Alesis Studio 12R Reference Manual
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Alesis Studio 12R Reference Manual

Microphone preamplifier/mixer
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Summary of Contents for Alesis Studio 12R

  • Page 1 ALESIS Studio 12R Reference Manual...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    Table of Contents ... 1 Important Safety Instructions...3 Safety symbols used in this product...3 Please follow these precautions when using this product:...3 Introduction...5 The Alesis Studio 12R Microphone Preamplifier/Mixer ...5 Using this manual...5 Grounding Instructions...6 Installation ...7 Unpacking ...7 AC power...7 Grounding...7...
  • Page 3 Obtaining Repair Service ...45 Specifications ... 47 Frequency Response...47 Connectors...47 Levels...48 Impedance ...48 Noise performance (typical) ...49 Distortion (THD+N)...49 Power...49 Mounting...49 Dimensional Drawing ...50 Block diagram ... 51 Level diagram...52 Index ...53 Warranty ... 54 Studio 12R Reference Manual Table of Contents...

  • Page 4: Important Safety Instructions

    The wide blade or the third prong are provided for your safety. When the provided plug does not fit into your outlet, consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet. Studio 12R Reference Manual Important Safety Instructions AFETY...
  • Page 5 Do not operate for a long period of time at a high volume level or at a level that is uncomfortable. If you experience any hearing loss or ringing in the ears, you should consult an audiologist. Studio 12R Reference Manual Important Safety Instructions...

  • Page 6: Introduction

    Using this manual To get the most out of your Studio 12R, please read this manual. While the mixer is not complicated to operate, the manual contains information that will help you get the highest level of performance from it.

  • Page 7: Grounding Instructions

    Do not modify the plug provided with the product; if it will not fit the outlet, have a proper outlet installed by a qualified electrician. Studio 12R Reference Manual Introduction...

  • Page 8: Installation

    By sending in your warranty card, you will receive the Alesis First Reflection magazine free of charge, and we will be able to notify you of special programs and offers from Alesis. Should repair ever become necessary, having the unit registered will make it faster and easier to obtain service.

  • Page 9: Power Switch

    Mounting The Studio 12R may be rack mounted in a standard EIA 19" rack, occupying three standard 1.75" rack spaces. Any angle of orientation is acceptable. Note that (as with most audio equipment) if it is mounted into metal rack rails, the chassis ground of all units in the rack will be connected together by the rail.

  • Page 10: Connections

    Inputs Cable common sense Make all connections to the Studio 12R with the power turned off wherever possible. If you must connect or disconnect inputs while power is on, make sure the channel fader and [TRIM] are turned all the way down to avoid sudden pops and clicks which may damage speakers or other equipment.
  • Page 11 Use only one input per channel. The LINE IN jack and the MIC IN jack of a channel can’t be used at the same time. If you turn up the level of a line source to hear it at the same time a microphone is connected, you may damage the microphone. Studio 12R Reference manual...

  • Page 12: Phantom Power

    [PHANTOM POWER] switch on the Studio 12R’s back panel to connect all the XLR MIC IN jacks to the Studio 12R’s internal 48 volt phantom power source. Since the power is applied equally to pins 2 and 3, phantom power should not affect dynamic microphones (which do not require phantom power).

  • Page 13: Line-Level Devices (Synthesizers, Cd Players, Video)

    Electric guitars and basses may be plugged directly into the [LINE IN] jacks, if you raise the [TRIM] level. The Studio 12R has more than enough gain (up to 50 dB when the channel fader and trim are set to maximum) for guitars, although some pickups may sound better if they're plugged directly into a high-impedance preamp designed for guitar use.
  • Page 14 Balanced sources often feature XLR outputs. However, they should NOT be connected to the XLR [MIC] inputs of the Studio 12R unless absolutely necessary, because the higher gain of the MIC jacks gives you less headroom than the LINE IN jacks do (also, the source could be damaged by phantom power if it's turned on).

  • Page 15: Tape In Jacks

    [MONITOR OUT] and [PHONES] jacks only. A signal at the [TAPE IN] jacks cannot be heard from the [MAIN OUT] jacks. This allows you to use the Studio 12R to monitor a mixdown to a 2- track deck through your headphones. (If you plugged your mixdown deck into the line inputs on the channels, it would cause feedback when you press “record”.) By placing the...

  • Page 16: Phonograph Turntables

    If you're using a record turntable, you may not plug it directly into the line inputs of the Studio 12R (well, you can, but it will sound very thin and noisy). Obtain a phono preamp from your dealer or an electronics specialty store.

  • Page 17: How To Connect Effect Devices And Signal Processors

    Alesis and other companies make many different types of signal processors which may be connected to the Studio 12R mixer. There are two ways to connect these units: using the AUX system or via the INSERT jacks. Effects via Aux Send and Aux Return If you want to add an effect such as reverb, chorus, or delay to several different inputs at once, you will use the AUX system.

  • Page 18: In-Line Processing Using The Insert Jacks (Compressors & Equalizers)

    [TRIM] control, but before the Studio 12R's own EQ, aux sends, and fader. The INSERT jacks may also be used as direct outputs to a recorder.
  • Page 19 Insert Points Note that you will not hear any signal through the Studio 12R if the INSERT jack is plugged in and the signal is interrupted in that loop (by the other cables being disconnected, the processor being turned off, or the volume turned off in the processor).
  • Page 20 This will allow playback monitoring of the recorder. for more information. For more information on using the AUX and INSERT systems, see the “Operating Instructions” chapter of this manual. Studio 12R Reference manual Connections See the Applications chapter...

  • Page 21: Outputs

    In most stage monitor situations, we recommend connecting a third-octave graphic equalizer such as the Alesis MEQ-230 between the mixer and the amp to control feedback. The Aux 1 output may be connected in the same way for a number of different applications such as: •...

  • Page 22: To Another Mixer

    To another mixer The main or monitor outputs of the Studio 12R may be connected to a larger mixing console. Consult the manual for the other mixer for more information. If the mixer has "SUB IN" jacks, connect to those. Alternatively, you may simply connect the MAIN OUT or MONITOR OUT jacks of the Studio 12R to two line-level inputs on the other mixer.

  • Page 23: To An Adat Multitrack Recorder

    ADAT is a unity-gain device, it will not affect the levels going through the mixer. The [TRIM] control is the only level control for the ADAT inputs; the channel faders, EQ, and aux sends of the Studio 12R are used for monitoring and will not affect multitrack recording levels.
  • Page 24 Studio 12Rs can do the job more quietly and in a smaller space than expensive dedicated recording consoles. One 12R is the "source" mixer which feeds the ADAT's inputs, and the other is the "monitor/mixdown" mixer which receives the ADAT's outputs.
  • Page 25 This way, you can record a stereo mix of several inputs on any two tracks while simultaneously recording individual sources on other tracks. Studio 12R Reference manual Note that output 1 is on the left of Connections...

  • Page 26: Phones

    MONITOR OUT is almost at microphone level, low enough to be patched into the microphone- level inputs of a camcorder or house PA system. However, connect the monitor output to line level inputs wherever possible. Studio 12R Reference manual...
  • Page 27 Connections Studio 12R Reference manual...

  • Page 28: Operating Instructions

    To avoid surprises while you're setting up a new system, set all controls to their "zeroed out" positions as follows before proceeding: 1. Make all connections to the Studio 12R, as described in the previous chapter. 2. Bring all channel faders and the [MASTER] fader down to minimum.

  • Page 29: Setting Input Trim Levels

    Instead of doing this, get as much gain as possible as close to the signal source as possible. If you've plugged a synthesizer or other line-level source into the Studio 12R, set its output volume to maximum. If a microphone is the source, the Studio 12R's [TRIM] control will determine the gain of the system.

  • Page 30: Metering/Unity Gain Method

    (off). 3. Set the MASTER fader to 0 dB (all the way up). 4. Observe the Studio 12R's LED Meter. Adjust the [TRIM]knob until the average signal level on the meter is about 0 dB (highest green LED), or peaks do not exceed the +10 dB LED (or whatever maximum your system is designed for).

  • Page 31: Typical Fader And Control Levels

    Unity gain points Unlike many other mixers, the Studio 12R's [MASTER] fader is designed for unity gain (0) when the fader is up full, not at 3/4 or 1/2 of the travel. This allows you greater control to use the fader for smooth, gradual fade-outs.

  • Page 32: Proper Gain Staging Of Other Equipment

    (and the meter of the Studio 12R well below the "0" mark) to keep the system from being too loud or feeding back. It's better to run the mixer at its normal level, and turn down the amplifier's controls for the desired level.

  • Page 33: Aux System: Effects Send/Receive

    AUX System: The AUX 2 buss of the Studio 12R is a post-fader send. Usually, you will connect AUX 2 to the input of an effect device. Using a post- fader send means that when you fade a channel out, its effects will fade out also.
  • Page 34 If you want "just a hint" of reverb, don't turn down the Aux 2 send; turn down the Aux Return. Leave the input levels of the effect device where they were set in step 4, unless you see the device's overload indicator flash. Studio 12R Reference Manual Operating Instructions...

  • Page 35: Using The Meter

    As long as the meter of the Studio 12R is below its top LED, and the PEAK LEDs of all channels are off, the mixer should not be causing distortion.

  • Page 36: Avoiding Noise

    Avoiding noise If the Studio 12R is being run as suggested above, the noise of the mixer itself will not be a significant factor in the noise level of your system, since the Studio 12R generates much less noise than the typical source does. Noise is present in every system, analog or digital;...
  • Page 37 NOT connect to the chassis ground of other equipment in the system. Note that the Studio 12R is grounded through its AC cable. Signal ground is connected to chassis ground, which in turn may be grounded again by the rack rails.
  • Page 38 Operating Instructions unbalanced sources or effects plugged into the mixer may exhibit a hum when the amp's ground is carried back to the mixer. Studio 12R Reference Manual...
  • Page 39 Operating Instructions Studio 12R Reference Manual...

  • Page 40: Applications

    Multitrack recording See the "Connections" chapter for information on how to connect the Studio 12R to an ADAT or other multitrack recorder. In the most common setup, the ADAT is patched into the INSERT points of each channel. It receives signal directly from the [TRIM] control; no other controls will affect the level being recorded to tape.

  • Page 41: Mixdown

    (unity gain). By monitoring through the mixdown deck, you'll be able to hear if there is any distortion in that deck's electronics. Studio 12R eference Manual Applications...

  • Page 42: Using The High And Low Eq Controls

    Using the HIGH and LOW EQ controls The Studio 12R provides standard shelving EQ controls on each channel. The HIGH knob range is +/- 15 dB with a shelving frequency of 12 kHz. "Shelving" means that all frequencies above 12 kHz will be boost or cut by the same amount , and frequency response between 1 kHz and 12 kHz will gradually rise or fall to the shelving point.

  • Page 43: Monitoring Aux 1 In The Phones Jack

    Y-cords to connect the AUX 1 SEND to the TAPE IN jack(s) at the same time it feeds the monitor amplifier. Use the front panel [PHONES/MONITOR] switch to select between the main and aux 1 feeds. Studio 12R eference Manual Applications...

  • Page 44: Troubleshooting

    ROUBLESHOOTING Troubleshooting Index If you experience problems while operating the Studio 12R, please use the following table to locate possible causes and solutions before contacting Alesis Product Support or your dealer for assistance. Symptom The Power LED does not light when the unit is powered on.
  • Page 45 Hum or noise from output. No meter, although audio is heard through main outputs. Crackling sounds. Studio 12R Reference Manual Ground loop, Try plugging the unit unshielded cables. into another power jack or different audio cables. Monitor switch is Set switch to "MSTR"...

  • Page 46: Maintenance/Service

    Refer All Servicing to Alesis We believe that the Studio 12R is one of the most reliable mixers that can be made using current technology, and should provide years of trouble-free use. However, should problems occur, DO NOT attempt to service the unit yourself.
  • Page 47 Troubleshooting Tape a note to the top of the unit describing the problem, include your name and a phone number where Alesis can contact you if necessary, as well as instructions on where you want the product returned. Alesis will pay for standard one-way shipping back to you on any repair covered under the terms of this warranty.

  • Page 48: Specifications

    STEREO AUX RETURN jacks: MAIN OUT BALANCED, MONITOR OUT, and AUX SEND jacks: MAIN OUT -10 dBV jacks: TAPE IN jacks: Studio 12R Reference Manual PECIFICATIONS (any input to any output at nominal operating levels) 125 kHz Female XLR (Pin 1 ground, Pin 2 +, Pin 3 -) Female 1/4"...

  • Page 49: Levels

    Unity gain Maximum level +22 dBu 23.5 dB above nominal output 50-150 nominal source impedance (presents 4 k balanced load impedance) 600 -2 k nominal (>20 k load impedance) unbalanced, balanced 1.1 k at -10dBV MAIN OUTS Studio 12R Reference Manual...

  • Page 50: Noise Performance (Typical)

    At INSERT jack: At MAIN OUT (+21 dBu balanced output level) Power U.S.A. model: Mounting 19" EIA rack mountable, 3 spaces Studio 12R Reference Manual Specifications -128.5 dBu Equivalent Input Noise at maximum gain <-88 dBu <-85 dBu unbalanced (+22 dB max unbalanced out = 107 dB dynamic range) Better than 0.0010%...

  • Page 51: Dimensional Drawing

    Specifications IMENSIONAL RAWING Studio 12R Reference Manual...

  • Page 52: Block Diagram

    LOCK DIAGRAM CHANNELS 1-8 PHANTOM POWER TRIM INSERT STEREO LINE CHANNELS 9-10 AND 11-12 TRIM HIGH L/MONO STEREO AUX RETURN L/MONO Studio 12R Reference Manual AUX 1 AUX 2 60mm FADER HIGH SHELVING CLIP AUX 1 AUX 2 BALANCE CLIP...

  • Page 53: Level Diagram

    Specifications Level diagram Studio 12R Reference Manual...

  • Page 54: Index

    20 MSTR/TAPE switch, 14, 21 affects meter, 34 noise, 7, 28, 35, 49 nominal, 34 PA system, 14, 20 PEAK, 28, 34 Studio 12R Reference Manual NDEX Phantom power, 13 PHONES, 25 PHONES/MONITOR, 14, 34 phonograph, 15 post-fader, 32...

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