Difference between revisions of "346 Proficiency Guide"

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# Log into the Log Book and note any problems other students have had in the studio.
 
# 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.
 
#* Is the mixer and the rest of the room normalized?  If not, note it in the Log Book.
−
# Switch on the rack near the patchbay, and switch on the rack to the right of the mixer.
+
# 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.
 
# Power up computer.
 
# Power up computer.
  
−
=== '''Mixer Usage''' ===
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=== '''Soundcraft 600''' ===
−
# Patch in a simple audio signal: first, locate one of the Dual Oscillator Model 258 modules on the Buchla. It has two oscillators on a single panel. The top oscillator is a Sine/Saw oscillator, and the bottom is a Sine / Square oscillator. Use a long 3.5mm cable to connect one of the outputs from the top oscillator to output 1 of Buchla output panel (top left of Buchla). Then find the corresponding Buchla interface panel output on the patch bay, and patch this output to the channel 1 line input of the mixer.
+
# 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.
−
# On mixer channel 1:
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# 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.
−
#* Depress the “LINE” button to allow Line-level input to the channel.
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# 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.
−
#* Adjust the “GAIN” knob until the channel meter shows green LEDs but not red.
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# Route the signal from the Buchla through Line Input 1 all the way to the Main Output.
−
#** Can use "PFL" button above the channel fader if you want to see the signal on the larger meter above the Main L-R Faders, but make sure your L-R faders are down first!       
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# 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.
−
#* Make sure that the EQ section is disabled.  
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# 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.
−
#* Make sure the PAN knob is centered.  
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# 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?''
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#* Assign the channel output to the “L-R” bus.
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−
#* Bring up the channel fader to unity gain (0).
+
−
# Select L-R as the Monitor Source.
+
−
# Bring the yellow MASTER L-R faders up to unity, and you should see the Monitor Output meters indicate a level.
+
−
#* The Monitor Output knob will be your volume control for the speakers, as explained in the next steps.
+
  
−
=== '''Using the Quad Monitor Controller''' ===
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=== '''Monitor Controller''' ===
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# Starting out, make sure the "Volume" knob on the monitor controller is turned all the way down.
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# 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?''
−
# There are three different input sources on this monitor controller. The L/R Monitor Outputs of the mixer are directly connected to the "Stereo" Input of the controller. The "Quad" Input can be fed by sources such as Allen and Heath Group Outs or Apollo X8 Outs via the patch bay; '''nothing is normalized to the Quad Input'''. A stereo mini cable plugged into the controller is available when "Aux" Input is selected.
+
# Listen to the output of the Soundcraft 600 on the front pair of JBL 4412A speakers. Switch to listening on the active nearfields.  
−
# The controller feeds two different sets of studio monitors (speakers) which are selected by the "Monitor" switch. It is a 3 way switch that toggles between two different sets of speakers with "Mute" as the middle position. Selecting "Farfield" sends the signal to the (passive) farfield JBL 4412A monitors via Crown D150A power amplifiers (which amplify the speakers) to the right of the mixer. A stereo source will only go to the front farfields; a quad source will feed both the front and rear pairs. A subwoofer is crossed over with front pair. There is no need to change the volume of the Crown amplifiers. Selecting "Nearfield" on the controller feeds the active JBL Series 3 monitors. The subwoofer is only used with the Farfields.
+
−
# Once you have your input source and speakers selected, bring up the "Monitor Output" level knob up to a good listening level. If you still don't hear anything, double check that the MUTE button is not pressed!
+
  
−
=== '''Patching Signal into the Apollo X8 Audio Interface''' ===
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=== '''Apollo X8 Audio Interface''' ===
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# There are several ways to get the signal that was patched into the mixer out of the mixer and into the Apollo X8 audio interface for digital recording. In this case, patch "Channel 1 Direct Output" into "Apollo Line Input 1" on the patchbay.
+
# Demonstrate how to confirm that the direct outputs of channels 1 and 2 of the Soundcraft are already reaching Apollo inputs 1 and 2.
−
# Press the "METER" button on the front panel of the Apollo. This button toggles between displaying either input or output metering on the front panel; to be able to see input levels, use the button to select "IN."
+
# Demonstrate how to patch the main mix output of the Soundcraft into line inputs 3 and 4 of the Apollo.  
−
# The first four input channels of the Apollo can toggle between individual microphone and line level inputs. On the front panel controls of the Apollo, the knob labeled "PREAMP" is also a button. Pressing this button toggles between selecting inputs 1-4. Press this knob until Input 1 is illuminated (selected) on the front panel. This will make the other front panel controls affect Input 1. Press the "INPUT" button (just to the right of the "PREAMP" knob/button) to toggle between "MIC" (inputs available from the XLR input panel just about the interface in the rack) and "LINE" (inputs from the patchbay); we want "LINE" selected in this case. (Note that inputs 5-8 are ''only'' LINE inputs). For more information, check out the [[Apollo x8 Interface|Apollo X8 Wiki Page]].
+
# 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.
−
# With Input 1 still selected, use the "PREAMP" knob to adjust the input to a healthy level.
+
# Show how to listen back to Ableton's main L/R outputs via the Apollo X8 through its normalled connections to the Soundcraft.
−
# Open Ableton Live. The default project template is configured for use with the Apollo, and the first Audio channel in the project will already have its input set to "1 MIC/LINE/HI-Z." Save the project. From here, the track can be armed to record by clicking the button with the dot on it below the S (solo) button on the channel. Note that the "Monitor" control on the channel is set to "Off" (which is what we want, since we are already monitoring the input signal off the mixer).
+
# For more information on navigating the Apollo front panel and more, check out the [[Apollo x8 Interface|Apollo X8 Wiki Page]].
−
# On the transport controls at the top of the Ableton project, press "Record;" the dot should turn red and the play symbol should turn green and recording will start. Record a little bit of signal and then press stop. Pressing TAB on the computer keyboard will toggle between Arrangement View and Session View (helpful).
+
−
# Finally, listen back to what was recorded. Patch the output of the Apollo back into the mixer. By default, the Ableton project's main output will go to Apollo Line Out 1-2. Locate this pair of outputs on the patchbay and patch them into an available pair of line inputs on the mixer. Refer to steps 2-4 under "Mixer Usage" to route this signal through the board all the way to the Monitor Output.
+
  
 
=== '''Shutdown Procedure''' ===
 
=== '''Shutdown Procedure''' ===

Latest revision as of 14:52, 8 October 2024

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.
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