Faderfox micromodul LX1 User Manual - Power Supply
micromodul LX1
User manual
Page 5
Power supply
The
LX1 does not contain an internal mains unit. It was primarily designed for use with standard or
rechargeable batteries (4 x micro cell AAA 1.2-1.5 V alkaline, NiCd, NiMH) which are inserted into a
compartment on the bottom of the instrument. Please pay attention to the battery poles when changing
batteries. This compartment has a safety screw which must be removed before batteries can be
exchanged. Batteries usually last between 50 and 100 hours based on quality and brand. In order to
increase the battery life-span, the instrument switches into its energy-saving-mode 10 minutes after the
last movement was made on any controller. An LED running light displays the energy-save-mode. The
instrument is still fully functional, only the LED’s are switched off to save power. The instrument
leaves the energy-saving-mode as soon as a control is moved (primarily
shift). The battery control
LED (
LowBat) blinks when the batteries need to be replaced. Don’t panic when this LED starts to
blink. There is certainly enough reserve energy to finish your gig.
The
LX1 can also be used with an external mains adapter. The adapter (regulated or not) must have a
DC voltage of 9-12 V and at least 50 mA. The adapter must also have a CE symbol.
The adapter plug (hollow plug: 2.1 mm inner / 5.5 mm outer) must be polarised according to the
information on the connection plate: outer ring = minus, inner pin = plus.
Power supplied by an external mains adapter always has priority over batteries as long as the mains
adapter delivers at least 9 V. This guarantees that the batteries are not unnecessarily used when the
mains adapter is supplying the current. If an unexpected power shortage occurs (adapter plug is pulled
out), the controller can then continue without any interruption. If the polarity for the mains adapter or
batteries are switched, the instrument will not work. This would, however, cause no damage since the
system uses protective diodes.
The
LX1 is turned on via the power switch at the rear of the instrument (LED’s illuminate).
When the instrument is being powered by batteries, always try to remember to turn it off when it is not
being used, as this will increase the life expectancy of the batteries.
Connecting to a computer
A midi cable is used to connect the
LX1 to a computer – and the software. This cable is the connected
to the midi-out slot on the controller and the midi-in slot on the computer (sound card or midi
interface). The midi-in slot on the
LX1 is used to connect additional controllers and keyboards to the
same midi-port on the computer. The data is then merged in the
LX1 (merge function).
Of course, many users will now wonder why this controller does not have a USB interface. The
micromodul system is a system of multiple controllers that is able to be cascaded via midi. If USB
was used, special software would be required. In addition, many computers with sound cards and USB
audio interfaces have a midi interface. This means you would not have to use one of your USB ports to
use the whole
micromodul system.
If your computer does not have a midi interface, or your sound card does not have one either, there is a
small and inexpensive solution in the form of a USB midi interface that has both midi-in and midi-out.