Tapco Mix 260FX User Manual - Channel Controls
9
CHANNEL CONTROLS
The channel strips have various controls,
depending on the model and whether it is a mic/line
(mono) channel or a stereo channel.
The output from each channel strip passes on
to the left and right main mix. Two auxiliary signals
can be tapped off and sent to monitors or eff ects
processors. The block diagrams on pages 23-24
show how the signal fl ows through each mixer.
UNITY GAIN
The U symbol on most of the
controls, stands for “unity gain,”
meaning there is no change
in signal level. Once you have
adjusted the input signal to line-
level, you can set every control at U, and your signals
will travel through the mixer at optimal levels.
EQUALIZATION
Each EQ control provides up to 15 dB of boost
and cut, with no change to the signal (0 dB) in the
center position. The Mix.220FX has three-band EQ
on all the channels, while the Mix.260FX has three-
band EQ with variable mid on the mono channels,
and four-band EQ on the stereo channels.
Although you can bring a sound to life with proper
EQ, you can also mess things up. If you max the EQs
on every channel, you’ll get mix mush, not to mention
driving your mix levels near or beyond clipping. So
equalize subtly; use cut as well as boost.
6. 75Hz Low-Cut Switch
(Mono Channels only)
This switch cuts the bass frequencies below 75 Hz.
We recommend that you use the Low-Cut switch
on every microphone application except kick drum,
bass guitar, bassy synth patches, or recordings of
earthquakes. These aside, there isn’t much down
there that you want to hear, and fi ltering it out makes
the low stuff you do want much more crisp and tasty.
7. HI EQ
Turning this clockwise boosts the level of all
frequencies above 12 kHz. Turning it counter-
clockwise cuts the levels.
Use this wisely to add sizzle to cymbals or an
overall sense of transparency or edge to keyboards,
vocals, guitar, and bacon frying. Turn it down a little
to reduce sibilance or hide tape hiss.
8. MID EQ
Turning this clockwise boosts the level of
frequencies at and around 2.5 kHz on the 220FX.
Turning it counter-clockwise cuts the levels.
The 260FX has a sweepable
MID EQ on the mono channels
(see 9 next), and two discrete
MID EQ controls on the stereo
channels, with center frequencies
at 3 kHz and 500 Hz [8a].
The midrange frequencies
include the upper male and
lower female vocal ranges,
and the fundamentals
and harmonics for many
instruments.
9. MID FREQ
(Mix.260FX Mono Channels
only)
This allows you to change
the center frequency for the
MID EQ fi lter so you can zero in
more accurately on the precise
narrow band of frequencies you
want to boost or cut. It ranges
from 100 Hz to 8 kHz.
10. LOW EQ
Turning this clockwise boosts
the level of all frequencies
below 80 Hz. Turning it counter-
clockwise cuts the levels.
Frequencies of 80 Hz and
below represent the punch
in bass drums, bass guitar,
fat synth patches, and high-
testosterone male singers.
AUXILIARY
In addition to the main mix
output, the mixer provides
two auxiliary mixes, which you
can send to parallel eff ects
processors and stage monitors.
The AUX SEND knobs adjust
how much of each channel is
tapped off , added to the aux
mix, and sent out via the AUX
SEND [45] jacks.
On the stereo channels, the
AUX knob controls a mono sum
of the channel’s stereo signals.
For instance, channel 5 (L) and
6 (R) mix together to feed that
channel’s AUX send knobs.
Mix.260FX Mono Channel
1-2
L-R
SOLO
1
PRE
PRE
EQ
1
MO
MON
2
FX
AUX
SEN
SEND
INPUT
BAL/UNBAL
HIGH
12
12kH
kHz
LOW
80H
80Hz
75Hz
MID
MID
MID
FREQ
FREQ
OL
+15
+15
-15
-15
U
+15
+15
-15
-15
U
+15
+15
-15
-15
U
0
+15
+15
U
+15
+15
U
R
L
U
O
O
30
20
10
40
50
5
5
60
10
8k
10
100
7
10
11
9
13
8
12
1-2
L-R
SOLO
PRE
PRE
1
MO
MON
2
FX
AUX
SEN
SEND
HIGH
12
12kH
kHz
LOW
80H
80Hz
MID
500H
500Hz
MID
3kHz
3kHz
EQ
L
R
(MONO)
5
6
LINE
BAL
OR
UNBAL
OL
+15
+15
-15
-15
U
+15
+15
-15
-15
U
+15
+15
-15
-15
U
+15
+15
-15
-15
U
+4
-10
-10
+15
+15
U
+15
+15
U
R
L
U
O
O
30
20
10
40
50
5
5
60
10
7
10
11
8
13
8a
12
Mix.260FX Stereo Channel
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