Mackie DX8 Instruction Manual

Manual is about: Digital Audio Mixer/ Signal Processor with Automixing

Summary of DX8

  • Page 1

    Dx8 digital audio mixer/ signal processor with automixing instruction manual ol 2 4 7 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 50 ol 2 4 7 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 50 ol 2 4 7 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 50 ol 2 4 7 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 50 ol 2 4 7 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 50 ol 2 4 7 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 50 ol 2 4 7 10 15 20 25 30 3...

  • Page 2: Table of Contents

    Dx8 – 2 caution avis risk of electric shock do not open risque de choc electrique ne pas ouvrir caution: to reduce the risk of electric shock do not remove cover (or back) no user-serviceable parts inside refer servicing to qualified personnel attention: pour eviter les risques de choc electrique, n...

  • Page 3: Introduction

    Dx8 – 3 2. Introduction the dx8 is a dsp-based digital audio mixer and signal processor designed for use in a variety of installations such as churches, courtrooms, convention centers, and hotels. It provides eight universal inputs and two balanced outputs allowing true 8x2 mixing for stereo or dual...

  • Page 4

    Dx8 – 4 trim bus a u +20 -20 trim 1 trim bus b u +20 -20 trim 2 trim 3 trim 4 trim 5 trim 6 trim 7 trim 8 mi c gain 0 60 – + serial number manufacturing date direct outputs power input 22-28v dc, 3a max 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 – + g g + – mic line line line line mic line mic line mic line mic line mic line ...

  • Page 5

    Dx8 – 5 2 ol 4 7 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 50 a b lock mode power comm port b a master dx8 digital mixer b remote bus a record a b outputs logic i/o trim 8 mi c gain 0 60 turing date comm port 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 line mic -30db +30db u n 0 0db phantom power 48v dc 12 1 +5v 11 g 1 g + – g + – g + – inputs out...

  • Page 6

    Dx8 – 6 b remote bus trim bus a u +20 -20 a trim 1 record a b outputs logic i/o trim bus b u +20 -20 trim 2 trim 3 trim 4 trim 5 trim 6 trim 7 trim 8 mi c gain 0 60 – + serial number manufacturing date comm port direct outputs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 power input 22-28v dc, 3a max 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 – + g g + –...

  • Page 7: Installation

    Dx8 – 7 3. Installation application diagrams b remote bus trim bus a u +20 -20 a trim 1 record ab outputs logic i/o trim bus b u +20 -20 trim 2 trim 3 trim 4 trim 5 trim 6 trim 7 trim 8 m ic g a in 06 0 – + serial number manuf a cturing d a t e comm port direct outputs 12345678 power input 22 -28v d...

  • Page 8

    Dx8 – 8 b remote bus trim bus a u +20 -20 a trim 1 record ab outputs logic i/o trim bus b u +20 -20 trim 2 trim 3 trim 4 trim 5 trim 6 trim 7 trim 8 m ic g a in 06 0 – + serial number manuf a cturing d a t e comm port direct outputs 12345678 power input 22 -28v d c , 3a m a x 2345678 1 – + g g + – m...

  • Page 9

    Dx8 – 9 b remote bus trim bus a u +20 -20 a trim 1 record a b outputs logic i/o trim bus b u +20 -20 trim 2 trim 3 trim 4 trim 5 trim 6 trim 7 trim 8 mi c gain 0 60 – + serial number manufacturing date comm port direct outputs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 power input 22-28v dc, 3a max 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 – + g g + –...

  • Page 10

    Dx8 – 10 b remote bus trim bus a u +20 -20 a trim 1 record ab outputs logic i/o trim bus b u +20 -20 trim 2 trim 3 trim 4 trim 5 trim 6 trim 7 trim 8 m ic g a in 06 0 – + serial number manuf a cturing d a t e comm port direct outputs 12345678 power input 22 -28v d c, 3 a m a x 2345678 1 – + g g + – ...

  • Page 11

    Dx8 – 11 application diagrams a: typical stereo application this diagram depicts a simple setup, using the dx8 in a stereo application. A microphone is connected to the mic input on channel 1 for paging purposes, and several program sources are connected to the line inputs on channels 3 through 8. B...

  • Page 12

    Dx8 – 12 connections connecting balanced sources use high-quality three-conductor cable for balanced connections, such as star quad by belden, canare, mogami, etc. The better the shield, the better the audio signal is protected from induced emi and rfi. Note: with screw-down connectors, it's best to...

  • Page 13

    Dx8 – 13 strip the wire back about 1/4" inch, insert the wire as far as it will go into the appropriate hole in the supplied phoenix-type connector, and tighten down the screw with a small slot-head screwdriver. It is recommended that you use 20 or 22 gauge wire with the phoenix-type connectors. The...

  • Page 14: Operation

    Dx8 – 14 4. Operation set the levels mic and line input trim the analog trim controls on the rear panel are not adjustable via the control software since these are in the analog domain, prior to the a/d converters. To adjust the mic and line trim controls: 1. Start the program source playback for in...

  • Page 15

    Dx8 – 15 bus a and b input trim there is no metering after the bus a and b input trim controls. These controls must be adjusted by ear. Start the program source playback for all sources connected to the bus a or bus b input. Slowly increase the trim control to the center position (12 o'clock), which...

  • Page 16

    Dx8 – 16 direct outputs the direct outputs provide an unbalanced line-level signal from each of the 8 input channels. This signal comes from the output of the preamplifier stage on each input channel, prior to the a/d converter and subsequent digital signal processing. Use the direct outputs to conn...

  • Page 17

    Dx8 – 17 the logic functions assigned to each individual logic input and output are configured using the dx8- pc application. In addition, each logic input and output can be assigned a descriptive name (up to 32 characters) for easier identification within the pc application. Note: logic i/o functio...

  • Page 18: Dx8-Pc Software (V 2.0)

    Dx8 – 18 upgrading the software from time to time, mackie designs will release upgrades for the internal operating software in the dx8. This can be downloaded from our website ( www.Mackie.Com ) to a pc-compatible computer. Use the serial port on the computer to connect to the comm port on the dx8 t...

  • Page 19

    Dx8 – 19 overview the dx8-pc software application provides real- time control and configuration editing for the dx8 using a laptop or other pc-compatible computer. In addition to input and output level control and output eq gain control, which is available on the front panel, the dx8-pc application ...

  • Page 20

    Dx8 – 20 advanced dx8 unit info this opens a dialog box that contains the following information about the dx8 that is currently connected: firmware upgrade this allows you to select an os upgrade file to upload to the dx8 as they become available. Click on the select file button in the firmware upgr...

  • Page 21

    Dx8 – 21 windows about this provides information about the dx8-pc software application, including the version and personnel credits. Close window (esc) this closes the window that is currently selected (front-most) on-screen. Close all (ctrl+/) this closes all windows that are currently open on the ...

  • Page 22

    Dx8 – 22 presets the dx8 stores up to 16 presets, which can be recalled via the presets drop-down box. Select a preset in the drop-down box and the settings are instantly recalled from the dx8 memory. Save to preset click this button to save the current mixer settings on the dx8 to a preset. The "sa...

  • Page 23

    Dx8 – 23 buttons views these four buttons open the graphic eq, parametric eq, output compressor, and automix views, overlaid across the input section. Graphic eq click this button to open the 31-band graphic equalizer window for the a and b outputs. Click and drag on a slider knob to adjust the eq. ...

  • Page 24

    Dx8 – 24 compress • ratio: this determines the change in output level as a function of the change in input level, once the threshold has been exceeded. It is calibrated in decibels, with a range from 1:1 (off) to 20:1. Thus, if it is set to 10:1, an increase in input level of 10 db (assuming the inp...

  • Page 25

    Dx8 – 25 each individual channel is attenuated by an amount, in db, equal to the difference, in db, between that channel’s level and the sum of all the channel levels. This keeps the overall system gain constant, and allows the system to deliver maximum acoustic gain without feedback. There are thre...

  • Page 26

    Dx8 – 26 use a control group to adjust the volume of two or more channels at the same time. All faders that are assigned to a control group will have their gain settings modified by the amount the control group fader is increased or decreased. For example, a control group might be used to adjust the...

  • Page 27

    Dx8 – 27 action definitions momentary means that the logic function is active as long as the logic input is held active. When the logic input is inactive, the logic function is inactive. Latch on means that the logic function is active and stays active once the logic input changes from inactive to a...

  • Page 28

    Dx8 – 28 mid peaking eq these two knobs control the gain ( ±15 db) and the center frequency (20hz-20khz) of the channel mid-frequency peaking eq. Click and drag up or down to increase or decrease the settings of these controls. The actual settings are displayed in the two boxes above the knobs. Low ...

  • Page 29

    Dx8 – 29 output strip meter the output meter indicates the output signal level just after the output gain control and just prior to the d/a converter stage. These meters indicate the signal level in real time relative to maximum output level (+18 dbu) and follow the meters on the front panel, with t...

  • Page 30: Specifications

    Dx8 – 30 dire ct output channel 1 32-bit d s p channels 2-8 (identical t o ch 1) input meter internal digit al b u ses adc 24-bit phant om po wer +48 vdc dac 24-bit 31-band graphic e q 5-b and p arametric e q mute al c au to al c au to a b trim +5v pc or o ther c ontrol devic e (op tional) pc or o t...

  • Page 31

    Dx8 – 31 dx8 specifications inputs / outputs inputs 1-8: balanced, phoenix-type terminals bus a and b: balanced, phoenix-type terminals, direct to mix buses master outputs: balanced, phoenix-type terminals record outputs a/b: unbalanced, rca direct outputs 1-8: unbalanced on db15 (bottom row is sign...

  • Page 32

    Dx8 – 32 dx8 crosstalk (1khz relative to 0 dbu, 20hz-20khz bandwidth, any line input to adjacent direct out): trim to unity: frequency response mic input to any output: 20hz–20khz, ±0.5 db equivalent input noise (ein) mic in to direct out, max gain, 150 ohm termination: –129.5 dbm unweighted common ...

  • Page 33: Service Information

    Dx8 – 33 disclaimer mackie designs continually engages in research related to product improvement, new materials, and production methods. Design refinements are introduced into existing products without notice as a routine expression of that philosophy. For this reason, any current mackie product ma...

  • Page 34

    Dx8 – 34 appendix b: logic output functions logic output function parameter condition inactive none none inp sig present input 1-8 input signal > –40 db out sig present output a output a signal > –40 db output b output b signal > –40 db input chan open input 1-8 input gain > –40 db output chan open ...

  • Page 35

    Dx8 – 35 dx-sw4 remote switch control (4-button/4-led) switch positions id 1 through 8 function control 1 control 2 control 3 control 4 0 00000000 mute input 1-4 (1) mute input 1 mute input 2 mute input 3 mute input 4 1 10000000 mute input 1-4 (2) mute input 1 mute input 2 mute input 3 mute input 4 ...

  • Page 36: Mackie Designs Inc.

    Mackie designs inc. 16220 wood-red road ne • woodinville, wa 98071 • usa us and canada: 800.898.3211 europe, asia, central and south america: 425.487.4333 middle east and africa: 31.20.654.4000 fax: 425.487.4337 • www.Mackie.Com e-mail: sales@mackie.Com.