computer and choose Preferences from the Options menu (if you’re using a Mac, the Preferences are located in the Live menu). Next, select the MIDI/Sync tab.
ProjectMix I/O User Guide Meter Button (MTR) This button activates the ProjectMix I/O channel meters, which show up as horizontal bar meters in the LCD display. Flip Button (FLIP) Press the FLIP button to switch the parameter assignment between the faders and the encoder knobs (i.e., the parameter assigned to the encoder knob is now controlled by the fader, and vice-versa).
Digital Performer Mode To enter Digital Performer mode: Hold down the PAN button while powering on the unit. Digital Performer mode is confirmed on the LCD display when the ProjectMix I/O has initialized. IMPORTANT NOTE: The ProjectMix I/O has been tested with Digital Performer version 4.6. A few known control surface bugs have been documented with earlier versions of Digital Performer, which may lead to erratic behavior. We strongly suggest upgrading to version 4.
ProjectMix I/O User Guide Drag and drop your MIDI connections between the ProjectMix I/O and Mackie Control icons, as shown below: Now launch Digital Performer. Select Control Surface Setup from the SETUP menu. Under Driver, select Mackie Control. Under Unit, select Mackie Control. Under MIDI, select Mackie Control – 1. Click Okay. Your ProjectMix I/O is now ready to control Digital Performer. NOTE: In most cases, a single control on the ProjectMix I/O is mapped to a single function in Digital Performer.
AUX 3 Button Encoder Knobs 1 – 8 control selection of Aux Send Output on selected bank channels 1 – 8. Press the up/down (p, q) arrow buttons to toggle between Sends 1 through 4. The numeric display shows S1 through S4 to reflect the currently selected Send. AUX 4 Button The AUX 4 button selects Digital Performer’s UNDO function. Pressing ALT + Aux 4 together selects Digital Performer’s REDO function. Multiple presses will perform multiple UNDOs or REDOs in Digital Performer’s UNDO history.
ProjectMix I/O User Guide Locate Buttons (t LOCATE u) The LOCATE (t / u) buttons move the transport to the previous or next assigned marker. Set Button (SET) SET activates and deactivates Punch In mode. In Button (IN) The IN button sets the Punch In point. Out Button (OUT) The OUT buttons sets the Punch Out point. Window Button (WINDOW) Pressing the WINDOW button repeatedly cycles through all open windows. Zoom Button (ZOOM) The ZOOM button works in conjunction with the arrow buttons (t, p, u, q).
Using MIDI Mode The ProjectMix Control Application allows you to configure the ProjectMix I/O control surface to communicate standard MIDI messages instead of the default Mackie Control protocol. This lets you to use the ProjectMix I/O with almost any audio application that supports standard MIDI protocol (nearly every audio application supports MIDI control in some way).
ProjectMix I/O User Guide Installing and Running the ProjectMix Control Application Windows XP 1. Insert the FireWire Series CD-ROM into your computer’s CD-ROM drive. 2. A welcome screen will appear, as shown below. If this does not appear automatically, click on Start > My Computer > FireWire Series. 3. From the menu in the bottom-right corner of the welcome screen, choose ProjectMix Control. Click Install. 4. The ProjectMix Control installer will start. Follow the onscreen directions. 5.
Using ProjectMix Control Downloading Current Settings When ProjectMix Control first starts, it will check to see that the ProjectMix I/O is connected to your computer. Once it establishes a connection, a dialog box will appear confirming connection. It will also ask you if you’d like to download the current MIDI settings of the ProjectMix I/O into the application. Click OK and the settings will be loaded into the application.
ProjectMix I/O User Guide Changing MIDI Assignments To change the assignments to a control, simply click on it with your mouse. A small dialog box will appear containing the relevant parameters for the control. Simply type in your desired values and press OK. This will lock in your new settings for the control. Continue clicking on controls and reprogramming them until you’ve made all the necessary changes.
You’ll start the control surface firmware updater by clicking OPTIONS in the upper-left corner of the ProjectMix Control window. Then click on Update Firmware within the pop-up menu. Once you select Update Firmware, the Firmware Updater will launch. Before you click Update, take a look at the version number displayed in the title bar. If this number matches the ProjectMix I/O firmware number that you wrote down above, then you do not need to run the Updater.
ProjectMix I/O User Guide Contact If you have any questions, comments or suggestions about this or any M-Audio product, we invite you to contact us by using the following information: M-Audio Germany Kuhallmand 34, D-74613 Ohringen, Germany M-Audio USA 5795 Martin Rd., Irwindale, CA 91706 Technical Support tel (pro products): . . . . tel (consumer products): fax (shipping): . . . . . . Sales e-mail: . . . . . . . . . . tel: . . . . . . . . . . . . fax: . . . . . . . . . . . . web: . . . . . . . . . . . .
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