User manual SOUNDCRAFT M BROCHURE

[. . . ] A perfect mix of form and function A perfect mix of form and function In a world full of cheap compact mixers, Soundcraft has achieved something exceptional with the new Spirit M Series. Equally suited to recording and live sound applications, the Spirit M Series delivers a great-sounding, reliable performance, session after session, mix after mix. A mixer for life. Even before you plug in a Soundcraft Spirit M Series mixer you know it's something very special. The aluminium side panels aren't just beautiful, they can withstand extreme forces and are designed to leave the mixer with no sharp edges. [. . . ] Each direct output is pre/post switchable on every channel to suit your application. Essential for multitrack live recording, switchable direct outputs enable the pre-fade signal to be sent directly to the recorder regardless of the fader settings used for the live mix, allowing total post production flexibility. And when recording in the studio, the final mix can be sent post-fader to the multitrack, recording every fader movement. An absolute necessity. Digital output Each Spirit M Series console features a built in, high quality stereo A/D convertor, allowing a digital version of your mix to be routed directly to digital recording systems such as DAT, MiniDisc or recordable CD. The S/PDIF format output means the A-D conversion is undertaken in the best place, well away from the hostile environment of a PC ensuring audio integrity throughout. 7 Ready for the road Integral rack mounting 1 We know that for many people a mixing console must perform duties both in the studio and on the road. Through innovative design, the Spirit M Series can be instantly transformed to suit either environment. The stylish metal side panels are quickly and easily removed to reveal a strong, integral rack mounting system. Back in the studio, simply replace the side panels and it reverts to a desktop mixer. All three Spirit M Series mixers occupy 11U of standard rack space. 2 3 The build quality of the Spirit M Series mixer remains totally uncompromised. It benefits from an exceptionally rugged chassis, designed to withstand the most demanding working environments, from studio to stage, or from conference to church. 8 Mono input channels Mono input connections The three mixers in the Spirit M Series range offer a choice of 4, 8 or 12 mono input channels, each accepting balanced or unbalanced mic and line inputs. Dynamic, condenser and ribbon microphones can be connected via the XLR mic input B with 48V phantom power globally switchable via a button on the master section of the mixer. This signal then feeds a high quality mic preamp, which met with popular acclaim when used in our award-winning Ghost console. Keyboards, drum machines, guitars and other equipment can be connected to the balanced 1/4" jack line inputs C while an unbalanced insert point on each channel D is placed pre-EQ in the signal chain, allowing signal processors, such as compressors or gates, to be added to the mix. The input channels can also be connected to external multitrack recorders or effects units via a switchable direct output A for use in both live and recording applications. A E F B C D G Mono input controls Gain control H E Auxiliary section H A rotary gain control on each input alters the gain of the input signal, from +5 to +60dB. Linear circuitry within the preamp delivers smooth gain control over the entire gain range. Filter section I F The use of aux sends often varies ­ from sending separate monitor mixes in live applications to sending signals to effects processors or artists in the recording studio. The Spirit M Series features four aux busses, with two pre-fade and two post-fade aux sends on each input channel to cater for all requirements. J The pan control positions each channel's signal across the stereo image, with a mute button to cut the signal completely. A PFL (Pre Fade Listen) button solos the signal for monitoring. G EQ section E Equalisation on the stereo channel strip is simpler than the EQ featured on the mono channels. There are two controls, adjusting HF signals at 12kHz and LF signals at 60Hz by ±15dB. H The balance control adjusts the amount of the signal sent to the left and right busses. Mute and PFL buttons operate as on the mono input channels, cutting or soloing the stereo channel. With PFL pressed, the pre-fade signal is fed to the headphones, control room output and meters, with levels displayed on the left and right meters in mono to enable levels to be monitored without interruption to the main mix. Faders and metering Auxiliary section F With 4 aux sends on the stereo input channels, the signal can be sent pre-fade for use in a monitor mix (using aux sends 1 & 2) or sent post-fade (via aux sends 3 & 4) for effects processing. H Like the mono channels, each stereo channel features a smooth 100mm fader, a signal LED to show whether a signal is present and a peak level LED indicating signal levels in excess of +17dBu. I J Stereo returns and controls The returns gain control I positioned at the top of each stereo channel strip, adjusts the gain for each stereo return, with a peak signal LED indicating when the signal exceeds +17dBu. [. . . ] With their 4 auxes, stereo monitor output, mono sum output and a main stereo mix output, there are plenty of feeds for even the largest installations. Places of worship With the M Series mixer configured as shown in this diagram, it will provide a mono output to feed the main PA system, with an induction loop added for the hard of hearing. For larger scale occasions, music and voice monitor mixes may be required, which can be sent via the auxes. The main stereo mix output can also be sent to a 2-track recorder, such as a cassette or DAT recorder, if the occasion is to be recorded. 14 PFL EN PFL MIX/L MIX/R +48V MON L MON R INS. INSERT 75W LF FADER (AUX3) DIR. PRE (AUX4) PB/R (AUX1) DIRECT OUTPUT 75W (AUX2) PFL RD MON (PFL) (PRE) SP/DIF MONO SUM 75W AUX1 O/P (75R) (AUX2 SIMILAR) AFL FS 44. 1K (POST) INS. [. . . ]