346 Proficiency Guide

Policies

Please read this article (link) about lab policies before working in the lab.

Startup Procedure

1. Log into the Log Book and note any problems other students have had in the studio.
   • Is the mixer and the rest of the room normalized? If not, note it in the Log Book.
2. There are two rack mount power strips that power on most of the equipment in the lab. One is in the effects rack directly to the left of the Soundcraft 600 mixing console; the other is in one of the instrument racks to the left of the Buchla. Power both of these on.
3. Power up computer.

Soundcraft 600

1. Explain the basic blocks of the room's Simple Flow diagram, including how the inputs and outputs of the Otari, Apollo, Main Instrument Panel, and Effects are normalled to and/or from the Soundcraft.
2. Patch one of the Buchla's oscillator outputs to connection number 1 on the "Main Instrument Panel." These points are normalled to the first eight line inputs of the Soundcraft 600. Question: What does it mean that these connections are half-normalled? Demonstrate connecting this signal from the Instrument Panel via both the normalled connection and patching at the ADC patch bays.
3. Describe the signal flow of a Line Input on the Soundcraft 600. Identify the locations of the aux sends, bus assignment switches, and channel direct output, and describe their functions.
4. Route the signal from the Buchla through Line Input 1 all the way to the Main Output.
5. Use one of the aux sends to feed the Buchla signal to the Eventide Instant Flanger. Show where that effect comes back into the console via a normalled connection and demonstrate how to contribute the effect's output to the main mix.
6. Now patch the output of the Flanger into Soundcraft Line Input 2. Show how to bring this signal through the channel to the main mix.
7. Demonstrate understanding of the relationship between the Main Output and the Control Room Output. Question: what is the recommended position of the Monitor Output control on the Soundcraft?

Monitor Controller

1. Identify and describe the three input source options on the Monitor Controller. Question: what source(s) are the Monitor Output of the Soundcraft 600 normalized to?
2. Listen to the output of the Soundcraft 600 on the front pair of JBL 4412A speakers. Switch to listening on the active nearfields.

Apollo X8 Audio Interface

1. Demonstrate how to confirm that the direct outputs of channels 1 and 2 of the Soundcraft are already reaching Apollo inputs 1 and 2.
2. Demonstrate how to patch the main mix output of the Soundcraft into line inputs 3 and 4 of the Apollo.
3. Simultaneously record a mono track of the dry Buchla signal, a mono track of the effected Buchla signal, and a stereo track of the main mix into Ableton.
4. Show how to listen back to Ableton's main L/R outputs via the Apollo X8 through its normalled connections to the Soundcraft.
5. For more information on navigating the Apollo front panel and more, check out the Apollo X8 Wiki Page.

Shutdown Procedure

1. Turn the monitor controller volume all the way down.
2. Normalize the mixer (all buttons out, all faders down, all AUX Send knobs down, all EQ knobs centered, all Gain knobs down, Monitor knob down, etc.).
3. Remove patch cables from synths and patchbays, and NEATLY put them back on the hangers.
4. Shut down the computer.
5. Switch off all racks.
6. Log out of the log book and note any problems you have had; they will be looked at weekly on Tuesday mornings.
7. Switch off the lights and make sure the door latches behind you.